Santa Barbara County – A local nonprofit is giving communities a practical roadmap to address homelessness. DignityMoves has published an open‑source playbook that details how municipalities can develop interim supportive housing faster and at a lower cost.
Key steps in the model
The guide walks city and county officials through four essential phases: locating temporarily vacant land, navigating the permitting process, identifying funding sources, and engaging neighborhood stakeholders. By borrowing land that is only briefly unused, the model sidesteps the high purchase price that typically drives up project budgets in California.
Founder Elizabeth Funk explained, “Land is really expensive in California, so the first piece of our model is to find ways to borrow temporarily vacant land that may not be available permanently. That way we can avoid the land cost.”
Speed and affordability
According to DignityMoves, the approach can deliver a unit of interim housing in as little as four months, with an estimated construction cost of about $50,000 per unit. This contrasts sharply with traditional permanent‑housing projects that often take years and cost several times more.
Funk also noted that California’s recent designation of homelessness as a crisis provides a legal framework that can help communities streamline approvals and reduce red‑tape delays.
Local impact and broader ambition
DignityMoves already operates several interim housing communities within Santa Barbara County, providing immediate shelter and stability for people experiencing homelessness while they transition to permanent homes. The new playbook is intended to replicate that success in other jurisdictions across the state and nation.
“Our goal is to give people a safe place to stay now, so they have the stability to work toward a permanent solution,” Funk said. “If other counties can follow this model, we can collectively make a significant dent in the homelessness crisis.”
How communities can get started
Local leaders interested in the playbook can download it from DignityMoves’ website. The organization encourages municipalities to begin by conducting an inventory of publicly owned or temporarily vacant parcels, then reaching out to state and federal agencies for potential funding streams such as community development block grants or low‑interest loans.
Stakeholder engagement is highlighted as a critical component. The guide recommends holding town‑hall meetings early in the process to address resident concerns, build support, and ensure the project aligns with local values.
Looking ahead
With housing costs soaring and the need for rapid solutions growing, DignityMoves’ playbook arrives at a pivotal moment. By offering a clear, cost‑effective pathway, the nonprofit hopes to empower more counties and cities to act decisively, turning vacant land into homes for those in need.
For additional details and to access the full playbook, visit DignityMoves.org.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
