HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-28; Citywide Homeless Update: September 2023 (Districts - All); Barberio, GaryTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
o ate~CA /cc_L
cM _bcM L ocM (3) ~
September 28, 2023
Coun cil Me morandum
{city of
Carlsbad
Memo ID# 2023099
To:
From:
Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Mandy Mills, Director of Housing & Homeless Services
Via:
Re:
Chris Shilling, Homeless Services Manager, Homeless Services
Jessica Klein, Senior Program Manager ~eless Services
Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager (J;;Jf;
Citywide Homeless Update: September 2023 (Districts -All)
Homeless Services and Homeless Outreach Team {HOT) Update
• On July 11, 2023, the City Council approved acceptance of an Encampment Resolution
Grant from the State of California which will provide approximately $2.3 million in
funding over a 3-year period. Housing & Homeless Services staff held a grant kick-off
meeting with subcontractors on July 20, 2023. Housing & Homeless Services staff also
coordinated a meeting wit h the new cont ractor for street medicine, Southern California
Care Community, and the Carlsbad Fire Department. The grant check and fully executed
agreement were received from the state on September 13, 2023. Services under the
program may now begin.
• On August 24, 2023, the city submitted an application to the FY2023 Continuum of Care
Notice of Funding Opportunity competition for $435,050. The funding would provide
supportive services to people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad who also have a
housing choice voucher. The funding will help people with high service needs transition
out of homelessness and maintain long-term housing. On September 13, 2023, the city
was notified it received the highest score of any new project application. Final funding
award notifications from HUD are expected to be received in the winter. lffunded, the
grant includes funding for a small portion toward city positions, including half of the
Housing Navigator. The grant funds could offset over $50,000 per year in costs to the
General Fund.
• The city provides Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to Interfaith
Community Services and the Community Resource Center to provide homelessness
prevention assistance to Carlsbad residents. The city also provides funding to Brother
Benno's for prevention through the city's General Fund . The prevention providers report
data to the city on a quarterly basis and that data will be included in future reports.
Community Services Branch
Housing & Homeless Services Department
1200 Carlsbad Village Drive I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2810 t
Council Memo -Citywide Homeless Update: September 2023 (Districts -All)
September 28, 2023
Page 2
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department hired and onboarded a new Housing
Navigator to replace the staff member who recently left the position. The new Housing
Navigator, Jasmyne Sheridan, started August 21, 2023.
• Beginning September 18, 2023, the Police Department assigned one HOT Sergeant to fill
the newly created Training Sergeant position as a pilot program. The HOT is still staffed
by a Sergeant and six Police Officers, providing 7-day a week coverage.
• In early September the Police and Housing & Homeless Services departments sent
letters to Affirmed Housing, who is the developer of Windsor Pointe, and ConAm, the
property management company, to share concerns about property operations. The
Police Chief and Housing & Homeless Services Director met with management from
Affirmed Housing and ConAm to identify solutions and will continue monthly meetings.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department is continuing to work with the Innovation
& Economic Development Department to identify and prepare the housing and
homelessness data and metrics that will be shared on the city's website.
• The Housing & Homeless Services, Police, Fire and Finance departments continue to
collaborate to design a program using National Opioid Settlement funding which meets
the settlement requirements for high impact abatement activities. The amount of
funding is still being determined but could potentially provide approximately $80,000
per year towards high impact abatement activities.
• The city's quality-of-life ordinances related to homelessness and public spaces went into
effect on November 11, 2021. These ordinances and other federal, state, and local laws
have helped the HOT hold the homeless community accountable while continuing to
offer compassionate outreach and resources. In August 2023, Police Officers issued 2
written warnings, 20 citations, and made 5 bookable arrests.
Emergency Shelter and Motel Voucher Program
• In August 2023, the HOT placed six individuals into the Emergency Motel Voucher
Program. Participants are typically allowed to stay up to three nights. In rare cases, the
HOT can increase the time if there are assured resources that are taking longer to
secure. Of the six placements, all six were bridged to shelter, treatment, or more
permanent housing.
• The Housing & Homeless Services Department began offering extended limited-term
motel stays to bridge households from being unsheltered to finding a stable place to
live. Between September 1, 2022, and August 31, 2023, Housing & Homeless Services
has provided 15 households with extended motel vouchers. Nine have successfully
transitioned into stable placements and two have housing subsidies to obtain
permanent housing and are in the process of locating an available unit.
Council Memo -Citywide Homeless Update: September 2023 (Districts -All)
September 28, 2023
Page 3
• In preparation for the tropical storm caused by Hurricane Hilary on the weekend of
August 18, 2023, Housing & Homeless Services staff worked with Catholic Charities to
make additional inclement weather beds available at the La Posada de Guadalupe
shelter for people who needed shelter due to the severe weather event. This increased
short-term bed availability was shared with the HOT and all community partners.
• Catholic Charities informed Housing & Homeless Services staff on August 29, 2023, that
the La Posada de Guadalupe shelter had suffered a COVID-19 outbreak and would need
to suspend new intakes. Catholic Charities implemented protocol for regular testing and
isolation of those with positive cases to the extent possible within the facilities. Housing
& Homeless Services staff coordinated with the Fire Depart ment to provide Catholic
Charities with additional masks for staff and guests.
• On September 1, 2023, Housing & Homeless Services Department staff were notified by
Interfaith Community Services that the 49-bed Haven House shelter located in
Escondido was in the process of relocating to the 106-bed Turk Recuperative Care
Center.' This will result in a net loss of 49 beds in the North County community. Staff will
be tracking the impacts of this relocation closely as Haven House had the only low
barrier beds available for single women in North County. Operation Hope has up to 45
beds for families and single women and currently estimate their wait list is 18-24
months for single women.
• The city continues to work with Catholic Charities on the La Posada de Guadalupe
shelter expansion. Housing & Homeless Services Department staff assisted Catholic
Charities in drafting a letter to the state requesting additional flexibility with the
regulatory agreement for farmworker beds due to the reduced seasonal need for these
beds. If regulatory flexibility is authorized, the expansion project cost could be reduced
by repurposing space within the existing buildings.
Community
• On September 13, 2023, Jazz Pharmaceuticals dropped off 20 large boxes of hygiene kits
they put together at a volunteer event. The kits will be distributed by Housing &
Homeless Services Department staff and co.mmunity partners to people experiencing
homelessness throughout the year.
• On September 21, 2023, Housing & Homeless Services staff and the Community
Development Department conducted a joint presentation on the city's Homelessness
Action Plan and Housing Element for the League of Women Voters.
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney
Mickey Williams, Police Chief
Council Memo -Citywide Homeless Update: September 2023 (Districts -All)
September 28, 2023
Page 4
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Zach Korach, Finance Director