Title:
Title
Homeless Sheltering and Re-Housing Approach [Oral Report]
End
FileID
File ID: 2019-00198
Location
Location: Citywide
Recommendation:
Recommendation
Receive and file.
Contact: Jaycob Bytel, Deputy Chief of Staff - External Affairs, (916) 808-5300, Office of Mayor Steinberg
Body
Presenter: Emily Halcon, Homeless Services Coordinator, (916) 808-7896, Office of the City Manager
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: The crisis of unsheltered homelessness is one that impacts an entire community, both those experiencing homelessness and the broader community of housed residents, businesses, and neighborhoods. According to the most recent Sacramento County Homeless Deaths Report, death rates among the unsheltered homeless population are four times that of the general population, and rose by almost 75% from 2016 to 2017. The only solution to homelessness is housing, and the City has made significant investments to increase access to and availability of housing for people and families experiencing homelessness, including:
• Developing and implementing the Pathways to Health + Home Program, bringing up to $64 million in local and federal funds to provide assertive outreach, engagement, care coordination and housing supportive services to up to 3,000 people over four years; and
• In partnership with Sacramento County, re-allocating 450 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) specifically to serve persons and households experiencing homelessness over three years; and
• Working with Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services to allocate $44 million in Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding to enhance and expand access, treatment and housing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness who also have behavioral health needs; and
• In partnership with SHRA, managing a portion of the City’s allocation of federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to support a City/County rapid re-housing program; and
• Supporting the development and implementation of the Coordinated Entry System, managed by Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF), lowering barriers to over 2,000 housing units funded through the federal Continuum of Care (CoC) grant; and
• In partnership with SHRA, providing administrative funding for SSF since 2013 to ensure the coordinated implementation of the CoC funding.
In addition to these current efforts, the City and CoC recently received over $18 million from the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP), which will support to the creating of a new Flexible Housing Program with wrap around supportive services and provide funds to expand and enhance shelters throughout the community.
With the launch of HEAP, in the late fall of 2018, Mayor Steinberg challenged Councilmembers to help identify opportunities to expand sheltering in their districts. On February 5, 2019, the City Council approved a one-time allocation of $15.7 million from the Measure U fund to support this expansion. As part of this approval, Mayor Steinberg asked for Council to approve an expenditure plan for up to $37 million, considering City resources as well as funds from the State and private donors. Staff has worked with the Mayor’s office to develop a two-year approach to develop at least 800 shelter beds using approximately $37 million.
This report and accompanying presentation will:
• Provide an overview of expected funds available for sheltering activities; and
• Describe assumptions used to develop models; and
• Present a two-year funding and development model; and
• Present a timeline for administrative actions necessary to implement the approach
With Council input and direction, staff will return with administrative and budgetary actions necessary to implement this approach.
Policy Considerations: On October 16, 2018, the Council held a workshop on Homeless Sheltering Policies and adopted a resolution embracing Housing First principles for City-funded Triage Shelters. However, Council also acknowledged the need for other shelter and service approaches, especially for vulnerable populations, including transition age youth and women and families. The approach recommended allows for a variety of sheltering options, recognizing different needs of different population and reflecting community preferences and priorities.
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: None.
Sustainability: Not applicable.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: The numbers of people living and dying unsheltered in Sacramento is on the rise, and there are not sufficient shelter beds to meet the need. The United States Interagency Council on Homelessness recommends that “Shelters must be low barrier, focus on assessment and triage, and intentionally link to permanent housing resources so that people move through to housing quickly”. The Council made a significant commitment through the 2018/19 mid-year budget to address these critical needs.
Financial Considerations: None.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.