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(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – Santa Barbara County is participating in a 100-day challenge
set by Governor Newsom to reduce homelessness throughout California by resolving
encampments along county freeways and railroad corridors. These local housing efforts are
made possible by a $2.5 million State of California Encampment Resolution Funding
(CERF) grant awarded to the County to move people indoors, reducing danger from fires
and vehicle/train right-of-way pedestrian strikes. The Challenge officially launched on July 6,
2022, and will conclude on October 14, 2022.
The goal is to move at least 20 unhoused people into shelter and 20 unhoused persons
into permanent housing by the end of the 100 days. Santa Barbara County and its
cities, along with Caltrans and Union Pacific Railroad, are working with community
organizations and partners who have experience in resolving homelessness. To meet
the 100-day timeline, the countywide team will map all the camps in the transportation
corridors, create a by-name list of inhabitants and enroll person(s) in services using
outreach workers.