In contrast to other California cities, seaside Santa Barbara is successfully reducing its homeless population. Local advocates cite a tight-knit network of service providers.
With a population of 90,000, Santa Barbara isn't one of California's largest urban areas. But its anti-homelessness efforts might prove instructive: "the 2017 [homeless] count revealed that at least 790 homeless people reside in Santa Barbara, down from 1,040 in 2011." Kate Wheeling covers the city's strategy, which involves coordinating a network of service providers through a central organization, the Central Coast Collaborative on Homelessness (C3H).
According to C3H executive director Chuck Flacks, the solution to homelessness isn't a mystery. "It's really about getting to know each of the people on the street, getting to know their needs, getting them into housing, and getting them the services they need to keep them housed."
"'Homeless people are more like a canary in a coal mine,' Flacks said. 'The homeless population tends to reflect some of the things that are broken in a system … mental health, alcohol and drug problems, and lack of housing.'"
FULL STORY: How One Small Town Is Turning a Corner on a Big Homeless Crisis
Homeless Counts Fall Short in Gathering Accurate Statistics
Assessing the scale of homelessness in the United States is surprisingly difficult, with statistics failing to capture the diversity of unhoused people and their situations.
Alternative Analysis Pegs L.A. Homeless Count at Over 100,000
Casting doubt on an official estimate of around 52,000, researchers at a Los Angeles-based nonprofit put the number at close to double that level. That's accounting for anyone who became homeless at some point during the year.
Omaha Homeless Services Providers Struggle to Keep Up
With the worst of winter weather ahead, shelter providers say there are not enough beds to meet the rising rate of homelessness in the city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
Supporting Cycling Takes More Than Just Bike Lanes
Safe, protected bike lanes are a key part of a city’s bike infrastructure — but secure parking, e-bike charging, and other amenities can also influence people’s shift to cycling.
Judge Blocks Anti-DEI Rules for Transportation, Housing Grants
A second injunction blocks the Trump administration from enforcing new regulations for federal funding.
Unhoused People in San Jose Could Face Arrest if They Refuse Shelter
A policy proposed by the city’s mayor would give law enforcement the option to arrest homeless residents if they refuse three offers of housing.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)