Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s effort last year to increase funding for the Regional Task Force on Homelessness` (RTFH) Diversion practice is paying off. In just seven months, from January to July 2024, 244 San Diegans were kept from becoming chronically homeless. .

“Homelessness diversion is yielding great results at nominal cost,” said Supervisor Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “These efforts are crucial in keeping our community members housed and preventing the spiral into chronic homelessness. I am proud of the work we’ve done and remain committed to supporting these vital programs. 

Between January and July of this year – when the $1 million Supervisor Lawson-Remer and philanthropic partners raised started being spent 209 unduplicated households were provided support and financial assistance. On average, it costs just $2,863 per household to return people to housing.

During a press conference at the County Administration Center, an individual helped by some of the $598,475.23 of the $1 million raised last year was on hand and gave testimony to Diversion helping them. One hundred percent of the money raised for this effort has gone directly to assist people. It has not been used for administrative support or staffing costs, as RTFH is funding the staffing.

“Within the same week, we were able to find a place to live, receive assistance, and get help with food and other essentials we needed. The customer service was truly amazing—I've never experienced such genuine care and support,” said Zenobia Jennings, recipient of Diversion reosurces. “The people here [at Alpha Project] really do care, and they helped my family in so many ways, from finding housing to providing household items.”

A 2018 Gates Foundation Study concluded Diversion practices are faster, more effective, less costly, and require less government support than interventions like an emergency shelter. Diversion helps steer people who recently became homeless (usually within the first month) from a shelter or living on the street because providers who are specially trained on Diversion engagement know how to ask the right questions about if a person needs family reunification, diverting temporarily as new housing is sustained, and/or relocating permanently to a safe place out of town. They also can connect them with short-term financial assistance – utility deposit, car repair, application fee, security deposit – to get them quickly rehoused. 

"A successful diversion practice leads to better outcomes for everyone," RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said. "We're excited to see these positive results and know that there's more opportunities to help those who have recently begun experiencing homelessness return to stability as quickly as possible."

Last year, Supervisor Lawson-Remer collaborated with major philanthropic organizations and service providers to boost funding for diversion. Her policy, approved by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, contributed $350,000 of County funds for diversion and another $150,000 for evaluation.  The complete list of funders with dollar amounts is as follows: 

1. County of San Diego - $350,000 + $150,000 for Evaluation 
2. San Diego Foundation - $200,000 
3. Jewish Community Foundation - Nearly $175,000 
4. The Lucky Duck Foundation – $100,000 
5. The Conrad Prebys Foundation – $100,000 
6. Cushman Foundation – $50,000  
7. Funders Together to End Homelessness – $50,000                       
8. City of San Diego – $50,000 

“Keeping San Diegans housed and off the streets is what we expected to see when we put our money behind this effort, and that’s what’s happening. It’s money well spent,” said Stephen Cushman, Founder of the Cushman Foundation, and Chair of the Committee on Downtown Homelessness for the San Diego Downtown Partnership. “Diversion is one of many tools Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and other regional leaders see as a solution to addressing chronic homelessness, and with these types of results, it’s hard not to agree.”   

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF DIVERSION

“Our public-private partnership addresses the regional challenge of homelessness with innovative solutions and positive progress,” said Mark Stuart, President & CEO, San Diego Foundation. “With support, we’ll continue to help hundreds more San Diegans avoid chronic homelessness to improve the quality and trajectory of their lives.”

"Urgent, cost-effective, and practical strategies such as diversion can help people avoid the streets altogether. A nominal one-time investment can save tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention the perils and traumas of living on the streets,” said Drew Moser, Executive Director, The Lucky Duck Foundation. 

"Addressing homelessness should begin with prevention,” said Grant Oliphant, CEO of Prebys Foundation. “This diversion program helps people stay in their homes, and we believe it is a crucial piece of the regional solution, offering a realistic path toward long-term stability. We look forward to the continued work and impact of this program on helping residents achieve a safe place to call home."

“One of the best ways to reduce homelessness is to prevent it from occurring in the first place, so it makes sense to invest in homelessness diversion practices," said Mayor Todd Gloria. "The success of this program demonstrates the impact we can have through providing timely support and resources to those in need and at risk of becoming homeless. I’m proud to support these efforts and will continue to advocate for initiatives that help vulnerable residents get and stay housed."