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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-10; Housing Commission; MinutesHOUSING COMMISSION Minutes MEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: HOUSING COMMISSION (Regular Meeting) JUNE 10, 2021 4:00 P.M. VIA ZOOM CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson John Nguyen-Cleary called the Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. ROLL CALL was taken as follows: Present: Absent: Shirley Cole Marissa Cortes-Torres Allen Manzano John Nguyen-Cleary Joy Evans APPROVAL OF MINUTES: On a motion by Commissioner Cole and seconded by Commissioner Manzano the minutes of the following meetings were approved, 4-0-1 (Evans absent): Minutes of the Special Meeting held March 4, 2021. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: An email from Diane Rivera was read into the record . The email provided comment about the organizational structure of the newly-created Housing and Homeless Services Department. Commissioners and staff agreed that the subject matter of the email was directly related to Agenda Item #2 and could be addressed as part of that item. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS: 1. ELECTION OF HOUSING COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR - June 10, 2021 HOUSING COMMISSION Page2 Upon nomination by Commissioner Manzano and seconded by Commissioner Cortes-Torres, John Nguyen-Cleary was elected to serve as Chairperson, 4-0-1 (Evans absent). Upon nomination by Commissioner Manzano and seconded by Commissioner Cole, Marissa Cortes-Torres was elected to serve as Vice-Chairperson, 4-0-1 (Evans absent). 2. INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION ON CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY GOAL TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS Jeff Murphy, Director of Community Development, and Holly Nelson, Homeless Services Program Manager, gave a presentation on the City Council priority goal to reduce Homelessness. Mr. Murphy provided an overview of the FY 2021-2022 City Council Goals, which includes a priority goal to reduce the homeless unsheltered population, among those who want help, by 50% within five years. Ms. Nelson and Mr. Murphy presented the goal workplan objectives: • Employee and Benefits Specialist • HOT officers and social workers • Enhanced services at La Posada • Hotel/Motel Voucher Program • Community Resource Center services, Rapid Rehousing • Homeless Action Subcommittee • New Housing and Homeless Services Department Questions and Commission discussion during the presentation included: • A desire that services to connect people to benefits and resources be extended to at-risk individuals to prevent homelessness • A question about how many would be expected to be helped through homeless services; staff noted the city's Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) had some 500 unduplicated contacts last year • For each work plan task, staff will develop target goals and metrics and include them in service contracts • The hotel/motel voucher program will include wrap-around services and standards of conduct for those who participate in the program • In response to a question about concentration vs. dispersion, staff noted that multiple locations were initially considered, but anticipates there will be one hotel/motel site due to cost considerations • The goal is to serve 100-120 people with the voucher program over 12 months • There will be at least one joint meeting between the City Council Homeless Action Subcommittee and the Housing Commission. Chair Nguyen-Cleary requested that the Housing Commission be kept updated on the Homeless Action Subcommittee's work. June 10, 2021 HOUSING COMMISSION Page 3 • While homeless services will be consolidated into a new department, the HOT officers will stay with the Police Department. HOT teams are paired with a social worker. In response to a commissioner question about Ms. Rivera's emailed comments, staff explained how Housing Services administers both federal and local affordable housing programs, each with their own set of requirements, regulations, and funding sources. Chair Nguyen-Cleary stated his desire that Ms. Rivera's comments be taken into · consideration as the city organizes the new Housing and Homeless Services Department. HOUSING COMMISISONER COMMENTS: None. HOUSING MANAGER COMMENTS: David de Cordova, Housing Services Manager, made the following announcements: • The City Council approved the Housing Commission 2021 work plan with the addition of a task to hold at least one joint meeting between the Housing Commission and the City Council Homeless Action Subcommittee. Chair Nguyen-Cleary requested that Commissioners be consulted well in advance of any such joint meeting to avoid or minimize scheduling conflicts. • With the easing of workplace restrictions, Housing Services staff will be returning to work on-site beginning on Monday, June 14, 2021. Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, city offices will re-open to in-person services 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Fri. • As this time, public meetings, including the Housing Commission, will continue in virtual format. • The city is seeking volunteers for the CDBG Advisory Committee. The committee will have one representative from the Housing Commission. Staff will ask the Housing Commission to nominate a member at their July meeting. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Regular Meeting of June 10, 2021, was adjourned at 5:18 p.m . ....... £) 7J-Y-David de Cordova Housing Services Manager PATTI CRESCENTI, Minutes Clerk MINUTES ARE ALSO RECORDED AND KEPT ON FILE UNTIL THE WRITTEN MINUTES ARE APPROVED.