City expands programs to address homelessness
The Carlsbad City Council approved a broad range of measures to increase efforts to reduce homelessness in the city, one of the City Council’s top goals. The city’s expanded homeless outreach and assistance efforts will include:
- A new city employee specializing in helping people access disability and social security benefits, CalWORKS and CalFresh benefits, veteran benefits, stimulus checks, employment programs and other aid available.
- Two additional Homeless Outreach Team police officers and a police sergeant for foot and bike patrol.
- Two additional contract social workers to help those experiencing homelessness transition to permanent housing.
- Enhancing clinical services at the La Posada Emergency Shelter in Carlsbad.
- Operate a one-year hotel/motel room voucher pilot program.
- Extend and expand the Assembly District 76 program that provides short to medium term rental assistance to help households experiencing homelessness secure and maintain housing.
- Form a homeless action subcommittee of the City Council to address local and regional goals related to homelessness.
City staff will return to the City Council April 20 to discuss details of the new goal and formalize other parts of these new programs, including funding. Read more. We also recently held our first two homeless response virtual office hour sessions with the community. Here’s a short video recap of what we heard. Help us keep the dialogue going by registering for an upcoming office hour session at the links below:
Drainage improvements coming soon
To help prevent water from accumulating and creating large puddles in streets and intersections, the City Council gave the green light to move forward with construction on surface drainage improvement projects at five locations in the northwest portion of the city.
- Buena Vista Circle
- Cypress Avenue
- Ocean Street and Cypress Avenue
- Pacific Avenue
- Westhaven Road and Skyline Road
Construction will consist of installing concrete curbs and gutters and resurfacing nearby unpaved parking areas with gravel. On-street parking in these areas will be temporarily unavailable during construction but will return once the project is completed. Construction is expected to begin later this spring.
Safely support Carlsbad small businesses
In partnership with Visit Carlsbad, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Carlsbad Village Association, the city is proud to support stay safe, stay open efforts! Be on the lookout for this short video ad, highlighting some safe ways to shop local and support Carlsbad businesses.
- Order directly from the source instead of third-party services
- Highlight, tag and share businesses on your social media
- Gather friends, neighbors and family to adopt a shop
- Order goodies directly from the source to send good cheer to others
- Show your Carlsbad pride and purchase their merchandise like shirts, stickers and cups
Watch the video and learn more stay safe, stay open tips.
Sign up for summer camps
While summer programs may look a little different again this year, our top priority is to continue to create an environment that protects everyone’s safety and provides peace of mind. In our in-person sports camps, kids can build on fundamentals, keep fit, improve technique and master skills. Let your child express themselves in art camp by creating a masterpiece, sculpting or producing a video. In our science and exploration camps, kids will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of science and STEM through a variety of exciting hands-on experiments. We look forward to seeing you again this summer! Read more
Celebrate sustainability during Earth Month in April
Earth Month activities are back! Carlsbad residents are invited to join the city in celebrating Earth Month in April with events and activities designed to help you reduce your impact on the environment and live more sustainably. Upcoming events include: Shred and Recycle It! – April 3Registration with Waste Management required. E-Waste Drop-Off – April 3, 10, 17, 24 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off – April 3, 10, 17, 24 10 Ways to Live a Sustainable Life Virtual Workshop – April 10RegisterFull event details and schedule
Nominate a Citizen of the Year by 3/30
The City of Carlsbad is accepting applications for Citizen of the Year, an annual award recognizing Carlsbad residents who have provided outstanding service to their community. Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, March 30. The Citizens of the Year program is more than 50 years old and honors community members who have given their time and energy toward the civic improvement, beautification and betterment of the City of Carlsbad. Honorees are selected by a five-person committee of Carlsbad residents and recognized during a ceremony at Carlsbad City Hall. Nominees must be City of Carlsbad residents. Read more
Upcoming Carlsbad Reads Together events
This reading program brings community members together and engages them in discussion about the same book, Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover at the same time. Check out your book now and start reading so you can join in the fun in April. Join us for special virtual events like a virtual book discussion on April 5, a virtual visit with author Tara Westover on April 8, and many more programs for all ages. Read more
Leo Carrillo Ranch virtual visitor experience
History buffs will enjoy travelling back in time to view the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park as it looked in the past through historic photos. Enjoy Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park Then & Now, a new virtual interactive experience that shows what this treasure of early California history looked like in the early days and what it looks like now. Read more
County emergency rental assistance available
Low-income households can apply for the county’s emergency rental assistance program through Wednesday, March 31. For more information on who is eligible view this flyer. Apply at sdhcd.org. Only one application per household will be processed. Applicants will be able to check their status on the application portal at any point in the process. If you do not have internet access and need assistance in completing an application, call 858-694-4801. A county representative will be able to assist you.
Overdue library materials due 3/31
The time has come to return checked out library items from the past year so that others may enjoy them. All past due library materials will be due on March 31 and items not returned by that date will be subject to fines. No overdue fines will have accrued between March 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021 due to the pandemic. Library parking lot book returns are now open 24/7 at all three library locations. Read more
Historic Preservation Committee vacancies
Do you enjoy historic preservation and local history? Then consider applying for the city’s Historic Preservation Commission. Three vacancies are currently available to complete the term April 2021 to April 2025. Applications must be submitted to the City Clerk’s Office by noon on Friday, April 9. Read more
I-5 ramp closure at La Costa Avenue
The City of Carlsbad isn’t working on the I-5 widening, but we partner with other government agencies to share information about projects affecting our community. This weekend, Caltrans and SANDAG crews will temporarily close the northbound La Costa off-ramp so they can work on adding two new carpool lanes, one in each direction, on I-5. The ramp reopens March 29 at 5 a.m. Please drive extra carefully in the construction area. Read more
City of Carlsbad | 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
