Expand HCP Same Day Solutions Fairs

Lead agency: District Attorney and Public Defender

SIM intercept: 2-3

Summary of planned action:

Explore funding and partnership opportunities to increase the number of HCP Same Day Solutions Fairs in the community and expand the resources offered at each event. 

Actions taken: 

• This work plan action was initiated in mid-2023. By January 2025, the number of annual fairs had doubled by partnering with the City of San Diego, from 11 resource fairs per year to 22. 

• Resources and services offered at the fairs vary and include warrant clearances, substance-use rehab programs, child support services, access to birth certificates, California identification cards and driver’s licenses, self-sufficiency services through the Live Well mobile benefits bus, and legal advice on benefits, housing, bankruptcy, and restraining orders. The Homeless Pop-up Resource Fairs are now called “HCP Same Day Solutions Fairs,” to reflect the progress homeless individuals can make there, across so many needs and domains. 

• Between July 2022 and June 2025, 51 fairs were organized in the community. 

• More than 5,510 individuals have been served at the events since July 2022. In conjunction with the City of San Diego Partnership, the Public Defender has arranged with Veteran’s Village of San Diego to allow the use of their pop-up tents and tables as an in-kind contribution, and the City of San Diego has purchased more chairs to supplement County participation in the Central Region, while the District Attorney’s office continues to provide pop-up tents, tables, chairs, generators and other supplies for at least half of these events.

• Starting in January 2025, the District Attorney’s CARE Center has arranged for food trucks to be present at several events in 2025 along with continued participation in 2026 events.

Next steps: 

• These fairs will continue to be coordinated throughout the County in collaboration with the City of San Diego and County of San Diego Public Safety departments.