IN THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LEANDRO
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-XXX
RESOLUTION DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY ON HOMELESSNESS IN SAN LEANDRO WHEREAS, according to data derived from the 2022 Point-in-Time count, San Leandro had approximately 409 unhoused residents living in the community on a single night, of which approximately 76% (n=312) were unsheltered; and
WHEREAS, homelessness in Alameda County has significantly accelerated over the last decade, and since 2017, the number of unhoused individuals in Alameda County has increased from 5,629 to 9,747 (73% increase) and this upward trajectory is anticipated to continue into the future without further action; and WHEREAS, homelessness in San Leandro has significantly accelerated over the last decade, and since 2017, the number of unhoused individuals in San Leandro has increased from 109 to 409 (275% increase) and this upward trajectory is anticipated to continue into the future without further action; and WHEREAS, in Alameda County, 40% of people experiencing homelessness surveyed during the 2022 Point-in-Time count said they have at least one permanent disability, and people receiving Social Security Disability benefits in California receive a maximum of $1,033 per month, far less than current market rent for a studio apartment; and
WHEREAS, this benefits gap has resulted in a disproportionate number of disabled individuals being forced into homelessness, with no means to remedy or improve their situations; and WHEREAS, the acutely high rent burden in the Bay Area makes one-time events such as disputes with roommates or family members, job loss, medical events or conditions more likely to lead individuals to become unhoused; and
WHEREAS, the trauma associated with becoming homeless, not having a stable place to live, sleep, eat or feel safe, results in an increased likelihood of unhoused persons experiencing a mental health crisis, which can be exacerbated through exposure to unsafe or inhumane circumstances, including access to narcotics and exposure to crime and violence; and
WHEREAS, according to the Alameda County 2021 Homeless Mortality Report, prepared by Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, the age-adjusted mortality rate for people experiencing homelessness in Alameda County was 5.8 times that of the general population of Alameda County, and for all causes of death, mortality rates are many times higher for people experiencing homelessness than the general population; and WHEREAS, according to the Alameda County 2021 Homeless Mortality Report, prepared by Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, sixty-six percent (229 out of 346) of all homeless deaths across incorporated and unincorporated areas of Alameda County in 2021 took place outside of a medical setting DRAFT
(i.e., hospital or nursing facility), occurring on streets/sidewalks, outdoors, in vehicles, encampments, shelters, other's residences and other locations, and
WHEREAS, according to the Alameda County 2021 Homeless Mortality Report, prepared by Alameda County Health Care Services Agency, half of homeless acute/chronic disease-related deaths (77 out of 153) in the unincorporated County lands occurred in "unattended" settings, and WHEREAS, exposure to homelessness, especially at the scale seen in Alameda County, significantly reduces the quality of life for all residents, especially those experiencing displacement; and WHEREAS, homelessness is a complicated and multifaceted issue that requires coordination, collaboration, and the combined forces of numerous jurisdictions to adequately address.
WHEREAS, City of San Leandro staff is actively collaborating with Alameda County staff on a variety of efforts to address homelessness.
NOW, THEREFORE the City of San Leandro City Council does RESOLVE:
That it formally declares a local Emergency related to Homelessness, pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act (Gov. Code§§ 8550 et seq.) and San Leandro Municipal Code Section 3-4-124, and directs the City Manager or her designee to continue working with County staff on the development and execution of efforts to address homelessness; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby finds that a significant number of persons in San Leandro are without the ability to obtain shelter, and that this situation has resulted in a threat to the health and safety of these persons, for the reasons set forth above. The City Council therefore hereby declares a shelter crisis in San Leandro under the authority set forth in California Government Code Section 8698, et seq.; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager or her designee to allow persons unable to obtain emergency or transitional/interim housing to occupy designated facilities or land owned or leased by San Leandro as shelters during the period of this crisis, while also ensuring the protection of public health and safety; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, for the term of this Emergency Resolution the City Manager or her designee is hereby authorized in their discretion to streamline local standards or laws prescribing standards or procedures relating to housing, health, or safety as needed for the establishment of emergency and transitional/interim housing to the extent that strict compliance would in any way prevent, hinder, or delay the mitigation of the effects of the shelter crisis, provided that the city or county complies with the adopted health and safety standards approved by HCD; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby finds that the use of city or city-leased land for less than fair market rental value by service providers for homeless programs is in the best interest of the city; and
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IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager or their designee to identify sites appropriate for emergency and transitional/interim housing activities and facilities, including for safe parking of recreational vehicles and/or passenger vehicles, on properties owned or leased by the city and to enter into licenses or leases of such properties with homeless service providers at below market rent or with no administrative fees, for terms extending through the duration of the declared shelter crisis, in order to facilitate the use of public land for emergency shelter operations and/or transitional/interim housing; and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that for the duration of this Emergency Proclamation and the Ratification thereof, the City Council hereby authorizes the City Manager or their designee to renew existing professional services agreements and/or grant agreements with homeless service providers that meet the performance outcomes specified in such agreements using funding sources appropriated for emergency shelter or transitional housing programs; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby declares that this Emergency Resolution is necessary for preserving the public health and safety for the reasons stated herein, and there is a necessity to immediately pass this Emergency Resolution pursuant to the powers given to the City Council under an emergency declaration. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption by an affirmative vote of four (4) members of the City Council pursuant to the City Charter; and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Emergency Resolution is enacted pursuant to the City of San Leandro’s general police powers, and Article XI of the California Constitution, as well as the other provisions of state and local law otherwise cited herein; and
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that if any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Emergency Resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Chapter. The San Leandro City Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Emergency Resolution and each section, subsection, clause or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that one or more other sections, subsections, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Introduced by __________________ and passed and adopted this 6th day of November 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
Kelly B. Clancy, CMC
City Clerk
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