PREPARED BY: LT. B. BUBAR DATE OF MEETING: 10/01/18
SUBJECT:
TITLE
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A SHELTER CRISIS PURSUANT TO SB 850 (CHAPTER 48, STATUTES OF 2018 AND GOVERNMENT CODE § 8698.2)
Label
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt Resolution
Body
Compliance statements
Homeless Services & Illegal Encampment Enforcement under the Public Safety Policy Area is an adopted policy item under the FY 2018-21 City Council Priority Work plan, effective November 1, 2017.
CEQA Compliance Statement
This proposed action is not a project under CEQA pursuant to Guidelines Section 15378(b)(2): Continuing administrative or maintenance activities, such as purchases for supplies, personnel-related actions, general policy and procedure making. If a project, then the Ordinance is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines; § 15061(b)(3), in that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
BACKGROUND
In February 2018, the San Pablo Police Department initiated the PATH (Partnership in Assisting the Transition from Homelessness) Program in response to growing concerns from our residents and business communities regarding the health and safety concerns surrounding illegal encampments and individuals experiencing homelessness. The mission of the PATH Program was to engage individuals and families experiencing homelessness to identify and leverage service-oriented strategies. A uniformed officer was temporarily assigned as a Homeless Support Team member and began operations on February 26, 2018. Several meetings with stakeholders have occurred since the onset of the project to include Richmond Police, El Cerrito Police, Contra Costa County Public Works, California Highway Patrol, BNSF Railroad, CalTrans, and the Contra Costa Coordinated Outreach Referral Engagement (CORE) Team.
Through the PATH Program, staff has discovered more than 95 encampments and encountered more than 165 individuals experiencing homelessness. During the program, ten individuals were placed into shelter and 15 individuals sought assistance through available programs.
Declaration of a Shelter Crisis
California’s Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and the members of the California Legislature have recognized the urgent and immediate need for funding at the local level to combat homelessness. The Governor and Legislature have provided funding to local governments under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program as part of SB 850 and the 2018-19 Budget Act (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018) for one-time uses that address homelessness, including, but not limited to, prevention, criminal justice diversion programs to homeless individuals with mental health needs, and emergency aid. The Governor and Legislature require jurisdictions seeking an allocation through the Homeless Emergency Aid Program to declare a Shelter Crisis pursuant to Government Code §8698.2.
The City of San Pablo has developed a homelessness plan and undertaken multiple efforts at the local level to combat homelessness through PATH. In July 2017, the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness released the 2017 Point in Time Count report which is a snapshot of homelessness in the county. In that report, 88 persons within the City of San Pablo were identified as homeless and living without shelter. Based upon contacts resulting from the PATH Program, we believe this number to be significantly higher.
The City of San Pablo finds that the number of homeless is significant, and that these persons are without the ability to obtain shelter. The City of San Pablo further finds that the health and safety of unsheltered persons in San Pablo is threatened by a lack of shelter. The City Council, therefore, affirms the City’s commitment to combatting homelessness and creating or augmenting a continuum of shelter and service options for those living without shelter in our communities.
Subsequent to the declaration, staff anticipates pursuing Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds, should they become available, to support ongoing efforts to combat homelessness.
FISCAL IMPACT
The declaration of a shelter crisis has no direct fiscal impact, but it will allow the City to be eligible for state Homeless Emergency Aid Program funds in the future.