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City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: INFORMATION REPORTS
Lead Department: Community Services
Meeting Date: March 11, 2024
Report #:2402-2694
TITLE
Update on Operations of a Pilot Overnight Warming Location for Unhoused Individuals During Times of Inclement Weather
RECOMMENDATION
This is an informational report and no City Council action is required.
ANALYSIS
This report offers a status update on the City’s efforts piloting an Overnight Warming Location (OWL) program. This is a life saving measure to bring unhoused individuals inside during times that the County of Santa Clara Office of Supportive Housing declares an Inclement Weather Alert when certain adverse cold/rainy weather conditions are predicted. This temporary program has funding for this winter season (January- May 2024).
Once the County issues an Inclement Weather Alert, the Downtown Library Overnight Warming Location is opened for a 12-hour overnight session. The County Inclement Weather Alert can be for single or multiple days. When activated, the City hosts up to 10 individuals (adults only) each session and space is on a first come, first served basis. All guests are required to register and are screened for health concerns before entering following the County of Santa Clara’s Health Department’s COVID/Contagious Disease safety guidelines. A code of conduct is enforced. Guests receive a cot, warm snacks/breakfast.
This winter weather season, the City designated the Downtown Library as the sole location and to date the OWL has activated 10 times. A high percent of guests to date have been women. It is not an ongoing shelter program such as We Hope in East Palo Alto or rotating shelter such as those provided by Heart & Home Collaborative or LifeMoves (Hotel de Zink).
The Overnight Warming Location is staffed by an experienced homeless services worker and a security guard, under contracts managed by the City’s Office of Human Services. All OWL guests leave the library by 7:00 a.m. and all supplies (cots, etc.) are removed from the space and the library is cleaned by a custodian before it opens back up to the public. The program does not
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impact library operations and staff has shared that library patrons have responded positively with their appreciation of the City’s efforts.
Feedback from OWL guests has been very positive. OWL participants have told staff that they appreciate having a safe, warm, dry place to be during periods of bad weather. Guests particularly appreciate the calm atmosphere; from the first night the OWL has been open, guests have expressed a desired to stay at the OWL when it is next open as they like staying in a place that’s accessible and where they feel safe. One guest even shared that his night at the OWL was the first time in a long time that he had slept through the night.
The City will evaluate the effectiveness of the program before making recommendations to the City Council as part of their upcoming budget discussions.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
At the December 18, 2023, City Council meeting,1 Council approved the use of grant funding to support unhoused outreach worker contracts which freed up funding from the general fund to support the Overnight Warming Location as a pilot for the upcoming winter season. This change in funding allocation noted the use of funds, the temporary nature of the program, and possible locations under consideration including the Downtown Library. As noted, staff will evaluate the pilot program following the conclusion of the winter season and make recommendations as part of the City’s upcoming budget process for FY 2024-2025.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Before storm events, the City shares important weather event information with the community, and in January shared the initial OWL activation, via website, and City communications channels. As noted above, last December the Council approved funding for the pilot program for the upcoming winter season (January – May). The City did not notify adjacent properties given the temporary use and will consider this moving forward.
ATTACHMENTS
None
APPROVED BY:
Kristen O'Kane, Community Services Director
1 December 18, 2023, City Council Meeting, Staff Report https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=0&type=7&uid=aeed86d9-14cb-42e9-9838-50f9649c661f