{CW116373.2}
October 4, 2022
Stanislaus Civil Grand Jury
Honorable Robert B. Westbrook
Post Office Box 3488
Modesto, CA 95353
Honorable Robert B. Westbrook,
The City of Patterson acknowledges receipt of the summary report from the Stanislaus Grand Jury Case #22-05GJ – Homelessness: The Elusive Definition of “Success.” On October 4, 2022, the Patterson City Council reviewed and approved the attached responses to the findings and recommendations contained in the report.
Findings:
Based on the request from the 2021-2022 Civil Grand Jury, for the chairperson of the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance (SHA) to response, I put forth the following information.
The information, conclusions and strategies are assumed to be an effort between CSOC, CSA, BHRS, cities, nonprofits, etc.
The SHA has no authority over any of the described organizations but endeavors to act as a co-convener of the system members to bring the change and successes to the homeless system in Stanislaus County
The County CEO office, HSA and Homeless and Housing Department are not signatory to this document nor did they in any way provide input or assistance in the formation of this response.
Furthermore, the participants of the SHA may, or may not, subscribe to some, or all, of the ideas and suggestions put forth in this document.
Background
Homeless Action Plan (see attached) was accepted by the CSOC and SHA (date). Subsequent to that action, a work group was formed by the SCOC and HSA to implement the recommendations of the plan. Further, the goals and subsequent action steps will be the road map moving forward.
The Office of Emergency Services Incident Commend System (ICS) has been adopted for the building of a comprehensive homeless system for Stanislaus County. The workgroup has begun to meet to address the prioritized goals beginning with #1 Affordable Housing, #2 Equity for Participants, and #6 Involve those with lived experience ----- with the other 5 goals will be implemented over the next several years. Annual reports will be developed as we move forward. {CW116373.2}
F1. The number of homeless in Stanislaus County fluctuates from year to year but is increasing over time. This trend was exacerbated by the COVID -19 pandemic.
Response: Respondent agrees with this finding.
The number of homeless in Stanislaus County fluctuates from year to year but is increasing over time. This trend was exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic.
Partially agree
Point-in-Time (PIT) data is the metric use for your statement. While the PIT is more than likely accurate as to the trends in homelessness but does not represent verifiable data. The HMIS system, when fully implemented, will provide verifiable data that can be tracked over time to quantify the actual success or failure in the system.
F2. The most significant causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, and mental health.
Response: Respondent agrees with this finding. Partially agree Individualssupport/accountability systems degrading due to a myriad of reasons inside and outside the individuals span of control leads to homelessness, coupled with lack of housing, substance abuse and mental health issues. Each individual’s story is different and must be served according to their needs
F3. Efforts to better coordinate the system of care are underway. These include the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance (SHA) at the policy level, and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) at the operational level.
Partially agree
Response: Respondent partially agrees with this finding. Stanislaus County Community System of Care (CSOC) is the legal entity that provides oversight of state and federal funds (these fund come with strict parameters for the use of the funds) in the County. SHA implements endeavors to assist with the implementing of CSOC’sthe recommendations of the CSOCand priorities.
F4. Since over half of the homeless each year are in the care system for the first time, efforts to prevent homelessness have not been successful enough. Without greater prevention success, homelessness cannot be reduced.
Response: Respondent agrees with this finding.Wholly agree Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
{CW116373.2}
As CSOC. CHA and HSA work the ICS structure as outlined in this document, we will begin to see results from the efforts to prevent homelessness. Note that the implementation is over 5 years.
F5. Despite enormous funding for homeless programs and despite the fact that there are many individual successes, overall the system to date has not reduced homelessness.
Response: Respondent agrees with this finding. Partially agree Great strides have taken place in housing for homeless—low barrier shelters, additions to traditional shelters, Kansas House, Housing Authority efforts, HomeKey, etc. projects have provided additional housing and thus a reduction in those who would have been homeless. The Covid issues (which constitutes much of the funding received over the last 3 years) and other economic issues have continued to add to the base numbers of homelessness.
F6. There is insufficient accountability for the effective use of homeless funds. While many agencies are accountable to their funding sources, primary responsibility for measuring accountability and effectiveness rests with the Community Services Agency, the Community System of Care, and the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance.
Response: Respondent partially agrees with this finding. Partially agree AccountablAccountabilitye measures are in place for the use of all homeless funds, all funding as required by the State and Federal funding sources. With that stated, the City agrees there should be improved metrics developed to better determine which operators and programs are meeting the goals identified in the Stanislaus 2021 Regional Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness— provided they are consistent with the guidelines set forth by the funding source. As we implement the ICS system, we will endeavor to please community level accountability that relates to Jobs/Housing placement, case work, etc.
Recommendations:
R1. More accountability needs to be introduced into the system. The Community System of Care, the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance, and the Community Series Agency should take the lead, demand verifiable performance, and focus funding and other resources on those agencies and organizations with demonstrable success. This should be done by jointly adopting a performance evaluation system prior to allocation of the next round of federal homeless funding. Progress on achieving the eight goals set forth in the Stanislaus 2021 Regional Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness should be included in performance evaluations.
Response: Respondent agrees with this recommendation. Partially agree Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt,
Bold
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
{CW116373.2}
See F6 above. Also, inclusion of the 8 goals in the Homeless Action Plan will be included, as they are addressed, in an annual report to the community which will include performance metrics including outcomes related to the funding.
R2. More focus should be given to preventing homelessness. To the extent there are funds not earmarked for other purposes, in the budgeting process of each jurisdiction, priority should be given to allocating these funds for affordable housing, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
Response: Respondent partially agrees with this recommendation. While the City agrees that preventing homelessness is a priority, State and Federal funding is highly specific regarding the use of funds. To the extent that the Grand Jury may be suggesting cities use General Fund funds towards these endeavors, most Stanislaus County municipalities fully utilize their funds and rarely have excess funding available. Most funding not spent on public safety are allocated towards funding community related services. Partially agree
The funds that CSOC administrates, have specific uses as deemed by the funding agency. They do not have latitude to use funds outside those guidelines. My hope is that as we develop the system, we will be able to secure funding (public and private) that can be used for programs suited for our county homeless needs not allowed by HUD funding.
R3. All cities in the Country should continually be encouraging the construction of significantly more affordable housing. They should evaluate their plans, procedures, and requirements with the goal of balancing community goals, standards, and aspirations with the need for affordable housing.
Response: This recommendation has already been implemented. Per State law, cities are required to adopt a Housing Element as part of their General Plan. A Housing Element provides an analysis of a community's housing needs for all income levels (including Extremely Low Income, Very Low Income and Low Income) and strategies to provide for those housing needs.
State Law establishes that each city must accommodate its fair share of affordable housing as an approach to distributing housing needs throughout the state. The housing element must document in detail existing conditions and projected needs. It must also contain goals, policies, programs, and quantified objectives that address housing needs over the planning period. The City has a certified Housing Element and is in full compliance with State law.Agree We are in the process, with the joint CSOC and SHA efforts, to assist the cities as it relates to the creation of affordable housing A work group has been formed with a member from each city manager (or designated staff) to work together on providing more affordable housing in the countywide.
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt,
Italic
Commented [CS1]: Flagging this for City staff review.
{CW116373.2}
R4. All cities should report annually to the Community System of Care and Stanislaus Homeless Alliance on the steps they have taken to help produce more affordable housing.
Response: Respondent agrees with this recommendation. The City provides annual reports to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) regarding the City’s efforts to implement the Housing Element and if requested will provide this report to the Community System of Care and the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance.
Response: This recommendation is unreasonable and therefore cannot be implemented. The City Council is accountable to its constituents, not unelected Boards where a majority of the members do not live within City. It is unreasonable to expect the City to expend time and resources generating reports to these groups. In situations where the City receives monies to address homelessness and/or the root causes of homelessness, the City will comply with the parameters and reporting requirements attached to the funding source. Wholly agree Stated above
R5. Subsequent civil grand juries are encouraged to monitor progress on these recommendations and consider a more in-depth investigation into efforts to produce affordable housing.
Response: Respondent will cooperate with subsequent grand juries and provide additional information as appropriate.
Response: As mentioned within this report, homelessness is a "growing problem" across the country. The issue has been studied by professionals, academics, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The matter continues to escalate. These same groups have generated multiple reports on the ongoing challenges of creating affordable housing. Another report or a "more in-depth investigation" in efforts to produce affordable housing would be repetitive and inconsequential. Per the Stanislaus County Grand Jury website, Civil Grand Juries are formed to study citizen complaints. If future committees receive complaints regarding the Stanislaus County Community System of Care and Stanislaus Homeless Alliance and/or the operation thereof, they should consider examining the complaint for validity and work with those groups to assure honest and efficient governance.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the Civil Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Dennis McCord
Mayor
Commented [CS2]: OPTION 1 -- this is one approach a
city has taken. The benefit of this approach is that it shows the City's willingness to comply with the Civil Grand Jury's recommendation without agreeing to create new reports.
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt,
Italic
Commented [CS3]: OPTION 2 -- this is another, more
aggressive approach that a city has taken
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt,
Bold
Commented [CS4]: OPTION 1
Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman, 12 pt,
Italic
Commented [CS5]: OPTION 2
{CW116373.2}
cc: Ken Irwin, City Manger
Nubia Goldstein, City Attorney