Title
Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Declare a shelter crisis within incorporated and unincorporated areas of Monterey County to address the significant number of unhoused persons unable to obtain shelter that has resulted in a threat to the health and safety of those persons; and
b. Authorize Departments of Monterey County to collaborate and work with the Continuum of Care, local jurisdictions, and partners to urgently address the need to provide a variety of shelter options, including but not limited to, low-barrier navigation centers, interim living facilities, recuperative care centers, and post-hospitalization beds; and
c. Authorize County staff to utilize the declaration of a shelter crisis to be statutorily exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act for shelter related construction and development projects; and
d. Authorize extending the shelter crisis declaration throughout the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Monterey County until December 31, 2034, pursuant to Government Code Sections 8698 through 8698.2.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors Adopt a Resolution to:
a. Declare a shelter crisis within incorporated and unincorporated areas of Monterey County to address the significant number of unhoused persons unable to obtain shelter that has resulted in a threat to the health and safety of those persons; and
b. Authorize Departments of Monterey County to collaborate and work with the Continuum of Care, local jurisdictions, and partners to urgently address the need to provide a variety of shelter options, including but not limited to, low-barrier navigation centers, interim living facilities, recuperative care centers, and post-hospitalization beds; and
c. Authorize County staff to utilize the declaration of a shelter crisis to be statutorily exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act for shelter related construction and development projects; and
d. Authorize extending the shelter crisis declaration throughout the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Monterey County until December 31, 2034, pursuant to Government Code Sections 8698 through 8698.2.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Although the County of Monterey has taken significant steps to address homelessness, the demand for affordable housing remains high, necessitating the provision of temporary living facilities and supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. The recently released 2024 Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count revealed that, on any given night, 2,436 individuals are experiencing homelessness in Monterey County, marking a 19% increase from 2022. Additionally, 820 individuals are experiencing chronic homelessness; 50% suffer from depression, 31% have a physical disability, 17% have a chronic health condition, and 52% have at least one disabling condition. The 2024 Homeless Housing Inventory Count identified a severe deficiency in the local homelessness response system, with only 795 emergency shelter and interim housing beds available. While the PIT provides decision-makers with benchmark data often used as a performance indicator, it does not account for the entirety of individuals experiencing homelessness and does not include those living in places not meant for human habitation, like sheds, cars, and unpermitted housing structures. This is evident through the local Coordinated Entry System (known as the Coordinated Assessment and Referral System, or CARS), where 5,801 individuals await assistance from the homelessness response system. Additionally, according to the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, the life expectancy of an unsheltered individual is estimated to be between 42 and 52 years old, roughly 25 to 30 years less than the life expectancy of a housed person.
Given the ongoing shortage of shelter beds and the significant impacts of homelessness to an individual’s overall health and life expectancy, it is recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider adopting a resolution to declare a shelter crisis in Monterey County. Such a declaration provides the County with a legal framework to ease certain building, safety, and land use regulations to expedite the construction or conversion of a variety of shelter options.
BACKGROUND:
On December 14, 2017 and August 28, 2018, the Board of Supervisors declared a shelter crisis which has been instrumental in streamlining the County's response to homelessness by permitting the suspension of certain state housing and safety regulations.
Per Government Code section 8698 through 8698.2, jurisdictions that declare a shelter crisis “shall be immune from liability for ordinary negligence in the provision of emergency housing pursuant to Section 8698.2.” This limitation of liability only applies to “conditions, acts, or omissions directly related to, and which would not occur but for, the provision of emergency housing.” Additionally, “provisions of any state or local regulatory statute, regulation, or ordinance prescribing standards of housing, health, or safety shall be suspended to the extent that strict compliance would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the shelter crisis.”
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The recommended declaration of shelter crisis in Monterey County has been reviewed and approved as to form by County Counsel.
FINANCING:
There are no impacts on General Fund from this report.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
__Economic Development
__Administration
X Health & Human Services
__Infrastructure
__Public Safety
Prepared by: Roxanne V. Wilson, County Homeless Services Director, ext. 5445
Approved by: Debbie Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer, ext. 5145
Attachments:
Board Report re 12/14/2017 Declaration of Shelter Crisis
Board Order and Board Resolution re 12/14/2017 Declaration of Shelter Crisis
MoCo Shelter Crisis Resolution (Signed)
Resolution re Declaration of Shelter Crisis