HomeMy WebLinkAbout08 - Update on Homeless IssuesQ �EwPpRT
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<,FORN'P City Council Staff Report
March 10, 2020
Agenda Item No. 8
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Grace K. Leung, City Manager - 949-644-3001,
gleung@newportbeachca.gov
PREPARED BY: Carol Jacobs, Assistant City Manager,
cjacobs@newportbeachca.gov
PHONE: 949-644-3313
TITLE: Update on Homeless Issues
ABSTRACT:
Since March of 2019, the City has focused its efforts on a number of plans and strategies
to work with our homeless population. This report provides a status update for February
activity.
RECOMMENDATION:
a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because
this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly;
and
b) Receive and file.
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
There is no fiscal impact related to this item.
DISCUSSION:
In March of 2019, the City created a Homeless Task Force (HTF) to address the issues
of homelessness in the community in a focused and comprehensive manner. The HTF
worked with Council and staff to develop strategies and assisted with defining the
problems and developing a multi -prong approach to the issue. In September 2019, the
HTF was reconstituted into an Ad Hoc Committee of the City Council including Mayor Will
O'Neill and Council Members Brad Avery and Joy Brenner. Staff continues to make
progress on both short-term and long-term strategies as detailed below.
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Update on Homeless Issues
March 10, 2020
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Permanent Suaaortive Housin
The City Council authorized staff to prepare a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a
Permanent Supportive Housing Developer to identify sites and develop a project for up
to 50 units of housing. This is a long-term solution, as a project will take at least three
years to develop, but a critical one because it provides the type of housing most needed
for those who are chronically homeless. Permanent Supportive Housing provides
individuals who were previously homeless with services on site to assist them with rental
assistance, health care, treatment and employment skills. City Council provided direction
for a project focused on housing for seniors, veterans, and families and a City commitment
of $3 million. Staff is currently working on the RFQ and expects to release the RFQ within
the next 30 days.
Education
There are many root causes of homelessness and it is a very complex issue. The Ad
Hoc Committee is working to educate the public in a variety of ways, so that
understanding and solutions can be developed. To that end, the Committee has been
working to provide monthly forums and encourages the public to attend.
On Thursday February 27, 2020, the City and Project Hope Alliance presented
"Addressing Youth Homelessness" about how our youth can also be affected by
homelessness and what can be done to help.
On March 27, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Friends Room at the Central Public Library,
the City will host "Housing Families in Need" with a presentation by SPIN — Serving
People in Need, and Families Forward for a perspective of how these two organizations
help families in need.
Success Stories
The City continues to work closely with our outreach social services provider, City Net, to
move individuals into housing. In the months of December and January, City Net
engaged with 310 individuals (many of these are the duplicates as many homeless
individuals require multiple contacts prior to agreeing to services), and five individuals
were housed.
City Net has been working with a homeless veteran and has connected him with services
and he is in the process of getting his Veteran voucher. He was living in his car until it
was stolen. We anticipate that our three homeless veterans will be housed in the new
apartments for veterans in Santa Ana once the facility is open this spring.
City Net was also able to reunite a homeless woman who had been regularly staying at
the Transportation Center for about nine years. City Net was able to reconnect her with
family and mental health services in another state.
Since March of 2018, City Net has had 46 individuals exit the street.
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Update on Homeless Issues
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Police Enforcement
The Police Department continues to enforce the law; any illegal activity can lead to an
arrest. The Police actively patrol places in the City in which there are on-going issues to
deter illegal activity. The community has often voiced concerns with the activity at the
Orange County Transportation Center and the Police are either patrolling or responding
to calls on average three times a day.
Rapid Response Team
The City's interdepartmental Rapid Response Team continues to respond quickly to
community concerns. They go into the field twice a month to provide directed assistance
to the homeless population. In addition, staff will respond quickly to community concerns
whenever they arise. Over the past month, staff has worked to move individuals'
belongings to more suitable locations and connect the most vulnerable to services. During
this past month, staff implemented a coordinated process in which homeless individuals
who are transported to a hospital by our Fire personnel get their medical devices delivered
by Public Works staff. Staff is committed to working with our homeless population and
connecting them with the services they need to end their homelessness.
Temporary Shelter Options
Staff is continuing discussions with neighboring cities on a regional partnership for
temporary shelter beds in our area. Federal and state funding for addressing
homelessness is focused on regional approaches and discussions with neighboring cities
is in line with this approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not
result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment)
and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA
Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no
potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
NOTICING:
The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of
the meeting at which the City Council considers the item).
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