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Carlsbad reports increase in housing placements; council adopts homelessness action plan funding plan
Summary
City staff reported a 66% year‑over‑year increase in city‑funded housing placements (89 to 148) and presented a $7.4 million funding plan for FY26–27; council adopted a resolution approving the funding plan and directed staff to prioritize prevention and diversion.
City staff presented the Carlsbad Homeless Action Plan annual report and the fiscal year 2026–27 funding plan, saying the city saw a marked increase in placements into permanent housing and asked the City Council to adopt a funding plan that shifts operational resources to homelessness prevention and diversion.
Homeless services manager Chris Schilling told the council the annual report (covering July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) documented a rise from 89 to 148 city‑funded housing placements—a 66% increase—which staff attributed mainly to expanded grant funding for housing assistance. Schilling said city‑funded programs served 643 unduplicated people and that, across all programs in Carlsbad, 717 unduplicated people were served with 165 entering housing.
Schilling highlighted three state encampment resolution grants, a joint project with Oceanside that cleared an encampment along Buena Vista Creek and helped 59 people into permanent housing, and a vehicle‑dwelling initiative that launched in June 2025. The presentation noted the city maintains three focus areas in its plan—shelter and housing, outreach and access to services, and public safety—and said staff recommend shifting Carlsbad Service Center operational funding toward prevention and diversion.
Lieutenant Sean Lawton presented public safety metrics, citing 3,897 total calls for service during the reporting period and noting that calls related to homelessness account for a portion of the workload; he said the police department’s homeless outreach partnership contributed to reduced call volumes. Schilling and Lawton said the proposed funding plan totals about $7.4 million and that 56% of total funding is dedicated to direct services, mostly grant‑funded. The largest general‑fund expenditure is the police homeless outreach team, which comprises a sergeant and six officers and represents 59% of the general fund homelessness allocation.
The staff presentation also covered a notable federal change: HUD’s recent notice of funding opportunity capped the share of awards that can be spent on permanent housing at 30%, which staff said will make San Diego projects less competitive for conventional permanent‑housing awards and could reduce permanent placements regionally. Staff said they will apply for competitive HUD funds where feasible and that the city’s funding plan does not count on HUD awards that remain uncertain.
Two public commenters addressed the item. Terry Jacobs thanked staff for placements but urged regional solutions and stronger prevention measures; Vanessa Forsyth thanked staff and urged against fining people living in vehicles, and asked for continued funding for permanent housing. Councilmembers praised staff results, pressed for continued regional collaboration, and asked for additional details on funding and implementation; staff responded with examples of regional collaborative bodies, partnership with Catholic Charities to increase shelter capacity, and the city’s by‑name list for tracking residents.
Councilmember comments emphasized prevention work and regional coordination. After discussion, the council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution recommending approval of the fiscal year 2026–27 Homeless Action Plan funding plan. The resolution directs staff to incorporate the funding plan into the draft city budget and continue outreach and grant‑seeking efforts.
