Oceanside staff unveil homelessness report, recommend ERF outreach model and new shelter procurement

Oceanside city staff presented a comprehensive review of local homelessness work during a Feb. 12 council workshop and asked the City Council to direct staff to develop an updated homelessness action plan and to adopt a social‑service‑led Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) outreach model citywide.

The report, introduced by City Manager Jonathan Borrego, outlined progress since the 2019 Oceanside Homeless Action Plan, current counts and program results, and specific recommendations for outreach, short‑term housing, permanent housing and public‑health measures. “We have made a selection for this position,” Borrego said, announcing the new homeless services manager Tamika Tates will start in late February to lead implementation of the updated plan.

City staff and consultants emphasized a housing‑first, multidisciplinary outreach approach tied to the state’s Encampment Resolution Fund (ERF) grant. “The ERF model … is led by a multidisciplinary social service team,” said Leilani Hines, housing and neighborhood services manager, describing outreach/navigation teams, housing teams and closure/maintenance teams deployed in priority zones along the SR‑78 Caltrans right‑of‑way.

Why this matters: Oceanside received $11.4 million in state ERF funding in 2024 and must move quickly to convert outreach into housing outcomes while managing public‑health and environmental impacts of unsanctioned encampments. Staff said the ERF strategy emphasizes long‑term housing over temporary moves and relies on by‑name lists and coordinated entry to prioritize long‑term residents of affected zones.

Key findings and proposals

- Scale social‑service‑led outreach: Staff recommended standardizing the ERF outreach framework used on the SR‑78 corridor and scaling it citywide. The model places outreach and housing navigators first and reserves law enforcement for closure and maintenance after housing…