Oceanside awarded vouchers to vets

By Promise Yee

Census workforce figures, North County economies are significantly interdependent; 43 percent of the 223,000 workers that call the 78 corridor home work within their city of residence or elsewhere in the corridor. In comparison, 64 percent of the 548,000 San Diego City workers also work within city limits. As with the European Union or the North American Free Trade Agreement, strengthening economic interdependence can break down barriers, increase efficiencies, and improve marketplace competition against larger neighbors.

Innovate 78 is a major step in the right direction. Ultimately what North County may need is a complete paradigm shift in how area cities approach talent recruitment and business retention. Could a uniform regulatory framework be created across 78 corridor cities, simplifying the process of opening a business? Could community plans and development goals be redrawn with a regional mindset?

Could regional tax credits and other benefits be created to incentivize corridor business expansions? Where can regional economic integration take Oceanside, Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido?

Only time will tell.

Vince Vasquez is the Senior Policy Analyst at the National University System Institute for Policy Research, a regional economic think tank based in Torrey Pines. He is a Carlsbad resident.

OCEANSIDE — Oceanside Neighborhood Services Department applied for and received 40 HUD-VASH vouchers to help house homeless veterans living on the streets.

VASH vouchers work like HUD Section 8 rental assistance vouchers, which help low-income individuals by paying part of their monthly rent based on income. Vouchers usually pay 60 to 70 percent of the rent, which averages to about $800 a month per household helped.

The VASH vouchers also provide a Veterans Administration case manager to help veterans connect with services and secure housing.

Angie Hanifin, city housing program manager and Section 8 supervisor, said most homeless veterans in Oceanside are single males, but there are also female veterans who are without homes.

Hanifin said there are a variety of reasons that cause a man or woman who once served our country to become homeless.

“The situation varies,” Hanifin said. “Medical and mental health issues are common.” Sometimes a homeless veteran simply needs a referral and temporary assistance to get back on his or her feet. Other times additional resources are needed to help an individual reach self-sufficiency.

VASH vouchers provide enough support to fulfill those needs and help veterans turn their lives around.

Housing is an important first step.

“Having a place to live relieves a lot of stress, and they can start working on some of the other problems,” Hanifin said.

The VASH vouchers will be effective June 1. Veterans will be screened for eligibili- ty and referred to the city for assistance by the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Oceanside is also part of the North County 25 Cities Project that is aimed to end veteran and chronic homelessness.

As part of regional efforts Oceanside has dedicated 30 of its HUD vouchers to aid homeless individuals, beyond the VASH vouchers.

Hanifin said a major benefit of the 25 Cities Project is the collaboration built between agencies that were not formerly working together. Subcommittees comprised of city, nonprofit and charity group representatives meet weekly to share updates and best practices.

“We’ve set up a system we didn’t have in place before,” Hanifin said. “We’re focusing resources and working together to definitely make a difference.”

Hanifin said gaps still remain in ensuring sufficient case management and long-term behavior health resources for homeless individuals.

Partners in the 25 Cites Project have also found technology challenges in accessing shared data. Another challenge is finding landlords who will work with the program and rent units to previously homeless individuals.

Hanifin said these challenges are being worked through.

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