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New program to help people off streets

José A. Álvarez County of San DiegoCommunications Office

On June 21, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors accepted the Project One for All implementation plan that will provide people who are homeless and have serious mental illness access to a coordinated range of services, including housing and health care.

Launched by Chairman Ron Roberts and Supervisor Greg Cox in February, Project One for All will increase outreach, housing and treatment services for individuals served by the program. According to the most recent estimates, there are about 1,250 people in San Diego County who are homeless and have serious mental illness.

“We’re going to help those vulnerable men and women regardless of where they live in the County,” said Chairman Roberts.

Project One for All will help place people who are homeless and have serious mental illness in treatment services paired with supportive housing to fully integrate housing, mental health services, primary health care, alcohol and drug services, case management and social services to help participants become stable and live more productive lives.

“People with behavioral issues are the least likely to secure and maintain housing,” Supervisor Cox said.

As a result of the project, hospitalizations, calls for emergency transport, and the frequency with which law enforcement responds to psychiatric emergencies are expected to decrease. In all, there are nine measures the county will use to monitor progress.

The county is investing $16 million in support of Project One for All in the fiscal year starting July 1 and $19 million the following year. Funding comes from a mix of sources, including Mental Health Services Act, state and federal funds. In addition, the county and city of San Diego housing authorities are contributing $4 million in housing vouchers to the project in the coming fiscal year and $9 million next year.

The county has also integrated the Department of Housing and Community Development into the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) in support of the project. The merge will become effective July 1.

In the coming year, HHSA will expand outreach, engagement and treatment services as well as launch landlord recruitment and incentive programs.

Project One for All supports the County’s Live Well San Diego vision for a healthy, safe and thriving region.

 

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