Santa Barbara Homelessness Update Highlights Successes and Funding Challenges

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Barbara Andersen, Santa Barbara's lead on homelessness initiatives, presented a mixed report to the City Council this week, highlighting both progress and growing challenges in addressing homelessness across the South Coast.

One of the key successes mentioned was the opening of a new day center on Chapala Street in August, which now serves over 40 individuals daily, connecting them with vital services to transition off the streets. Additionally, 169 new affordable housing units were introduced over the past year, alongside similar numbers of tiny homes and converted motel rooms made available to the homeless population. City Net outreach workers, who operate daily, reported making over 800 contacts, resulting in 82 people receiving direct assistance. "The needle isn’t just moving; it’s dancing," Andersen said, noting the progress made in transitioning people into housing.

However, Andersen delivered sobering news as well. State and federal funding that has sustained many of these programs has been slashed by 50%, putting future efforts at risk. “This is disheartening for us,” she admitted.

The demand for services has increased sharply, particularly among seniors, families with children, and those living in vehicles—many of whom are undocumented immigrants seeking asylum or work. About half of the individuals seeking assistance at the new Chapala center are newcomers to the county’s coordinated homeless services system.

Andersen pointed to the loss of COVID-era emergency rental assistance as a major factor contributing to the rise in homelessness, although she lacked precise figures to quantify this impact.

Citywide, about $6.5 million—roughly 3% of the city's budget—is allocated to homelessness services annually. Meanwhile, calls to police regarding homelessness-related incidents rose by 12% last year, with fire department calls increasing by 18%. Encampment clearances have also risen, with 508 cleared so far this year compared to 461 last year.

Councilmember Michael Jordan expressed frustration with the relatively low engagement from large parking lot owners in the Safe Parking Program, which provides safe overnight parking for people living in vehicles. He also questioned the efficiency of outreach efforts, asking how over 800 contacts yielded only 82 clients. Andersen acknowledged the challenge, calling it "the question of the day."