244 were helped through a recently expanded homelessness program, and there’s still money in the bank
Article By: Blake Nelson - San Diego Union Tribune
Jennings is one of hundreds of people who’ve so far received help through a recently expanded program for residents about to be evicted or who recently ended up on the streets. The approach, known as diversion, generally offers a single payment that can cover anything from an apartment deposit to car repairs, and proponents believe it can serve as a cheaper method for reducing homelessness.
Around a year ago, the Regional Task Force on Homelessness annually had only around $300,000 for diversion efforts, which by definition are less noticeable than, say, encampment sweeps or new shelters. “Diversion is an intervention that is not deeply funded,” said Tamera Kohler, the task force’s CEO.
That pot of money received a boost when San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer worked with a number of local governments and philanthropic groups to round up another $1 million. From January through July, the money helped 244 people either stave off an eviction or get back into permanent housing, officials said. Each household got an average of $2,863.