www.dignitymoves.org
DignityMoves Impact Report 2023
Scalable Solutions to End Unsheltered Homelessness
Letter from the CEO I am thrilled to share this 2023 Impact Report with you which highlights the incredible progress DignityMoves has made over the past 12 months. The 5-fold growth reflected in our recent audited financial statements demonstrates a growing momentum in our ability to impact the lives of our unhoused neighbors and the communities we serve. DignityMoves is laser-focused on one goal: ending unsheltered homelessness. Unsheltered homelessness is merely the surface layer of a far more complex set of intertwined challenges– yet it is the most visible, the most inhumane, and thankfully the most solvable. Unfortunately, many of the other issues are far more intractable, such as widening economic disparities, soaring housing costs or the fentanyl epidemic. But providing rooms with doors that lock and some encouragement from a helpful case manager– that’s simple by comparison. That we can accomplish. The only thing standing in our way is a sense of resignation that it's just not possible. We need to re-instill empowered optimism. DignityMoves is working to do just that. To be clear, DignityMoves’ focus on rapid, costeffective, and therefore scalable approaches to building interim housing does not in any way negate the essential efforts underway to build the permanent housing that's so desperately needed: only permanent housing ends homelessness. Yet providing dignified, stable places where people can “take a deep breath” in the meantime is essential for averting the traumatic damage inflicted by the horrors that happen when trying to survive on the streets. DignityMoves chose to focus on unsheltered homelessness because most municipalities have long under-invested in shelter, in favor of dedicating resources to permanent programs. As a result, nearly 70% of people experiencing homelessness in California spend their nights in places not meant for human habitation.
Thankfully, finally, strategies are beginning to broaden, and interim supportive housing is emerging as a new and promising tool in more homelessness solutions toolkits across the country. The time is now, because the need is urgent and growing at an alarming pace. Data recently released by HUD shows that the already steady rate of growth in unsheltered homelessness is escalating at a newly precipitous rate. In California unsheltered homelessness grew by a jaw-dropping 10.3% in just the past 12 months alone. For every one person who exits homelessness to permanent housing, FOUR more fall into homelessness. Think about that. It is now more imperative than ever that we develop new strategies, challenge status-quo paradigms, and most importantly come together in true public/private partnerships. This has become an existential crisis that affects us all. We need ALLHANDS-ON-DECK. Thankfully, today more than ever there is reason for optimism. The escalating community frustration has created a new level of determination, and emergency streamlining provisions smooth the way for innovative solutions to expand more extensively. DignityMoves is poised to take advantage of the favorable environment for dramatic progress. The overwhelming success of our first few projects has ignited a wave of demand. We have cities across the state, region, and country reaching out with interest. Our solution seems to be the right thing at the right time. Having demonstrated our qualifications, momentum for DignityMoves' solution is building fast. As we forge ahead, we’re grateful for your support of our mission to end unsheltered homelessness.
Elizabeth Funk page
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2023 Impact Report
Founder & CEO
Year in Review January
March
April
May
June
October
November
2023 • Announced DignityNow Santa Barbara County
• Announced SB 634
• Selected by the City of Norwalk to write the city’s Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness • Grand Opening of Dignity Village in Alameda, CA • Groundbreaking of Hope Village, Santa Maria • Award notification for Encampment Resolution Grants for Watsonville and San Luis Obispo • San Jose City Council unanimously approves Via Del Oro • Grover Beach construction begins
• La Posada construction begins
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Why this work matters. At our first DignityMoves community, 33 Gough Street in San Francisco, we've witnessed transformative stories over the past 18 months which emphasize the significance of our mission. A few notable highlights:
Joy's Artistic Journey Joy, an artist who repurposes scrap materials into art, found new confidence and a market for her creations at DignityMoves. A chance encounter during a community BBQ led to her first sale, inspiring her to sell her art online. She now continues her artistic pursuits in her new apartment (pictured on the left is Joy on her move-out day).
Ryan’s New Beginning
After 17 years without a proper bed, Ryan's arrival at 33 Gough meant more than just a place to sleep; it was a step towards a new life. He cherished socializing with neighbors and has since transitioned to his own apartment with a renewed outlook on his future.
Nate's Musical Dreams Nate, the 12th of 14 children, left a challenging family background in Atlanta to pursue music in California. With the aid of our Dignity Connect program, he received a tablet computer, enabling him to record and edit his music. Now residing in an apartment near the Civic Center, he's closer to realizing his musical ambitions. page
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Existing Communities: Progress Updates 33 Gough Street San Francisco, CA Since its inception in spring 2022, the 33 Gough Street project, a $2.2 million endeavor, has provided a sanctuary for around 95 residents at a time, along with their 11 dogs and three cats. It has been a launchpad for many to move into permanent homes, reconnect with families, or access specialized care suited to their needs. The journey began when Tipping Point Community recognized the potential of our interim housing model and its fit for San Francisco's anti-poverty efforts. Despite initial reservations from the city about this untested approach, the foundation's support exemplified philanthropy's role in fostering innovative solutions. Fully funded by charitable gifts, including those from Tipping Point and Dignity Health, our pilot at 33 Gough has become a beacon, inspiring city officials to seek its replication throughout the city-- with one Supervisor calling it “the best thing the city has ever done.”
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The success of 33 Gough contributed to the "A Place for All" legislation, announced on the front steps of 33 Gough by Supervisor Rafael Mandelman and unanimously passed by the Board of Supervisors. This directive tasks the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing with assessing the requirements for citywide interim housing. By demonstrating that interim housing can be dignified yet costeffective, our project played a catalyzing role in influencing San Francisco's housing strategy.
1016 Santa Barbara Street Santa Barbara, CA Since opening in August 2022, DignityMoves 1016 Santa Barbara Street has served over 100 residents. Thanks to our best-in-class partner Good Samaritan, they now have the help of a dedicated case management team to help them access essential resources. Nestled in the heart of the historic downtown corridor, the community fits seamlessly with the local aesthetic. Despite initial concerns, the nearby businesses have warmly embraced the project. Priority for placement was offered first to those previously sleeping in the immediate vicinity, resulting in noticeable improvements in the cleanliness and safety of local sidewalks and alleys.
The sense of security people feel when they have their own private space fosters a mental and emotional mindset that's far more prepared to begin thinking forward. 18 residents have gained employment, 46 have transitioned to permanent housing, and all residents have obtained legal ID. Additionally, 60 residents have enrolled in benefits programs, 50 are awaiting permanent housing, and 36 have entered drug treatment or other specialized care.
Labath Landing Rohnert Park, CA In October 2022, DignityMoves, in collaboration with the City of Rohnert Park and Home First Services, celebrated the opening of Labath Landing. This 60-room community, financed by the state's Project Homekey program, stands as a testament to efficiency, having been completed and occupied within eight months of funding— one of the only Homekey projects to do so and meriting an “Early Occupancy Bonus” for the team. The construction was completed in a mere 4½ months, thanks to the dedicated efforts of Gensler for architectural design, Swinerton as the general contractor, and Connect Homes for modular units, among others. page
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Labath Landing has since provided shelter to over 80 individuals, many of whom were from Sonoma County's largest encampment. The “ From Homeless to Housed” documentary by Northern California Public Media beautifully captures the transition from homelessness to housing. HomeFirst’s intensive supportive services have been pivotal, with impressive outcomes: in FY23 alone, the community aided 96 individuals, with nearly half transitioning to permanent housing.
Dignity Village Alameda, CA Opened in May, the 47-unit Dignity Village is DignityMoves' inaugural two-story project, providing shelter to around 60 individuals. Supported by the State's Project Homekey program, this community not only offers housing but also enriches lives through the supportive services of Five Keys Schools and Programs, an organization with a history of aiding the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals.
Since Dignity Village's inception, 70 residents have benefited from comprehensive case management, health and medical referrals, and assistance in obtaining legal ID for permanent housing. Ten residents have already found permanent homes, others are in the process of obtaining housing vouchers, and 15 have been referred to specialized programs for further support.
Residents of Dignity Village enjoy amenities like private bathrooms, staff offices, training rooms, a communal dining area, gardens, a pet relief zone, personal storage, and a patio for social gatherings. The community's commitment was recognized by a local Starbucks employee, leading to a $1000 Starbucks Neighborhood Grant in September.
Dignity Village is a testament to the possibility of integrating supportive housing within communities, enhancing the lives of residents without impacting the neighborhood's quality of life, and demonstrating a shared commitment to caring for those in need.
Leaders at the Grand Opening of Dignity Village (left); community at dusk (bottom left); a room at Dignity Village (bottom right).
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Communities Under Development Santa Barbara County Takes a Stand with YIMBY In a unanimous decision that resonates with the "Yes In My Backyard" ethos, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has selected a site for the next DignityNow community, notably in view of the Betteravia Government Administration Building.
Hope Village: Innovating for Inclusivity March marked the groundbreaking of the 94room Hope Village. This project introduces new advancements, including 30 Respite Care Units with ensuite bathrooms, sponsored by Dignity Health to cater to the medically vulnerable and recently hospitalized. Hope Village dedicates spaces for diverse needs: 10 rooms are reserved for Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), managed by Fighting Back Santa Maria,
to assist those transitioning out of foster care or at risk of homelessness. Another 10 rooms are allocated for veterans, addressing their specific challenges with homelessness. In collaboration with Good Samaritan, Hope Village will offer comprehensive services to aid in the journey toward stability, employment, and permanent housing. The community's opening is anticipated for February 2024.
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Thousand Oaks Ventura County, CA La Posada Santa Barbara County, CA In November 2023, DignityMoves began construction on this 80-room interim community on county-owned land at the former Juvenile Hall site in Southern Santa Barbara County. This project is intended for people experiencing acute mental and behavioral health issues and those coming directly out of encampments in the area. Of the 80 units, 45 will be for seriously mentally ill individuals referred through CARE Court. Good Samaritan will operate this community, which will include funding from the State’s Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program and $6 million in philanthropic dollars secured by DignityMoves.
Grover Beach San Luis Obispo County Thanks to a generous $2.6 million grant from the Balay Ko Foundation, DignityMoves broke ground in October on a 30-unit project on land purchased by the city of Grover Beach using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This site will build momentum by adding badly needed inventory to expand the capacity of 5Cities Homeless Coalition’s “Cabins for Change” initiative, which currently has a 260+ person waiting list.
In December 2022, DignityMoves, Many Mansions, and Hope the Mission were selected by unanimous vote of Thousand Oaks’ City Council to build a 50unit interim housing community, the city's first. Planning is well underway with an anticipated groundbreaking in February 2024. The individuals served at this site will have the opportunity to ultimately relocate to permanent housing operated by Many Mansions or others, and services provided by Hope the Mission will help ensure their success.
Via del Oro San Jose, CA In October 2023 San Jose's City Council voted 11-0 to approve a 150-unit interim housing site developed by DignityMoves which will serve unhoused individuals (particularly seniors and veterans) who are within 1.5 miles of the site. Cabins will be placed on the land temporarily, thanks to a five-year lease generously leased to the city by local philanthropist John Sobrato for just $1. This site will be the first to deploy our “DignityGreen” strategy to achieve completely off-grid housing communities. It is anticipated to save the city of San Jose 300 metric tons of CO2 over five years. Publicprivate partnerships will be essential for San Jose to accomplish its extraordinary goal of becoming the first major city to completely eradicate unsheltered homelessness citywide. This project demonstrates the possibilities, creating essential momentum that puts the city well on its way to making that a reality. page
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Communities in Planning Encampment Resolution Funds Program In 2023 DignityMoves partnered with several local municipalities to receive funding from the State’s Encampment Resolution Funding ("ERF") program. These projects are designed to address specific encampments in the region and must be developed in a very short time period. DignityMoves has earned a reputation for our ability to execute projects in remarkably short time frames, making us an obvious choice for a development partner. Our ERF Round 2 projects include:
Watsonville
An impressive example of intergovernmental collaboration, the counties of Monterey and Santa Cruz joined forces with the City of Watsonville to address their common on-going environmental issue caused by an encampment near the Pajaro River region. This 34-unit project was awarded an $8 million ERF grant and will be located on a property owned by the Westfield Presbyterian Church.
Modesto
A pre-construction agreement is in place and approvals are underway for a 45-unit community located in the city of Modesto in the County of Stanislaus. This project will be made possible in part by the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing program, which is Governor Newsom’s effort to dramatically increase the much-needed resources dedicated to individuals experiencing mental and behavioral healthcare needs in our state.
San Luis Obispo This project was awarded $13.4 million, the largest grant of 23 ERF applications in Round 2. The 80-unit Welcome Home Village will provide 36 interim and 46 permanent supportive housing units, offering supportive services provided by Good Samaritan. Intended to address troubling encampments located in flood and fire zones near the Bob Jones Bike Trail, this site demonstrates a commitment to the healing and stabilizing effects of community, and will include a dog run, a small park, and a playground.
Atlanta Although half of the nation’s unsheltered are in California, unfortunately the crisis is prevalent across the United States. In partnership with Atlantica, a local developer, DignityMoves has embarked on our first project outside of California in Atlanta, Georgia. page
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Future Projects: Gearing Up for Growth DignityMoves is eagerly awaiting news on three notable project applications. Our track record of swiftly navigating complex funding avenues like Project Homekey and city RFPs reflects the expertise and agility of our team. We excel in rapid response to first-come, first-served programs like these, and are optimistic about these prospects. Last year we established remarkable credibility by successfully executing two Project Homekey-funded developments in Rohnert Park and Alameda. This year we've put forward two more Homekey grant applications as well responded to a very significant RFP in Sacramento. In preparation for the stringent development schedules, we've preemptively executed extensive pre-development work to ensure we can hit the ground running upon funding confirmation.
Oakland (Homekey application)
Sacramento (County RFP)
DignityMoves was selected by the City of Oakland after a rigorous RFP process to co-apply for a Homekey grant. Our co-applicant, the Housing Consortium of the East Bay, is a new addition to DignityMoves’ portfolio of supportive services partners. The project would provide 40 units for chronically homeless seniors who, tragically, represent the fastest-growing demographic of people experiencing homelessness.
In 2022, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved funding to address an estimated 1,200 people who are camping along the shores of the American River causing environmental degradation and safety concerns. In response, DignityMoves has proposed to build a 200-unit project in partnership with Sacramento Steps Forward.
San Bernardino (Homekey application) In partnership with Lutheran Social Services and the City of San Bernardino, this proposed project would provide 140 units of permanent interim housing units for veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals and will include a 20,000 square foot community building offering drop-in services, laundry, case management services, and a culinary skills training program.
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Unmet Demand: Scaling Up Solutions DignityMoves is witnessing a rapid rise in demand for our interim supportive housing model, with over a dozen cities showing keen interest and many interesting prospective projects on the horizon. Our current staffing limits us to a waiting list for these projects, but we're actively engaging in preliminary discussions and hoping to expand in 2024. Below is a
National Expansion DignityMoves is gaining widespread momentum across our home state of California, yet our model for addressing unsheltered homelessness is a compelling solution for cities struggling with the issue across the country. Partnership discussions are underway with municipalities such as Portland, Seattle, Denver, Maine, Austin, and even Vancouver, Canada. In partnership with a generous donor, DignityMoves anticipates hiring an East Coast Regional Director to facilitate this expansion by forging local partnerships, cultivating donors, and facilitating the replication of our model broadly.
East LA Community College Sadly, nearly 1 in 5 Community College students in California are experiencing homelessness. A striking proposal has emerged from ELAC students who have the idea of converting the top floor of a campus parking structure into student housing. With our architectural partner Gensler's involvement, this concept offers a creative and poignant solution for the devastating plight of student homelessness.
Student proposal in San Rafael A team of high school seniors at Marin Academy seniors have engaged with San Rafael officials to propose a 42-unit project on city-owned property near their school. Endorsed by peers and parents alike, this student-driven initiative reminds us that unsheltered homelessness is actually quite a solvable issue.
Momentum in Los Angeles Our goal to impact the city with the nation's highest unsheltered population is advancing. As an approved developer for both the City and County of Los Angeles, we're identifying potential sites in collaboration with city council offices and the Mayor’s Office. With established trust, the next step is site location.
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Catalyzing Change: Building the DignityMovement California spent $17.5 billion on homelessness over the past 4 years, yet the number of people experiencing homelessness grew by 12%. That's about $42,000 per person per year—yet we can't seem to catch up. Rather than lamenting the challenges, DignityMoves' mission is to reignite optimism that progress is possible. Our model for building interim supportive housing that can bring people indoors quickly and cost-effectively is not itself a silver bullet, but it does trigger a spark of new hope. DignityMoves is avidly working to keep that spark growing. If people believe that the problem is solvable, it can be solved. That message of hope is capturing the attention of the media and the public. Together with our partner RLM PR, we are amplifying that message in esteemed publications and media. A few highlights include:
The Big Bet on Tiny Homes
Why these cities may trade parking lots for tiny homes
DignityMoves i s changing live s in Santa Bar bara
Documentary: From Homeless to Housed ( Nominated for an Em my Award )
Gensler & DignityMov es Innovative solutions t o homelessness with AR/VR
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The Power of Commun ity
2023 Impact Report
Why Tiny Homes will be p art of California's homele ss equation for years
Reimagining Scalabl e Solutions to Homel essness
DignityMoves cel ebrates a succes sful first year
Exclusive SB 634: Hope for SF's Cri sis
Tabitha: A Resident's P erspective
DignityMoves: Who we are a nd what we d o
Systems change through policy and advocacy Just as homelessness is fundamentally a housing crisis, unsheltered homelessness is first and foremost the result of an insufficient supply of interim housing beds. DignityMoves’ innovative approach of using temporarily vacant land, emergency building codes, and modular massproduced building components is a big step forward toward creating a “rinse and repeat” process that is truly scalable. Yet as this new model emerges, it’s become apparent that existing metrics, paradigms, and systems pose impediments constraining its widespread adoption. There are no reliable ongoing funding sources for interim housing, building and zoning codes are designed for permanent structures, and success metrics need to be broadened to incorporate the interim step of people coming indoors to stability, on the way to permanent solutions. In order for this new model to truly take hold, it is imperative that we educate the public about the benefits of interim housing and advocate for policy changes that embrace it. The existing legislative provisions enabling this new model of relocatable housing are confusing and incomplete, scattered across a multitude of state and local laws. Municipalities are intrigued by the potential of our model, and yet skeptical and uncertain about where it fits in their frameworks. Therefore DignityMoves has partnered with Senator Josh Becker (D. San Mateo), the Bay Area Council, and SPUR to introduce SB 634, State legislation that would define “Opportunity Housing” in statute and formalize streamlining provisions. The bill garnered support from many influential advocates In the 2023 legislative cycle, passed both the Governance Committee as well as the Housing Committee with majority support, including from Senator Scott Weiner, the state’s most avid housing proponent. Although it was suspended in the Appropriation Committee, we will reintroduce the bill in 2024, this time in partnership with the City of San Jose and the endorsement of an even wider alliance of allies. page
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DignityMoves team presenting SB 634 to the Bay Area Caucus in Sacramento with Senator Josh Becker.
Most people don’t understand the homelessness problem in general, nor why our new model has so much potential. Educating the public and our leaders through the media and public awareness is therefore fundamental to accomplishing our mission. Our messages of optimism and innovation has gained widespread appeal; clearly people are eager to hear refreshing messages about promising new solutions. Media features on prominent platforms are a testament to our growing influence. We complement these narratives with powerful visual storytelling through documentaries and videos, such as the "From Homeless to Housed" documentary and our own informative videos. The fact that homelessness is an emergency creates a unique opportunity for cities to take bold action quickly. DignityMoves is working to help cities understand and capitalize on the resources available to them. Mayor Matt Mahan and the City of San Jose are an inspiring example. Mahan not only renewed the city’s Emergency Ordinance but expanded it, giving the city manager broad authority to waive all land use, zoning, procurement, and bureaucratic obstacles to allow streamlined approvals of emergency interim housing. We are honored that our CEO was invited to speak at the press conference when Mayor Mahan announced this bold policy. With SB 634 we hope to take this type of bold thinking about policy state-wide.
Donor Support DignityMoves could not be pursuing such ambitious goals if it wasn’t for the incredible support of our donors. It’s not often that a young start-up nonprofit is able to earn the trust of so many generous supporters-- a testament to the community’s eagerness to find innovative solutions to unsheltered homelessness. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all of our donors, including the lead donors listed below that generously contributed $50,000+ in cash or in-kind goods.
Balay Ko Foundation
The Balay Ko Foundation shares our commitment to ending unsheltered street sleeping in Santa Barbara County and the central region of California. Thanks to the significant leadership grants they have made and pledged towards several upcoming communities in Santa Barbara County, we are well on our way to closing the shelter gap in the county. What’s more, they are also endowing the annual salary for a dedicated Project Manager in Central California, ensuring that our ambitious efforts in the region can be executed effectively.
Tipping Point Community Tipping Point Community (TPC) recognizes the critical role private capital can play in de-risking innovative strategies before governments are ready to embrace them. Even before DignityMoves was officially an organization, TPC recognized the enormous potential of our model and supported the feasibility study that led to the first interim supportive housing community of its kind in San Francisco. Thanks to their generous anchor grant, we were able to raise 100% of the capital costs from philanthropy.
Dignity Health Dignity Health recognizes that housing is health. They provided significant financial support to help make our San Francisco community a reality. As we broaden this valuable strategic partnership to other projects, they are an active partner in exploring how non-congregate housing can support individuals experiencing homelessness who are also medically vulnerable, ensuring safe placement where they can receive the care they need while recuperating.
Wells Fargo Bank
Wells Fargo Bank understands the impact of the homelessness crisis on our community. Their leadership gift helped us expand our efforts in Northern California.
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Donor Support Other generous individuals, corporations and foundations supporting our work include: Battery Powered Mary Becker Pam and Larry Baer James S. Bower Foundation Preston Butcher La Centra Summerlin Family Foundation Ed and Elaine Chan Cottage Hospital Aaron and Valerie Edelheit First Republic Bank Foundation for the Carolinas Gensler Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation Colleen and Robert D. Haas Doug and Mari Harpur Hutton Parker Foundation IKEA William G. Irwin Charity Kepner/Beville Charitable Fund
LA 2050 Living Spaces Furniture Manitou Fund Marion Regional Medical Center Sara Miller McCune John McManus John C. Mithiun Foundation Natalie Orfalea Foundation PAE Joan Kreiss and Roger Perlmutter Kuo Sharper Foundation John Sobrato Florence and Lawrence Sturgeon Family Foundation Stone Family Swinerton Builders Julie Van Scott WWW Foundation - The Hodges Family Yardi Systems Zegar Family Foundation
Our Leadership Board Members Elizabeth Funk Abigail Bloomking Ed Chan
Christina Dickerson Jon Vein Smoke Wallin
Dignity Council and Advisors Viken Ohanesian Sophie Alpert Akki Patel Ron Boehm Rob Pearson Will Crist Jordan Pynes Mark Peter Davis Matt Riley Aaron Edelheit Daalia Refaat Nathan Falstreau Karen Schloss Heimberg Patrick Gilrane Eric Schiffer Reggie Gilyard Leland Schwartz Craig Greiwe Sandy Sigal Clay Grubb Jessica Hawthorne-Castro Nati Smith Matt Toledo Bryan Henson Laurie Tumbler Hala Hijazi Adam Waldman Deanna Kangas Remco Waller Jieho Lee Mark Weinstein Clarence McAlister John Medford Contact Us: www.dignitymoves.org hello@dignitymoves.org
DignityMoves resident receiving mail.
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