Title:
Title
Declaration of a Shelter Crisis
End
FileID
File ID: 2018-01487
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Pass a Resolution 1) making the findings necessary for declaration of a Shelter Crisis, 2) declaring a Shelter Crisis pursuant to SB 850 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018) and Government Code Section 8698.2, and 3) adopting the City Manager’s Administrative Order Implementing the City Council’s Declaration of Shelter Crisis.
Contact: Emily Halcon, Homeless Services Coordinator, (916) 808-7896, Office of the City Manager; Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, Office of the City Attorney
Body
Presenter: Emily Halcon, Homeless Services Coordinator, (916) 808-7896, Office of the City Manager; Susana Alcala Wood, City Attorney, (916) 808-5346, Office of the City Attorney
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-HEAP and CESH Program Proposal
3-Resolution
4-Exhibit A to Resolution: Administrative Order
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In June of 2018, the Governor signed SB 850, which allocated over $553 million in one-time State funding for two new programs: the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) and the California Emergency Solutions Program (CESH). On October 16, 2018, the City Council approved a collaborative investment plan for the HEAP and CESH programs and authorized the City to submit an application for the City HEAP allocation to the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH) no later than December 31, 2018. The collaborative investment plan is detailed in Attachment 2 to this report.
To receive HEAP funding, the applicable statute requires that the jurisdiction(s) that the administrative entity represents must declare a shelter crisis pursuant to State law (commencing with Government Code 8698) by the time funding is awarded. The attached Resolution declares a shelter crisis, which is effective from December 1, 2018 to March 1, 2019, allowing the City to submit a complete application to BCSH by the application submittal deadline.
Policy Considerations: HEAP is a substantial new funding program that offers a block grant directly to cities and Continuums of Care (CoC) to develop and implement programs that reflect the needs of the community. HEAP requires programs to align with “housing first” principles, and all the investments recommended require active coordination with the homeless CoC and participation in the community’s coordinated entry and assessment program as well as the City’s Pathways program. Housing first programs limit barriers to access and work to connect clients with permanent housing as quickly as possible. In housing-first programs, supportive services are offered (but not required as a condition of tenancy) in shelters and are ongoing to help people keep their housing and avoid returning to homelessness. This evidence-based approach is consistent with the strategies and funding priorities of the other public agencies working to end homelessness in Sacramento.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None. Projects funded under HEAP will be brought separately to Council for approval, including environmental considerations.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: Homelessness is one of the biggest issues facing the City, and the City Council has made significant investments over the past years to increase services, shelter capacity and housing supports for people experiencing homelessness. Despite these efforts, homelessness is on the rise, and is affecting communities throughout the City and the County of Sacramento. The HEAP and CESH programs offer a unique opportunity to access significant funding from the State of California to address local needs related to homelessness, including public health related mitigation, and to collaborate with Sacramento County, SSF, and other cities in the county to develop a true county-wide response to homelessness.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.