TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring a shelter crisis pursuant to SB 850 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018 and Government Code § 8698.2); and suspending applicable provisions of local law, including those contained in the City's zoning ordinances and regulations. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Addressing the issue of homelessness is a leading priority for the City of Long Beach (City). Over the past year, the Long Beach Continuum of Care (CoC) has been at the forefront in homeless service coordination and community engagement including: providing services for 15,963 client contacts through the Multi-Service Center (MSC), outreaching to and engaging over 1,100 individuals experiencing homelessness on the streets, vaccinating over 560 individuals against Hepatitis A, lease up of 75 units of Veteran housing at the Villages at Cabrillo, and convening two summits to establish a strategic plan and work groups to carry out strategies to end homelessness in Long Beach. Despite local success in reducing homelessness, significant challenges remain. These include continued low vacancy rates, high housing costs and insufficient prevention and housing resources to quickly stabilize homelessness.
Funding for homeless services is limited, though the City has been fortunate to receive approximately $11.5 million in federal, local, and private funding each year. In Fiscal Year 2018 (FY 18), due to the passage of Measure H in Los Angeles County, this amount increased to $14.1 million.
• Since 1995, the City Council has approved an annual application for CoC competitive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During FY 18, the City applied for and received a $7.64 million award. This funding is used by the City and our nonprofit partners to provide street outreach, coordinated entry and assessment, supportive services, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. The City also received $786,233 in federal grants from the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and HOME Programs to provide rapid rehousing and shelter services, Multi Service Center (MSC) costs related to oversight and coordination and security deposits for households. Additionally, the Long Beach CoC received $11,093 in federal pass-through grant funding from the Emergency Food and Shelter Program to provide motel vouchers for short-term placement of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• In February 2016, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an action plan to combat homelessness, and proposed Measure H as a funding mechanism. Measure H was approved by voters in 2017 and increased the county sales tax by a quarter-cent for ten-years to fund homeless services. During the initial Measure H implementation year, the Long Beach CoC received $1.87 million to combat homelessness, and the Long Beach Housing Authority received $770,000 in support to landlords who house homeless individuals and families. The Long Beach CoC is expecting to receive additional funding from Measure H over the next nine years.
• The City continued its commitment to supporting homeless services through a variety of funding sources during FY 18. A commitment of $540,548 in structural City General Fund supports the MSC and grant administration. Additionally, Measure MA provides funding to the Fire Department’s Homeless Education and Response Team (HEART), a medically staffed rapid response vehicle and team in the amount of $471,045, and $351,489 for the Police Department to support response efforts through its Quality of Life team in collaboration with City partners. Measure MA also provided $118,161 to the Public Works Department for homeless rapid response clean-up activities, including encampment clean-ups and proper storage of belongings. Combined, these funding sources support programs that preserve services and housing resources that assist at-risk and homeless households achieve greater self-sufficiency and housing stability.
Recognizing the challenge that many cities in California face with respect to homelessness, the State’s FY 19 budget provides $500 million in one-time funds for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP). HEAP funds are intended to enable local jurisdictions to provide immediate emergency assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness. The City has an opportunity to access $12 million in HEAP funding. Eligible uses of HEAP funding include prevention, youth services, and emergency aid. HEAP funds cannot be used for overhead or planning activities.
Prior to applying to the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency for HEAP funds, the City is required to declare a shelter crisis pursuant to Chapter 7.8 (commencing with Section 8698) of Division 1 of Title 2 of the Government Code. In making such a declaration, State law enables local jurisdictions to suspend local laws and regulations to the extent that strict compliance would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the shelter crisis for any City-owned, leased or maintained property.
In addition to the declaration of a shelter crisis, the City and the Long Beach CoC must demonstrate community outreach as a part of the City and Long Beach CoC’s HEAP application. To this end, and through the Everyone Home Long Beach Initiative, the City has undertaken a robust collaborative approach to identifying the most effective uses for HEAP funding. This process is ongoing and includes, but is not limited to, public meetings, CoC general membership and Board meetings, Homeless Services Advisory Committee meetings, and a review of the City’s adopted homeless strategic plan and budget.
The City expects the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency to begin accepting early applications for Round 1 of HEAP funds in September 2018. Awards for Round 1 early applications will be made in late September 2018, with distribution of funds beginning October 2018. Round 1 Standard applications may be submitted until December 31, 2018, with awards announced January 2019, and distribution of funds beginning April 2019. If HEAP funding remains available after all Round 1 awards have been announced, a second round of HEAP funding will be released in February 2019. To remain competitive for HEAP funding, it is recommended the City participate in the early application process during Round 1.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa José-Murray on August 31, 2018.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 11, 2018, to enable the City and Long Beach CoC to submit an early application for Round 1 of HEAP funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommendation will allow the City to apply for HEAP funding to provide immediate assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness. There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
KELLY COLOPY
DIRECTOR
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER