It Takes a Village – Goleta is Part of the Continuum of Care

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) typically provides over $2 billion per year in funding for homeless housing and services. This funding is distributed through Continuums of Care (CoCs), which are regional organizations that meet regularly to improve project performance and build community support for responding to homelessness. The Continuum of Care (CoC) is a comprehensive, county-wide group of dedicated service providers, public sector employees, and community members working together to leverage national, state, and local resources to end homelessness in our community.

The Continuum of Care Board is a group of dedicated service providers, public sector employees, and community members. The Board meets on a bimonthly basis to discuss the critical problem of homelessness and work collaboratively to further the coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system of housing and services to help those in need. All CoC Board meetings are open to the public.

You are invited and encouraged to participate in any of the exciting CoC volunteer opportunities, meetings, and events listed below. You can also view a calendar of upcoming housing and homelessness events and trainings by visiting the CoC Calendar.

In 2022, the City of Goleta created a Homelessness Services program in the Neighborhood Services Department. Its mission is to administer City budget funds and leverage federal, state, county, and private resources to end homelessness. Working with a broad coalition of service providers, policy leaders, elected officials, first responders, church representatives, city, and county staff, and concerned citizens, the team meets people where they are, connects them with services, finds them permanent housing, and helps them get the supportive services they need to stay housed. It is a community effort.

Our Goal is Functional Zero – Homelessness in Goleta will be rare, brief, and a one-time experience.

The guiding document for our work is the Homelessness Strategic Plan (Plan). At the April 20, 2021, Goleta City Council meeting, the Council approved the Plan which was more than two years in the making. The goal of the Homelessness Strategic Plan is to provide important direction and clarity around needs, service gaps, and priorities to make effective and strategic funding decisions that serve both the existing homeless population, as well as those at risk of becoming homeless.

Please see the Goleta Homelessness Strategic Plan 3-Year Status Report from August 2024 here.