HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-27-2018 Item 08 - Resolution Declaring a Shelter Crisis - Homeless Emergency Aid Program Meeting Date: 11/27/2018
FROM: Deanna Cantrell, Police Chief
Prepared By: Jeff Smith, Police Captain
Victoria Tonikian, Management Fellow
SUBJECT: HOMELESS SHELTER CRISIS DECLARATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment A) declaring a homeless shelter crisis in the C ity of San
Luis Obispo pursuant to the Homeless Emergency Aid Program under SB 850 ; and
2. If a homeless shelter crisis is declared, authorize the City Manager to submit eligible services
and programs for funding from the Homeless Emergency Aid Program under SB 850; and
3. If the funding is awarded, authorize the City Manager to execute all funding related
documents and authorize the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments
upon the award of the funding.
DISCUSSION
Background
The California Governor and Legislature have provided funding to local governments under the
Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) as part of SB 850 , enacted on June 27, 2018 and the
2018-19 Budget Act (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018). HEAP is a one-time, $500 million block
grant program designed to provide direct assistance to cities and counties to address
homelessness throughout California. HEAP funds are intended to provide funding to Continuums
of Care (CoCs) to address the homelessness crisis in California. Formula funding estimates for
the local CoCs in San Luis Obispo County total approximately $4.8 million separated into the
following categories:
1. $4,000,000 – Based on Point in Time County Ranges [SB 850: Section 2, Chapter 5,
50213 (a)]
2. $837,814 – Based on Percent o f Homeless Population [SB 850: Section 2, Chapter 5,
50213 (b)]
Based on the HEAP Grant Program Guidance, a shelter crisis declaration is required for all cities
and counties within the CoC that wish to receive HEAP funds. As defined by Chapter 7.8 of
Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code, a “declaration of shelter crisis ” means the duly
proclaimed existence of a situation in which a significant number of persons are without the
ability to obtain shelter, resulting in a threat to their health and sa fety.” While the County serves
as the “Collaborative Applicant” for the local CoC, the County may only declare a shelter crisis
for the unincorporated areas of the county. A shelter crisis declaration was adopted by the
County Board of Supervisors on November 6th. Cities within the county must take action by the
end of November to declare their own shelter crisis within their respective jurisdictions in time
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for the County’s December 31, 2018 application deadline to the State. To date, a shelter crisis
declaration was adopted in Arroyo Grande on September 25 th, Grover Beach on October 16th,
and Pismo Beach and Paso Robles on November 6th. Additionally, cities in other areas such as
Santa Maria and Santa Barbara are also adopting similar declarations.
Analysis of Issues
According to the 2017 San Luis Obispo County Homeless Census and Survey Comprehensive
Report (Point in Time County), there were 411 homeless individuals identified in the City of San
Luis Obispo in 2017. For reference, there were a total of 1,125 homeless individuals identified in
all of San Luis Obispo County.
Declaration of a shelter crisis provides the City with the following opportunities with regards to
homeless services:
1. Eligibility to become a direct recipient of HEAP funds from the local Continuum of Care
(CoC)
2. If the City does not become a direct recipient of HEAP funds, funds can be spent by the
CoC within the City for capital projects finished before June 30, 2021, or for rental
assistance or rental subsidies.
Homeless Emergency Aid Program
As referenced earlier, HEAP provides a total of $500 million in one -time funding to local
governments for immediate emergency assistance to people experiencing homelessness or are at
imminent risk of homelessness. Eligible uses of the funds include, but are not limited to, the
following:
1. Homelessness prevention activities
2. Criminal justice diversion programs for homeless individuals with mental health needs
3. Establishing or expanding services meeting the needs of homeless youth or youth at r isk
of homelessness
4. Emergency aid
The parameters of the program are intentionally broad and allow local communities to be
creative and craft programs that meet the specific needs they have identified. Although some
funds from the HEAP program can be spent in jurisdictions that have not declared a shelter
crisis, declaring a shelter crisis does specifically expand the programs available to receive
support or allows the City to develop its own programs and submit proposals for those programs
to become a direct recipient of HEAP funds. Expanded programs include using funds for capital
construction projects or towards rental assistance and rental subsidies.
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The chart above demonstrates the flow from HEAP funds to cities and counties.
Lastly, award of HEAP funds under SB 850 are intended to move quickly as the Business,
Consumer Services, and the Housing Agency (Agency) will make a first round of awards by
January 31, 2019, and a second round of awards by May 31, 2019. Any unallocated funds
following the second round will revert to the State’s General Fund. Also, The HEAP statue
mandates that 50 percent of the awarded funds must be contractually obligated by January 1,
2020 and 100% of the funds must be expended by June 30, 2021. Due to this rapid timeline to
disburse funds, the process to develop a system to review and select programs and services
within the San Luis Obispo County CoC or to individual cities as part of the application to the
Agency has already begun with coordination between the County, cities, and nonprofit homeless
services organizations.
As part of this process, CoCs must demonstrate that a local collaborative effort has been
conducted prior to application submission. A collaborate process may include, but is not limited
to, a public meeting, regional homeless taskforce meeting, and letters of support with signatures
of endorsement, an adopted homeless plan, and an adopted budget that included HEAP funds.
Proof of a public process may include sign-in sheets, meeting minutes and agendas, among other
items. It is important that a wide enough range of participants are consulted as part of this
process. Participants should include representatives of the local homeless population.
The City and the County have worked together in the past regarding homelessness in San Luis
State
San Luis Obispo Continuum
of Care (CoC)
To services
throughout the CoC
To Capital Projects
or to Rental
Assistance and
Rental Subsidies in
areas that have
designated a shelter
crisis
Cities that wish to be
direct recipients of
HEAP Funds
(declaration of shelter
crisis required)
To services or projects
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Obispo and in 2008 derived the San Luis Obispo Countywide 10-Year Plan to End
Homelessness. Currently, City staff has been actively working with the County and has attended
a stakeholder session regarding Homeless Engagement, Shelter Services, & Subsidies and a
session regarding Housing Development & Financing. These sessions provide a great open
dialogue between the County and our organization. Additionally, the County hosted four public
forums, one geared towards the North County and the other geared towards the South County.
These forums provided valuable insight into what our communities feel needs to be prioritized in
terms of potential projects and eligible activities. They were held on October 23rd and 25th San
Luis Obispo and on November 7th in the South County and November 13th in the North County.
City Staff attended the meetings in San Luis Obispo.
Due to the rapid timeline to disperse funding, staff is requesting that Council authorize t he City
Manager to submit proposals of these projects and eligible activities for funding from HEAP
without having to return to Council to present these projects and eligible activities. Additionally,
if this recommendation is approved and funding from HEAP is awarded, staff is requesting that
Council authorize the City Manager to execute all funding related documentation and authorize
the Finance Director to make the necessary budget adjustments upon the award of the grant.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act does not apply to the recommended actions in this
report, because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA Guidelines sec. 15378.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adopting a Resolution declaring a shelter crisis enables the Cit y to be eligible for State funding
under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program. The exact amount would be determined as part of
the HEAP funding award process.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council may choose not to adopt this resolution. This is not recommended as an
alternative because declaring a homeless shelter crisis will provide the City with the maximum
opportunity to provide aid to homeless individuals in the future.
Attachments:
a – Resolution declaring the City of San Luis Obispo in a shelter crisis
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R ______
RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2018 SERIES)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS
OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING A SHELTER CRISIS PURSUANT
TO SB 850 (CHAPTER 48, STATUES OF 2018 AND GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 8698.2)
WHEREAS, California’s Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and the members of the
California Legislature have recognized the urgent and immediate need for funding at the local level
to combat homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Governor and the Legislature have provided funding to local
governments under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program as part of SB 850 and the 2018 -19
Budget Act (Chapter 48, Statues of 2018); and
WHEREAS, the Governor and Legislature requires jurisdictions seeking an allocation
through the Homeless Emerge ncy Aid Program to declare a Shelter Crisis pursuant to Government
Code §8696.2; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has in partnership with the County of San Luis
Obispo and other regional non-profit partners; a homelessness plan as part of the regional San Luis
Obispo Countywide 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and has undertaken multiple efforts at the
local level to combat homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the City in partnership with the County of San Luis Obispo and other
community partners, helped to raise funds to build a new homeless shelter at 40 Prado Road; and
WHEREAS, this new facility will provide wrap around services and new capacity to
support the population and yet new resources are needed to meet the needs of San Luis Obispo ;
and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the 2017 Point in Time Count found a total of 411
people experiencing homelessness within the City of San Luis Obispo who were living without
shelter at that time; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that a significant number of persons within the City
of San Luis Obispo are without the ability to obtain shelter, and that the situation has resulted in a
threat to the health and safety of those persons; and
WHEREAS, the City Council affirms the City’s commitment to combatting homelessness
and creating or augmenting a continuum of shelter and service options for those living without
shelter in our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo
as follows:
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Resolution No. _____ (2018 Series) Page 2
R ______
SECTION 1. The City of San Luis Obispo does hereby find and declare the existence of
a shelter crisis, pursuant to Government Code §8698.2, in the City of San Luis Obispo, and
authorizes the City of San Luis Obispo’s participation the Homeless Emergency Aid Program.
Upon motion of _______________________, seconded by _______________________,
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _____________________ 2018.
____________________________________
Mayor Heidi Harmon
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________________
J. Christine Dietrick
City Attorney
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City
of San Luis Obispo , California, this ______ day of ______________, _________.
____________________________________
Teresa Purrington
City Clerk
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