1 CITY OF STOCKTON – AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
SAFE CAMPING AND SAFE PARKING SITES – PROJECT PLAN On September 14, 2021, Council approved the City of Stockton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funding distribution. This approval included $12.15 million for Homelessness/Housing, under which $1,800,000 was approved for Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites. This Project Plan outlines the objectives and operational details for creating a Safe Camping and/or Safe Parking Program.
Category Amount
Homelessness / Housing $12,150,000
Activity #1 Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites $1,800,000
BACKGROUND
San Joaquin County, Continuum of Care
and City of Stockton worked to create a strategic plan to address homelessness which was adopted by all three entities during the summer of 2020. The Pandemic response to homelessness was guided by the City Council‐approved San Joaquin Community Response to Homelessness Strategic Plan, Public Health, St ate mandates and the CDC. During the last Point in Time Count in January of 2019, 921 unsheltered homeless were identified in the City of Stockton.
Per health guidelines, encampments were left in place and unsheltered individuals were not moved in an effort to stop the spread of COVID‐19. This has had lasting effects on the City infrastructure and community safety.
In addition, individuals experien
cing homeless are at a greater risk of COVID‐19 morbidity and mortality because they are less connected to health care and other support systems and more likely to have other health conditions. Unsheltered populations represent those most at risk of negative health consequences of COVID‐19. In addition, people living in encampments did not
have basic facilities such as hand‐washing stations, which was recommended to help reduce the transmission of COVID‐19.
Recognizing the continued impact of COVID on unsheltered homelessness, the City is pursuing Safe Camping and
Safe Parking sites. Staff met with or visited programs in several Cities to gain insight and conduct research to inform program creation. Significant challenges were
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2 identified as barriers to success, the most notable, the availability of exits to a sheltered environment.
Goals & Objectives
The goal is to provide Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites for the unsheltered population in the City of Stockton while providing wrap‐around services. This pilot project will endeavor to balance the expenditure of resources, maximize moving individuals into shelter and prioritize capturing data to inform future decisions about the program. It is important to note that given the feedback staff has received from municipalities about the challenges of providing Safe Ground, the City will stand up a pilot program, learn from and test the success before pursuing additional sites. Provide safe and secure location for unsheltered homeless Provide services that assist individuals to prepare for and locate shelter HMIS compliant
Measurements of Success:
Number of clients moved to a sheltered location
Number of clients being case managed and provided services Number of calls for service
EQUITY
When Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites are set up to receive clients, outreach will be conducted. The selected partner will work with service providers and follow appropriate Continuum of Care recommendations to ensure equitable access to the program.
OUTLINE
Site review
Staff reviewed more than 30 sites for compatibility with Safe Camping and Safe Parking. Sites included all City Surplus property and Caltrans available owned parcels. Government owned sites have been prioritized over privately owned sites to enable faster implementation and reduce liability.
The top 10 sites identified by Public Works and Economic Development were further reviewed by CDD, Fire and PD. The site(s) compatibility was reviewed for zoning, location, accessibility, ingress/egress, utility connections, and status of environmental monitoring. Three sites met
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3 the minimum criteria needed to pursue further. Public Works will take the necessary next steps to further site selection and implementation.
In addition, given the limited sites that meet the minimum requirements, the Economic Development Department will review privately owned sites for possible acquisition.
Ideal site specifications:
Minimum amount of space ‐ Suggest ion is 10,000 sq/ft which is around .23 acres Vacant, flat, and paved to avoid drainage and livability issues Free of toxic substances or be able to quickly mitigate any toxic substances Sites should not have a current use on or adjacent to the site that would be in conflic t Utilities to include: water/transit/transportation/portable toilets/hand washing Access to transit services
The following sites have been identified to proceed with the next steps:
SR 99/ Mariposa Park and Ride
Site is owned by Caltrans and would be conducive to Safe Parking only. The site is fully paved and fenced in parking lot with high visibility. Not near social services.
Fire, PD and PW acceptable. CDD: In current state it is unacceptable. Half the site is in the County of San Joaquin. If the half of the site in the City limits is desired, then a Commission Use Permit wo
uld be
required, otherwise an annexation application could be
required.
Next Steps: Caltrans has started their internal review process to identify tentative conditions for potentially leasing this site. The review is estimated to be complete mid‐January, whic h will help determine next steps and possible County collaboration for this site.
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4 SR 99/4 and Myrtle Street
Site owned by City of Stockton. Unpaved, partially fenced open lot with high visibility and a lack of utilities. Not near social services. Next to PDM Steel. PD and PW acceptable.
Fire acceptable with pavement. CDD: Need to further evaluate. Emergency Shelters are permitted in Industrial, General (IG) zoning with a Site Plan Review approval.
Next steps: Public Works to review fo
r cost of utility and
pavement.
Stanislaus and Lafayette
City owned vacant land. Not paved or fenced but high visibility.
Next to multifamily apartments. Close to social services. State Surplus Land Notification sent May 13, 2021, and no developers came forward. PD and PW Acceptable. Fire acceptable with pavement and CDD: Acceptable with approval of a Commission Use Permit.
Next Steps: Public Works to review for cost of utility and pavement. As the most promising
site Public Works will also
pursue creating a preliminary site map.
Program and Services
Staff conducted research that included interviews with Cities in the Central Valley, Bay Area and the Sacramento Region. Encampment polices from Seattle, Portland, Honolulu and multiple other cities were also analyzed. In addition, staff conducted site visits to locations in Sacramento.
Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites need to include 24‐hour security and staffing, pavement an d fencing, rules of conduct, service provider and ideally regular case management for individuals.
The Service Provider will be responsible for providing or procuring security and a variety of services. The site will be prepped with pavement and fencing.
Key program elements include:
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5 Operate 24/7 with three to four staff per shift (M‐F they have case managers; this is additional staffing)
County Mental Health, 2 times per week but staff triage for the most needy 2 meals a day, lunch, and hot dinner (delivered in to‐go containers) Client agreement ‐ no open flame, no violence or threats, guidance on belongings and an orient
ation
HMIS compliant
Quality fence around the entire space with one point of entry (multiple exits if needed) For car camping, the vehicle must be operational. If not, exiting people that are not compliant is extremely difficult
Generators are allowed
Case management service model
Hand washing stations/Portable toilets/Refuse containers Pet Area/Waste Bags/Storage
SCHEDULE
Below reflects a high‐level schedule, both past and future, of the development of Safe Camping and Safe Parking sites in the City.
Task Responsible Start
City Surplus Notification to City Council EDD May 2021 Council Study Session on Homelessness EDD June 28, 2021 Caltrans Meeting EDD Sept. 8, 2021
Council Authorized Funding EDD Sept. 14, 2021
Site Tours PW/EDD Oct. 15, 2121
Issue RFP for
Homeless System Support EDD Nov. 14, 2021
Contractor to Support Safe Camping begins EDD Jan. 2021 Identify Site PW/EDD Feb. 2021
Develop Detailed Budget for Site PW Jan. 2022
Issue RFP for Service Provider EDD April 2022
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6 EXPENDITURE PLAN
The total ARP funding available for Safe Camping and Parking sites is $1,800,000.
Public Works will prepare the site using existing contracts that may be in place for asphalt, utilities etc. or will procure the necessary services to prepare the site per emergency procurement procedures.
Economic Development will procure a partner through an RFP process, the partner will be responsible for security, case manage
ment, wrap‐around services, and staffing.
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