More than 700 homeless women, children and men took refuge during the first winter of North County's regional shelter plan, but the most hardcore homeless stayed away because of substance abuse testing at the sleep sites.
Reaching the chronically homeless, often bedeviled by mental illness and addictions, while helping the temporarily displaced – all under a tight budget – were just a few of the challenges outlined yesterday by Mel Takahara of the Winter Shelter System Governance Committee.
In giving a status report to members of the nine-city coalition that makes up the regional shelter system, Takahara called the year a success. He pointed to strong volunteer support and the organization's prudent spending habits.
Sean Morris, left homeless after a failed attempt to move to Las Vegas for work, said North County homeless services allowed him to land a job and a place to live.
“They really made efforts and strides to make my situation better,” Morris said. “I'm just very grateful to be here.”
A network of churches and four shelters for the homeless provided beds for up to 180 people per night from mid-October through March, Takahara said. In a few cases, motel vouchers were provided.
North County's homeless population is estimated at 1,200. However, some declined to seek help at shelter sites because of substance-abuse testing, Takahara said.
“Word got out on the street that we were testing (for drugs),” he said. “And they chose to stay out in the Dumpster behind (a store) or in the park” instead of coming in.
Ten people a night were expected for the substance-abuse program, but only one or two a week showed up.
“Some people want to change their lives but most don't,” said Constance L. Hall, a homeless-outreach coordinator.
Takahara told representatives of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside, Poway, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Vista and the county that homeless programs should be broadened. He advocated adding mental health care staff, day activities, a sick bay and travel vouchers.
Oceanside City Councilman Rocky Chavez questioned whether the cities should not concentrate instead on a few issues.
“Everyone knows that we are going to face really tough budgets in the next two years,” Chavez said. “We shouldn't try to do everything for everybody.”
There were no estimates on how much the proposed additional services would cost.
Money for the $370,000 program came from various sources, including the federal government and the Alliance for Regional Solutions, an organization of about 30 nonprofit groups that help the homeless in North County. United Way pitched in $70,000, and North County cities added $81,000.
The final report on homelessness in North County is due this month.
