Title
Receive an update on key activities related to homeless prevention and intervention.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors receive an update on key activities related to homeless prevention and intervention.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
1. 2015 Homeless Census and Needs Assessment: The 2015 Monterey County and San Benito County Homeless Census was conducted on January 28, 2015. More than 70 teams of volunteers and homeless individuals serving as guides canvassed Monterey and San Benito counties to count homeless individuals and families in assigned areas. As in prior years, this semi-annual census included a second stage where trained homeless individuals collected additional and more detailed information through a survey. Final 2015 numbers are due later this spring. A presentation will be provided to the Board of Supervisors when the report is finalized.
2. Homeless Activities Update: The Coalition of Homeless Services Providers worked with the Continuum Care (CoC) planning team to incorporate a regional approach by including San Benito County into the planning process. The application for funds under the FY2014 CoC Notice of Availability of Funding was submitted in October 2014. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the Monterey/San Benito CoC conditional funding award for application renewals in the amount of $1,905,048 for Monterey County based services and $216,950 for San Benito County based services. In addition, the Coalition for Homeless Services Providers was awarded $24,153 to support their planning and coordination work in homeless services.
3. Lead Me Home, 10-Year Plan Update: The Department of Social Services continues supporting the Lead Me Home activities in partnership with the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers. As part of this process, work is progressing to create a Coordinated Assessment and Intake System. This is a requirement of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition Housing Act of 2009. Several new program and projects have been implemented since the 2011 implementation of the 10-Year Plan including:
· The Department of Social Services, in partnership with the City of Salinas established a Winter Warming Shelter that operates during the November - March Inclement Weather Season. The 2014-2015 Warming Shelter facility with a capacity of up to 68 individuals recently closed on March 31, 2015.
· The Department of Social Services implemented a Housing Support Program providing housing and other support services to homeless families receiving CalWORKs .
· In partnership with the State of California, the Department of Social Services has implemented the AB 12 Non-Minor Dependent program which extends case management and housing assistance support to eligible youth in foster care (child welfare and probation) through to their 21st birthday. Currently, over 50 young adults over the age of 18 receive support through this program.
· Interim, Inc opened Rockrose Gardens, a 20 bed permanent supportive housing facility servicing mentally ill homeless residents.
· Shelter Outreach Plus opened a 12 bed transitional housing program for homeless single women.
· A six-bed medical respite program is scheduled to open in June 2015, administered by Shelter Outreach Plus, which will provide housing to homeless persons leaving local health institutions with no identified housing in place.
· The Veteran Affairs Supportive Services for Veterans and Families Program has funded two Monterey County organizations, the Housing Resource Center, and Monterey County Veteran Resource Services, to provide homeless prevention, rapid re-housing, and supportive services to homeless veterans. VA has also recently allocated additional HUD-VASH vouchers in support of these programs.
Additionally, several projects are moving forward. The Salinas Downtown Community Board (which includes active participation by Department of Social Services and the Community Action Partnership staff) is working with the Salinas City Council on issues related to homeless services gaps and the renewal of the "Chinatown" area. A location for a Pilot Homeless Services Center has been identified that will provide hygiene access and coordinated assessment and referral services to the homeless residents of the area. The City of Salinas has engaged Mid-Peninsula Housing Inc. to research the feasibility of a 50-75 unit permanent supportive housing development on Soledad Street.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Provision of homelessness prevention, shelter, transition and support services is a multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional collaboration including the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, local cities and numerous non-profit partners. Additionally, in order to support local competitiveness with HUD, Monterey and San Benito Counties officially partnered to become a regional CoC in 2011. This collaboration is a HUD recommended best practice in support of regional planning and funding preference.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the County General Fund.
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director, x4434