An Inside look into how San Diego is solving Homelessness

San Diego has the 6th biggest homeless population in the United States, and People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) San Diego is dedicated to changing that. I have been lucky enough to have been offered the opportunity to interview representatives at PATH San Diego, Hayley Bratt and Jayna Lee, to understand their process and how they are making an impact on the homeless population. I plan to use this blog to break down their process further.

PATH was founded in 2008 with the support of Mayor, the San Diego Housing Commission, and CCDC (now Civic San Diego), with a vision for a one-stop homeless services center in the center of San Diego. The program is broken up into 3 departments; the Outreach Department, the Interim Housing Department, and the Housing Department, each offering unique services to assist the homeless. Lets break down what each department does, and their communal impact

PATH’s San Diego Headquarters

Outreach Department

PATH’s Outreach Department plays a crucial role in addressing homelessness by establishing meaningful connections with individuals living on the streets. Their approach is centered around understanding the unique circumstances and challenges faced by each person. By fostering trust, PATH outreach workers can effectively guide these individuals toward the resources and support they need.

Once a relationship is established, PATH's team works closely with the individuals to assess their specific housing needs, and helping them with the transition to more permanent housing.

Interim Housing Department

PATH’s Interim Housing Department serves as a temporary shelter option for individuals experiencing homelessness. Seen as your typical “Homeless Shelter,” the department offers housing and food services, which are supported by both employees and volunteers.

In addition to basic shelter needs, the program emphasizes its status as a transitional housing. With a 24 month program designed to help people get back on their feet, regular workshops and training sessions are available, focusing on life skills, financial literacy, and employment opportunities, creating a strong foundation for the future.

Housing Department

PATH’s Housing Department provides permanent housing solutions for clients experiencing homelessness. With the help of various stakeholders, including community organizations and housing developers, PATH builds and creates low cost permanent housing to match their Housing First Approach to homelessness.

PATH Villas El Cerrito

PATH has recently finished a permanent housing facility constructed from shipping containers. This cost-effective strategy enables PATH to create housing more efficiently, allowing for more individuals experiencing homelessness to be provided with a stable housing condition.

Thank You again to PATH for allowing me to have the opportunity to interview you. The amount of work PATH does is truly incredible, and the impact they are making in San Diego can’t be mistaken.

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