Homeless Court Technical Assistance for Courts

Longtime partners in helping California courts better serve homeless and housing insecure adults, families and transition aged youth, in 2021 the Judicial Council of California and the American Bar Association’s Commission on Homelessness and Poverty worked together to provide information, tools and one-on-one technical support to existing homeless courts across the state, as well as to jurisdictions that want to get a homeless court off the ground. Courts in 11 counties participated directly in this project.

Phase One of the project educated communities on homeless courts to foster an understanding of their work, methods, and practices. Phase Two participants were provided personalized support to develop new programs and improve and expand existing programs, including enhancing already existing courts to better serve families and transition-aged youth. This was accomplished by developing strategic promotional materials, conducting outreach and presenting to various groups, and providing one-on-one technical assistance and training to Phase Two community stakeholders.

Although the project ended in June 2023, California courts are still able to access many of the tools and resources produced during the course of the project, and individualized technical assistance remains available. For more information Email: homeless@americanbar.org or visit the American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness & Poverty. Here

Homeless Court Program Webinar – Homeless court programs allow participants to resolve matters often resulting from conditions of homelessness and poverty. This, in turn, helps reduce barriers to housing and employment. Featuring the San Diego homeless court, this webinar discusses homeless court program implementation, partnerships, successes, and challenges.

Homeless and Community Court Blueprint – Intended for local jurisdictions interested in starting or expanding a homeless or community court program, the Homeless and Community Court Blueprint provides an overview of the different court types. It highlights key principles and examples of effective homeless and community court approaches.

The San Diego Service Provider Toolkit - The provider toolkit also offers an overview of the process, as well as the provider network and steering committee. View the Toolkit here.

Homeless Court Program Flowchart - The chart provides an offers an overview of the process, as well as the provider network and steering committee. View the Flowchart here.

Homeless Court Program Templates:

Here you can find a one-stop shop to easily locate and access the necessary homeless court program templates to launch or expand your program.

• Statement of Services – The recruitment letter from the court is an effective tool to outreach and source potential service providers and community-based organizations that offer essential services and support to families and children impacted by homelessness.
• Advocacy Letter – The service provider advocacy letter documents a participant’s progress in their action plan that includes mental health counseling, financial literacy, housing and benefits counseling, transportation, and employment services.  
• Sample MOU – The memorandum of understanding sets forth the court, justice partners, and service providers shared objectives, purpose, obligations and responsibilities.
• Sample Homeless Court Docket – The sample homeless court docket/calendar provides a helpful spreadsheet to monitor and track participants individual progress and monthly program statistics including total clients, total cases, case results, and total fines.
• Sample Order – The sample court order lists the stipulation and order for dismissal and/or satisfaction of fines.
• Sample Statistics – San Diego Homeless Court Statistics 2018 - 2023

Homeless Court Program Provider App 

This is an optional tool that can be customized and updated by your homeless court provider steering committee. It is a useful tool for Participants, and effective approach to keep an updated directory for provider referrals.

How to Get the App

To create a provider app, email Kelly.Russo@americanbar.org.

Homeless Court: A Model for the Nation - Since the start of the first Homeless Court in San Diego in 1988, the program has been a model for the nation and out-of-state visitors to come and observe on a regular basis. See why, in this video.