Rapid Resolution addresses surge in homelessness

This month, I want to share the latest homeless population numbers, the work we do around homeless prevention services and additional services for connecting with the homeless population.

In my previous two articles, I focused on Contra Costa County’s homeless system of care and the integration of our Health, Housing and Homeless services known as H3.

As I hope I have conveyed, H3 has an extensive array of programs and services. The department has undergone an incredible transformation in the past year to best respond to the needs in our community. The Continuum of Care allows people to access services at different entry points, tailored to meet people where they are.

Although our services have continued to evolve and improve, the number of homeless has expanded in the county due to rapid population growth and the extraordinary high cost of housing.

Results of the 2019 Point in Time Count show that homelessness has grown 43 percent over the past two years. However, the data shows that 90 percent of this growth occurred between 2017 and 2018. Our system of care and services has expanded since then, helping to slow the rising number of people experiencing homelessness in our county to just 3 percent between 2018 and 2019.

Counties across the Bay Area saw similar growth rates, with Alameda County increasing 43 percent and Santa Clara County 31 percent.

Rapid Response Program

H3 developed a program called Rapid Resolution, which has resulted in more than 30 people avoiding homelessness since March 2019. Rapid Resolution started as a pilot program that will now be implemented systemwide.

Rapid Resolution is an intervention designed to prevent immediate entry into homelessness or immediately resolve a household’s homelessness once they enter a shelter, transitional housing or an unsheltered situation. We now screen people as soon as they touch the system of care, and H3 determines if homelessness can be avoided by the use of the following services:

• Coaching and problem solving on an individual basis.
• Conflict resolution and mediation with landlords, family, friends.
• Connection to mainstream services.
• Housing search assistance and stabilization planning.
• After-care and follow-up support.
• Limited financial assistance.

When families and individuals can remain in their homes, it helps stabilize all the facets of their lives that support self-sufficiency. Jobs are retained, families are fed, children are safe.

H3 also uses the Housing Security Trust Fund, a countywide community fund that covers costs that could prevent many people, including seniors, veterans and families, from getting back into housing. It also protects participating property owners who offer these screened renters an opportunity.

In addition, H3 works with Shelter Inc. to help house our veterans. Shelter Inc. provides case management and rental assistance to very low-income veterans and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. They also work with county Veterans Services to ensure the veterans are receiving their benefits.

For more information on H3 or if you would like to get more involved, reach out to my office at 925-521-7100.

Karen Mitchoff is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Mitchoff at supervisormitchoff@bos.cccounty.us