Title
Chief Administrative Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive an update on the efforts taken relative to the establishment of a homeless encampment, as directed by the Board on August 10, 2021; and
2) Provide direction to staff to continue with development and implementation plans, for future consideration by the Board, or to discontinue these efforts at this time.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On August 10, 2021, (Legistar item 21-1327) the Board of Supervisors received an update on a 'Two-by-Two' meeting between the County and City of Placerville relating to homelessness within city limits and provide conceptual approval to explore the feasibility of a managed homeless encampment near the Placerville jail facility. In summary, the proposed concept is called HOSTESS, which stands for Homeless One-Stop Temporary Emergency Social Services. A community member approached the Sheriff with the concept that is modeled after a San Antonio homeless program. HOSTESS would be a managed outdoor homeless encampment that would provide food and services to homeless individuals and families. HOSTESS would allow for a singular place to focus services for homeless individuals and families. The HOSTESS program would enable law enforcement to transport homeless individuals and families from high fire-risk outdoor camps to the HOSTESS camp.
Based on that meeting, the Board provided conceptual approval of this program, directed staff to explore appropriate funding sources, and return to the Board on August 31, 2021, with additional information.
On August 13, 2021, the Chief Administrative Officer convened a discussion with a wide variety of stakeholders to discuss this concept and begin development of an implementation plan. Representatives from the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Probation, Environmental Management, Planning & Building, Health & Human Services, Facilities Management, County Counsel, El Dorado County Fire, City of Placerville, and El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority all participated in the discussion. The direction provided to all participants was to provide their feedback of what would be needed, including initial cost estimates, to implement this program no later than August 18, 2021.
Unfortunately, on August 14, 2021, the Caldor Fire started and many of the resources that were assigned to be part of this implementation team were re-directed to respond to the fire so all further discussions have been delayed.
Since that time, the Board of Supervisors has received two letters from the Continuum of Care expressing their concerns with this model and also stating that if the County moves forward with this model it could potentially put federal and state funds allocated for homeless programs at risk. These letters are attached to the item as Attachment A and B. It should also be noted that on August 15, 2017, and further on December 5, 2017, the Board of Supervisors made it a priority to develop and focus on building a strong foundation in the CoC program in order to make the County more competitive in receiving federal and state funds for homeless programs, better track data and program outcomes, and grow the local system response to homelessness (Legistar item 17-0741 versions one and two). Thereafter, the County, the Cities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, Barton, and Marshall established an MOU and each jointly contributed funding toward a multi-year contract with the CoC consultant to ensure that the CoC would develop its capacity and funding. These efforts have been successful, and at this time the County has received $17,357,864 in funding since 2017, with a likelihood of receiving at least an additional $7 million by June 30, 2022.
In an effort to assess if and what potential impacts to funding may exist, the Chief Administrative Office requested that staff from HHSA have a discussion with the State. On October 11, 2021, HHSA subsequently had a call with the State Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. This State Agency provides many of the more recent, larger grant funding streams to both the CoC and the County, and based on that discussion, the concerns noted by the Continuum of Care were validated. A memo from the Director of Health & Human Services is attached to this item as Attachment C with additional information. Attachment D is a Housing First Assessment that is referenced in Health and Human Services’ memo.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board can choose to direct staff to resume efforts to identify the specific details of this program and costs, or decide that based on the risks identified, to discontinue exploring this alternative.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Probation, Environmental Management, Planning & Building, Health & Human Services, Facilities Management, County Counsel, El Dorado County Fire, the City of Placerville, and the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Other than staff time, there is no direct costs incurred based on any additional direction provided at this time.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Public Safety and Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Don Ashton, MPA
Chief Administrative Officer