Title
a. Receive a presentation regarding the proposed Encampment Response Policies and Procedures and proposed Board Resolution; and,
b. Provide direction to staff.
Presenter: Roxanne Wilson, County Homeless Services Director
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Homelessness Committee:
a. Receive a presentation regarding the proposed Encampment Response Policies and Procedures and proposed Board Resolution; and,
b. Provide direction to staff.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
This presentation will serve as an introduction of the proposed Encampment Response Policies and Procedures and receive feedback from the Homelessness Committee and members of the public.
BACKGROUND:
In the 2018 case Martin v. Boise, the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that city officials in Boise, Idaho, could not enforce an anti-camping ordinance whenever its homeless population exceeds the number of available beds in its homeless shelters and that became binding precedent within the Ninth Circuit.
However, on June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the Ninth Circuit ruling in Martin V. Boise, giving local jurisdictions the authority to address encampments established by people experiencing homelessness. Subsequently, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-1-24, which ordered State agencies to clear homeless encampments on State rights-of-way and urged local governments to adopt policies consistent with his order.
The 2024 Monterey County Homeless Point in Time Count revealed 2,436 individuals are experiencing homelessness of which 443 are unsheltered in unincorporated areas of the county.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Public Works, Facilities and Parks, Environmental Health Bureau, Emergency Communications, the Sheriff’s Office, and County Counsel.
FINANCING:
This agreement has no impacts on General Fund.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
This proposed policy and resolutio...
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