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Implementing Public Engagement

Engaging with People Experiencing Homelessness and Those in Emergency Shelter

Know beforehand

According to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness 2025 Point-in-Time Count, there are 5,866 people experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in the city of San Diego.

Unhoused people come from many different backgrounds. Be aware of the cultures, traditions, perspectives and specific needs of diverse groups within this population, including older adults, veterans, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, youth and people of color.

U.S. Office of the Federal Register Categories of the Homeless Definition  

In 2011, the U.S. Office of the Federal Register standardized the regulation for defining “homeless” across various federal programs. The City of San Diego adheres to these definitions as detailed below. The full definition of each category is linked below.  

  • Category 1: Literally Homeless 

    • Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, or is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements. 

  • Category 3: Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes 

    • Unaccompanied youth under 25, or families with youth under 25 who are defined as homeless by other federal statutes, must not have had a lease or permanent housing in the last 60 days, have moved at least twice in those 60 days, and are expected to remain unstable due to special needs or barriers. 

  • Category 4: Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence 

    • Any individual or family who is fleeing, or is attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing 

Determine if there is a presence of people experiencing homelessness in the project area. Be aware that the best sources of information may not always be official sources, but rather community members, community-based organizations, community health workers or from people with firsthand experience. This information can help inform strategies for outreach and engagement. 

In addition, awareness of the overrepresentation of some races, ethnicities, and identities in the unhoused population may provide additional insight that can be applied when seeking and evaluating public input.

Be aware of prior biases, judgments or stereotyping that may affect decision-making, even in the outreach and engagement stages. Approach each conversation with compassion and understand there may be more to a person’s story than is immediately apparent. Consider completing sensitivity trainings on topics such as trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and mental health first aid, prior to any project discussions with community members experiencing homelessness. 

Be familiar with local, state and federal laws and policies that affect unhoused individuals, such as anti-camping ordinances. This will provide insight into the daily experiences of this community and will help clarify issues and concerns that may come up during conversations.

Identify existing shelters, food banks, schools, faith-based organizations, health clinics, mental health services, addiction treatment programs and other resources that support unhoused individuals. Knowing what services are available can add value to engagement efforts by assisting individuals to find the help they need.

Challenges and barriers to participation

  • Unhoused individuals may not reside in the same location on any given night. This mobility makes it challenging to maintain consistent communication and follow-up.
  • Unhoused individuals may be wary of engaging with new projects due to previous negative interactions with government agencies. Building trust takes time and consistent, positive interactions.
  • Unhoused individuals may not have reliable access to a mailing address, internet or transportation. This limits their ability to receive information about public engagement opportunities.  Additionally, a lack of forms of identification may prevent some from access to other services.
  • This population may see higher rates of mental health issues and substance use disorders compared to the overall population. These issues may affect individuals' ability to engage in structured activities, understand information or feel comfortable participating. In addition, there may be a need to proactively plan for individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges or substance use, which can affect their behavior.
  • Fear of being judged, stigmatized or reported to authorities can deter people from engaging. They may also worry about the safety and confidentiality of the information they share.
  • Daily survival activities, such as finding food, shelter, and safety, often take precedence over providing input.

Outreach

  • Place informational materials in high-visibility areas like transit stops, churches, clinics, shelters and food distribution points. Make materials eye-catching and provide clear, concise information. Provide versions of outreach materials in additional languages as needed.
  • Use images and audio messages to convey important information. This is especially helpful for those with literacy challenges or who speak different languages.
  • Use social media to reach unhoused individuals who may have access to the internet through public computers or smartphones. For example, look for social media groups that provide information and community for the local unhoused population.
  • Collaborate with organizations that already have established relationships with the unhoused community. These organizations can help disseminate information about outreach efforts and encourage participation.

Engagement

  • To support authentic input and engagement, consider planning closed events specifically for unhoused community members. Ideally, these are done in partnership with existing service providers such as local shelters.
  • Choose locations that are easily accessible and familiar, such as libraries, shelters, community centers or parks. Schedule events at times that do not conflict with mealtimes or other critical activities.
  • Offer practical incentives to encourage participation. This could include providing meals, hygiene kits or  transportation vouchers.
  • Provide basic on-site amenities such as wi-fi and outlets for charging communication devices.
  • Create a welcoming atmosphere by ensuring that staff are trained to be respectful, hospitable and empathetic. Provide comfortable seating, refreshments and a relaxed environment to make participants feel at ease. Provide space for participants to securely store their belongings during the engagement event.
  • If possible, include project staff who have direct experience of homelessness.
  • Be prepared for varying levels of participation. Some individuals may need more time to feel comfortable sharing their opinions.
  • Clearly communicate that participants' input will be kept confidential and used constructively. Avoid collecting unnecessary personal information and assure participants that their safety and privacy are a priority.
  • Use various interactive methods to gather input, such as focus groups, vision walls and participatory activities like arts-based engagement or visioning workshops to allow participants to engage in ways that are comfortable for them.