Fremont City Council Meeting: 10/18/22 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: City Manager's Office
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Council Referrals & Appointments
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
STAFF REPORT (ID # 4733) DOC ID: 4733
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1 HOMELESSNESS MITIGATION AND RESPONSE - Receive Staff Report Responding to Council Referral to Research and Detail Homelessness Mitigation Strategies and Practices
Contact Persons:
Name: Allen DeMers Laurie Flores
Title: Assistant to the City Manager Homeless Services Manager Div/Dept: City Manager's Office Human Services Department Phone: 510-494-4651 510-574-2040
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: This staff report is responsive to a Council referral issued by Mayor Mei on September 6, 2022 and provides a general overview of the status of homelessness and mitigation activities in the City of Fremont. City staff are engaged in a multi - disciplinary effort to address homelessness via abatement (environmental, safety and community standard related interventions), affordable housing production and service delivery to the unhoused. Surveys of other cities indicate that abatement and intervention strategies are generally shared in the region and are tailored to each City’s individual needs.
Staff asks Council to receive this report with and intends to return to Council for input regarding policy recommendations following the completion of a draft Citywide Homelessness Response Master Plan.
BACKGROUND:
Homelessness in Fremont in 2022
Fremont’s 2022 Point in Time Count & Survey report, released in August 2022, is the most current and comprehensive data on the state of homelessness in the city. The community count identified that at least 1,026 residents are unhoused, a 68% increase in homelessness from three years ago. Respondents to the survey identified that the cause of their homelessness was largely due to economic factors, many of which were accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings in the point in time count also indicate that:
• People living in cars 30% (311) or vans 25% (252) make up the largest portion of unsheltered homelessness in Fremont.
• The majority of unhoused residents are single males between 25-64 years; although single women are now a larger share of the population than they were in 2019. (45% compared to 32%).
• Almost 50% of Fremont’s homeless population are either employed (14%) or seeking employment (35%).
• 48% of unhoused residents have a disabling condition, which means they live with a long term physical or mental disability that impacts their ability to live independently or take the necessary steps to secure housing. • 22% of unhoused residents are experiencing homelessness for the first time and overall, people that become homeless are staying homeless longer.
On May 3, 2022, the Fremont City Council endorsed the Alameda County Home Together 2026 Community Plan as a commitment to regional collaboration in the fight against Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 homelessness. The plan and accompanying metrics for strategies are a State requirement to track progress of communities toward reducing homelessness. Alameda County is the lead on the plan and regional cities have committed to supporting it.
Substantial Legal Issues Governing Homelessness Abatement Activities Martin v. City of Boise: Limits the City’s authority to arrest or cite individuals who are sitting, lying or sleeping on public property that is open to the public, such as streets and sidewalks, when there are no shelter beds available for the individuals and the ind ividual is not obstructing egress.
Lavan v. City of Los Angeles: Held that the City must give reasonable notice to the owners of the personal property located on public property that the City plans to abate and when the owner cannot be found, the City must hold for the owner to retrieve any abated personal property for a 90-day period.
Center for Disease Control Guidelines: CDC Guidelines and the Regional Shelter in Place order (when applicable) recommends the City to assess and take action to mitigate the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19 amongst homeless individuals if they are displaced in association with enforcement of abatement activity.
California Vehicle Code: California Vehicle Code (“CVC”) authorizes the City to tow vehicles on public and private property for numerous reasons. If City staff determines it necessary to tow a vehicle being used as shelter, staff generally provide 7 days written notice to the owner. If the vehicle poses an immediate hazard to the community and/or the envir onment, City staff may tow the vehicle without notice. For purposes of enforcement, the CVC authorizes the towing of a vehicle that is found with a registration expiration date in excess of 6 months before the date it is found or operated on the highway, public lands, or the off- street parking facility. The CVC also authorizes the immediate towing of a vehicle that is missing significant parts (such as a wheel or engine) that makes the vehicle a safety hazard to the public. Additionally, the CVC authorizes the towing of a vehicle that is parked or left standing upon a highway for 72 or more consecutive hours in violation of a local ordinance authorizing removal and Fremont Municipal Code section 10.05.120 is the City’s local ordinance that authorizes removal of a vehicle parked on any street for more than a consecutive period of 72 hours.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
City of Fremont’s Current Coordinated Response to Homelessness The City of Fremont currently takes a balanced, multi-departmental approach to abatement and outreach activities. A Homeless Working Group, comprised of representatives from the City Manager’s Office, City Attorney’s Office, Code Enforcement, Environmental Services, Fire Department, Human Services, Public Works/Maintenance Services, and the Police Department, collaborate to respond to community concerns and intervene to resolve or mitigate impacts, stemming from identified encampments. Community-based organizations, and private or public property owners, are frequently included in problem-solving activities.
In 2020, the City hired its first Homeless Services Manager who facilitates response to residents’ concerns and needs, coordinates direct services through the Human Services Department, and coordinates information and action amongst the working group participants.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 Staff assesses several factors to determine the most appropriate intervention. These factors include prevalence of community complaints, assessment of health and safety hazards, environmental considerations, needs of those encamped on site, and resource availability.
Due to the added complexity during the Shelter in Place Orders of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff developed an internal protocol and communication tool, known as the Good Neighbor Guidelines. Staff uses these guidelines to identify behaviors that are necessary to maintain the immediate health and safety for everyone in the community and assist the City in determining the urgency of potential abatement activities.
Abatement Activities and Coordinated Response
Concentrated Encampments and Community Health & Hazard Interventions: Staff in the Community Services Department Environmental Services Division monitor approximately 200 sites throughout the City. At any given time, 25-30% of the sites are occupied. The 7 largest and continuously populated sites account for approximately 90% of the abatement services allocated by the City and related Environmental Service calls and resources. These high impact sites currently include the following:
• Isherwood
• CABS (Christy Street, Albrae Street, Boscell Road, & Stewart Ave.) • Vallejo Mill Park
• Ardenwood
• Washington Overpass
• Kato Road
• Brown Road
Prior to fiscal year 2022/23, encampment abatement occurred one day out of every two weeks. In fiscal year 2022/23 encampment abatement services were expanded to a minimum of two days per week with an enhanced cleanup scheduled at a high impact sites every six to eight weeks as a result of increasing community demand. Cleanups are led by the Environmental Services Division and enhanced clean-ups typically also include Police Department and Mobile Evaluation Team (MET) intervention, vehicle towing, burned vehicle and illegal structure dismantling, and large quantities of debris removal.
In fiscal year 2021/22 the City of Fremont held 99 cleanup event days at 470 sites. Most sites were cleaned more than once throughout the year. Staff dedicated five days specifically to dismantling nine RVs and campers. Over that fiscal year, staff removed a total of 325 tons of debris, which equates to 3,231 cubic yards. To accomplish this, the City utilized 4,214 abatement contractor hours, in addition to Environmental Services staff effort. In total, the City spent $280,000 abatement contractor costs, $150,000 in Environmental Services staff costs, and $50,000 in disposal costs with vendor Republic Services.
In fiscal year 2022/23, the City began implementation of a site condition index tool at high impact sites to help quantify site conditions. Monthly site condition assessments will be made at these sites which are tied to the complaints, calls for service, and the need for abatement. Staff expect this tool to assist the City of Fremont and its residents to better understand trends, to help prioritize City interventions and guide the City’s resource allocation. Fiscal year 2022/23 activity and expenditure to date indicate that the City will spend $350,000 more in abatement contractor expenses this year than it did in the prior fiscal year, due to the increased need to clean high impact areas.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 4 Code Enforcement Activities: The Code Enforcement Division takes the lead in coordinating a response to encampments on private property. Property owners are responsible for nuisance conditions on their property, but many property owners or impacted resid ents look to city officials for assistance in abating these conditions and removing trespassers.
Code Enforcement responds to homeless related concerns reported through the code enforcement phone line, enforcement email, and the Fremont App. Responses include, but are not limited to, contacting the complaining party, investigating the complaint, opening a code case, and coordinating a response with other City Departments as needed. Since 2020, Code Enforcement received and responded to 117 reported homeless related complaints.
Code Enforcement staff are taking on an increased role assisting with homeless related complaints.
When unhoused residents are determined to be trespassing on private property and permission to enforce trespass is granted by the property owner, Code Enforcement completes an investigation of the area. If the encampment is active, the assistance of MET is requested to conduct outreach and provide a trespass warning as needed. Once an encampment is no longer active, Code Enforcement works with property owners to abate nuisance conditions, such as debris that has been left behind.
Since 2020, Code Enforcement has opened, investigated and responded to 55 homeless related code cases.
● 26 of the cases were investigated and determined to be unfounded or resolved upon arrival. Individual(s) had already moved on voluntarily or any debris had already been removed.
● 20 cases resulted in the abatement of an encampment on private property. ● 9 cases involved a referral to another department (most often Environmental Services) to coordinate a clean-up for debris abatement that affected public property.
Code Enforcement also assists with concerns on public property such as streets, sidewalks and parks, which could include an active encampment, belongings or debris that was left behind. Staff conduct site visits to determine if the encampment is active or not. If the encampment is active, staff ensure that public access is not being obstructed and assesses the community impact of the encampment based on the potential for criminal activity, health and sanitation and location. Code Enforcement requests support and outreach from the MET as needed. If the encampment is not active, Code Enforcement staff will place a tag on unattended items at least 72 hours prior to removal.
Public Works Activities: The Public Works Department, including staff from the Maintenance and Transportation Divisions, respond to incidents that have damaged City facilities. Public Works staff also lead efforts to create safe roadways for all residents, pedestrians, and drivers in the city. Over the last two fiscal years, staff have responded to 10 incidents of fire, trespassing, or illegal utility access that have required repair and additional security measures. Damage to streetlighting and wiring infrastructure in the CABS area alone has required over $180,000 in repairs. Over the last four years, staff have responded to 35 incidents related to break-ins that required repair, including broken windows and doors as well as plumbing and electrical damage.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 5 In 2020, to address significant safety concerns, Public Works staff provided parking restrictions on the dirt shoulder of Kato Road, an area impacted by commercial truck parking and unhoused residents living in cars and recreational vehicles. The proximity of the vehicles adjacent to high-speed traffic on Kato Road created safety concerns with pedestrians and vehicles entering or crossing the roadway.
In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities, in December of 2021, staff distributed 100 traffic safety kits to the unhoused community to make them more visible when walking or biking within the roadways at night. Since 2019, there have been seven traffic fatalities involving unhoused individuals that were either crossing or walking within the roadway.
Direct Public Safety Response and Intervention: In 2018, the Police Department created a homeless disturbance call type due to the frequency of requests for a patrol response to homeless-related community concerns and as a means of evaluation. From 2019-2021, Fremont had 318,343 total calls for service, of which 10,018 were homeless disturbance calls for service, accounting for approximately 3% of total calls for service in that timeframe.
The City of Fremont’s Mobile Evaluation Team (MET) was established in 2017, and is a collaboration between the Fremont Police Department, the City of Fremont Human Services Department, and the Washington Hospital Healthcare System. MET is a field-based response team that provides comprehensive and compassionate services to Fremont’s most vulnerable populations, including community members experiencing homelessness or mental illness. MET provides crisis intervention and de-escalation and connects community members needing assistance with local mental health and homeless service providers. MET works to support community members engaged in services to pursue healthy outcomes. The City currently has two fully staffed teams that work Monday through Friday during dayshift hours. MET has one police sergeant, two police officers, and three licensed mental health professionals assigned to the team.
The City’s Fire Department also tracks calls for service resulting from or related to homelessness or in service of homeless individuals. In fiscal year 2021/22 the Fire Department registered 364 calls for service related to homeless associated fires and 750 calls for service related to homeless related health issues. In total, the Fire Department estimates that it received 1,436 calls for service in association with homeless residents in 2021/22.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 6 Business and Community Engagement
Staff from the Economic Development, Human Services, and Police Departments support business owners and commercial property owners to provide resources and assistance to mitigate the impacts of homeless on the City’s business community. As homelessness increases in Fremont and the surrounding region, Economic Development staff must allocate increasing time to supporting local businesses with this issue, prioritizing business complaints involving security or blight that could influence a business owner’s decision to locate and/or conduct business in Fremont. Key strategies in the effort to support our business community include:
• Development of a condensed guide for businesses providing an overview of the challenge of homelessness and outlining the City's actions to reduce root causes of homelessness and mitigate impacts, and resources and recommendations for businesses and their staff.
• Establishment of a police sergeant as the Downtown Liaison to meet with businesses and downtown stakeholders on issues related to crime and safety concerns. • Engagement with a task force of approximately 20 businesses in Bayside Technology Park on issues of security and associated encampment issues.
The City’s Communications staff regularly coordinate and develop communications to share with the community on a variety of topics related to homelessness. The team utilizes an array of available communication channels including newsletters, social media , press releases and City websites. Over the last year, the City has communicated extensively regarding specific topics related to homelessness. This information has been shared in City N ews. the Fremont Connection and in topic specific department newsletters such as the Human Services Weekly Update, FRC Update and the Development Dig est. In addition to utilizing technology platforms and publications to inform the public, the City regularly hosts in -person and virtual community meetings and responds directly to inquiries of the public on a daily basis. Initiatives inc lude:
o Safe Parking Host Site Program
o Housing Navigation Center Annual Report
o Project Homekey
o 2019 - 2021 Community Housing Program and Safety Statistics Report o Keep Fremont Housed Rental Assistance Program
In the Spring of 2022, with the launch of the new City website, s taff developed a dedicated Homeless Care and Support section. The dynamic page includes information and highlights on programs and services, affordable ho using, prevention, reports and statistics and also includes information on how community members can report a concern.
Human Services Coordinated Direct Service Programs for Unhoused Residents For many years, the Human Services Department has coordinated the effort to provide direct services for unhoused residents in Fremont, through supportive funding or direct service provision. The City has assumed a role as regional lead, providing services for Union City and Newark’s unhoused residents. Staff has categorized programs into three categories: Quality of Life Services, Shelter or Interim Housing, and Housing Solutions.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 7 Quality of Life Services: These services consist of programs that provide a form of support and stabilization outside of a shelter or housing setting. These are also programs that deliver basic needs like food and hygiene services, housing navigation support, or resource linkages depending on an individuals’ needs. Many programs are designed as mobile, to meet people where they are at; they are intended to provide resources to improve health and safety outcomes and connect people to available shelter or housing opportunities. • CleanStart – Since 2019, the City of Fremont’s mobile hygiene unit has provided shower and laundry services twice a day, five days a week at a rotation of seven sites. Clothing, snacks, essential items and public health or housing information is disseminated through this program. CleanStart sites are often co-located with hot meal services.
• Safe Parking – Launched in January 2022 following the adoption of a Safe Parking ordinance, the program consists of a monthly rotation at participating faith -based organizations which host residents living in their vehicles overnight. Four faith-based organizations are currently participating as host sites. Since the program launch, 20 individuals have utilized the safe overnight spaces. Five participants have moved into alternative shelter or stable housing placements. The program is dependent on the participation of volunteers and host sites. The Human Services Department links program participants with social support services for employment, public benefits and housing.
• Access Point –Fremont is the only city in Alameda County that directly participates in providing Access Point services (housing drop-in hours) in Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System, a HUD-mandated system to operate a central entry point to assess and prioritize the most vulnerable for available shelter and housing opportunities. This Center helps address the substantial challenge of quickly sheltering or housing someone who does not have enough income for rent and is not considered high vulnerability for program placement.
• Wellness Center – The Center is a location with access to computers, meals, showers, mental health and housing services. The Wellness Center is operated by Bay Area Community Services (BACS) and the City provides $449,950 in annual operation funds.
Shelter or Interim Housing: These services consist of programs to provide temporary shelter with wrap around services to transition unhoused residents indoors to stabilize and facilitate a transition into longer-term housing arrangements.
• Winter Relief – The Fremont Winter Relief program, largely funded through a grant from Alameda County Social Services, provides seasonal shelter to single adults and families experiencing homelessness. In fiscal year 2021/22, 56 individuals were sheltered, in motel rooms as temporary shelter. 29 individuals transitioned from the Winter Relief program into stable housing or a longer-term shelter; 37 were connected to service providers. Since Winter Relief only operates as a seasonal program, there is a deficit of at least 20 units of shelter between April to November. • Islander Program – The Islander Program, funded through multiple large one-time state grants and COVID relief dollars (CARES, FEMA, HEAP), opened in April 2019.
The former Islander Motel site sheltered a total of 111 individuals from April 1, 2019 – February 28, 2022. Overall, the program experienced a 77% success rate of transitioning households from literal homelessness into housing or alternative community programs. The required closure of the program in February 2022 eliminated 35 shelter units for Fremont.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 8 • Housing Navigation Center – Since opening in October 2020 and through June 30, 2022, the Housing Navigation Center has served 83 people with an exit rate of 90% of residents moving into housing (68%), alternative community programs, or institutional settings. The contract for BACS to operate the center is managed through the Human Services Department. Multiple funding sources cover the costs of the program, currently operating at $1.2 million annually. • Sunrise Village – This combined family and single adult shelter has been in operation by Abode for 25 years. Between 2019 and 2021, Abode successfully transitioned 79% of their residents into more stable living arrangements. The City has supported Sunrise Village with $150,000 annually in Social Service Grant funds.
Temporary Housing Solutions and Homelessness Prevention: Housing solutions are a variety of programs that either provide affordable places to live or subsidies to assist with the cost of rent. Homelessness prevention programs decrease the inflow of individuals into homelessness and maintain people in their homes. Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing programs are most appropriate for households that make enough income to pay for full rent independently within 6 – 24 months of assistance. • Keep Fremont Housed – The City of Fremont received $16.3 million in COVID-19 Relief funds from the State and Federal governments as part of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Through the Family Resource Center, the City launched Keep Fremont Housed in April 2021, and distributed all available funds to keep 1,419 families in their homes. Applicants for this support had to demonstrate a hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families with factors that made them more vulnerable to homelessness were prioritized for the support. • Stay Housed – Managed through the Family Resource Center, this program provides short term, titrated rental support for people who have experienced a hardship and will not be able to pay full rent for a period of time. Since 2020, 37 families have been supported with rental and deposit assistance.
• Rapid Rehousing Subsidies - Since 2012, Human Services has contracted with Abode Services, for $75,000 annually to administer Rapid Rehousing subsidies. Unused funds rollover to subsequent years, and in fiscal year 2021/22, eight households were supported through this form of rental assistance. Additionally, City Council recently adopted a resolution and authorized staff to enter into an agreement with HUD to accept $149,961 in Emergency Solutions Grant funding. • Coordinated Entry Housing Matches – Many Permanent Supportive Housing units and long-term voucher resources are matched through the County’s Coordinated Entry System. These matches are based on a client’s vulnerability. The Human Services Department receives all match notifications for South County and works to identify which community-based housing navigators need additional support.
Creating Additional Affordable Housing in Fremont
The City continues to have strong affordable housing production. There are 33 regulated affordable rental developments totaling 2,288 units in the city. In addition, ten developments are in various stages of the pre-development and construction pipeline, two of which will be placed in service this year adding another 161 affordable units by the end of this year. Between 2023 and 2026, an approximately 1,000 additional units will be added to the City’s affordable housing inventory.
The City has 33 existing developments totaling 2,288 affordable units made up of the following affordability levels as measured by the Area Median Income (AMI):
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 9 • Extremely Low Income (30% of AMI): 343
• Very Low Income (50% of AMI): 845
• Low Income (80% of AMI): 887
• Moderate Income: 213
The approximately ten developments in the planning pipeline are expected to generate 1,169 affordable units made up of the following affordability levels as measured by the Area Median Income (AMI):
• Extremely Low Income (30% of AMI): 279
• Very Low Income (50% of AMI): 404
• Low Income (80% of AMI): 486
Staff will continue to identify and leverage available funding resources in order to provide additional affordable housing. Staff will closely monitor the upcoming Homekey Round 3 funding opportunity, which is anticipated to be released in the Spring of 2023.
Survey of Abatement Strategies in Use in Other Cities
Pursuant to the Mayor’s September 6, 2022 referral, staff surveyed municipalities in the region to determine if other entities are employing unique strategies to address health hazards, illegal dumping, related clean-up or other activities. By and large, responding cities are employing some mixture of the same strategies Fremont is already employing and which are outlined in this staff report. The primary difference amongst respondents was with regard to volume and prioritization of resources dedicated to particular abatement and service activities. The responses are summarized below:
Abatement Activity Management and Coordination: Most respondents indicate they coordinate abatement and outreach activities in a manner similar to the City of Fremont’s Homeless Working Group.
• The City of Berkeley deploys an inter-departmental Homeless Response Team led by Neighborhood Services staff. Abatement activity typically includes staff from Public Works and/or Parks, Recreation and Waterfront, Police Department, Neighborhood Services, and Environmental Health. Planning and coordination also involve Health, Housing and Community Services (for shelter/CES resource linkages), City Attorney’s Office, and other departments as needed. • City of Hayward utilizes a team of staff from City Manager’s Office, Maintenance Services, Police Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement, Airport, and Utility and Environmental Services to meet once every two weeks to review encampments and coordinate abatement and response.
• City of Mountain View’s abatement efforts are led by the Police Department, who then coordinates with the Streets Division for clean-up. Resource information is shared by the Police Department, to individuals living at locations subject to abatement.
• City of San Jose recently decentralized encampment response coordination, however the Housing Department continues to oversee outreach and services to individuals residing in encampments while the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services conducts encampment cleanups, abatements, as well as trash, bio-waste and waste management. These departments also work in coordination to be able to offer resources to affected individuals. • City of Redwood City uses a “Homelessness Initiatives Unit”, a multi-disciplinary unit comprised of Police, Fire, City Manager’s Office, Public Works, Homeless Service Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 10 Manager, and Recreation. In absence of a written protocol, this unit meets regularly to determine interventions on known encampments, and often engages the City Attorney’s Office for guidance. Staff shared that the County of San Mateo is evaluating best practices of encampment management approach and if published, can be shared with this Council.
Abatement Activity Prioritization: Like Fremont, responding Cities assess several key factors when determining the appropriate level of abatement activity/enforcement; largely relying on an assessment of public safety, health and sanitation and location within the community.
• City of Berkeley prioritizes encampment abatement based on the intersection of relative health and safety impacts against shelter availability, and whether staff determines displacing an encampment would create additional negative community impacts.
• City of Hayward developed an internal protocol to prioritize enforcement or abatement of sites with health and safety hazards that were of greater concern than the potential exposure of COVID-19.
• City of San Jose developed a “City Roadmap – Encampment Management and Safe Relocation Policy.” This policy is unique among the cities staff surveyed, in that it prohibits encampments within 150 feet of public access facilities (i.e. libraries, hospitals, and schools).
• City of Livermore has recently focused additional abatement resources on sensitive environmental areas like creeks and riverbeds. This led the City to prioritize disbanding a large encampment located in a creek bed.
Outreach Volunteers: City of San Jose, City of Redwood City, and City of Hayward have contracted with Downtown Streets Team to provide engagement, outreach and varying degrees of beautification in targeted areas of their cities. Downtown Streets Team is a voluntary work experience program that provides case management services to transition participants from homelessness into housing.
Parking Enforcement and Safe Parking Programs: Cities of Mountain View, Redwood City, and East Palo Alto have attempted to pair parking enforcement with the availability of Safe Parking programs. Several respondents indicate that they were unable to provide sufficient services to meet demand. However, staff learned through Safe Parking research, that in partnership with Project WeHope, East Palo Alto successfully eliminated parking on a specific street subject for development. Project WeHope created a temporary safe parking RV program, with a goal to rehouse all families who once resided in the targeted street location.
Next Steps for the City of Fremont
Development of Citywide Homelessness Response Master Plan: The fiscal year 2022/23 budget allocates funding for the city to acquire a consultant for development of a comprehensive homeless response strategy and master plan. Staff are in the process of finalizing the request for proposal (RFP) and will be soliciting proposals in the month of November 2022. The master plan is expected to generate additional options and strategies to address homelessness in Fremont that will require City Council input. City staff will return to Council to present options and seek policy direction upon completion of a draft.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A.
Staff Report (ID # 4733) Meeting of October 18, 2022
Updated: 10/14/2022 8:17 AM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 11
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: N/A
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Receive this staff report responsive to the Mayor’s referral updating the City Council on the City’s ongoing efforts to address homelessness in Fremont.