FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF APRIL 18, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION ON HOPE VILLAGE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council receive and file an update on Hope Village, a temporary interim supportive housing community specifically for people experiencing homelessness in the Santa Maria Valley, to be located on a County -owned property at 2131 Southside Parkway.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria, and other cities throughout the region and state, are experiencing significant challenges related to homelessness. The 2022 Point -in -time Count revealed that 457 persons were experiencing homelessness in the Santa Maria Valley, and of those, 297 were living unsheltered. The County of Santa Barbara (County), in collaboration with Good Samaritan Shelter, Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, Dignity Health's Marian Regional Medical Center, DignityMoves, and other community philanthropists, proposes a temporary interim supportive housing community to provide 94 rooms for adult individuals, couples, and transitional age youth ages 18-24 (Attachment A).
Since this project is located on County property, no City review for entitlement was required. However, the City notes that this project would be a permitted use within the City's Commercial/Professional Office zoning district and is in conformance with the City's General Plan. This item is being brought to you for informational purposes.
DISCUSSION:
Hope Village will be located on approximately 1.8 acres on County -owned property located at 2131 Southside Parkway, on the northeast comer of Centerpointe and Southside Parkway, across the street from various County offices. The 94 rooms planned are provided in separate modular cabins, with heating and air conditioning, a window, and a door that locks, providing privacy. The rooms will be fumished with a bed, desk and chair. Common restroom facilities will be onsite, as well as ancillary dining, laundry and storage facilities, and administrative offices. Of the 94 residential units, 54 will be for homeless individuals and couples, 10 for transitional age youth ages 18-24, and 30 will be for recuperative/respite care, which allows individuals experiencing homelessness to have a safe place to rest and recover after a hospital stay. Some of the respite care units will have in -unit bathrooms. The community will have perimeter fencing, onsite parking
(approximately 22 spaces), and common outdoor areas, including a community garden, dog run, and other landscaped areas. Onsite security is provided at all times.
Good Samaritan Shelter will provide program administration, operations, and support services for project clients, including housing navigation services. Case management is provided for residents, and also in partnership with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley for transitional age youth. Referrals will be through the homeless response system Coordinated Entry process. Dignity Health's Marian Regional Medical Center will coordinate this for homeless respite care needs.
The project site is surrounded by other office and commercial uses to the north and east, open space and park uses to the south, and residential uses to the southwest. The County conducted a community outreach meeting on January 25, 2023, from 6 to 8 PM at the County Administration building on Betteravia Road. Nearby residents, notified by informational door hangers, provided comments and concerns regarding the proposed use, including potential public safety impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. County and partner organizations' representatives provided information and responded to questions. An informational meeting was also held at the City's Planning Commission meeting on March 15, 2023.
On February 28, 2023, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved the ground lease and development agreement with DignityMoves for the establishment of the Hope Village Project. As mentioned, no City planning approvals are required; however, the City would issue encroachment permits for any work in the public right-of-way, such as utility connections. Since the project includes the construction of modular housing, the completion timeline is brief, and the County anticipates opening Hope Village in the third quarter of 2023. Construction began earlier in March. The County of Santa Barbara affirms that Hope Village is a temporary housing community, for up to five years.
Environmental Review
The County of Santa Barbara has determined that this project is exempt from the Califomia Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(c), finding that the approval of such project is necessary to prevent or mitigate the emergency of a shelter crisis, which had been previously declared by the County.
CHUEN WU
Director of Community Development
Attachment A: Project Site Plan
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