HOMELESSNESS ISSUES
STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
2:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, California
Conference Room 1 (Hybrid in-person/virtual meeting)
Mayor Paula Perotte
Councilmember Stuart Kasdin
Robert Nisbet, City Manager
Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
JoAnne Plummer, Neighborhood Services Director
Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator
Melissa Cure, Management Assistant
Public Participation
If you wish to make a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, the following methods are available:
Distribution to the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee - Submit your comment via email prior to 4 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee meeting. Please submit your comment to Melissa Cure at: [email protected]. Your comment will be placed into the record and distributed appropriately.
ELECTRONIC PARTICIPATION: Join Meeting Electronically at:
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84066983085?pwd=Gy40subCBlMYChKkqeyWMf1xa6Hant.1 Webinar ID
840 6698 3085
Passcode
578234
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You will be connected to audio using your computer's microphone and speakers (VoIP). A headset is recommended.
AGENDA
I. Public Comment
II. Proposed Changes to the Safe Parking Ordinance
III. Presentation from New Beginnings Counseling Center Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the ADA, if special assistance is needed to participate in a City Council meeting (including assisted listening devices), please contact the City Clerk's office at (805) 961-7505. Notification at least 72 hours prior to the meeting helps to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting.
MEMORANDUM
DATE: August 12, 2025
TO: Homelessness Issues Standing Committee
FROM: JoAnne Plummer, Neighborhood Services Director
Chuck Flacks, Homelessness Services Coordinator
SUBJECT: August 12, 2025 Homelessness Issues Standing Committee Meeting ITEM I. Public Comment (5 Minutes)
ITEM II. Proposed Changes to the Safe Parking Ordinance (45 Minutes) Background
On March 6, 2025, the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee (Committee) received a background report from staff on the current status of the Safe Parking Ordinance, the problems with implementation, and specific areas that needed to be considered for improvement. The following is a brief summary of what was presented.
The current Safe Parking Ordinance is §12.01.035 in the Goleta Municipal Code. Staff identified the following areas that need modification to ensure that the process of establishing and maintaining parking lots for people living in their vehicles is clear and properly implemented. • The current permitting process is cumbersome for any lots not owned by the City • It has been difficult to secure another parking area on either church or City property • City-mandated rules such as hours of operation may be one reason that people avoid lots
Committee Members asked staff and the City Attorney’s Office to draft a new ordinance. This ordinance would enable City staff to issue and oversee licenses to operate parking lots for people living in vehicles. It also would make the role of the contracted homelessness services provider clearer. The new ordinance would also have well-defined oversight and enforcement language.
Discussion
Based on the discussion with the Committee on March 6, 2025, the intent of the proposed changes is to ease some of the burden on both property owners and the Safe Parking program as they attempt to increase the number of spaces or change the aspects of the program, like hours of operation.
The new ordinance draft is attached as Attachment 1. The substantive changes to the existing ordinance are as follows:
• The Temporary Overnight Camping Permit is changed to a License (TOCL) allowing overnight camping in vehicles once the license is issued by the Neighborhood Services Department.
• Removes the language referencing the Martin v. City of Boise Ninth Circuit Ruling. • Removes the specified operating hours of Safe Parking Lots and establishes that the TOCL shall specify the operating hours.
• Removes the restriction of five (5) vehicles per lot and requires that the number of vehicles shall not exceed the number of parking spaces available on the property. • Removes the need for a registry of vehicles to be kept by the property owner. • The license applicant shall be the property owner (not the nonprofit or other third-party operator).
• Removes the requirement that all occupants and residences within 200 feet of the lot be notified and asked to register questions or concerns with the City. • The grounds for revoking or denying the licenses remain the same with the added requirement that the operator be given a 30 day notice to cure the problem(s). • An appeals process is modified to be a hearing before the Director of Neighborhood Services with public notice and further appeals shall be brought to the Homelessness Issues Standing Committee.
Recommendation
Review the attached revised ordinance and recommend adoption to the full City Council.
Alternatives
Amend the attached revised ordinance and refer to the full City Council as amended or recommend to leave the current ordinance in place.
Attachments
Attachment 1: Safe Parking Ordinance Draft Revisions (Red Line)
ITEM III.
Presentation from New Beginnings Counseling Center (30 minutes) Background
In April of 2024, the County and City of Santa Barbara were awarded an $8 million two-year grant from the State of California’s Encampment Relief Fund, round three (CERF-3) to resolve 18 encampments of people living in vehicles in the cities of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Goleta, Lompoc and Santa Maria.
The goals of this program countywide include:
• 300 people enrolled
• 100 people to enter shelter or Safe Parking
• 150 people to transition to permanent housing
o Includes 224 vehicles in 14 South County areas
For the City of Goleta, there are two encampments totaling 50 vehicles, one is the perimeter of Girsh Park and the other is on the eastern portion of Ekwill, just east of State Route 217.
Based on the successful grant from the State of California, New Beginnings Counseling Center was tasked to provide outreach, housing navigation, community support, placement and retention services. They were part of the County’s application because of their international reputation for the Safe Parking program and their success with re-housing the population of people living in vehicles (over 1,000 total households). The services are tailored to the needs of each individual with most receiving short-term rental subsidies and not ongoing supportive services.
This program is distinct and separate from the Safe Parking Program; however, for those who want a transitional solution through Safe Parking, they may access this program.
The need for these kinds of services in Goleta is showing significant growth. The most recent Point in Time Count for 2025 for the City of Goleta showed a 95% increase in observed people living in vehicles from 82 in 2024 to 160 in 2025.
Discussion
New Beginnings will present the latest results from the CERF-3 program including results for the City of Goleta. They will discuss barriers to program success and strategies they will deploy going forward.
Attachments
Attachment 2: Presentation from New Beginnings Counseling Center: CERF-3 Progress in Goleta
Attachment 1
Safe Parking Ordinance Draft Revisions (Red Line)
ORDINANCE NO. 25-_
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GOLETA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 12.01.030 AND
12.01.035 OF CHAPTER 12.01, TITLE 12, OF THE GOLETA
MUNICIPAL CODE, REGARDING CAMPING; AND FINDING
THE REGULATIONS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
WHEREAS, within the City of Goleta (“City”) and other cities in the surrounding region, and throughout the State of California, there is a significant number of people experiencing homelessness;
WHEREAS, homeless persons sometimes camp, sleep, or lie on public or private property, particularly if they have no other place to sleep; WHEREAS, camping in certain areas within the City can create unsanitary, unhealthy, and dangerous conditions that risk the public health and safety, including but not limited to creating a significant source of vegetation fires in the City and contributing to the contamination of creeks through debris and human waste; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of California has, in Government Code sections 65302, 65560, and 65800, conferred upon local governments the authority to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its residents; WHEREAS, the City of Goleta addresses homelessness in the City by providing grants to community organizations, performs outreach to homeless or at-risk individuals, and engages in programming to prevent homelessness and assist those at-risk of homelessness; and WHEREAS, Goleta Municipal Code sections 12.01.010 through 12.01.050 currently regulate camping on public roads, public property and private property, and subject to limited exceptions, GMC 12.01.030 prohibits camping in all of these areas; and WHEREAS, there are camping situations that create a substantial danger or risk of harm that requires immediate removal of the camper and property in order to prevent substantial harm to individuals, the health and/or safety of the public, and the City’s creeks and waterways; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend certain sections of GMC Chapters 12.01, as identified herein, to modify the restrictions relating to camping on public property in order to serve those goals.
WHEREAS, all legal prerequisites to the adoption of this ordinance have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GOLETA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. Title 12, Chapter 12.01 of the Goleta Municipal Code, Offenses - Miscellaneous, is hereby amended as follows:
A. Section 12.01.030 is hereby repealed and replaced in its entirety as follows:
12.01.030 Camping and Open Fires in Certain Areas Prohibited— Generally—Exceptions.
A. It is unlawful for any person to camp, whether inside or outside of a vehicle in or on any:
1. Public road.
2. City-owned building or parking lots, except that vehicles may be parked in and used for overnight sleeping in parking lots on City owned property if the following conditions are met:
a) The City has entered into a management agreement under which the contracting party agrees to assume administration and management of a program to oversee such use of City-owned property; and
b) The management agreement referenced above satisfies all City concerns regarding liability, due process, evictions, fair housing notice and employee safety, and specifically states the location and number of vehicles permitted at that location; and
c) All vehicle occupants enter into a written agreement with the contracting party in a form approved by the City and comply with all terms and conditions of that agreement.
3. All other public property, including but not limited to, high fire areas;
4. Private property, unless:
a) Located in a Recreational Vehicle Park as defined by Goleta Municipal Code Chapter 17.72 or as allowed for living purposes not exceeding 14 days in a six-month period as more particularly described in Goleta Municipal Code section 17.38.080; or b) Temporary Overnight Camping Permit License. The activity of
using or occupying of a vehicle for living or overnight camping, living or sleeping purposes shall be permitted allowed if such activity occurs within a paved parking area of real property owned or leased by a property owner who has obtained a
temporary overnight camping permit license from the
Neighborhood Services Department pursuant to the
requirements defined in Section 12.01.050035.
B. Absent exigent circumstances related to immediate threats to the public health, safety, or welfare, the provisions of this section will not be enforced against indigent homeless persons sitting, lying, or sleeping on City-owned public property, except in High Fire Areas, when no alternative shelter or publicly available campsite is available in accordance with the holding in Martin v. City of Boise (9th Cir. 2019) 920 F.3d 584.
C. Fires. No person shall build, maintain or light an open fire on any public property except within those facilities and/or areas provided and designated for that purpose by the City or otherwise allowed by the City or other application law. In addition to all available enforcement methods under the Municipal Code, such illegal fire shall be immediately abated. Exceptions to this requirement must be approved by the Public Works Director or designee.
D. Section 12.01.035 is hereby repealed and replaced in its entirety as follows:
“12.01.035 Temporary Overnight Vehicle Camping Permit
License.
A temporary overnight camping permit license shall be considered valid subject to the requirements and limitations set forth in this section.
A. License Requirements and Conditions. A property owner utilizing its real property for a permitted nonprofit institutional use pursuant to City, State, and Federal law may apply for a license to the Neighborhood Services Department to allow the activity of overnight camping, living or sleeping use or occupation of a vehicle on a paved vehicular parking portion of its real property as a transitional housing alternative, provided that the following conditions are met:
1. Any vehicle used for overnight accommodation shall be removed from the property at the time specified in the temporary overnight vehicle camping license issued to the property
owner before 7:00 a.m. and shall not enter or reenter the lot for overnight accommodation prior to 7:00 p.m.;
2. The permitted activity the use of the property for overnight vehicular camping must not conflict with express conditions imposed by the City on a use permit for the use of the real property;
3. The owner of the real property must make adequate and sanitary bathroom facilities and garbage disposal services available on-site to the occupants of the vehicle;
4. The number of vehicles allowed at any one time shall be specified and shall be determined based on the size of the parking area available for such activity, but in no event shall more than five vehicles be allowed on one property for such activity at any given time the number of vehicles exceed the number of parking spaces available on the property;
5. Each vehicle shall not be allowed to be parked less than 50 feet from the property line of any real property being used for any residential purpose;
6. The vehicle must be properly and currently licensed for operation on the highway in accordance with the California Vehicle Code;
7. The property owner shall maintain or cause to be maintained a registry of vehicles allowed on the property which shall include the identity of the vehicle, including the year, make and model and the name and address of the registered owner of the vehicle; and the name of every occupant allowed to stay in the vehicle;
8. The registry shall be maintained for at least 90 days and shall be made available upon the request of any law enforcement or City code compliance official;
9. The vehicle occupant(s) shall not allow unauthorized persons to enter onto the property;
10. No fee, rent or other legal consideration shall be received by the owner of the real property for the vehicles overnight camping activity; however, the occupant of the vehicle may serve as a night-time security personnel for the property owner;
11. A temporary overnight camping permit license has been obtained pursuant to this section and all conditions, restrictions, and limitations pursuant to this section have been satisfied;
12. The property owner has agreed to assume administration and management of the use of the property pursuant to the temporary overnight camping permit license or has entered into a management agreement under which the contracting party agrees to assume administration and management of a program to oversee such use of the property pursuant to the temporary overnight camping permit license.
B. Application for Temporary Overnight Camping Permit. The Neighborhood Services Department may issue aA temporary overnight camping permit license may issue by the City, subject to the following conditions for application being met:
1. The applicant for the permit license shall be the nonprofit property owner or their designee;
2. The applicant shall file with the City a completed City application form providing the proposed location where the vehicles will be located and all additional information requested;
3. The applicant shall file with the City a written declaration affirming that, at least 30 days prior to issuance of the permit, occupants of all residences and businesses located within 200 feet from the paved vehicular parking area where the vehicles will be allowed overnight have been notified of the proposed permit and have been informed in writing in a form acceptable to the City of the proposed use and the contact information with the City to seek additional information or register concerns or objections; and
3. The applicant shall pay any application fee that the City may require as established by City Council resolution.
C. Grounds for Denial or Revocation of Permit License. The City may deny or revoke a temporary overnight camping permit license for any of the following reasons:
1. The activity is incompatible with the uses of properties within a 300-foot radius of the subject parcel;
2. The activity constitutes a nuisance or any other threat to public health, safety, or welfare; or
3. Any condition of the permit license has been violated, the operator has been given written notice of the violation, and fails to cure within 30 days of such notice; or
4. Any unauthorized person not listed on the registry has used the property for overnight accommodation or has been allowed by any person to enter onto the property.
D. Hearing and Appeal on Permit License Decision. Any party may file a written request for a hearing before the Zoning Administrator with the Planning and Environmental Services Department Director of Neighborhood Services within 10 days following a decision by the City to grant, deny or revoke a temporary overnight camping permit license. The public shall be provided notice of the hearing in compliance with State law. The hearing shall be opened no more than 45 days following the request for hearing being received by the City. A decision shall be made by the Zoning Administrator Director of Neighborhood Services within 10 days of the hearing. Any decision of the Director of Neighborhood Services Zoning Administrator regarding denial of an application for a temporary overnight camping permit license may be appealed to the Planning Commission Homelessness Issues Standing Committee by filing a written appeal with the Planning and Environmental Services Neighborhood Services Department within 10
days of the Director of Neighborhood Services Zoning Administrator’s Decision. The decision of the Planning Commission Homelessness Services Committee is final.
E. Issuance upon Grant of Permit License Application. A temporary overnight camping permit license shall be issued on a form approved by the City. The permit license shall be issued and valid only for the specific activity and property and under such conditions as indicated on the permit license.
SECTION 3. Effect of Amendment. To the extent any provision of this Ordinance repeals, amends, or supersedes any previous approvals, such repeal or replacement will not affect any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred before, or preclude prosecution and imposition of penalties for any violation occurring before, this Ordinance’s effective date. Any such repealed or superseded part of previous approvals will remain in full force and effect for sustaining action or prosecuting violations occurring before the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION 4. No Conflict with Federal or State Law. Nothing in this Chapter is intended to create any requirement, power, or duty that is in conflict with any federal or state law.
SECTION 5. CEQA. The City of Goleta has determined that the adoption of the proposed ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) (California Public Resources Code § 21000 et seq.), pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines (14 Cal. Code Regs.) §15061(b)(3), which applies where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment; § 15060(c)(2), which applies where an activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment; and §§ 15307 and 15308, which apply to actions taken by regulatory agencies to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement of natural resources, or protection of the environment.
SECTION 6. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 7. Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and, within 15 days after its adoption, shall cause it to be published in accord with California Law.
SECTION 8. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its passage and adoption pursuant to California Government Code section 36937.
INTRODUCED ON the __th day of _____, 2025.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this __th day of ______, 2025. _________________________
PAULA PEROTTE
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________ _________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. 25-XX was introduced on XX XX, 2025, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, held on the Xth of XXX, 2025, by the following roll-call vote, to wit:
AYES: MAYOR PEROTTE, MAYOR PRO TEMPORE RICHARDS,
COUNCILMEMBERS REYES-MARTIN, KYRIACO AND KASDIN
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTENTIONS: NONE
(SEAL)
___________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
Attachment 2
Presentation from New Beginnings Counseling Center: CERF 3 Progress in Goleta CERF 3 Progress in Goleta
August 12, 2025
CERF 3
California Encampment Resolution Funding
● Application submitted late January 2024
● $7.9 million awarded April 2024
● Grant began staffing June 2024 and ramped up August 2024 ● Created 3 teams to serve the county: Mid/North County, City of Santa Barbara, South County (including the City of Goleta) Task for the teams: resolve 21 vehicle encampments throughout Santa Barbara County and relocate the individuals to permanent housing Team Dedicated to Goleta
South County CERF 3 Team
● CERF 3 Program Manager
● South County Project Coordinator
● Outreach/Case Manager
● Services Coordinator
● Housing Locator
● Housing Navigator
● Housing Retention Specialist
● ED, Homeless Svcs Dir, HMIS Data Analyst, SP Program Director & Manager
CERF 3 Goals
Countywide goal: Serve 300 persons
◦100 persons enter to interim sheltering or Safe Parking ◦150 persons transition to permanent housing
◦South County 216 vehicles, 14 areas
◦Mid-County 31 vehicles, 3 areas
◦North County 53 vehicles, 4 areas
CERF 3 Baseline Data
Goleta Clusters
Identified
Vehicles
01/2024
Enrolled
Vehicles as of
7/31/25
Enrolled
Individuals as
of 7/31/25
Girsh Park 36 24 32
Ekwill 14 5 5
Goleta Enrollments
06/01/24-07/31/25
Individuals Vehicles
South
County
82 65
06/01/24-07/31/25
Individuals Vehicles
Goleta (*1 client with 2
vehicles)
34 29*
County
Unincorporated
(includes 7 clients in
IV)
19 20
Goleta Demographics
74% over age
55 27%
specifically
over age 60
59% employed
upon entry
Over 91%
below 30%
AMI
49%
chronically
homeless
68% have a
disability
Goleta Clients Housed
Individuals Housed: 13
Households Housed: 7
Housed 35% of enrolled clients through 7/31/2025
Barriers Faced By Goleta Clients
● Limited income: majority of clients with income is less than $2,000/mo ● Average rent $2,505, some studios as low as $1,350 (apartments.com) ● Significant disabilities
● Chronic homelessness
● Long term Goleta residents and natives tend to be most reluctant to relocate Goleta Clients Income
Over 91% Goleta clients below 30% AMI – less than $3,092/mo No Income 6
$1-$500 10
$501-$2,000 13
$2,000-$3,092 3
$3,092-$5,150 2
$5152+ 1
Total Adults w/income 35
HUD Area Median Income Limits
Extremely low income: <$3,092/mo
Very low income: $3,093-$5,150/mo
Low Income: $5,151-$8,238/mo
Future Efforts in Goleta
Going into Year 2 of the CERF 3 Project:
● We have brought on a second housing navigator
● We are increasing outreach resources
● Case management and income increasing efforts are continuing ● We are planning to continue generally increasing South County CERF staff to address the long-term homelessness and general increases in vehicular homelessness in Goleta
New Beginnings Safe Parking Program
● 530 E. Montecito St. Suite 101
● [email protected]
● (805)963-7777 ext. 103
● www.sbnbcc.org
Contact Information