The Smart Solutions Leadership Council

The Smart Solutions initiative is guided by a Leadership Council made up of more than 25 stakeholders from across Santa Cruz County. We are comprised of representatives from neighbor-hoods, business, faith communities, local government, nonprofit service programs and communities of individuals experiencing homelessness. The Leadership Council also has working groups and committees that include dozens of other community members in our work, including engagement, education, policy/program research, and advocacy. Our goals include: Create broader and more diverse community engagement on

homelessness. Improve public understanding of the realities of homelessness in

Santa Cruz County. Foster community dialogue on homelessness that promotes dig-

nity and respect for all. Develop better communication & coordination among those con-

cerned about and/or working on issues related to homelessness. Share information about proven, successful models and solutions

working both here and in other communities.

Our vision is a Santa Cruz County in which every community member has some form of safe shelter and where

homelessness is a rare occurrence.

Community Engagement •

Education •

Advocacy

A project of the United Way of Santa Cruz County

To learn more or to contact us about getting involved...

Our website: www.smartsolutionstohomelessness.org Our Facebook page: Smart-Solutions-to-Homelessness-Santa-Cruz-County Our email address: info@smartsolutionstohomelessness.org Our phone number: (831) 465-2203 Mail and donations can be sent to:

Smart Solutions to Homelessness United Way of Santa Cruz County P.O. Box 1458 Capitola, CA 95010

Smart Solutions to Homelessness

is a community initiative to improve the way Santa Cruz County works collaboratively to

reduce and end homelessness.

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Community engagement, education and advocacy are the cornerstones of our work… Engagement Everyone benefits by reducing and ending homelessness—and everyone has something to contribute to the effort. We are creating multiple avenues for active participation and engagement, so that you can make a difference and be a part of the solution. Education While almost everyone has an opinion, there is still a great need for accurate information. We need to collect, study and disseminate current data and research about the realities of homelessness. We are working to gather and evaluate good information, and share it with community members and decision-makers. Advocacy The systems of service delivery and funding to address homelessness have evolved slowly over the last several decades. These systems need to change to ensure we maximize effective, evidence-based and cost-effective “smart” solutions. These systems will only change for the better if we work together to advocate for smart solutions to homelessness.

What do we mean by “Smart Solutions to Homelessness”?

Evidence-based We use data and experience to demonstrate effectiveness in a real world setting. Cost-effective

We use resources efficiently to produce a net savings to the community. Produce measurable results

We show verifiable progress toward reducing homelessness and the impacts of homelessness on the community. Benefit the entire community

We reduce impacts on the greater community while promoting respect for each person involved.

Examples of Smart Solutions

There are many examples of proven smart solutions that are likely to help us here in Santa Cruz County. Here are a few that are working throughout the nation and are beginning to take hold here:

ο Permanent Supportive Housing: permanently moves chronically homeless individuals with a variety of health issues into housing while reducing burdens on emergency services, medical and justice systems.

ο Homelessness Prevention: for a very modest cost, keeps a family or individual in their current housing — before the downward spiral (and community costs) of homelessness begins.

ο Transitional Employment: begins the process of a return to self-sufficiency and longer-term employment while generating income for the individual in a supportive training environment.

ο Special interventions for youth aging out of foster care: provides focused and age-appropriate support for a population that is highly vulnerable to homelessness due to lack of family support.