Agencies tackling homelessness seek the public’s input on effective solutions.

Learning is often cited as the key to unlocking one’s potential. In the case of the County of Monterey and the Coalition of Homeless Service Providers, learning is also the key to unlocking millions in state grant money. Specifically, uncovering what people in the community think are the most effective programs to assist those experiencing homelessness and help them find permanent homes.

Under a budget trailer bill approved by the state Legislature in June, local agencies are required to hold public input sessions and conduct a survey seeking the community’s input on homeless services in order to collect up to $2.5 million from the state’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program in the 2023-2024 budget year. Both the County and the Coalition – which also covers San Benito County – could apply for separate grants.

The first input session was held during the 2023 Lead Me Home Summit on Homelessness in Salinas on Oct. 19. A second will be held in Monterey on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, from 6-7pm in the Monterey Conference Center.

The third and final in-person session takes place from 6-7:30pm on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Soledad Community Center.

“We’re encouraging people to come out, make your voices heard and give us your suggestions,” Kierston Young, grants manager for the Coalition, said in a County of Monterey news briefing on Nov. 1.

An online survey is also available through Dec. 31 at bit.ly/homelessinput. The survey asks participants to gauge the effectiveness of programs like rapid rehousing, street outreach teams and shelters, among others, and asks them to prioritize which programs should be pursued.

The answers will be used in grant applications due by March.

Editor's note: This story was published online on Nov. 8 with information about the input session on that date; a print story in the Nov. 9 issue of the Weekly does not include details about time and place.