Diversion Program Offers Lifeline to Struggling San Diego Families

Zenobia Jennings and her family were on the brink of homelessness, facing eviction and financial turmoil. But a recently expanded diversion program in San Diego County stepped in to provide the support they needed, helping them secure a new apartment and get back on their feet. Their story is just one example of how this innovative approach is making a tangible difference in the lives of hundreds of residents facing housing insecurity.

A Lifeline for Families on the Verge of Homelessness

Preventing Eviction and Restoring Stability

The diversion program in San Diego County has become a critical safety net for families like Zenobia Jennings' who are on the verge of losing their homes. By providing a one-time financial assistance payment, the program helps cover the costs of an apartment deposit, rent, or other essential expenses that can make the difference between staying housed or ending up on the streets. This targeted intervention allows families to maintain their housing and avoid the trauma and disruption of homelessness.For Jennings, the $800 in assistance from the diversion fund was the key to securing a new affordable apartment for her family after a series of setbacks. With her husband unable to work due to caring for her medical needs, and the family's previous housing plans falling through, the diversion funds provided the crucial support they needed to regain stability and move into a stable living situation.

Expanding Reach and Impact

The diversion program in San Diego has seen a significant boost in funding over the past year, growing from just $300,000 annually to over $1 million. This influx of resources has allowed the program to assist far more individuals and families, with 244 people receiving help to either avoid eviction or secure permanent housing in the first seven months of 2022 alone.The increased funding has been a game-changer, according to Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Task Force on Homelessness. "Diversion is an intervention that is not deeply funded," she explained, noting that the additional resources have enabled the program to reach more of those in need. With homelessness on the rise across the county, this expanded diversion effort has become a crucial component of the region's overall strategy to address the crisis.

A Cost-Effective Approach to Reducing Homelessness

Proponents of the diversion program believe it offers a more cost-effective solution to addressing homelessness compared to traditional approaches like building new shelters or conducting encampment sweeps. By providing a one-time financial intervention, the program can help individuals and families avoid the costly and disruptive experience of homelessness altogether."There's still money to help people," emphasized San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, who played a key role in securing the additional $1 million in funding for the diversion program. This investment, she believes, will pay dividends in the long run by preventing more people from falling into homelessness and the associated social and economic consequences.

Overcoming Barriers and Expanding Access

Despite the program's success, challenges remain in ensuring that all those in need are aware of and able to access the diversion assistance. Jennings herself almost didn't seek help, unsure of where to turn and hesitant to ask for support. Outreach and education efforts are crucial to ensuring that residents facing housing insecurity know about the resources available to them.Additionally, the county must grapple with the long-term sustainability of the diversion program as the current funding boost is not guaranteed to continue. Developing a more stable and reliable funding source will be essential to maintaining the program's impact and reaching even more individuals and families on the brink of homelessness.As San Diego continues to grapple with the growing homelessness crisis, the diversion program stands as a shining example of a targeted, cost-effective approach that can make a real difference in people's lives. By providing a lifeline to those on the verge of losing their homes, the program is not only restoring stability for families but also offering a more sustainable solution to the broader challenge of homelessness in the region.