Street outreach involves meeting people experiencing homelessness out where they are. This approach was initially started through the Public Works Ranger Program as they were seeking ways of not only maintaining our parks clean but assisting the homeless where they were. It was then when the Ranger Program teamed up with the Chula Vista Police Department to search for services to offer. As the program evolved, the Homeless Outreach Team was formed with the addition of the Code Enforcement and the Department of Housing and Homeless Services Department.

Through consistent regular outreach, the HOT Team actively seeks out and engage homeless persons and, for those who are willing, connect them with services and/or place them in housing linked with appropriate services. The team, in concert with community partners, help alleviate the effects of homelessness in the community and serve the homeless through the following strategies:

• Contact and interact with the homeless community, based on a relationship of trust, to evaluate and assess their needs related to social services, mental health, substance abuse and law enforcement with a focus on connecting them with appropriate support and services for the short-term to foster long-term housing stability.

• Meet with community members to identify specific concerns and engage in dialogue that educates them on their rights, their responsibilities as a community member and legal resolutions in addressing homeless issues.

• Forge relationships with the various stakeholders in the community to include citizens, social outreach groups, social services, law enforcement, mental health system and the legal justice system towards multidisciplinary collaboration in addressing the housing and supportive service needs to provide short-term answers yet also develop permanent solutions.

The Team utilizes six key components in our case management strategies in addressing homelessness:

1. Collaboration and Cooperation:  The team relies on and recruits the necessary members that have different backgrounds, skills and areas of expertise.
2. Connecting to the Right Resources:  The client-centered approach is based on the complexity of need.
3. Appropriate Case Management:  In assessing and working with a client, the Team appropriately takes into account age, physical/mental condition, culture, gender and sexual orientation. In addition, an understanding of broader structural factors and personal history (of violence, sexual abuse or assault, for instance) must underline strategies and type of engagement.
4. Right Engagement: Building a strong relationship, based on respectful encounters, openness, listening skills, and advocacy.
5. Coordinated System:  Ensuring case management includes the broader system of care to meet specific needs.
6. Evaluation for success:  The ongoing and consistent assessment of case management that goes beyond the client's exit to permanent housing.

Housing Navigation services are a key component to the HOT Team's strategies.  Though this services, the client is assisted in securing housing by:

1. Assessing:  Conducting a tenant screening and housing assessment that identifies the participant’s needs, preferences and barriers related to finding stable housing.
2. Housing Plan:  Developing a housing plan that addresses identified barriers, includes short and long-term measurable goals for each issue identified, establishes the participant’s approach to meeting the goal, and identifies when other providers or services may be required to meet the goal.
3. Searching for and Securing Housing:  Assisting in searching for different housing options and securing housing by assisting in the completion of housing applications and securing required documentation.
4. Identifying and Securing Available Resources: Pursue available resources such as rental assistance (TBRA or Section 8), security deposit and other eligible one-time move in expenses.
5. Advocacy:  Communicating and advocating on behalf of the client with landlords.

 Report issues and concerns utilizing the City's See-Click-Fix portal.  

Operation Pride - Providing job opportunities while serving the Community.

Initially created in 2015 to provide job opportunities to those previously homeless overcoming dependency issues, the Operation Pride initiative has continued to provide valuable services to the Chula Vista community through trash and debris clean-up efforts and beautification projects, under the direction of the Public Works Park Ranger Program and in collaboration with partner organizations, as follows:

• Work for Hope has conducted beautification projects in over a dozen parks since its beginning in 2020, including trash removal and repainting of signs, bathroom facilities, pergolas, benches and other fixtures. McAlister Institute supports the program with vocational rehabilitation training, life skills instructions, transportation, job readiness, and links to stable housing resources.
• Take Back the Streets provides clean up of public right of way to keep streets and sidewalks free of trash and debris.  Over 3 million pounds, equivalent to 12 blue whales / 3 Boeing 747 jumbo jets / 1,500 tons, of refuse has been collected since 2020 and nearly 5,000 shopping carts. Alpha Project supports the effort by providing unsheltered individuals with immediate transitional employment and training while providing the community with vital cost saving services. The team was vital during the December 2021-January 2022 Republic Services’ strike when garbage was being disposed of on City Streets.  

For up-to-date statistics on Operation Pride view the dashboard below.