CITY COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Department(s):
Housing
CEQA:
Not a Project, File No.
PP17-003, Agreements/
Contracts (New or
Amended) resulting in no
physical changes to the
environment.
Coordination:
CAO, CMO – Budget
Dept. Approval:
/s/
Jacky Morales-Ferrand
Council District(s):
3 CMO Approval:
3/17/22
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS ESTABLISHING A
DOWNTOWN CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the Director of Housing to negotiate and execute an agreement with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) establishing a Downtown Crisis Response Program in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000, funded by the Emergency Housing - Downtown Homeless Health Response and Support appropriation in the American Rescue Plan Fund.
BASIS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
On November 30, 2021, the City Council approved certain appropriations for American Rescue Plan funds, including appropriating $1.2 million to establish the Downtown Crisis Response Program.1 This Council action provides the authority to enter into an agreement with PATH for this service.
PATH San José will launch the Downtown Crisis Response Initiative, deploying a crisis response team dedicated to immediate dispatch and addressing mental health crises within the area’s homeless population.
With this proposed initiative, crisis dispatch clinicians will be rapidly deployed across the downtown core upon notification of a homeless concern with a corresponding mental health or substance use issue. Crisis dispatch clinicians will quickly assess needs, de-escalate crisis situations, and triage to healthcare or other services addressing individuals’ most immediate needs. Upon completion of an initial assessment, crisis dispatch clinicians will connect to PATH’s multidisciplinary outreach team for street-based case management.
Once the immediate crisis is addressed, outreach case managers and the peer support specialist will transition clients to ongoing, housing-focused case management. A particular barrier to note for many of those individuals served in the downtown area is lack of access to stable income. To increase clients’ income, a certified benefits specialist will determine benefits eligibility and provide application assistance and advocacy. A housing specialist will develop relationships with community landlords as well as identify alternate housing solutions such as assisted living facilities, sober living homes, and shared housing options.
Climate Smart San José: The recommendation in this memorandum has no effect on Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals.
Commission Recommendation/Input: No Commission recommendation related to this item.
1 Staff report City Council November 30, 2021: https://sanjose.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=10109042&GUID=AAFF9429-139F- 428E-8EE2-C4C99154C6C2
COUNCIL AGENDA: 03/29/22
FILE: 22-398
ITEM: 2.12
This Council item is consistent with the City’s 2021-2022 Adopted Operating Budget City Service Areas Delivery Framework: “Diverse Range of Housing Options”.
COST AND FUNDING SOURCE:
The total cost for this agreement with PATH shall not exceed $1,200,000. This agreement is funded from the American Rescue Plan Fund, approved as part of the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Community Economic Recovery Budget Adjustments item on the November 30, 2021 City Council agenda.
Fund # Appn. # Appn. Name Total Appn. Amt. for
Recommendation
2021-2022
Adopted
Operating
Budget Page
Last Budget
Action
(Date, Ord.
No)
402 221D Emergency
Housing –
Downtown
Homeless Health
Response and
Support
$1,200,000 $1,200,000 N/A 11/30/2021,
Ord. 30693
FOR QUESTIONS CONTACT: Ragan Henninger, Deputy Director, Housing Department, at [email protected].