SAN DIEGO — A pilot program for cities in East County is in the works to help people experiencing homelessness get reunited with their loved ones.
“Any homeless begins first with a home, and really you have to get to know them. You have to hear their story,” East County Homeless Task Force, Steering Committee Chair Rolland Slade said.
It’s a crisis affecting many people living on the streets of San Diego. Slade has seen firsthand the need for housing in the East County Communities.
“We have the second highest population of folks living in homelessness … most of them, 85 percent of them have grown up here in this community,” Slade said.
With many people living on the streets, county leaders are making efforts to find them a place to live.
“I think the big thing to remember is what we’ve been doing is not working so we have to try new things, we got to think outside the box and we got to be willing to try it all,” San Diego County Supervisor District 2, Joel Anderson said.
The Family Reunification Pilot Program is focused on serving people experiencing homelessness in East County unincorporated communities and El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee. After one year, supervisors will decide if they should expand the program or change paths.
“Usually it's a bus ride, sometimes it can be as simple as a car ride. You know, you may be in South Bay and you have family members in North County and you have no way of getting there but we help you close that gap,” Anderson said.
Whether it's in North County or anywhere in the United States, this new program will reunite them. The families must first be willing to take them in before they get sent away. Those part of the program may also receive services like housing navigation, case management and supportive services.
“The success is not your numbers but it's really about lives. So if we’re able to save one life off the streets of San Diego and see a family restored. You know, whatever the connection was and how they got disconnected we’re able to mend that, it's worth the effort,” Slade said.
The program is open to anyone experiencing homelessness in East County. Referrals to participate in the program can be sent to HSEC-OHS.HHSA@sdcounty.ca.gov.
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