Sheriff’s Reentry will connect and transport clients directly to interim housing from custody

Lead agency: Sheriff’s Office

Population of focus: Individuals leaving custody who need housing

SIM intercept: 2-3, 4-5 

Summary of planned action: 

Design new services and leverage current contracts to increase the availability of transportation, low-barrier interim housing, and case management for homeless or at-risk individuals leaving jail. Coordinate transportation to transitional housing for individuals with an identified housing need. 

Actions taken: 

Sheriff’s Office Program: 

  • Amended eight Probation contracts for interim housing, which allows Sheriff’s Correctional Counselors to refer individuals in custody directly to interim housing placements upon release.  

  • Signed a new contract for transportation that takes people directly to interim housing upon release from custody.   

  • Transportation and housing programs were implemented in Spring 2024. From start date through September 30, 2025, Correctional Counselors made 649 referrals to housing, provided direct taxi connections 374 times, and ultimately made 328 interim housing placements. 

  • The program reached capacity before the end of fiscal year 2024-2025. Within the first quarter of 2025, the San Diego Sheriff’s Office (SDSO) referred 140 individuals to interim housing, with 78 individuals placed; 97 individuals used the taxi transportation to housing locations.  However, during the following quarter, SDSO had to slow down, and eventually pause referrals as funding was exhausted.  The reduction of referrals is reflected in the second quarter of 2025 resulting in 24 referred individuals, 12 were transported via taxi, and 14 individuals were placed in the interim housing program.  

  • Entering a new fiscal year in July 2025, referrals increased to 91 individuals, 39 placements, and 39 individuals transported via taxi to the housing locations. 

Next steps: 

  • SDSO has determined additional funding is needed for this program to ensure all incarcerated individuals who are experiencing homelessness are not leaving custody without being offered this valuable service.  In addition, the Sheriff’s Office has identified an additional identified population who would benefit from interim housing services. Many individuals considered for alternative custody do not have appropriate housing to be offered the opportunity to serve the remainder of their sentence supervised in the community.  The County Parole and Alternative Custody (CPAC) team could utilize the interim housing locations for home detention, and offer individuals who meet eligibility requirements, the opportunity to obtain employment, attend treatment services, or pursue their educational goals while on supervision in the community rather than serving the remainder of their sentence in custody.  

  • Public Safety Executive Office will work with stakeholders including the Sheriff’s Office and the ATI Advisory Group to review and determine funding priorities for future ATI actions, according to their impact on ATI goals. This review will include reviewing the feasibility and prioritization of expanding placements from jail to interim housing, including placements as an alternative custody.