Standing Committee on Homelessness
March 20, 2025
Meeting Minutes
The March 20, 2025 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
Staff Present
John Conley, City Manager
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
Bevely Roxas, Assistant City Attorney
Kallison Leahy, Assistant City Clerk
Jonathan Lung, Homeless Services Program Manager
Daniel Sturman, Management Analyst
Johannah Knieff, Management Analyst
Pledge of Allegiance
Chair Melendez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
Approved the February 20, 2025, meeting minutes.
D1. Encampment Resolution Funding, Round 3, Program Overview Homeless Services Program Manager, Jonathan Lung, introduced the item and gave staff’s presentation.
Committee members and staff discussed the following:
• Deputy Mayor Melendez requested that any unspent program funding be alerted to staff one year from expiration deadline.
• Request for Jewish Family Services to present an update at the April Standing Committee meeting.
• Housing and Client Assistance Funds includes a $200 per individual incentive to landlords renting to individuals exiting temporary shelter into permanent housing.
Mayor Franklin expressed doubt that $200 is enough incentive for landlords. • San Diego Rescue Mission case managers are working with landlords to place clients in housing.
• Housing assistance funds to be reserved for those who have gone through programs or can show stabilization. Request for staff to bring back funding criteria.
• Deputy Mayor Melendez requested staff to advise Standing Committee of potential ERF3 Program reallocation of funds.
• Adjust Rapid Rehousing from $20,000 per household to $15,000 per household with first and last month’s rent and six months of assistance.
D2. Continuing Rental Assistance
Homeless Services Program Manager, Jonathan Lung, introduced the item and gave staff’s presentation.
Committee members and staff discussed the following:
• Request for data of disbursement of funds and continue assistance for flexible AMI individuals.
• Deputy Mayor Melendez requested the City Council to determine AMI limit. • Mayor Franklin requested pledge from recipients for financial literacy program and/or financial counselling.
D3. Permanent Interim Housing Facility in Vista
Management Analysts, Johannah Knieff and Daniel Sturman, gave staff’s presentation.
Committee members and staff discussed the following:
• Deputy Mayor Melendez stated her preference for modular construction options. • Modular housing is less expensive to build but only has a life of 30 years; “stick build” structures are more expensive to build but will last a lifetime. • Consider distance to transportation and jobs. Mayor Franklin would like to see housing close to the Business Park due to the high potential of job opportunities. • Currently spread across North County, Life Line is considering centralizing operations to Vista.
• Request for potential funding sources and construction costs to come to the City Council for discussion.
With no actionable items, Item D4. General Homelessness Updates was not heard and the meeting was adjourned.
Adjournment
Chair Melendez adjourned the meeting at 11:16 am
.