CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
Memorandum to City Council
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: CATHERINE JUN, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
CC: AL ZELINKA, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 12, 2023
SUBJECT: CORRECTION TO JANUARY 17, 2023 RCA ON HOMELESSNESS A technical glitch in the Granicus agenda software caused an error in Agenda Item #23-028 - Report on City Resources Dedicated to Homelessness.
While the item was being drafted, an outdated table on the Navigation Center's Operating Costs table and re-inserted it in the RCA, when it posted online. an infographic on Navigation Center client data. Granicus let us know that this is a known issue with tables/graphics and are working to find a fix.
In the meanwhile, a corrected RCA is attached for your use. This memo and RCA will also be uploaded as supplemental communication to make sure it is available to the public.
Thank you.
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Moing Dete: / - /7-2023
Agenda ham No: 18 (23-028)
REVISED ON 1/12/23
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Eric Parra, Chief of Police
Jason Austin, Director of Homelessness and Behavioral Health Services PREPARED BY: Catherine Jun, Assistant to the City Manager Subject:
Comprehensive report on City resources used to address homelessness and proposed 90-day plan to enforce City and State laws relating to homelessness Statement of Issue:
On December 20, 2022, the City Council approved Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark's H-Item request for a comprehensive report on homelessness, including a full accounting of all City resources and facilities used to address homelessness and a proposed 90-Day Plan to enforce City and State laws on encampments and related concerns. This Request for Council Action provides the information requested for City Council's consideration.
Financial Impact:
If approved, the Police Department's (HBPD) proposed 90 Day Plan would require one-time costs.
One-time costs include overtime for additional staffing during the 90-Day Plan period ($228,450) and three outfitted police trucks ($270,000) for a total of $498,450. If approved, the City would make a one-time appropriation of $500,000 (rounded up) from the General Fund balance in this fiscal year. Following the 90 days, if the Council believes the increased staffing proved to be effective, HBPD can return to Council with a proposed plan and cost to continue this effort for a longer term.
Recommended Action:
A) Receive and file this report; and,
B) Approve the proposed 90-Day Plan and appropriate one-time funding of $500,000 in the FY 2022/23 General Fund budget.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the proposed 90-Day Plan and/or receive and file this report. Direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark's request for a comprehensive report on homelessness included:
1. A full report and accounting identifying all of the City's resources, including recently hired/appointed City personnel, County programs present in the City, and facilities like the Navigation Center, that have been employed or deployed to combat homelessness; and
2. A full report and accounting of the Navigation Center's use since it opened in December 2020, including the number of beds occupied over time (utilizing monthly data), where the clients/patrons are from (have they been Huntington Beach homeless or have they been brought in by the County or other cities), and average length of how long individuals stay and where they go once released (e.g., back on the streets, County facilities, or back home); and
3. A proposal that incorporates former Police Chief Handy's 90-day plan on how HBPD will enforce the City's and State's anti-camping and anti-loitering laws to get the City's public spaces free from the mentioned encampments, loitering, and their related health and safety concerns; and
4. A request for the Police Chief to give quarterly updates at City Council on enforcement of anti-camping and anti-loitering.
This report addresses Items 1-3 above for Council consideration. Furthermore, Police Chief Parra will present Item 4 on a quarterly basis starting March 2023.
Background
The City's homelessness program is comprised of the City's Homelessness Team, Navigation Center, Be Well OC in HB Mobile Crisis Response Program, and outside resources when available. These components work together to support the City's efforts to address homelessness throughout the community.
Homelessness Team
The City's Homelessness Team is comprised of:
1. Homeless Task Force (HTF) Police Officers: Enforces City laws, responds to complaints; coordinates regularly with HTF outreach workers to provide street outreach, coordinate access to the Navigation Center (for individuals with HB ties) or other shelters, and Be Well
2. Homeless Task Force Outreach Workers: Engage with individuals to determine their needs, reunite with family, or match with housing; coordinate regularly with HTF Police Officers to provide resources to the homeless, incl. referrals to the Navigation Center and housing opportunities and linkages to support programs
3. Administrative Staff: Manage homeless policies and programs, including Navigation Center and Be Well operations; implement HB Cares Volunteer program; pursues funding, pro bono services and resources, and partnerships with local groups/agencies; coordinate with HTF to gather data/prepare reports In Fiscal Year 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23
An accounting of staff costs as well as their ongoing impact (seen in Total Outreach Contacts) is below:
2020-2021* 2021-2022
Homelessness Team - Staff 2022-2023 (Estimated)
(Actuals) (Actuals)
Homeless Task Force - Police Officers $1,272,080 5.8 FTE $1,002,412 5.5 FTE $1,250,910 5.5 FTE Homeless Task Force - Outreach Workers $94,611 2 FTE $135,249 2.0 FTE $149,423 3.5 FTE Administative Staff $12,191 0.25 FTE $237,756 2.25 FTE $373,063 2.0 FTE Total $1,378,882 ~8 FTE $1,375,416 9.75 FTE $1,773,396 11 FTE Funding Source 100% General Funds
HTF - Total Outreach Contacts Thru Dec. 2022 Only
2,401 Contacts or 400 per month*•
*In 2020 ond 2021, Outreach Worker staffing varied; at most, included two part-time Cose Managers and one full-time case manager. * MIA or Low Moder 02ome Housing Ase funds co be edit mated mount towards handles series, COld or edert Community Development Block ront funds odministered by HUD.
Navigation Center
Built in partnership with the County of Orange during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Navigation Center opened in December 2020 and is managed by experienced shelter operators, Mercy House. In order to qualify for the Navigation Center, homeless clients must be referred in by the Homeless Task Force and must have a connection to Huntington Beach.
The Center can shelter up to 174 adults. From December 2020 to December 2022, however, the County had reduced bed capacity or issued temporary lockdowns due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, resulting in a lower number of clients in the Center. On December 6, 2022, the County lifted its restrictions and restored the Center's maximum capacity of 174 beds. A graph showing the Center's occupancy rate since it opened is below:
Navigation Center: Occupancy Rate to December 2020 - December 2022 From 12/2020 to 12/2022,
Average Enrollment Peak Enrollment during Month Bed Capacity 147
79%
121
119
89% 111 On 1216/2022, the County
83% lifted those restrictions
84%
92 and restored the Center's
86 max capacity of 174 beds
72% 65%
for homeless individuals
58% 137
with ties to Huntington
59 117
108
44%
Percentages represent the
occupancy rate based on
the capacity at that time.
Covd-1s
Covid-19 Lockdowns Cont-19 Lockdours ocidow
Dec 2020 Mar 2021 June 2021 Sept 2021 Dec 2021 Mar 2022 June 2022 Sept 2022 Dec 2022 Navigation Center: Client Data from December 2020 - December 2022 The Center also provides general and supportive services such as daily meals, showers, storage, housing navigation, mental health services, and employment services. Data gathered from our clients during their stay and utilization of the Center's services are below:
• 504 persons (unduplicated) served
162 housed by HTF and Mercy House, combined
• 55,072 bednights provided
• 156,724 meals provided
• 71 days - average length of stay at the Center
• 54 persons held or found employment during their stay at the Center Furthermore, the City regularly gathers information on Navigation Center clients' exits and reasons for exiting (see the next page):
Navigation Center Exits
• Reason for Exiting
Voluntary Self-Exit 421
Failure to Follow Rules 211
Housed* 116
Meto Racon 130
100 200 300 400
*Housing was facilitated by Mercy House and only include "successful" or permanent heusing placements.
Navigation Center: Cost Data from FY 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 Before the Center opened in December 2020, the City has continually tracked costs related to both the Center's construction, its ongoing operating and maintenance costs, as well the funding sources used. It should be noted that a large majority of Navigation Center costs is funded with restricted funds (typically from outside agencies) that are intended for limited uses such as homeless services or affordable housing.
Navigation Center 2020-2021
Capital Costs (Actuals)
Land Acquisition $6,094,847
Construction $6,870,594
Total $12,965,441
Funding Source - 96% Restricted Funds (Low-Moderate Income Housing Asset Funds, CARES Act funds, County Donations)
- 4% City Infrastructure Funds
Navigation Center 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023
Operating Costs (Actuals) (Actuals) (Estimated)
Mercy House (Operators) $1,262,938 $2,495,236 $2,781,000 City's Maintenance Costs $0 $0 $40,000
Total $1,262,938 $2,495,236 $2,781,000
Funding Source - 100% Restricted Funds - 74% Restricted Funds - 83% Restricted Funds (CARES andf CDBG) (CDBG-CV and CV3, CDBG, (CDBG-CV3, CDBG, Permanent Permanent Local Housing Local Housing Asset, American
Asset, American Rescue Plan Rescue Plan Act HOME)
Act HOME, FEMA Funds) - 17% General Funds
I - 26% General Funds
Be Well OC in Huntington Beach
Be Well is a mobile crisis response program that provides trained crisis counselors to respond to mental health and/or substance use calls. Anyone in Huntington Beach - regardless of income, location, health insurance status, or any other factor - can request Be Well services, if they are experiencing a non-emergency mental health, substance abuse, and other non-medical crisis.
At this time, approximately 36% of clients are located in public spaces, 20% access services via telephone, 19% in private residences, 14% in Huntington Beach businesses, and the remainder at various other locations.
The majority of clients are men ages 18-64. Furthermore, among all Be Well clients, approximately 59% are homeless; when the Be Well van is not responding directly to calls for service, it conducts proactive outreach to unsheltered individuals.
Since the program begin in August 2021, Be Well has received a total of 3,793 calls or on average 223 calls per month - a number that has been increasing month over month and will continue to do so as a second Be Well van and additional hours are added to operations.
The City also continues to track program costs and funding sources below. A majority of costs are funded using either state or federal funds:
2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023
Be Well OC
(Actuals) (Actuals) (Estimated)
Be Well Operating Contract with Mind OC $24,286* $981,094 $1,200,000 50% Restricted Funds (PLHA) 92% Restricted Funds (PLHA
47% General Funds
Funding Source 100% General Funds 3% Police Development und Federal Eurmarks)** 3% General Fund.
Impact Fees
* These costs are related to the launch of the program in August 2021. ** Permanent Local Housing Asset (PLHA) funds are state funds for restricted purposes. Earmarks from Senator Feinstein's Office for Be Well.
Outside Resources
Outside agencies such as the County have also invested in homelessness initiatives in Huntington Beach.
County of Orange Initiative - Project Homekey:
This project included the redevelopment of the Quality Inn into 62 Interim Housing units that will be converted into Permanent Supportive Housing in the future. The development is open and operated by experienced non- profit, American Family Housing with 24/7 security and two support staff living onsite. This project is not walk-up shelter. Supportive services will be provided on site. Lastly, the City has committed $2.4M in restricted funds (Low-Moderate Income Housing Asset Funds) towards construction.
County of Orange Initiative - Point in Time Count:
In January 2022, the County of Orange conducted a Point in Time Count with the last one being conducted in 2019. The count in Huntington Beach showed that its total homeless count decreased from 349 in 2019 to 330 in 2022. This count was conducted at no cost to the City.
Police Department: Proposed 90-Day Plan
Huntington Beach Police Department's (HBPD) proposed 90-Day Plan includes a combination of outreach (as recommended by former Chief Rob Handy), education, and enforcement. To that end, HBPD proposes the following:
Increase education and awareness about community resources and rights on private property • Increase dedicated Homeless Task Force officer staffing Provide additional dedicated patrols to Downtown, City Beach and Sunset Beach areas Amend park-specific regulations to increase public safety Amend regulations related to activities occurring within the Main Promenade parking structure • Initiate the procurement of three pursuit-rated police trucks Develop a mobile Huntington Beach Homeless Services application • Coordinate with other City departments to address quality of life issues and public safety concerns This plan will increase opportunities for proactive engagement and enforcement, particularly in the first 90 days of its implementation.
Furthermore, implementing this plan will require additional staffing and equipment to be effective. A summary of those items and costs is below. Should the City Council approve this plan and find that the increased staffing was effective, HBPD can return to Council with a proposed plan and cost to continue this effort for a longer term.
Approximate One-Time Overtime Costs One-Time Equipment Costs HTF Business Outreach $23,660 3 Outfitted Police Trucks $270,000 HTF Officer Patrols $47,230
HTF Sergeant Staffing $15,600
Downtown / Beach Staffing $141,960
Total Overtime for 90-days $228,450
Furthermore, HBPD's longer-term goal is to eventually add four Homeless Task Force police officers to achieve more proactive engagement and enforcement on an ongoing basis. The fully burdened cost for all four positions is $777,084, at this time.
Costs for Unit Expansion
4 Fully Burdened Officers $777,084
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Homelessness Response
Attachments):
1. PowerPoint Presentation
CITY SERVICES TO
ADDRESS
HOMELESSNESS
Report on the City's Homeless Services,
Resources & Proposed 90 Day Plan
FEB January 17, 2023
COUNT CAIFORN
BACKGROUND
On December 20, 2022, City Council approved Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark's H-Item, requesting staff to provide a comprehensive report on homelessness that included:
1. A full report and accounting of all City resources (e.g., personnel, programs, facilities) used to address homelessness
2. A full report and accounting of the Navigation Center's use since it opened in December 2020, as well as general information about our homeless clients
A proposal that incorporates former Police Chief Handy's 90-day plan for HBPD to enforce the City's and State's laws, regarding encampments and related concerns
4. A request for the Police Chief to give quarterly updates at City Council on enforcement efforts Tonight's report will address items 1-3 for City Council's consideration. Item 4 will return to City Council quarterly, beginning in March 2023.
HOMELESSNESS TEAM
PERSONNEL COSTS
2020-2021* 2021-2022
Homelessness Team - Staff 2022-2023 (Estimated)
(Actuals) (Actuals)
Homeless Task Force - Police Officers $1,272,080 5.8 FTE $1,002,412 5.5 FTE $1,250,910 5.5 FTE Homeless Task Force - Outreach Workers $94,611 2 FTE $135,249 2.0 FTE $149,423 3.5 FTE Administative Staff $12,191 0.25 FTE $237,756 2.25 FTE $373,063 2.0 FTE Total $1,378,882 ~8 FTE $1,375,416 9.75 FTE $1,773,396 11 FTE 4% General Fund 99% General Funds
Funding Source 6% Restricted Funds (LMIHAF/CDBG)^ 1% Restricted Funds (LMIHAF / CDB 100% General Funds 2,381 Outreach Contacts 5,479 Outreach Contacts Thru Dec. 2022. Only HTF - Total Outreach Contacts
Average: 150 per month Average: 457 per month 2,401 Contacts or 400 per month** in 2020 and 2021, Outreach Worker stoffing voried; at most, included two part-time Case Managers and one full-time case manager. * MAK or LaW Molerte ncome fosing Ake rund on be use i mited mount towed homets series: Colice pert conmunity Development Block Grant funds odintered by HUD.
NAVIGATION CENTER: OCCUPANCY RATE
DECEMBER 2020 - DECEMBER 2022
From December 2020 to
December 2022, the
Average Enrollment @ Peak Enrollment during Month Bed Capacity County reduced the 147 Center's bed capacity
and/or issued lockdowns
79% due to COVID-19.
121
119 On December 6, 2022,
111 the County lifted those
89%
83% restrictions and restored
84%
the Center's
92 98 max capacity of 174
86 beds for homeless
72% 65%
individuals with ties to
58% 137 Huntington Beach.
59 117 Percentages represent
108 110
the occupancy rate
44% 84 based on the capacity at
74 83
44 53
26 Covid-19 Lo:kdoens Covid-19
Covid-19 lockdowrs Lockdows
Dec 2020 Mar 2021 June 2021 Sept 2021 Dec 2021 Mar 2022 June 2022 Sept 2022 Dec 2022 NAVIGATION CENTER:
CLIENT DATA 504 PERSONS SERVED Unduplicated
DECEMBER 2020 - DECEMBER 2022
HOUSED
162
By HTF and Mercy House
NAVIGATION
CENTER
CLIENT 55,072 BEDNIGHTS
STATS
December 2020 -
December 2022
71 DAYS - AVERAGE
LENGTH OF STAY
MEALS
100% 156,724 PROVIDED
ARE FROM HB OR
HAVE TIES TO HB
54 HELD EMPLOYMENT
DURING THEIR STAY
NAVIGATION CENTER: EXIT DATA
DECEMBER 2020 - DECEMBER 2022
Navigation Center Exits
• Reason for Exiting
Voluntary Self-Exit 421
Failure to Follow Rules 211
Housed* 116
Medical Reason 113
100 200 300 400
*Housing was facilitated by Mercy House and only include "successful" or permanent housing placements.
NAVIGATION CENTER: COST DATA
FISCAL YEARS 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
Navigation Center 2020-2021
Capital Costs (Actuals)
Land Acquisition $6,094,847
Construction $6,870,594
Total $12,965,441
Funding Source 96% Restricted Funds (Low-Moderate Income Housin Isset Funds, CARES Act funds, County Donation
- 4% City Infrastructure Funds
Navigation Center 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023
Operating Costs (Actuals) (Actuals) (Estimated)
Mercy House (Operators) $1,262,938 $2,495,236 $2,781,000 City's Maintenance Costs $0 $0 $40,000
Total $1,262,938 $2,495,236 $2,781,000
Funding Source - 100% Restricted Funds 74% Restricted Fund - 83% Restricted Funds (CARES andf CDBG) CDBG-CV and CV3, CDB (CDBG-CV3, CDBG, Permanent ermanent Local Housing Local Housing Asset, America
sset, American Rescue Pla Rescue Plan Act HOME
Act HOME, FEMA Funds)
BE WELL OC IN HB: CLIENT DATA
AUGUST 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
CLIENT LOCATIONS AUDUST 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
CLIENT DEMOGRAPHICS AUGUST 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
Gender Age
Private Residence 869) 2400
Public Spaces (1663) 7% 1,600 2000
Businesses (644) 19% 1,200 1600
By Telephone (894)* 1200
• Police Department (299) 20% 800
800
• Shelter (139) 400
400
• School (53) 330
1,791 1,324 521 560 130 2291
36%
14% Men Women Not Not Stated Minor Adult Senior
Stated (18-64)
*Services provided by telephone may include
both initial responses and follow up calls to
participants to provide case management
services.
BE WELL OC IN HB: CLIENT DATA & COST
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 - DECEMBER 2022 & FISCAL YEARS 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 CALLS THIS MONTH: 450 TOTAL CALLS: 3,793 HOUSING STATUS OF CLIENTS SINCE PROGRAM BEGAN IN AUG. 2021
500 AUGUST 2021 - DECEMBER 2022
450
8 400
360 338 351 Housed: 41% Unhoused: 59%
300
· 200 239 254
187 291 261 139 185 195 211
* 100 119 105 134
Nov 21 E one
During the month of December, 65 follow up calls were completed. Approximately 15% of cur cents receive and bentfit from thase calls from our Be Well Team, which helps ensure they receive additional support and referrals neaded to achieve improved health outcorres 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023
Be Well OC
(Actuals) (Actuals) (Estimated)
Be Well Operating Contract with Mind OC $24,286* $981,094 $1,200,000 50% Restricted Funds (PLHA) 92% Restricted Funds (PLA
47% General Funds and Federal Eormarks)*•
Funding Source 100% General Funds
3% Police Development 8% General Funds
Impact Fees
• These costs are reloted to the launch of the program in August 2021. • Permanent Local Housing Asset (PLA) funds are state funds for restricted purposes. Eormarks from Senator Feinstein's Office for Be Well.
COUNTY OF ORANGE INITIATIVES
PROJECT HOMEKEY:
• Redevelopment of the Quality Inn into 62 Interim Housing units that will be converted into Permanent Supportive Housing in the future.
• Site will be operated by experienced non-profit, American Family Housing with 24/7 security and two support staff living onsite. This project is not a walk-up shelter. • Supportive services will be provided on site.
• City committed $2.4M in restricted funds (Low-Moderate Income Housing Asset Funds) towards construction.
POINT IN TIME SURVEY
• In January 2022, the County of Orange conducted a Point in Time Count. • The count in Huntington Beach showed that its total homeless count decreased from 349 in 2019 to 330 in 2022.
HUNTING TON
NCORPORATED
BEAC
Police Department:
Proposed 90-Day Plan
Current Efforts
Police Department's Homeless Task Force @ POLICE
• Four officers and one sergeant
Primarily response driven based upon information
received from the community
Future Staffing Goal
• Add four officers to the unit to increase
opportunities for proactive engagement and
enforcement
Proposed Community Engagement Plan
Outreach - Education - Enforcement
Chief Handy's 90-day plan focused on outreach efforts to bring awareness to Navigation Center opening In addition to continued outreach regarding the Navigation Center, we propose the following:
• Increase education and awareness about community resources and rights on private property • Increase dedicated Homeless Task Force officer staffing • Provide additional dedicated patrols to Downtown, City Beach and Sunset Beach areas • Amend park-specific regulations to increase public safety • Amend regulations related to activities occurring within the Main Promenade parking structure Initiate the procurement of three pursuit-rated police trucks • Develop a mobile Huntington Beach Homeless Services application • Coordinate with other city departments to address quality of life issues and public safety concerns Approximate One-Time Overtime Costs One-Time Equipment Costs HTF Business Outreach $23,660 - 3 Outfitted Police Trucks $270,000 HTF Officer Patrols $47,230 TINGTON
HE Sergeant Staffing $15,600 Costs for Unit Expansion
Downtown / Beach Staffing $141,960 4 Fully Burdened Officers $777,084 Total Overtime for 90-days $228,450
Proposed Community Engagement Plan
Metrics of Success
• Increase in the percentage of individuals accepting services • Increase in the percentage of occupied bed space at the Navigation Center Increase in the number of referrals to shelters, housing, and supportive programs • Improve partnerships with the business community
90 Day Report Back
• Recap of the outreach, education and enforcement efforts • Costs of increased engagement activities
• Bids for additional vehicles
• Costs for Homeless Services Mobile Application and status of program • Assess the engagement plans impact and identify future needs • Status of Municipal Code amendments
CITY SERVICES TO
ADDRESS
HOMELESSNESS
Homeless Services, Resources &
Proposed 90 Day Plan
January 17. 2023
-epi.