Santa Barbara’s Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness Shares Key Findings, Recommendations
Top Goals Include More Emergency Shelter Beds and Interim Housing, Daytime Navigation Center, and Non-Congregate Shelters
The City of Santa Barbara’s Ad Hoc Committee on Homelessness presented key findings and recommendations regarding the city’s day-to-day management of homelessness in a report to the City Council on Thursday, May 11.
Over the past year, the committee — composed of councilmembers Eric Friedman, Kristen Sneddon, and Michael Jordan and city staff liaisons Barbara Andersen and Elizabeth Stotts — has conducted research and stakeholder interviews to identify best practices for reducing homelessness at the city and county level.
Per the 2023 Point-in-Time Count, the city would need a total of 226 beds to address all individuals experiencing homelessness — whether they are sleeping on the streets or otherwise unsheltered — according to Andersen, senior assistant to the city administrator.
