By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA–Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that the cities of Oceanside and Carlsbad have been awarded a joint grant as part of California’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) to move individuals living in encampments into permanent housing.
Newsom announced nearly $200 million in new state funds for the housing program at a virtual press conference. Along with this announcement, the governor also announced new measures that will increase oversight of state homelessness funding to ensure accountability by local jurisdictions.
The $11,398,466 grant will aid in relocating individuals from encampments along State Route 78 in North County. Oceanside and Carlsbad are among 17 statewide areas selected to receive funding for this initiative.
Other cities and counties selected to receive the funds were Anaheim, ($3.1 million), Chico ($2.7 million), Fresno ($10.9 million), Los Banos ($11.8 million), Oakland ($7.2 million), Ojai ($12.7 million), San Bernardino ($4.6 million), Santa Cruz ($4 million), the Humboldt County Continuum of Care ($3.4 million), Los Angeles County ($51.5 million), Marin County ($18.2 million), Monterey County ($11.1 million), Nevada County ($2.5 million), Santa Barbara County ($7.9 million), San Mateo County ($14.1 million), and the Tehama County Continuum of Care ($14.1 million).
“This new funding will get people out of tents and into housing across California. As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability. Local governments must ensure this funding is being utilized on the ground,” Governor Newsome said.
The funds will also support intensive case management, mental health support, and street medicine. Both cities plan to utilize existing resources such as Homeless Outreach Teams, Code Enforcement, the Oceanside Navigation Center, bridge housing, affordable housing projects, and Safe Parking.
Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez expressed optimism about the impact of the grant.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in our shared mission with the city of Carlsbad to combat homelessness along the SR-78 corridor. This $11.4M, first-ever encampment-specific grant gives us an opportunity to add to our current resources… Our goal is to reduce the number of homeless individuals by moving them into permanent supportive housing,” Sanchez said.
The California Interagency Council on Homelessness will administer the ERF grants and provide technical assistance to support the initiative.
When completed, the projects funded by the grants will provide services and support for nearly 3,600 people of which 2,200 will receive permanent housing. Twelve of the 20 projects are designed to resolve encampments along state rights-of-way.
