HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-07; City Council; Resolution 2021-269RESOLUTION NO. 2021-269
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AN AMENDED CITY COUNCIL HOMELESSNESS
GOAL WORK PLAN
Exhibit 2
WHEREAS, homelessness is a local, state, and national problem. More than 580,000 people
experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night count in 2020 according to the 2020
Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. This marks the fourth consecutive year that
homelessness has increased across the country, and it was first time the data showed more homeless
people were living outdoors than staying in shelter locations;
WHEREAS, California has the highest homeless population in the country with 161,548
homeless persons total, including 63,706 homeless persons in the County of Los Angeles, 9605
homeless persons in the County of Santa Clara, 8137 homeless persons in the County of Alameda, and
7658 homeless persons in the County of San Diego; and
WHEREAS, recent estimates of the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness
in the City of Carlsbad ranges between 94 during a single night count and 253 persons over a three-
month period; and
WHEREAS, these data only reflect the minimum scope of the problem and that, while the
magnitude of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those at-risk or newly homeless are not fully
understood, the community impacts of homelessness in Carlsbad are acutely felt; and
WHEREAS, the City Council engaged in goal-setting workshops on Feb. 4, Feb. 11, and Mar. 11,
2021, to establish strategic goals and develop short-term and long-term objectives in fulfillment of
those goals; and
WHEREAS, on Mar. 11, 2021, the City Council established a Fiscal Year 2021-22 priority goal to
"Reduce the homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years,
with quarterly reports until we decrease the unsheltered homeless population or five years," and
directed staff to develop a work plan to achieve a set of specific objectives over the next 12 to 18
months toward achieving this goal; and
WHEREAS, parallel to the goal-setting process, the City Council received a report on Mar. 23,
2021, to consider possible programs to address homelessness in Carlsbad; and
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 19 of 27
Goal Reduce the homeless unsheltered population, among those who
want help, by 50% within five years, with quarterly reports until
we decrease the unsheltered homeless population or five years1
Lead Housing & Homeless Services / Police Department
Supporting City Attorney’s Office
Communications
Finance
Human Resources
Community Development
Parks & Recreation
Public Works
City Clerks
City Manager’s Office
Resource needs • Funding: See Attachment B to Exhibit 2: “Summary of Homeless
Workplan Objective Costs”
Estimated
completion
Refer to individual objectives (all dates/time frames taken from
May 4, 2021)
1.Employments & Benefits Specialist
Contract for one full time outside position who will be able to help connect people to
disability and social security benefits, general relief, CalWORKS, CalFresh, Veteran
benefits, stimulus checks, employment programs, and other aid programs (Mar. 23, 2021
City Council direction).
Tasks
•Develop scope of work for contract position
o Five-year contract, no extension
•Develop budget
•Issue RFP for contract services
•Design program and informational materials
Operational in three to nine months
2.Additional Homeless Outreach Officers & Social Workers
Expand the existing homeless outreach team (H.O.T.) by adding one police sergeant, two
police officers, and pursue options for up to two additional social workers (Mar. 23, 2021
City Council direction).
Tasks
•Homeless Outreach Team
o Promote an additional sergeant to the H.O.T.
o Recruit for two new homeless outreach officers
o Develop roles, responsibility and deployment model for enhanced H.O.T.
o Develop and provide necessary training
1 As part of the established goal, the City Council adopted a series of related “goal points” that support and
provide additional information about the goal’s intent. A Goal Point Priorities Matrix (Attachment C to
Exhibit 2) has been created that shows how the City Council goal points are being addressed through the
objectives of this work plan.
Attachment A
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 21 of 27
o Identify metrics for data collection
Currently operational
• Social Workers
Partner with the San Diego County for the duration of their North
County Homeless Pilot program2
Currently operational
3. Enhancing Clinical Services at La Posada Emergency Shelter
Enter into an agreement with Catholic Charities to hire two licensed clinicians. Additionally,
enter into an agreement with a third-party consultant to provide their staff with training
in order for the facility to operate as a “low-barrier” shelter (Mar. 23, 2021 City Council
Direction).
Tasks
• Develop scope of work for expanded consultant services
o Two licensed clinicians and additional training for staff
o Three-year contract, no extensions
• Research and analyze best practice emergency shelter programs
• Design new program rules, expectations and outcomes
• Develop a training schedule, courses, programs and completion timeline
• Re-evaluate the program practices, as necessary
Operational in three to nine months
4. Limited Term Stay Emergency Hotel Voucher Program
Operate a 12-month limited-term stay emergency hotel voucher pilot program (Oct. 2021
through Sept. 2022) in the City of Carlsbad. Hotel vouchers would be offered to homeless
individuals or families at no charge that would provide for limited-term stays (one
evening authorized at a time) at a participating economy hotel, with the intent of
providing an immediate shelter alternative to camping or sleeping on public property.
The hotel site selected (participant placement) would be located as near as reasonably
possible to where the participant was contacted. All participants who receive a hotel
voucher under this program will be visited by Homeless Outreach Team officers and
social workers the next morning, who will offer additional social services and offer to
connect the participant to longer term shelter and housing solutions. Program to be
funded with $100,000 from the $3.2 million allocated to the previously proposed
Carlsbad Hotel/Motel Voucher Pilot Program.
Tasks
• Limited-term Stay Emergency Hotel Voucher Pilot Program
o Develop pilot program rules, policies and expectations
o Identify and partner with hotel/motel vendors
o Develop and implement a contract with the Humane Society
o Train Homeless Outreach Team Officers and social workers
2 County Board of Supervisors’ Apr. 6, 2021 Meeting Agenda, Item #7: Pilot Program to Address
Homelessness in North County San Diego (Districts: 3 & 5).
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 22 of 27
o Develop and implement a tracking system to assess program
efficacy
o Prepare public informational materials
o Provide reports to the City Council after first six months and
following the 12-month program to determine if the program
should be continued and/or modified
• Animal Contract
o Review animal shelter options
o Develop a contract for animal services
o Establish program criteria, rules, and forms
Operational. The limited-stay emergency hotel voucher pilot program has been
implemented and has been running since Nov. 1, 2021. On Sept. 28, 2021, the city
executed a contract with the San Diego Humane Society for animal services in the
amount of $29,825 from the City Council’s contingency for FY 2021-22.
5. Community Resource Center Services
Contract with Community Resource Center to implement a rapid rehousing program for
households currently experiencing homelessness in the City of Carlsbad (Mar. 23, 2021
City Council direction).
Tasks
• Contract with the Community Resource Center
o Develop scope of work for services
o Two-year contract with three, 1-year extensions
• Revise policies and procedures based on lessons learned from year one
Operational in three to six months
6. Create a new Housing & Homeless Services Department
The CA League of Cities ranks affordable housing and homelessness as the top issues
facing all local governments across the State of California. To successfully implement the
City Council’s goal of increasing the supply of available affordable housing, while also
developing and implementing the programs and services needed to reduce homeless
levels by 50% within five years, a new department within the Community Services Branch
with the necessary technical expertise and leadership is needed, for the following
reasons:
• Provides leadership and staffing singularly focused on housing and homeless
services
• Ensures appropriate oversight and a reasonable span of control to achieve the
mission
• Confirms focused attention on a critical need
• Strengthens collaboration and coordination with outside agencies
• Pairs complementary functions (housing and homeless) to improve internal
collaboration, communications and resource management
• Ensures that the 5-year City Council Homeless Goal can be achieved
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 23 of 27
• Centralizes the expertise and programing needed to advance individuals and
families through the full spectrum – from homelessness to fully housed and self-
sufficient
Tasks
• Create new positions (Director, Housing Services Manager, Program Manager
and Management Analyst)
• Develop budget and purchase resources
• Advertise, recruit and hire the new positions
Operational in approximately six months. Department, new positions, and budget
created with FY 2021-22 budget; new position recruitments and hiring are underway.
7. La Posada de Guadalupe Facility Expansion
Work with Catholic Charities to pursue opportunities to expand the number of shelter
beds within the existing facility and to expand the size of the existing facility to
accommodate women and families.
Tasks
• Shelter bed expansion – existing facility
o Explore the allowances under SB-48 (Low Barrier Navigation Centers)
o Coordinate with Catholic Charities on requirements for building plans, if
needed
o Expedite building permit plan review, if needed
o Assist in funding alternatives for required improvements (e.g., bed
partitions)
• Expanded facility size to accommodate women and families
o Explore the allowances under SB-48 (Low Barrier Navigation Centers)
o Coordinate with Catholic Charities in evaluating feasibility of expansion
o Explore possible funding options to assist in expediting construction
o Return to City Council for further direction regarding funding options
Existing facility: Operational in six to 12 months
Expanded facility: Operational in 24 to 36 months
8. Project Homekey funds
Explore potential projects that would be eligible for Project Homekey funds and develop
a proposal for the City Council’s consideration. Project Homekey funding is available from
the State of California for local cities, counties and other local public entities to purchase
and rehabilitate housing, including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings and other
buildings and convert them into interim or permanent housing resources. The city could
apply for Homekey funds independently or jointly with a nonprofit or for-profit
corporation as a co-applicant.
Tasks
• Develop a list of potential projects that are eligible for Project Homekey funding
and develop a specific proposal for the City Council’s consideration and direction
if any projects meet application criteria.
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 24 of 27
• Pursue a Homekey funding application, if directed by the City Council
Present specific proposal, if feasible, to the City Council for direction in the 2nd quarter of
2022
Dec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 25 of 27
GOAL OBJECTIVE
Proposed Staffing/Program
FY
2020-21
FY
2021-22
FY
2022-23
FY
2023-24
FY
2024-25
FY
2025-26 TOTAL
1.Employments & Benefits Specialist
Contract services $123,7951 $124,7351 $130,9711 $137,5201 $144,3961 $661,4171
Operational expenses $20,0002 $20,0002 $20,0002 $20,0002 $20,0002 $100,0002
2.Additional Homeless Outreach Team Officers & Social Workers
Homeless Outreach Team staffing $330,1173,4 $614,9843 $645,7333 $678,0203 $711,9213 $747,5173 $3,728,2923
Social workers
•County of SD Pilot Program option5 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
3.Enhancing Clinical Services at La Posada Emergency Shelter
Agreement with Catholic Charities $180,000 $180,000 $180,000 $0 $0 $540,000
4.Operate a Limited Stay Emergency Hotel Voucher Program
Hotel voucher program $100,0006 $0 $0 $0 $0 $100,000
Animal services contract $29,825 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000
5.Community Resource Center Services
Agreement with CRC $350,000 $350,000 $0 $0 $0 $700,000
6.Create a new Housing and Homeless Services Department
Director $20,593 $247,1131 $259,4691 $272,4421 $286,0641 $300,3681 $1,386,0491
Housing Services Manager $182,2261 $186,0871 $195,3921 $205,1611 $215,4191 $984,2851
Management Analyst $123,7951 $124,7351 $130,9711 $137,5201 $144,3961 $661,4171
Program Manager $123,7951 $124,7351 $130,9711 $137,5201 $144,3961 $661,4171
7.La Posada de Guadalupe Facility Expansion
Explore and Coordinate $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
8.Project Homekey
Project Feasibility $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
TOTAL $350,710 $2,095,533 $2,050,494 $1,773,767 $1,670,706 $1,751,492 $9,692,7027
1 Mid-range personnel costs (salary, benefits) plus one-time equipment purchases in FY2021-22 (Director position reflects upper-range). Includes anticipated personnel cost increase of 5% per
year.
2 Covers expenses helping individuals secure employment such as bus passes, clothing vouchers, background checks and printing.
3 Personnel costs for one sergeant and two officers (salary, benefits, overtime, vehicle replacement). Includes anticipated personnel cost increase of 5% per year.
4 Reflects two months of personnel costs plus one-time equipment purchases.
5 The County’s Pilot Program is funded through the County of San Diego and does not require any city funds.
6 Pilot program estimated at $100,000 one-time annual cost out of original $3,200,000 allocation for a hotel voucher program.
7 The amount appropriated by the City Council for the original May 4, 2021 work plan was $13,122,877. Changes to the work plan directed by the City Council on Sept. 28, 2021 have reduced costs. The funding need for the amended work plan is $9,692,702. The difference of $3,430,175 is available to explore reprogramming for future work plan initiatives or other City Council priorities. Attachment BDec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 26 of 27
Goal point priorities
Employment
and benefits
specialist
Additional
Homeless Outreach
Team
officers,
social workers
Enhancing
clinical
services at La
Posada
Emergency
Shelter
Operate a limited stay
hotel
voucher
program
Community
Resource
Center
services
Housing and
Homeless
Services
Department
La Posada de
Guadalupe
facility
expansion
Project
Homekey
Fully fund, staff and implement the city’s Homeless Response Plan ●●●●●●●●
Create specific and measurable targets and timelines for reducing homelessness (within first year or two)●●●●●●●●
Preventing and ending homelessness among youth and veterans ●●●●●●●●
Increase social services/social workers ●●●●●●●
Partner with county ●●●●
Work with entities within the city and county to increase transitions to permanent supportive housing ●●●●●
Advocate for legislative changes needed to effectively address homelessness ●
Prevent homelessness by supporting those at risk of becoming homeless/losing their housing ●●●
Work through a regional group to develop regional action plan that includes integrated services
within/among cities ●●
Develop an encampment policy ●●
Focus on trauma informed care ●●●●●●●●
Focus on aggressive individuals to address their needs (substance abuse, mental health, other)●●●●●●●●
Explore expansion of La Posada ●●●
Complete financial analysis to identify opportunities for quickest results ●
No visible encampments ●●●●●●●●
Identify city and regional goals ●●●●
Emphasize affordable housing ●●
City Council Work Plan objectives
Attachment CDec. 7, 2021 Item #12 Page 27 of 27