HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - September 19, 2018 C-31TM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA ITEM C • 3(
AGENDA TITLE: Adopt Resolution to Declare a Shelter Crisis in Lodi According to the Requirements
of the State of California Homeless Emergency Aid Program
MEETING DATE: September 19, 2018
PREPARED BY: City Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution to declare a Shelter Crisis in Lodi according to
the requirements of the State of California Homeless Emergency
Aid Program.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: California is in the midst of a homelessness crisis. To support the
development of local solutions to address immediate needs, the
State Legislature has allocated $500 million in non-competitive
block grant funds for distribution Statewide based on the January 2017 Point -in -Time Count figures
reported by California Continuums of Care. By this formula, the San Joaquin Continuum of Care's
allocation is $7,148,364 in one-time funding. Funds are expected to be available as early as October
2018 and must be fully spent by June 30, 2021. In order for local organizations to be eligible for these
funds, jurisdictions within a Continuum of Care must have declared a shelter crisis emergency pursuant
to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 8698) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
As required by the Homeless Emergency Aid Program, the San Joaquin Continuum of Care is
responsible for accepting project proposals from eligible organizations throughout the County and
applying for funds on behalf of those organizations with the State of California Business, Consumer
Services and Housing Agency. The San Joaquin County Community Development Department will be
responsible for the distribution of funds. Local Point -in -Time Count figures from 2017 show 567
unsheltered homeless persons within the County and 88 in Lodi. Due to the challenges in counting the
unsheltered homeless, this figure most likely underreports actual totals. In the first two quarters of 2018,
5,043 individuals were provided emergency shelter by non-profit organizations within the County. Of
those, 2,142 were children, including 800 under the age of 5. On March 15, 2018, 405 individuals were
provided with emergency shelter at Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, by far the largest emergency
shelter in San Joaquin County and one of the largest in California. With a total of 296 beds, this means
that 109 individuals slept on floor mats and the facility was over capacity by 29% that night. These figures
are typical at Stockton Shelter and throughout the County, and have been for several years. If even a
fraction of all unsheltered homeless people in San Joaquin County sought shelter on any given night,
there is not nearly enough capacity to provide that shelter.
Only organizations within local jurisdictions that have declared a shelter crisis will be eligible to receive
funds through the Homeless Emergency Aid Program. A declaration by the City Council would therefore
allow eligible organizations operating within Lodi to received funding. To date, the Board of Supervisors
and the Stockton City Council have made the declaration and Manteca is expected to. The Tracy City
Council declined. Organizations operating within the limits of cities that do not declare a shelter crisis
would not be eligible for program funds. Staff's recommendation is not intended to put the City at any
APPROVED:
City Manager
Adopt Resolution to Declare a Shelter Crisis in Lodi According to the Requirements of the State of California Homeless
Emergency Aid Program
September 19, 2018
Page 2 of 2
risk of being required to financially fund the unsheltered population beyond the use of received program
funds.
It is recommended that the City declare a shelter crisis in Lodi pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with
Section 8698) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code as required by the provisions of California
Senate Bill 850 under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program.
No action is required from the City following the declaration of a shelter crisis. Staff will continue to work
with the San Joaquin Continuum of Care to ensure that jurisdictions within the county wishing to receive
these funds are able to do so under the provisions of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program. Following
the release of a Notice of Funding Availability, currently planned for mid-September, Staff will work with
local organizations throughout the City and County on the application process.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The positive fiscal impact to the County is the provision of $7,148,364 to
address immediate needs for the homeless. By statute, the declaration is
solely intended to remove barriers to the creation of additional shelter. A
declaration of shelter crisis under this statute does not obligate Lodi to
create an emergency shelter or provide any additional services related to
homelessness, and would not therefore trigger other costs not covered by
program funds.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: Not applicable.
Stephen Schwabauer
City Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-183
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL
DECLARING A SHELTER CRISIS
WHEREAS, California's Governor Edmund G. Brown and the members of the California
Legislature have recognized the urgent and immediate need for funding at the local level to combat
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, the Governor and Legislature have provided funding to local governments
under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program as part of SB 850 and the 2018-19 Budget Act
(Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018); and
WHEREAS, the Governor and Legislature require jurisdictions seeking an allocation through
the Homeless Emergency Aid Program to declare a shelter crisis pursuant to Government Code
Section 8698.2; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi has undertaken multiple efforts at the local level to combat
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, City of Lodi finds that according to the March 2017 San Joaquin County
Continuum of Care 2017 Point -in -Time Report, 567 persons within San Joaquin County, of which 88
were located in the City of Lodi, are homeless and living without shelter; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi finds that the number of homeless is significant and these
persons are without the ability to obtain shelter; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi finds that the health and safety of unsheltered persons in Lodi
and San Joaquin County is threatened by a lack of shelter; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi affirms its commitment to combatting homelessness and
supporting a continuum of shelter and service options for those living without shelter in our
community in coordination with the County of San Joaquin; and
WHEREAS, the City Council makes this resolution solely for the purpose of availing itself of
the funds and strategies made available to the City under SB 850 and the Homeless Emergency Aid
Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Lodi City Council does hereby adopt a
resolution, as follows:
1. The City Council hereby declares that a shelter crisis pursuant to Government Code
Section 8698.2 exists in Lodi and authorizes the City's participation in the Homeless
Emergency Aid Program (HEAP).
2. This resolution shall remain in full force and effect until removed by City Council.
3. The City Council directs that the implementation of this resolution be reviewed from time
to time, but no later than September of 2020.
4. The City Manager is hereby authorized to take the appropriate actions necessary to
carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
Dated: September 19, 2018
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2018-183 was passed and adopted by the City Council of
the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held September 19, 2018, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — Chandler, Johnson, Kuehne, Mounce, and
Mayor Nakanishi
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS — None(
NNIFE.% . FERRAIOLO
City Clerk
2018-183