Title
Receive an update from the Department of Social Services on activities related to:
a. State Budget
b. Homeless Services
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee of the Board of Supervisors receives an update from the Department of Social Services on activities related to:
a. State Budget
b. Homeless Services
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
State Budget: The Governor released the proposed State of California Budget for FY 18/19 on January 10, 2018, the Director of Social Services will give an update on potential impacts.
Homeless Services Update:
Winter Warming Shelter - Monterey County continued its partnership with the City of Salinas to open a winter warming shelter located at 111 W. Alisal Street in Salinas. For the 2017-18 season, the Salinas Winter Warming Shelter is being operated by Community Homeless Solutions. The shelter opened on December 1, 2017 and during that month served 146 unduplicated individuals and averaged 33 clients per night. The provider indicates that the facility has suited the needs of the operation well, given room arrangements of 3 clients to a room with high functioning heating, ample toilet facilities, and kitchenette space. To date, client conflicts have been significantly lower than during the same period last year. This reduction may be attributed to the use of 24-hour security guards and improved intake screening methods. The shelter is scheduled to close on May 31, 2018.
At this time, County staff are also actively engaged with the City of Salinas to develop a year-round shelter.
Inclement Weather General Assistance Vouchers - The Department of Social Services continues to provide General Assistance vouchers in an effort to reduce the risk of an individual or family not being able to access a shelter due to lack of capacity. To date, six agencies have received vouchers for to use during the 2017-18 Inclement Weather Season: Veteran’s Transition Center, Salvation Army Good Samaritan Center, Housing Resource Center, Gathering for Women, Veterans Resource Center, and Community Human Services.
Safe Parking - A safe parking program began operating on Friday December 22 at the parking lot at 2616 First Avenue in Marina. The temporary parking program at Lapis Road has ended and the porta-toilets and dumpsters have been removed. As of the writing of this report, 6 permits for parking have been issued, however none have utilized the program so far. Outreach for the program began minimally due to focusing efforts on those who were enrolled in the Lapis Road temporary program. Once that list has been exhausted, expanded outreach efforts will begin. Enrollment in the 2-1-1 database has been completed and communication with the Sheriff’s Office and the Marina Police Department has begun to ensure law enforcement in impacted areas can make referrals to the program. As part of the program, Orphan Productions/One Starfish has been communicating with local businesses who may be willing to consider program participants as applicants for minimum wage jobs. Referrals for the program can be made directly to the program Case Manager, Randi Bittner at safeparkingprogram@gmail.com <mailto:safeparkingprogram@gmail.com>. Additionally, the County is actively pursuing alternative locations as suggested community members who voiced concerns about the location at 2616 First Ave., Marina.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
No other agency was involved in development of this report.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the County General Fund from this report.
Approved by: Elliott Robinson, Director Social Services, x4430