FATHER JOE’S VILLAGES NEWS | Spring 2025
Innovative Solutions: Diversion Strategies
Thousands of individuals and families in our community are just one paycheck away from the risk of homelessness. However, there is reason for hope as we implement transformative solutions to divert individuals and families away from homelessness before it is too late.
It is critical to recognize that supporting individuals before they encounter a crisis is more cost-effective than merely addressing the aftermath. By taking action to avoid homelessness, we demonstrate our collective compassion. Families facing eviction, fleeing domestic violence, or struggling with sudden income loss need immediate, targeted support.
Diversion strategies include:
- Security deposits for housing
- Short-term rental assistance
- Transportation to reunite with relatives
- Vehicle repairs to keep employment
These relatively low-cost solutions can help avoid the significant emotional and financial costs associated with homelessness. To effectively solve homelessness, we must take action before it begins.
Community Partnerships
Father Joe’s Villages collaborates with the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness on an initiative called Resolution Strategies. This program provides essential financial assistance to individuals who are working to overcome homelessness, helping them secure housing if they can demonstrate the ability to maintain it independently in the future.
Over the past year, we have assisted nearly 70 households at an average cost of $1,300 per person, successfully diverting them from homelessness.
Investing in diversion fosters resilience and stability within our community, reflecting our shared responsibility to support those in need. Upon arrival at the Bayfront Hotel, the children were immersed in a festive atmosphere characterised by holiday spirit. They participated in a variety of engaging arts and crafts activities and enjoyed an array of delicious treats. Each child received a special gift, fostering joy and gratitude as they celebrated the season.
Additionally, the event created an opportunity for families to come together, partake in the festivities, and experience a sense of community support.
Diversion in Action: Supporting Those in Need
Nothing is more rewarding than watching our neighbors transition out of the village and into their own homes. However, success is not solely defined by obtaining housing; it can also mean avoiding the need for shelter altogether. A family recently faced the distressing situation of having their only home towed while visiting San Diego. This could have easily led them to rely on the limited shelter system in the city.
However, through the intentional use of diversion strategies, we were able to assist the family in avoiding the need for shelter. Originally from Washington State, this family had been traveling across California with their five dogs. When their mobile home was unexpectedly towed, they rented a U-Haul to prevent sleeping on the streets. Thanks to a strong partnership between Father Joe’s Villages and the Humane Society, we were able to connect and provide support.
With Resolution Strategies’ funding from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, we retrieved the motorhome from the impound lot and provided the family with gas cards to help them begin their journey back home. The San Diego shelter system is under significant strain, with demand exceeding capacity. The more resources we can provide to support families on the verge of homelessness, the more we will succeed and thrive as a community.
