ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D1
Prepared by: Amanda Lee, Assistant City Manager Meeting Date: January 25, 2022 Approved by: Patrick Johnson, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: SAFE CAMPING AND SAFE PARKING
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss Safe Camping and Safe Parking.
PRIOR ACTION: None.
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Councilmember Melendez requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming City Council meeting agenda to discuss safe camping and safe parking.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS: None.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
1/25/2022 D1 Page 1 of 1
Discussed Safe Camping and Safe Parking. Directed staff to review locations and operations for a possible safe camping and parking site for the unsheltered in Vista. Vote: 4-1 (Ritter opposed)
From:Peter Kuchinsky II
To:Public Comments
Subject:Safe Camping
Date:Sunday, January 23, 2022 6:29:35 PM
Safe Camping is a well known and supportive policy at place in other cities for those that become homeless due to circumstances and not choice. The Safe Camping site will often provide “campers” access to social services, outreach and a mailing address for those that are often called the working poor or temporarily displaced. Thanks to Katie for bring it forward. Hopefully your fellow council members will also see the benefit and support your proposal.
The parking lot along side the Rec Center, below the basketball courts, at Brengle Terrace park could serve as a test site. Typically safe camping sites have entry and exit times. In by 6 pm. Out by 9 am. All day or 24 hour camping is not permitted.
Brengle Terrace Park’s parking lot is not visible to the public. The park is locked at night. It is close to restroom facilities if needed. In and out travel is not allowed.
Community groups or churches may be willing to provide food, clothing or addition support.
Hopefully safe camping moves forward at this site or another location in Vista.
Peter Kuchinsky
Vista Resident
Sent from my iPhone
From:Zoe Ridgway
To:Public Comments
Cc:Lahela Mattox; Susan Bower; Tamera Kohler
Subject:Letter of Support from RTFH
Date:Tuesday, January 25, 2022 10:16:18 AM
Attachments:Vista Safe Parking and Safe Camping Support 1.25.22.pdf Attached is a letter of support for Vista Safe Parking and Safe Camping from RTFH. --
In partnership,
Zoe Ridgway
Senior Administrative Assistant
For local information and daily updates on COVID-19, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com . To receive updates via text, send COSD COVID19 to 468-311. (951) 218-0568
4699 Murphy Canyon Road
Suite 104
San Diego, CA 92123
www.rtfhsd.org
RTFH Offices are closed every other Friday
January 25, 2022
ITEM D1 - SUPPORT: Safe Camping and Safe Parking
The Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) supports the City of Vista’s exploration of Item D1:
Safe Camping and Safe Parking.
RTFH serves as the Continuum of Care designated by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the collaborative applicant for federal funding, is responsible for the region’s annual Point in Time Count, collects and disseminates data regarding homelessness throughout the county, and operates the Coordinated Entry System, and acts as the funding source grantee for federal and state funding that is distributed throughout the county. Our Mission is to “Reduce and end homelessness in San Diego, ensuring that if this situation does happen for anyone, it remains a rare, brief and non-recurring instance; not an outcome.”
The City of Vista has adopted a robust plan to address homelessness, and to reduce the number of people living unsheltered. As evidenced by the Council’s approval to develop a shelter in Vista, and Item D2 on this evening’s agenda, the Council is committed to actively helping people find a home.
Often times, the procurement and actions required to establish and open the doors to a shelter can take time, and people living on the streets need immediate interventions which can be achieved through the establishment of safe parking and/or safe camping programs. Safe parking programs provide individuals and families with a safe place to rest in their cars and to receive outreach services and linkages to potential housing, health, benefit, and employment opportunities. Safe camping programs are a form of emergency shelter, that does not include a structure, but provides a place for people to sleep and where outreach workers can provide focused efforts to people staying there.
Any and all forms of safe and supportive places for our unsheltered population to begin their transition to housing are critical in the pipeline to reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness.
If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
TAMERA KOHLER, Chief Executive Officer
Regional Task Force on Homelessness
From:Josh Fox
To:Public Comments
Subject:Vista Measures Vote
Date:Tuesday, January 25, 2022 2:09:30 PM
Hi--
I am a Vista resident and I support yes on measures D1 and D2. I appreciate and support a focus on the care and safety of our unhoused community members.
Thank you for your time!
Josh
From:Ruth Conrad
To:Public Comments
Subject:Homeless camp
Date:Tuesday, January 25, 2022 8:58:37 AM
I highly recommend this monitored and guarded homeless camp. I moved here from Stuart Fl where they had a very honorable volunteer group called Tent City Helpers, who visited the local camp throughout the week helping the homeless as much as possible. Read about them here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/tentcityhelpers/?ref=share They worked along side some amazing organizations such House of Hope, https://www.hohmartin.org/ , in Martin County who offered all types of assistance and services, including food and supplies.
It takes a village.
Thank you,
Ruth Conrad
From:Carey Fox
To:Public Comments
Subject:City Council Meeting 1/25
Date:Tuesday, January 25, 2022 1:51:27 PM
Hello,
I am a Vista resident and I support yes on measures D1 and D2. I appreciate and support a focu on the care and safety of our unhoused community members.
Thank you for your time!
Carey Fox
D1 Safe Camping and
Safe Parking
Vista City Council Meeting
January 25, 2022
Council Member Katie Melendez
What is Safe Camping ?
"Safe Camping" is a shelter concept that offers a protected "village" to people who are experiencing homelessness. People who have previously been sleeping outside could seek shelter at a campsite with rules to ensure the safety of the occupants.
• May include infrastructure such as restrooms, trash cans, fencing , etc. • May include monitoring and programing such as security and social services.
• Provides emergency intervention for those who may have difficulty accessing shelter or who may be resistant to traditional or congregate shelter models.
• Provides expedient shelter for those who are currently camping in public and in our water ways.
What is Safe Parking ?
"Safe Parking" is a shelter concept that offers a protected "village" to people who are experiencing homelessness. People who have been sleeping in their vehicles could park at a safe parking lot with rules to ensure the safety of the occupants.
• May include infrastructure such as restrooms, trash cans, fencing , etc. • May include monitoring and programing such as security and social services. • Provides emergency intervention for those who may have difficulty accessing shelter and who, without a vehicle, would be sleeping outside. • Provides a safe and legal space for people to sleep in their vehicle without risk of ticketing or disturbing neighborhoods.
How could Safe Camping and Safe Parking
help us reach City Goals?
• Safe Camping and Safe Parking are related to the City Goals of o Public Safety
o Improving the Image of the City
• These shelter options can be included in our Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness and will reduce barriers to shelter. • Safe Camping will allow for improvements to natural environments and creek beds by diverting the waste and blight of illegal campgrounds to a safe campsite with proper infrastructure.
• Safe Parking will reduce conflicts and blight in neighborhoods where people frequently sleep in their vehicles.
What are the challenges related to
Safe Camping and Safe Parking ?
• Services would be offered to a vulnerable population with a variety of needs. • These are non-permanent solutions for people experiencing homelessness and they do not reflect the best quality of life. • Liability and safety concerns, particularly related to low barriers. • There are also unknown concerns: location , best practices, cost, etc. • Few studies or examples to determine how Safe Camping and Safe Parking could be successful in Vista.
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D1 Safe Camping and Safe Parking
Vista City Council Meeting
January 25, 2022
Council Member Katie Melendez