Chula Vista launches new department of housing and homeless services

Chula Vista has launched a housing and homeless services department that city officials said will more comprehensively address a growing need to find housing and help people stay housed.

The city is expected this year to undertake several new projects and policies related to tenant protections, helping those facing homelessness and the development of affordable residences.

Previously, a version of the department had existed under the city’s Development Services, along with code enforcement, land development, building services and planning for public and private developments, according to the city’s website.

A department specific to addressing “all levels of housing and particularly for the unsheltered community” was necessary as the city kickstarts several new initiatives, said Stacey Kurz, the director of the Department of Housing and Homeless Services.

Last year’s homeless point-in-time count showed Chula Vista has a homeless population of about 300 people, but homeless nonprofits and the police department, which has conducted its own count in the past, argue the actual number is likely much higher.

“The creation of this department will provide additional focus and dedicated resources to meet the needs of our unsheltered community,” City Manager Maria Kachadoorian said in a statement.

One of the department’s major roles will include overseeing the nonprofit City Net, which is tasked with running Chula Vista’s homeless shelter village that is set to open this year. The city last year approved a $5.7 million, three-year agreement with the organization to operate the year-round shelter that will provide 66 prefab units for temporary housing.

“We’ll oversee the contract for the operators and we do have a part-time staff member that will be on-site for at least the initial opening,” said Kurz.

Department staff is also overseeing plans for Harborside Park, which closed in August when the city cleared it of homeless encampments and fenced it to curb illicit activities. Staff members recently conducted a survey to collect public feedback on possible long-term solutions. They are also planning short-term options for public access, which some residents said they would like to see.

They will also administer new housing programs and policies, including the approved landlord-tenant ordinance. Come March, the policy will provide stronger tenant protections than what current state law offers. If a property issues termination of tenancy for substantial remodels or demolition, for example, department staff would check for compliance with the ordinance.

The department won’t serve as a mediator for landlord and tenant disputes. If residents do reach out, Kurz said, they will be provided with resources that can help, such as from the housing counseling nonprofit CSA San Diego County.

Housing and Homeless Services will also apply for state and federal grants, administer the re-launch of the city’s first-time homebuyer program and oversee rental assistance programs offered through partnered organizations. Among them is Serving Seniors’ new homelessness prevention program that is offering $300 in monthly rental subsidies to more than 20 older adults at risk of becoming homeless. There’s also the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program through SBCS, which has helped 8,522 Chula Vista residents pay their rent and 755 landlords receive those monthly payments, according to the city.

The city is looking to bring the five-member department up to 10 employees, said Kurz.