APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE SHENG THAO,
COUNCIL PRESIDENT NIKKI FORTUNATO BAS, AND
VICE MAYOR REBECCA KAPLAN
RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD
OF SUPERVISORS, ALAMEDA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION,
PERALTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT, AND OAKLAND
UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT JOIN THE CITY OF OAKLAND IN
ESTABLISHING A JOINT AGENCY HOMELESS YOUTH TASK FORCE
WHEREAS, 2019, there were 468 unaccompanied youth and young adults under age 25 experiencing homelessness in Oakland, and 731 total in Alameda County; and
WHEREAS, in Alameda County, transitional-aged youth and unaccompanied youth account for approximately 11% of the homeless population while only 4.5% of emergency shelter beds are for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, homeless youth are far more likely to be physically or sexually victimized than their peers who are not homeless, and many homeless youth are victimized repeatedly; and
WHEREAS, homeless youth have high rates of substance use; 30- 40 % of homeless youth report alcohol problems in their lifetime, and 40-50% report drug problems; and
WHEREAS, homeless youth show an elevated risk of mental health problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicide due to increased exposure to violence while living on the street; and
WHEREAS, studies show that youth who are homeless experience higher rates of chronic health conditions, including asthma, other lung problem s, tuberculosis, diabetes, hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS are prevalent among homeless youth; and
WHEREAS, youth homelessness overwhelmingly impacts black, LGBTQ+, and foster youth or youth who have faced violence and poverty at home; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council hereby requests that the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, Alameda County Board of Education, Peralta Community College District, and Oakland Unified School District join the City of Oakland in establishing a joint agency Homeless Youth Task Force; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Homeless Youth Task Force would be established to develop efforts to significantly address youth homelessness in Oakland, including but not limited to the development of:
1) Legislation, policy, and investment to increase social equality; 2) Access to services and supports;
3) Strategies designed to provide crisis intervention such as effective outreach, coordinated intake and assessment, and client-centered case management; and 4) Support for people who have experienced homelessness to find and maintain housing, such as through financial assistance to prevent eviction, and improve access to health care, education and employment.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, KALB, KAPLAN, REID, TAYLOR, THAO AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California