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Home My WebLink About5B OCRCITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: March 11, 2021 NEW BUSINESS SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF COUNTY HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Jay Virata, Director of Community and Economic Development SUMMARY At the City Council Meeting of February 25, 2021, Police Chief Reyes provided a briefing on County Programs that placed homeless individuals in Palm Springs Hotels -who may not be from our City. City Council asked Staff to work with County Officials and their Staff to provide additional information and insights on this situation. It was also requested that this topic be placed on the March 11, 2021 City Council Agenda for an update._ RECOMMENDATION: Receive updated report from Staff and provide direction as appropriate. BACKGROUND: Recently, the City has received criticism and complaints regarding increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness -and congregating in various areas of the City. This situation may be occurring, in part, due to County Social Service Programs that relocate people experiencing homelessness into temporary housing utilizing hotel rooms. The Police Chief reported to City Council at the meeting of February 25th that an unusually high number of these cases may be occurring in our community. City Council asked Staff to meet with County Officials to obtain more information on this situation. Such a meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 5th -with County Staff and Supervisor Perez, to get further clarification on the programs and how we move forward together. As that meeting is after the writing of this report, Staff will report to the City Council on March 11 th • Summary of City Efforts to Address Homelessness Issues It's important to note that social services in general, and homelessness issues specifically, are the province and jurisdiction of County Government (Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code, Sec. 1700). However, over the past several years, to help those experiencing homelessness in Palm Springs, City Council has allocated extra resources to improve our local situation. The following is additional background information on the City's efforts since 2016, working with various partners including the Desert Healthcare District, to address homelessness. • 413 individuals provided with permanent housing • 1,281 individuals provided with temporary housing or shelter rrBMNO. 5 f:> • 137 individuals received behavioral health or substance abuse treatments • 143 individuals became employed • 1,563 individuals provided with mainstream benefits • 368 individuals provided with overnight cool/warm shelter In addition, the City of Palm Springs has made a substantial investment of over $3 million between City and Desert Healthcare District with the goal of addressing homelessness by funding the following programs and initiatives: Crisis Team operated by the County of Riverside that makes contact with homeless individuals and refers them to resources for housing (permanent and supportive), mental health, and substance abuse. This includes temporary housing, and motel vouchers. Wrap Around Services from Martha's Village and Kitchen. This includes helping individuals to obtain permanent housing and supportive housing; securing health, disability, social security and other benefits; training for computer skills, internet searches for employment, completing on- line employment applications, and interview techniques; and basic first aid training and assistance with securing food handler's certificates. Cool/Warm Centers. In mid-June of 2019, the City opened the Demuth Community Center as a temporary overnight Cooling Center. Operations continued at the Boxing Club, then moved to the Palm Springs High School Gym to allow for proper social distancing, then moved to the Methodist Church when high school classes were preparing to resume. Palm Springs Boxing Club continues to be used as Homeless Access Center and is staffed by Coachella Valley Association of Governments. Well in the Desert. Well in the Desert provides support services and operates a cooling center to aid unsheltered individuals. Shower and restroom facilities are available for patrons, as well as beverages and snacks. The City provides funding to the Well in the Desert to assist with these services. Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) CV200, with the goal of identifying those who most frequently use first responder and hospital resources. CVAG engages these individuals, who are on the streets and in encampments, with coordinated and consistent scheduled outreaches with public safety and homeless service providers. Using the Homeless Access Center in Palm Springs, CVAG provides necessary documentation and referrals for housing, medical, mental health, substance abuse, and employment services. CVAG also works to get individuals permanent housing, programs, and family reunifications. CVAG staff has been conducting regular outreach with local law enforcement and local public health workers to make connections with the CV200 individuals, build trust and connections with them, and identify available services for housing, medical, mental health, substance abuse, employment, and - ultimately -permanent housing solutions. Palm Springs provides the Boxing Club facility and $100,000 annually to support these services. CV Housing First Programming. The CV Housing First uses two primary methods to get clients to housing solutions: rapid resolution and crisis stabilization units. Rapid Resolution is an urgent, cost saving solution that the staff at the Homeless Access Center in Palm Springs provides to help individuals overcome the barriers that keep people from getting housing. This could include options such as helping them secure their identifying paperwork, which then can help them qualify for benefits. It also includes sorting out the process for housing, medical, mental health, substance abuse, employment, and mainstream benefits. Palm Springs provides the Boxing Club facility and $100,000 annually to support these services. 2 Palm Springs Rental Assistance. This program will focus on low-income households whose income does not exceed 80% of the Area Median Income in Riverside County. Renters in the City of Palm Springs who meet the eligibility requirements may receive one-time rental assistance of $3,500 per household to cover two (2) to three (3) months of rent. Food Distribution. The City funds twice-weekly mobile pantry food distribution at the Palm Springs Convention Center and James 0. Jessie Desert Highland Unity Center. Finally, the City received $10 million in June 2020 to address homelessness from the State's Housing Homelessness and Assistance Program, (HHAP). Many have asked what is happening with those funds. Here is a timeline: • August 2020 -City Council approved funding commitment of $3 million to County of Riverside for the Ivy Palm Hotel Project to create 75 new permanent supportive housing units. • December 2020 -County of Riverside notified City they were not successful in purchasing Ivy Palm Hotel. • January 2021 -City Council subsequently approved funding commitments totaling $4 million for affordable housing projects, including $1.4 million to Agave on Palm Canyon for 71 affordable housing units of which 25 units will be dedicated to housing those experiencing homelessness, and $2.4 million for Vista Sunrise II to create 61 new affordable housing units which include 29 units dedicated to those experiencing homelessness. • January 2021 -Gene Autry Site RFP issued to affordable and homeless housing developers. HHAP funds may be utilized to assist with creating of homeless services and housing. Proposals are anticipated this month. HHAP funds may also be used as part of a collaborative project with the County to convert a hotel or existing apartment building to permanent supportive housing. SUBMITTED: David H. Ready, Esq., Ph.D City Manager ------- 3