SAN DIEGO ̶ PATH, the lead operator of Connections Housing Downtown, the City-sponsored one-stop housing and services center for homeless individuals, has released a report highlighting its successes over the past two years of operations. This nationally recognized model of comprehensive housing, services and street outreach has assisted in permanently housing 651 individuals experiencing homelessness in downtown.
The vision of a one-stop center was initiated by the San Diego City Council in 2008 and supported by the Mayor. At the direction of the City Council, the San Diego Housing Commission and Civic San Diego (formerly known as Centre City Development Corporation) guided the selection process which included a volunteer citizens’ review panel and community outreach to local businesses and residents in the area.
Connections Housing opened its doors in the Spring of 2013, and its mission was to address homelessness within its surrounding downtown neighborhood.
The interim and permanent supportive housing is supported by 89 federal housing vouchers, which were awarded to Connections Housing Downtown by the San Diego Housing Commission. The annual value is more than $830,000.
The center also includes the PATH Depot, a multi-service center that collaborates with more than 30 social service providers, offering everything from employment and mental health, to recovery and legal aid—essentially every need an individual may have while living on the street. Connections Housing also includes an on-site community health center, which is operated by Family Health Centers of San Diego.
“It is a great day when you can celebrate the more than 600 homeless men and women whose lives have been positively changed because of the commitment of our elected City leadership who stood behind this vision and saw it through with the equal commitment of PATH’s partners, Affirmed Housing and the Family Health Centers, and the downtown neighborhood community,” said Richard C. Gentry, President & CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission.
Among the key successes:
– 70 percent reduction in street homelessness in the surrounding neighborhood (Spring 2010 count of 246, reduced to March 2015 count of 84)
– 651 people entered permanent housing
– 213 homeless veterans secure full-time employment
– Provided more than 34,000 service appointments in the PATH Depot Multi-Service Center
– Provided more than 94,000 meals to clients in the interim housing program
– Brought roughly three dozen service providers on-site
The recently published two-year report highlights outcomes that have helped the city and county provide housing to its homeless population.
“Connections Housing works thanks to the dozens of public and private service agencies who have contributed to helping so many people access housing and jobs. No other similar urban community with a large concentrated homeless population has been able to respond as effectively as San Diego,” said Joel John Roberts, CEO, PATH.
Successes were shared during a special celebration on Thursday, June 11th, where PATH extended thanks and appreciation to the City, County and San Diego Housing Commission, in addition to the organization’s partners, supporters, volunteers and staff.
For the full report visit PATH: Two-Year Progress Report.
