TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Consent Letter and a Project Specific Maintenance Agreement, and any other necessary documents required including subsequent amendments, with the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), for access to Caltrans property to offer and provide social services, targeted maintenance, and relocation assistance to people experiencing homelessness, consistent with the business operations of the entity, for a one-year period, June 15, 2021 through June 14, 2022, with the option to renew for three additional one-year terms, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), Homeless Services Division (Division), provides outreach services to people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. Outreach services include disseminating health education materials, providing and assisting clients with community referrals, resources, and linkages to services, and assessing encampments for safety. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the need to increase the Division’s outreach efforts.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has requested to formalize its current partnership with the Health Department by entering into an agreement for accessing encampments on Caltrans property. The goal of the partnership is to ensure the Division can provide outreach services to all people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. Services to be disseminated may include connection to shelters, relocation assistance, COVID-19 screening and testing, and may also include trash pickup, portable restroom and handwashing stations, and other necessary maintenance services at specific locations agreed upon with Caltrans. Access to Caltrans property will expand the ongoing work of the Division and the Department of Public Works, and will allow for continued partnership across jurisdictions. Staff have identified specif...
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