ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS

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Welcome to the City of Chula Vista's webpage on the City's efforts in addressing homelessness! The City of Chula Vista is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of homelessness in our community and has devoted significant resources toward this effort. Below you will find information on the current state of homelessness and what the City is doing to address these challenges.

This webpage is designed to provide information to persons in need of services as well as community members seeking data and information on the state of homelessness in the City and includes ways to help stay current on the "Latest News and Updates" below including Restrictions on Encampments.

If you or someone you know is homeless and is in need of services, please contact the Chula Vista HOT Team via direct line (619) 409-5827, (619) 409-1961 or Email here.

Unsheltered Profile

Chula Vista Counts 2023 (CV2023)

On September 13, 2023, The Chula Vista Homeless Outreach Team held the CV2023, an independent count to determine the current state of unsheltered individuals in Chula Vista. The count included those in shelters, living on the streets, or staying in hotels through government assistance. This count was conducted very similar to the January 2023 annual National #WeAllCount Point-in-Time Count, including the same survey data app for consistency in data analysis. CV2023 included a few logistical and survey modifications which included additional questions, specific to Chula Vista, such as the origin city and length of time in the City.

The count revealed that there was a total of 786 unsheltered and previously unsheltered individuals. Of those, 510 were counted as homeless (per HUD definition),132 were counted in emergency shelters (SBCS and CV Village at Otay) and 144 were utilizing County-issued Hotel Vouchers. Data specific to the 254 individuals interviewed can be found below.

Recent Success Stories - "Veronica" and "Crystal"

Watch some of Chula Vista's success stories as you hear Veronica and Crystal’s stories of transformation when each decided to take a “hand up” from our team members. What you will witness is the trust that comes with the persistence and passion from each of the members of the Chula Vista’s Homeless Outreach Team, changing one life at a time.

Policy Updates

The City of Chula Vista currently implements a number of policies and practices that are in line with Governor Newsom’s 7/25/24 Executive Order Guidelines to address encampments in our communities.

Noticing prior to removal of personal property (72 hours). Executive Order encourages providing notice a minimum of 48 hours prior.
Outreach Services
Collection and storage of personal property for 90 days with contact information provided for retrieval. Executive Order encourages a minimum of 60 days.

The Homeless Outreach Team provide a range of resources to communicate with and support homeless individuals with social services and options for housing. Several actions taken to address encampments and the needs of the community and homeless individuals include:

May 15, 2023: The City Opened Chula Vista Village at Otay, the first pallet home bridge shelter in Chula Vista. The site includes 65 pallet homes, a restroom/shower facility, and a laundry facility. Meals are provided and case managers are on-site. Over seventy clients have been assisted at the shelter with approximately 16% positively exiting to date.
October 5, 2023: Presentation to Council on existing impacts due to the increased number of encampments and services available. Proposed 5 policy actions to mitigate effects including prohibiting camping on/near areas such as schools, transit stations/corridors, parks, open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas.
December 5, 2023: City Council directed staff to consider all policies with a priority to encampment restrictions and service provider licensing.
April 22, 2024: Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Grants Pass v. Johnson, which included a review of the Martin v. Boise case. City paused its consideration of encampment restrictions while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
June 28, 2024 – The Supreme Court issued its decision in in Grants Pass, overturning Martin v. Boise and stating that anti-camping bans do not violate the 8th Amendment.
July 25, 2024 – Governor Newsom issues an Executive Order directing state agencies to remove homeless encampments and encouraging local jurisdictions to adopt the state’s guidelines for providing notice to vacate appropriate for the site conditions, providing outreach services in coordination with service providers, and removing and storing personal property collected at removal sites.
On October 1, 2024, the City Council conducted the second reading and adopted an Encampment Restriction Ordinance.

Client Privacy Policies

The City of Chula Vista and its partners utilize a Clarity to support the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Clarity is a local web-based information technology system that San Diego’s Continuum of Care (CoC) uses to collect client-level data and data on housing and services to homeless individuals/families and persons at risk of homelessness.

HMIS is only available to affiliated organizations, and through oversite from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. Clarity is used by dozens of agencies countywide, including the City of Chula Vista. It captures demographic data, services, housing, assessments, employment, and other data relevant to client progress. The program provides for longitudinal tracking of service utilization by each client and generates reports within a vast set of parameters.

The guidelines for being an HMIS Participating Agency may be found in the HMIS Policies and Procedures. Chula Vista has adopted HMIS Privacy and Security Policies entirely for all homeless service programs. Safeguarding personal information and privacy is a priority. Please view the Notice of Privacy Practices and the Multiparty Authorization to Use and/or Disclose Information included in the HMIS Policies and Procedures, Exhibit D.

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