Project 25
Putting Twenty-Five First
Project 25 is the first program collaboration of its kind in San Diego, involving partnerships between the United Way of San Diego County, City of San Diego, County of San Diego and the local non-profit sector.
Project 25 is a 3-year pilot program that will provide permanent housing, supportive services and a comprehensive discharge program to at least 25 of San Diego's chronically homeless - and some of the most frequent users of public resources.
Housing the Homeless Saves Taxpayers Money
In addition to significantly and positively affecting the lives of those participating in this program, the public funds saved by providing the chronically homeless with permanent housing and supportive services is substantial.
Project 25 will include the first comprehensive frequent user data collection for San Diego - determining the total cost of services used by each of these chronically homeless, both before and after entering the program.
The chronically homeless represent approximately 24% of the total homeless population in San Diego County, but use 50% of the available resources such as shelters, emergency medical and law enforcement services, mental health support and detox services.
15 of San Diego's most frequent users of these public resources consumed $1.5 million in medical services alone over 1.5 years - totaling nearly $100,000 per person. In comparison, Housing First has led to a 43% savings for taxpayers in Los Angeles, and in Portland the cost for supportive housing and services is only $26,000 oer person.
Project 25 will track on a quarterly basis the taxpayer savings achieved by housing the homeless and provide vital economic research that will fundamentally change the way homeless services work throughout the county.
An Unprecedented Collaboration
With a vested interest in ending chronic homelessness and saving taxpayers money, the City, County, United Way and other non-profit organizations will work together to provide vital programs needed to support the Project 25 initiative.
Project 25 also represents an unprecedented partnership between multiple organizations that will help identify and better serve San Diego's chronically homeless population. These organizations will share pertinent information for improved coordinated services, outcome measurements, efficacy of services, intervention trends and strategies and housing opportunities.
Project 25 Partners
United Way of San Diego County
Alpha Project
San Diego Housing Commission
County of San Diego District Attorney
County of San Diego Health and Human Services
Family Health Centers of San Diego
St. Vincent de Paul Village
San Diego County Sheriff's Office
San Diego Police Department
San Diego Rescue Mission
UC San Diego Medical Center
San Diego Medical Services Enterprise
