Standing Committee on Homelessness
June 20, 2024
Meeting Minutes
The June 20, 2024 Standing Committee on Homelessness was called to order by Chair Melendez at 8:30 am in City Council Chambers, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, California.
Committee Members Present:
Deputy Mayor Katie Melendez, Chair
Mayor John Franklin, Vice Chair
Councilmember Joe Green, Ex-officio
Councilmember Corrina Contreras, Ex-officio
Councilmember Dan O’Donnell, Ex-officio (arrived at 8:45 am)
Staff Present
John Conley, City Manager
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
Walter Chung, City Attorney
Bevely Roxas, Assistant City Attorney
Kathy Valdez, City Clerk
Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager
Daniel Sturman, Management Analyst
Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Approved the May 16, 2024, meeting minutes.
Deputy Mayor Melendez announced that item D1, COPPS Unit Update, has been removed from the agenda and will be placed on an upcoming meeting agenda.
D2. Update on the Implementation of the Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness Homeless Services Program Manager Jonathan Lung and Management Analyst Daniel Sturman provided a detailed update and asked program partners to say a few words.
Beatrice Palmer reported on Operation HOPE; Michelle and Jeannette shared their experience as residents at Operation HOPE.
Marilyn McCorkle reported on the Alliance for Regional Solutions.
Pete Haggard, Retreat, shared a success story from the Buena Creek Navigation Center.
Standing Commission on Homelessness
June 20, 2024
2 Brandon Duran, Interfaith Shelter Network, shared an email from a client.
Committee members and staff discussed the following:
• VHAP has helped a lot of families; funds were allocated through 2026 but are expected to be expended by the end of 2024; support for continued funding of VHAP from most members; concern from others about whether the program really prevents homelessness and if landlords are really the ones benefiting from the program
• Buena Creek Navigation Center impressive successes
• Townspeople sounds like a program; funds will ideally be replenished through the program to allow it to continue
• Need to better understand master leasing
• AB1418 prohibits City programs from requiring, or evicting based on, a criminal background check, but private property owners can
• Workforce training needed; staff have begun discussions with Mira Costa College • Despite successes, people are becoming homeless at a faster rate than we can address the problem
• Concern about the number of negative exits from, and utilization of, Safe Parking • Point in Time Count showed a significant increase in the number of homeless; some of the increase may have been due to tenant protections that were implemented during COVID ending
• Financial literacy is important, consider requiring class; MAAC offers this service to those receiving rental assistance; is offered at BCNC • Need to focus on the data; look at options for evaluation • Need to look at a variety of housing options: dormitory, permanent supportive housing, workforce, student, tiny homes, special treatment facility; need to identify shelter site in the city; look at zoning and repurposing commercial properties
Councilmember Contreras left at 9:40 am
Councilmember Green left at 10:21 am
Councilmember O’Donnell left at 10:24 am
Adjournment
Chair Melendez adjourned the meeting at 11:02 am