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HomeMy WebLinkAboutED Homeless Action Plan UpdateCITY OF n. 1 U4,- Agenda Item No: 4. b Meeting Date: August 17, 2015 SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Department: Economic Development Prepared by: Stephanie Lovette City Manager Approval: Economic Development Manager TOPIC: Update on the City's Homeless Action Plan and June 2015 Town Hall discussion SUBJECT: Acceptance of progress report on City of San Rafael homeless action plan and recommendations from the June 8, 2015 town hall discussion. RECOMMENDATION: Accept report and direct staff regarding recommendations. BACKGROUND: The City of San Rafael adopted a Homeless Action Plan (the "Plan") in June 2013. The City's Plan consists of a series of actions to be undertaken by the City, including the Police, Fire, and Economic Development Departments, and by other groups such as the Business Improvement District ("BID"), and by the community at large. The goals of the Plan are as follows: • Reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness. • Reduce the number of calls for Police and Fire services attributable to this population. • Create a more welcoming environment in our Downtown, parks and library. • Pursue opportunities for collaboration with other Marin communities to address this countywide issue. The City's Plan recognizes the financial and programmatic limitations of municipalities in addressing the homeless issue because social services are primarily managed and funded through counties. The City's actions have been in the areas of public safety, support of nonprofit organizations that are helping the City achieve the goals of the Plan, support of and collaboration with mental health service providers, collaborative efforts with other Marin communities, and affordable housing. The key accomplishments of the City's Plan to date are: • Creation of the Police Special Operations Unit, including the "HOME" Team (Homeless Outreach Mental Health and Education). This three year program includes one permanent department position, the mental health professional, teamed up with an additional (third) foot beat officer, with a Sergeant overseeing their work as well as the FOR CITY CLERK ONLY File No.: 9-2-67 Council Meeting: 08/17/2015 Disposition: Accepted report SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2 SRPD Ranger's open space patrol. The costs for the additional foot beat officer and the Sergeant have been absorbed by the department's budget. • Conducted Fire Prevention and Homeless Encampment Clearance, resulting in the removal of 576 areas of unlawful camping and close to complete elimination of open space fires. • Engaged the Downtown Streets Team, resulting in 50 of its Team members obtaining permanent employment and performing 19,000 hours of community service work. • Worked with local liquor store owners to reduce alcohol access. • Increased existing transportation assistance programs by providing additional funding to St. Vincent de Paul Society to expand their reunification program that provides transportation funds for people who want to leave the area to reunite with family or for employment opportunities. Funding for all of the above totals as well as staff support time for these efforts is estimated to total about one million dollars ($1,000,000) annually. This is a significant amount of funding, but the City Council has been willing to allocate this amount as this is an extremely important issue in our community. DISCUSSION: This staff report will provide an update on actions completed between the November 2014 report to the City Council and will also discuss some of the ideas that were brought up at the June 2015 Town Hall meeting. Public Safety • Initiation of a three month pilot program to provide a walking San Rafael Police Officer dedicated to patrolling Fourth Street. The main goal is to make San Rafael welcoming to visitors and discourage unlawful disruptive behaviors. Patrols will occur Tuesday — Friday, 11:00 am to 7:00 pm. This patrol is in addition to the exiting three officers assigned to the Special Operations Unit. This program started the first week of August. Community Spaces • Instituted a code of conduct at the Library and engaged a contract for part time private security to assist the library staff in enforcing the code of conduct. • Rehabilitation of Boyd Park. Extensive landscape clearing, cleaning, and replacement of furnishings occurred during a 3 -month closure. Boyd Park re -opened April 26 with a community celebration followed by a series of classes and events offered at cost to the public, including fitness programs, family party packages, and Library preschool programs. Private security services supplement City resources to ensure the park remains safe, viable and inviting. Employment Services and Income stability • Entered into a third year contract with the Downtown Streets Team. • Downtown Streets Team created and trained a special crew of their members to assist at downtown events. This team has been used by private event promoters including the Sunset Criterium. • Secured a contract for Team Members to assist with recycling efforts at the Downtown Market. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3 Mental Health • Approved a permanent position in the SRPD for the Mental Health Liaison, originally approved for a three year trial basis. • Secured one year of funding for CARE Team II, which provides services in San Rafael. Community Action Marin sponsors this mobile peer outreach program. Community Action Marin provided funding for CARE Team II for two years without any public assistance. Due to the demonstrated success of the CARE Team II, Chief Bishop was able to secure one year of funding from Countywide AB 109 funds. • SRPD participation in the Criminal Justice Behavioral Health Committee meetings. • SRPD Mental Health Liaison working closely with the new County mental health outreach teams including the Mobile Crisis Team. The County Health and Human Services Department operates several mental health outreach teams including the Odyssey Team that assist clients who are at risk of becoming homeless and the CARE Team I that serves the west county and areas outside of San Rafael. The County is currently in the process of establishing four new teams to serve specific client needs. These new teams are: a) A Mobile Crisis Team, which will operate seven days a week from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 pm. This team will be able to invoke a 72 -hour hold pursuant to CA Welfare & Institutions Code 5150. A 5150 is used in situations where someone who has a mental health problem and is a danger to himself/herself or others can be transported to a designated psychiatric inpatient facility for evaluation and treatment. The mobile crisis team will also be able to transport these persons, reducing the burden on the SRPD. b) A Triage Team - to work with Marin Housing and other providers to help people maintain their housing. c) An Outreach and Short-term Treatment Team - to work with families and clients to assist in transition from inpatient and other mental health treatment programs back into the community. d) A team specializing in youth outreach. All County mental Health services can be reached by calling (888) 818-1115. In San Rafael, persons in distress or needing assistance should be reported to the San Rafael Police Department at 485-3000 (non -emergency) or 911. Additional information on the County's new mental health programs is contained in Attachment E to this staff report. Housing Actions • The City allocated about $1.3 Million of in lieu affordable housing fees and the affordable housing funds of the former Redevelopment Agency to an affordable housing acquisition strategy. This strategy will support the creation of additional housing options, including permanent supportive housing, options for lower cost housing such as housing with shared cooking or bathing facilities through new development or rehabilitation/reuse of existing properties. The City will partner with the Marin Community Foundation to provide funds to nonprofit housing organizations to acquire properties. The nonprofit housing organization will be required to place long term rental restrictions on the properties to assure the rents will remain affordable to low income persons. The City Council has stated a preference, when feasible, for the conversion of office use to affordable housing in order to increase the total number of available units. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 4 Regional fair share/equitable distribution and better coordination with the County • Establishment of a Community Homeless Fund with a three year funding commitment, paid annually, from each City/Town in Marin. The Community Homeless Fund will be held at the Marin Community Foundation. In the initial year, the fund will be utilized to provide an additional four weeks of the annual REST (rotating emergency shelter team) program. Local congregations host REST participants with a place to sleep, a hot meal and fellowship during the winter months. The Community Homeless Fund was a direct result of the Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers (MCCMC) committee that Councilmember Colin convened and led in a yearlong process to understand and address the issue of homelessness county -wide. The committee included a representative from each of Marin's cities and towns. This fund is the first time that all of the Marin County local jurisdictions have provided funding for a social service issue that impacts all of our communities. Quarterly meetings of a City -County committee on common issues. This committee consists of two City Council members, two County Supervisors and executive staff. This committee provides a place to discuss joint City -County issues such as homelessness. Strengthen our ability to sanction unlawful behavior in our community through the justice system • The Special Operations Unit, including our Open Space rangers, will continue to enforce our community regulations to ensure a safe and friendly experience Downtown and in our parks and open space. • The City Attorney will convene a working group of people involved in the court system to assess how the current system adjudicates criminal and quality of life citations issued by the SRPD. This work is anticipated to start this fall. June 2015 town hall discussion -areas of group interest On June 8, 2015, the San Rafael City Council hosted a Town Hall discussion on homelessness. City staff gave an overview of the current City Plan and workshop participants engaged in 30 minute discussions. A summary of the workshop is available on the City's website. The common themes from the discussions were: • Housing. Providing a range of housing types including shared space, mobile homes, and tiny homes. • Mental health. Need for increased services in Marin County. County should consider Laura's Law. • Quality of life. More law enforcement in Downtown, parks and open space. Acknowledgement that law enforcement tools are limited in terms of a long range impact. • Regional Coordination with the County. Recognition that this is a national problem that cannot be solved by the City alone. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 5 At the end of the evening participants were asked what action is most likely to have the greatest impact? The common themes in relationship to this question were: • Affordable Housing. • Increased mental health services. • Campus for social services. • Public restrooms. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE ACTIONS In response to the suggestions at the Town Hall discussion, staff is recommending the following actions. Affordable Housinq The City's affordable housing programs are contained in the Housing Element and codified in the Zoning Ordinance. The 2015-2023 Housing Element was adopted in January 2015 and contained both short and long term implementation activities. One of the short term implementation items is to add provisions to the zoning code for "junior second units" or shared space within existing single family homes. Staff will be adding these provisions to our zoning ordinance. Participants in the Town Hall discussion addressed several types of housing options. Goal 4 of the Housing Element is to provide for a diverse supply of housing types. Therefore, the current San Rafael zoning code allows the types of housing that were discussed in the Town Hall such as boarding houses, single room occupancy units, and mobile homes. On August 4, 2015, the City Council approved a program to utilize existing affordable housing funds to assist nonprofit housing groups in the creation or acquisition of housing units affordable to very low income persons with a preference for smaller units. Staff will be working to implement this program over the next year. Mental Health Staff is not suggesting any new programs at this time. The City Council had previously discussed the 2015 mental health programs and provided a letter of support (Attachment D). The new County mental health outreach teams are just starting so staff suggests that we provide the Council with a review of the program including information on coordination with the SRPD Special Operations Unit and the impact on Downtown in six months. Additional information on the County's new mental health programs is contained in Attachment E to this staff report. San Rafael is working closely with the County Health and Human Services ("HHS") Department on the HHS homeless and mental health programs. San Rafael recently hosted a walking tour with Dr. Colfax the new Director of HHS, senior HHS staff, the County Administrator and two members of the County Board of Supervisors to provide firsthand experience of the current situation in our Downtown. The County has committed to working with the City on systemic improvements, including offering to include impacts on Downtown San Rafael in decision making on HHS programs and providers. Staff will continue to assess the success of CARE Team II and assist in establishing a stable source of funding for this important resource for San Rafael. SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 6 Coordination of programs serving the homeless Many of the participants stated that a "one stop" campus with a variety of services for homeless persons in one location, outside of Downtown San Rafael, could help achieve better outcomes for the clients and for our Downtown. The City Council has visited a variety of programs and service centers in Marin County and other parts of the Bay Area to identify successful models. At the request of San Rafael, Marin County has agreed to fund a consultant to conduct a study that would help the community identify the best models and mix of services that would be necessary to create a successful "one stop" campus in Marin. Staff anticipates that work will commence this winter after a consultant is chosen through a request for qualifications process. Provision for additional public rest rooms Staff is recommending the City to continue to fund the costs of the existing restrooms, but take no action to add any additional restrooms or "porta johns" in the area. There are currently ten publically available rest rooms in the Downtown area, including three twenty-four hour rest rooms. The annual cost of maintenance and replacement of these 24 hour facilities is approximately $2,000 per unit annually for a total of $6,000. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: In early 2012 Mayor Phillips established a two member City Council Subcommittee on Homelessness. Vice Mayor Levine chaired this Subcommittee and was joined by the Mayor. Councilmember Colin is the current Subcommittee Chair. In the summer of 2012, the Subcommittee created a community Stakeholders Group on this issue. The Stakeholders Group's work resulted in a list of actions recommended to the Council Subcommittee for their consideration. This work lead to the creation of the City's Homeless Action Plan. The City Council has also sought community input on the City's Plan directly and through the Citizens Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing ("CAC"). The CAC held community updates on the City's plan in October 2013, February 2014 and July 2014. Council representatives were in attendance at all three meetings. The City Council discussed staff and CAC recommendations to enhance the City's Plan in May 2013, February 2014 and November 2014. In addition, the City Council held a Town Hall discussion on the issue on June 14, 2015. The staff reports, Town Hall workshop summary and City Council actions, and other information on this issue can be accessed on the City's website, www.cityofsanrafael.org/homeless. FISCAL IMPACT: The City's commitment to all of the programs in the City Plan total over $1 million per year. The current programs contained in the Action Plan have already been included in the City's adopted budget for fiscal year 2015-2016. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Accept the report and direct staff to continue the programs listed in this report and provide direction on the staff's recommendations for future actions. ATTACHMENTS: A. Summary Report on June 2015 Town Hall workshop B. "Greatest Impact Action" Summary from the June 2015 Town Hall Meeting C. Progress Report from Downtown Streets Team D. City Letter Supporting County's mental health plan E. County Mental Health Programs City of San Rafael June 2015 Town Hall Workshop on Homelessness Summary Report Introduction In 2013 the City Council approved a Homeless Action Plan and began to dedicate significant resources to mitigate impacts of homelessness. Actions included hiring a Mental Health Outreach Provider in the Police Department; an additional Downtown beat Police Officer, an additional Open Space Ranger, and contracting with the Downtown Streets Team, a work -readiness program for people experiencing homelessness. On Monday, June 8, 2015, the San Rafael City Council held a Town Hall Workshop on Homelessness from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Rafael Community Center. The workshop objectives were to (1) have a community conversation about the complexities of homelessness; (2) provide a forum for members of the community to share ideas and concerns; and (3) gain clarity about community priorities regarding homelessness. The workshop was attended by approximately 130 people including members of the San Rafael City Council, County Supervisors Connolly and Rice, several key City staff, and homeless service providers. After opening remarks from Mayor Phillips and Councilmember Kate Colin, Economic Development Manager Stephanie Lovette provided a brief staff presentation about homelessness in San Rafael, the impacts to Downtown businesses, and the work the City is doing to address the issue. She said the goals for the Homeless Action Plan are to: ■ Reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness; ■ Reduce the number of service calls for Police and Fire; and ■ Create a more welcoming environment in our Downtown, Library, local parks and areas around schools. 1