Carlsbad subcommittee seeks state and federal flexibility, funds to shore up Windsor Point supportive housing

City staff asked the legislative subcommittee on April 9 to pursue state and federal advocacy to address safety and service gaps at Windsor Point, a 50-unit supportive housing project in the Barrio neighborhood, and the subcommittee agreed the city should press for funding and regulatory flexibility.

Jason Haber, the city’s intergovernmental affairs director, said staff recommends several steps: seek No Place Like Home (NPLH) operating-reserve funds to support on-site security; pursue full funding for enhanced clinical and behavioral-health referral services; develop a mechanism for local or subregional placement prioritization; and pursue a rule change so Department of Veterans Affairs benefits do not make veterans ineligible for NPLH-assisted units.

Mandy Mills, the city’s housing and homeless services director, told the committee that the project has seen a substantial number of police calls and that previous steps (increased security, video surveillance and supportive services) reduced 911 responses during one period. Mills reported staffing details discussed with the county have been inconsistent: she said staff had been told both 8 and 20 hours per week of dedicated on-site clinical services and asked the subcommittee to pursue clarification and commitments.

Public commenter Julie Ashtore urged the city to keep pushing on veterans’ issues and asked whether NPLH contract language permitted placements of people exiting jails or prisons; she offered to share correspondence she has with other offices. Councilmember Burkholder pressed staff on several specifics, including how operating-reserve funds would be applied where units are mixed (veteran preference and NPLH residents live in the same buildings) and on whether units are at capacity; staff reported six veterans currently are on the lists and said they would check capacity status.

Staff said next steps include asking HCD for guidance and flexibility during the subcommittee’s upcoming Sacramento advocacy meetings, coordinating with county supervisors’ board letters being considered that day, and pursuing federal meetings with HUD and VA during the city’s May Washington trip. Haber told the subcommittee the city would continue coalition-building at the regional level and consider a state budget-trailer approach if needed to secure a regulatory waiver or exclusion.

Why it matters: Windsor Point combines NPLH-funded units (which are subject to state program rules) and locally prioritized units for veterans; the city seeks both funding and regulatory flexibility to ensure security and adequate clinical supports while preserving veterans’ access.

Next steps: Staff will follow up with county and state contacts, confirm clinical-service hours, clarify allowable uses of NPLH operating reserves, and prepare advocacy materials for Sacramento and Washington meetings.