🗞️ How the City of Signal Hill Achieved Zero Functional Homelessness & more fresh insights
July 25, 2024 edition
EngagingCities shares outstanding work by our network of planners and changemakers, who actively involve their communities in creating better places and a brighter future.
🔥 Fireside Chat with Carlo Tomaino
Empathy and Teamwork: How Signal Hill Achieved Zero Functional Homelessness
Carlo Tomaino, the City Manager of Signal Hill, California, discusses the successful initiative to achieve zero functional homelessness in the city by coordinating internal efforts and partnering with service providers. Though we spoke with Carlo prior to the June 28, 2024 Supreme Court ruling on City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, our conversation highlights how the City of Signal Hill’s compassionate approach is relevant regardless of any court ruling. We also discuss the previous court case of Martin v. Boise and its implications for cities.
Main Takeaways
Carlo highlights the importance of internal collaboration and a team approach in addressing homelessness, emphasizing the need to share the responsibility and work collectively to find solutions.
Zero functional homelessness doesn't mean there aren’t any homeless people in the city; instead it means that Signal Hill has a homeless population that's manageable for their ability to accommodate them and provide services and housing.
The Neighborhood Enhancement Team (NET) meets regularly to discuss individual cases and tailor service solutions for the homeless population.
The case of Reservoir Park demonstrates the complexity of homelessness issues, showing that individual circumstances and readiness for housing vary, requiring tailored solutions and adjustments in approach.
The success in reducing homelessness was also attributed to connecting with a county program called Pathway Home, providing low-barrier housing solutions.
By creating a culture of open communication and collaboration among departments, the city was able to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise to address community issues effectively, showcasing the power of teamwork in local government.
The experience in addressing homelessness in Signal Hill offers valuable lessons on the importance of understanding individual needs, adjusting strategies based on feedback, and maintaining a compassionate yet pragmatic approach in working towards sustainable solutions for vulnerable populations.
Carlo advises other cities struggling with homelessness issues to maintain a sense of hope and perseverance, slowly chipping away at the problem collaboratively.
FUN FACT: did you know Signal Hill has a neighborhood peacock with its own social media following?
“My approach has always been - you know that old adage: ‘A problem shared is a problem halved,’ so I don't have all the answers; no individual in this organization has all the answers; but together we have most of the answers.”
Carlo Tomaino, City of Signal Hill City Manager
👀 Watch the Fireside Chat on YouTube.
👂 Listen to the Fireside Chat on Spotify or Apple.
💻 Learn more about the City of Signal Hill’s Homeless Services here.
📧 Contact Carlo Tomaino at ctomaino@cityofsignalhill.org.
🎙️ Liked this Fireside Chat? Listen to more podcast episodes here.
🚀 More Fresh Insights
💡 Community Journalism Can Change the World
Community-centered journalism — also known as community engagement journalism, community solutions journalism, or just plain community journalism — involves journalists working with their community to create journalism that responds to their needs. Community journalism builds relationships with communities by creating solutions and has many benefits:
Strengthens communities
Increases public trust
Produces revenue
— Shared by Eric Ortiz
💡 The Seattle Central Library: A Modern Intersection of Architecture, Information, and Community
The Seattle Central Library, completed in 2004, emerges as an evident of the architectural innovation and civic engagement, challenging traditional perceptions of what a public library can be. This paper delves into the Seattle Central Library not merely as a structure of glass and steel, but as a dynamic intersection of architectural vision, informational diversity, and community engagement.
— Shared by Omar Abunnaja
💡 Introducing a Kids Book about Civic Engagement
Marissa Grass wrote this book for kids who want to change the world and (spoiler alert!) you don’t have to be a grown up to do it. What is something that makes your community special? What’s one thing you’d change to make your community even better? Improvements and growth in the places we live are made possible through civic engagement. Learn more about civic engagement and how to get active in your community. Big decisions are made all the time, and your voice matters in those discussions.
— Shared by Marissa Grass
✨ Read more fresh insights here.
📚 Plan Showcase
Get inspiration, explore trends, or gain insights by exploring our curated list of community-recommended or award-winning plans. Check out these examples:
📒 2024 Park County Land Use Plan: Park County, Wyoming. By Clarion Associates, Economic and Planning Systems, and T-O Engineers.
📒 Rio Grande District Vision & Implementation Plan: Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City. By Perkins&Will, HR&A Advisors, Kimley-Horn & Associates, and Phil Myrick Placemaking.
📒 McKinley Hill Neighborhood Plan: City of Tacoma. By Makers Architecture and Urban Design LLC.
💻 Take a look at the other plans in our showcase and upload yours here.
➡️ Visit EngagingCities.org and follow us on X and LinkedIn for more stories like these!
💬 Do you have an interesting story or event to share? Interested in being a guest on our podcast? Email us at hello@engagingcities.org
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