AGENDA
CITY OF WATSONVILLE
SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY,
& SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
Working with our community to create positive impact through service with heart.
Values: Teamwork, Integrity, Honesty, Service and Respect Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, Mayor, District 2
Maria Orozco, Mayor Pro Tempore, District 3
Eduardo Montesino, Council Member, District 1
Kristal Salcido, Council Member, District 4
Casey K. Clark, Council Member, District 5
Jimmy Dutra, Council Member, District 6
Ari Parker, Council Member, District 7
Rene Mendez, City Manager
Samantha W. Zutler, City Attorney
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
Location:
City of Watsonville
Community Rooms
275 Main Street, Top Floor
Watsonville, CA 95076
Anyone addressing the City Council is asked to fill out a speaker card and leave it at the podium for recording purposes
IF YOU CHALLENGE ANY ACTION APPEARING ON THIS AGENDA IN
COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES YOU OR
SOMEONE ELSE RAISED AT THE PUBLIC MEETING DESCRIBED ON THIS
AGENDA, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE DELIVERED TO THE CITY CLERK PRIOR TO, OR AT, THE PUBLIC MEETING.
SPANISH INTERPRETATION WILL BE AVAILABLE
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The Council Chambers is an accessible facility. If you wish to attend a meeting and you will require assistance in order to attend and/or participate, please call the City Clerk's Office at least three (3) business days in advance of the meeting to make arrangements. The City of Watsonville TDD number is (831) 763-4075.
For information regarding this agenda, please call the City Clerk's Office at (831) 768- 3040
AGENDA
CITY OF WATSONVILLE
SPECIAL JOINT COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR HOUSING AGENCY, &
SUCCESSOR AGENCY MEETING
City of Watsonville
Community Rooms
275 Main Street, Top Floor
Watsonville, CA 95076
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Pages
1. ROLL CALL
1.a MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER(S) (If any)
2. NEW BUSINESS
2.a WORKSHOP TO EVALUATE STATE OF HOMELESSNESS IN
WATSONVILLE & CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A STRATEGIC PLAN
2 3. ADJOURNMENT
This agenda was posted in accordance with the California Ralph M. Brown Act. The agenda packet can be accessed on the City of Watsonville website at https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/2123/City-Council-Agendas-Minutes and is available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office (275 Main Street, 4th Floor) during normal business hours. Any materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the Council after the distribution of the agenda packet will be made available to the public in accordance with Government Section 54957.5.
HOMELESSN
ESS
City of Watsonville
Watsonville City Council
Special Meeting
March 23, 2024
INTRODUCTION
AGENDA
• Open public meeting, roll call - Mayor Quiroz Carter
• Welcome, Introductions – Rene Mendez, City Manager
• Connecting Federal Resources to Local Efforts- Helene Schneider, Senior Regional Advisor, US Interagency Council on Homeless
• Current Efforts by City and The Costs
• Breakout Session-How has the Situation Affected our Community? -30 minutes • BREAK (15 minutes)
• County of Santa Cruz Housing For Health Partnership – Robert Ratner, Director of the Housing for Health Division
• Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County- Paz Padilla, Director of Programs and Impact at Community Action Board
• Components of a homeless strategic plan-
• Breakout Exercise- What are the Opportunities to Improve the Situation?– 30 minutes
• Recap and next steps
• Final Thoughts and Adjournment
CONNECTING
FEDERAL
RESOURCES
TO LOCAL EFFORTS
HELENE SCHNEIDER
US Interagency Council on Homeless- Senior Regional Advisor
About USICH
• Only federal agency solely dedicated to ending homelessness • Coordinates federal response across 19 federal agencies • Cabinet leadership under Chair HHS Secretary Becerra
• Supports all levels of government + private sector and philanthropy to advance most efficient and effective strategies
5
Homelessness by the Numbers
6 HUD Definition of
Homelessness
Individuals or families
who lack a fixed,
regular, and adequate
nighttime residence,
including someone
who is unsheltered.
Definition of
Unsheltered
Having a primary
nighttime residence
that is a public or
private place not
meant for human
habitation.
Compared to 2022,
homelessness
overall rose by 12%
Source: 2023 HUD
Annual Homeless
Assessment Report
How USICH Coordinates
the Federal Response
7 • The Council
• Council Policy Groups
• Interagency Working Groups
• Performance Measurement &
Accountability
Homelessness by the Numbers
8 Source: 2023 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report
Homelessness by the Numbers
9 Source: 2023 HUD Annual Homeless Assessment Report
Homelessness crisis due to mismatch
between incomes and housing costs
High proportion with institutional exits present opportunity to interrupt cycle
19% entered homelessness from an institution (jail/prison); Fewer than 20% reported any assistance with benefits, health care or housing prior to exit
Aging population in poor health
48% of single homeless adults are 50 and older
60% of single homeless adults had 1+ chronic health condition High prevalence of substance use and mental health
problems with limited access to treatment
26% of individuals with current regular illicit drug use or weekly heavy eposodic alcohol use wanted treatment at some point during current episode of homelessness but were unable to access it.
Racial inequities lead to disproportionate impact on Black and indigenous population
26% reported Black racial identity (vs. 7% statewide)
12% reported Native American/Indigenous identity (vs. 3%) 35% reported Latino/x identity
10
The Numbers in Context
11 • 2023 PIT increase due to shortage of affordable
housing & high rental costs
• American Rescue Plan Act funds during COVID
prevented homelessness, then expired.
• Emergency rental assistance
• Eviction prevention
• Child Tax Credits
Homelessness
by the Numbers:
Santa Cruz County
CoC
12 Source:
2023 Homeless Data
Integration System
Cal ICH
96% of people experiencing
homelessness in CA from
2021 – 2023 accessed services in 1
Continuum of Care
usich.gov/all-in
13
14
Scale Housing & Support
“Trust and relationships matter at all levels of serving in a crisis.
Building those relationships before a disaster will allow your community to respond more quickly and at a higher level.” — Person with lived experience, Punta Gorda, FL
15
Guiding Principle:
Housing First, Not Housing Only
Guiding Principle:
No One-Size-Fits-All Approaches
• Each community is different: population, resources,
context
• Different people have different needs: tailored
approaches are needed
• Flexibility to support innovation
Guiding Principle:
Housing IS Health Care
Principles for Addressing Encampments
Principle 1:
Establish a
Cross-Agency,
Multi-Sector
Response
Principle 2:
Engage
Encampment
Residents to
Develop
Solutions
Principle 3:
Conduct
Comprehensive
and
Coordinated
Outreach
Principle 4:
Address Basic
Needs and
Provide Storage
Principle 5:
Ensure Access
to Shelter or
Housing
Options
Principle 6:
Develop
Pathways to
Permanent
Housing and
Supports
Principle 7:
Create a Plan
for What Will
Happen to
Encampment
Sites After
Closure
19 Page 20 of 65
Thinking Regionally:
Acting Locally
20
Common Best Practices
• Leverage Local Funds to State/Federal Resources
• Include People with Lived Experience in Decision Making • Adopt Collaborative Strategic Plans with Specific Housing Placement Goals
• Match Social & Health Services to Specific Individual Needs • Focus on & Develop New Affordable Housing Construction • Streamline Regulatory Processes
21
H E L E N E . S C H N E ID E R @ U S I C H . G OV
@ H E L E N E _ U S I C H
Sign up for USICH E-Newsletter
www.usich.gov
C i t y o f W a t s o n v i l l e
D I R E C T A N D
I N D I R E C T
I M PA C T S O F
H O M E L E S S N E S S
FIRE
Calls for Service
• Fire 228
• EMS 475
• Vehicle vs Pedestrian 2
Total Incidents: 705
PUBLIC WORKS &
UTILITIES
•DEPARTMENT Equipment
• ~$300,000
• Supplies and Materials
• $50,000
• Encampment Clean-ups/Illegal Dumping
• ~$330,000/year
• Graffiti/Vandalism
• ~$80,000/year
• Contracted Help:
• Watsonville Wetlands Watch $75,000/year
• Hope Services $65,000
• Watsonville Works $100,000/year (requested)
POLICE
• Community Concerns
• Business Community
• Drug Use
• Human Waste
• Crime
• Safety
• Cleanup Costs
• Time Spent on Calls
• Response-C.A.R.E., P.S.S.
• Compassion
PARKS &
COMMUNITY
SERVICES
• Prevention
• Positive Programs
• Safe Places
• Impacts
• Community
• Sense of Safety
• Cleanliness
• Staff – 600+ annual hours
• Costs - $25,000 (past 12 Months)
LIBRARY SERVICES
Safe and Welcoming Spaces
• Community engagement
• Monthly tabling by non-profit organizations
that offer services and resources
Impacts
• Building/Maintenance
• Costs $28,000 annually
• Staff
• Ongoing de-escalation training
• Collaborate w/ COW Police's Care Team
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT
Housing Programs Focused on Prevention:
• Rental Assistance Program- over $560,000
disbursed during Covid pandemic
• Affordable Housing Ordinance- Deed restricted
ownership and rental units required in residential
developments, First Time Homebuyer
Program, Downpayment Assistance
Code Enforcement:
• Encampment cleanup on private property
VOICES OF OUR
COMMUNITY
W h a t a r e s o m e o f t h e i m p a c t s t h a t t h i s s i t u a t i o n h a s h a d o n o u r C i t y ?
D i r e c t o r , H o u s i n g f o r
H e a l t h D i v i s i o n
C o u n t y o f S a n t a C r u z
H u m a n S e r v i c e s
D e p a r t m e n t
ROBERT RATNER,
MPH,MD
CA - 508: W A T S O N V I L L E / S A N T A C R U Z
C I T Y & C O U N T Y C O N T I N U U M O F C A R E
( C O C )
32 PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
What is a CoC?
Strategic
Framework
What is HMIS?
CalAIM
Local Data Trends
Funding Sources
and Opportunities
“Home is the place that, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.”
— Robert Frost, The Death of the Hired Man
P R IOR S TR ATE GIC
FR A M E WOR K
2021 - 2 0 2 4
Number of households
experiencing unsheltered
homelessness will decrease
by 50%
Number of households
experiencing homelessness
will decrease by 25%
W H AT I S A C O N T I N U U M O F C A R E
( C O C ) ?
34 • What is a Continuum of Care (CoC)? Preventing and ending homelessness through….
1. A system of programs, resources, services, and data
2. A coalition structure and process
3. A HUD (and more) funding program
• CoC Basics – key players, funding, HUD requirements
• Santa Cruz County CoC recent history & highlights
H M I S = H O M E L E S S M A N A G E M E N T I N F O R M AT I O N
S Y S T E M
Point in Time (PIT) Count and Survey HMIS Data
• Comprehensive community visual survey done at
least every two years + HMIS data = estimate
• Follow-up survey with subset of people
• Just counting #s on one day
• Known undercount
• Annual report to HUD
• Designated agencies that provide services and
housing
• Standardized data elements nationwide
• Goal to include as many programs/providers that
we can in system
• More regular updates from providers
• Used for reporting to funders
• Annual data transfer to HUD and California
• Opportunity to use info to improve efforts
C A L A I M Health, Housing, and Human
Services for a Whole Person
LOCAL DATA TRENDS (PIT
DATA)
• 2023 PIT count – 1,804 people, lowest ever count,
22% reduction from 2022
• Declines in all areas except Watsonville (15%
increase)
• Highest percentage of Hispanic/Latinx ever – 44%
• Highest percentage of unsheltered in vehicles ever
– 46%
• 1 of 4 with history of criminal justice involvement
last 12 mos.
• 1 of 4 with history of foster care involvement
2022 2023
Total Homeless
Families
50 76
Total Homeless
People in Families
158 263
% Unsheltered
Families
9% 35%
FU N D IN G S OU R C E A N D
OP P OR T U N IT IE S
• CalAIM
• CA HCD
• Annual HUD CoC and ESG local process
• Matching/leveraging/braiding for sustainability and impact • Advocacy/education for stable, predictable funding from fewer sources – CSAC, League of Cities • Funding resource guides - Guide to Strategic Uses of State and Federal Funds (ca.gov) 38 Housing for Health – Currently tracking 54 different funding contracts
C o m m u n i t y A c t i o n B o a r d
of S a n t a C r u z C o u n t y
E M I LY WAT S O N
&
E LY S S A
S A N C H E Z
INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMS
Watsonville
Works
Youth Homeless
Response Team
Transitional
Aged Youth
Housing
Navigation
Rental
Assistance
County CES
Connector
RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(RAP)
POPULATION:
Currently housed, with past due rent
County of Santa Cruz
SERVICES:
Casework to address rent needs
Brief financial coaching/budgeting
Resource referral
Multiple Funding Sources:
• SCC CORE
• SCC Pre-Evict
(Unincorporated)
• FEMA
• Kaiser
• City of Capitola
• City of Santa Cruz
• City of Watsonville
• Red Cross (Beach Flats)
Y OU TH H OM E LE S S N E S S
R E S P ON S E TE A M ( Y H R T)
POPULATION:
Youth up to age 15-24
Unaccompanied
Homeless
SERVICES:
Intensive case management
Resource referral and linkage
Advocacy
Housing support
Funded by County - CORE
TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH
HOUSING NAVIGATION (TAY
NAV)
POPULATION:
Youth aged 18 – 25
Former foster care or justice-involved
SERVICES:
Intensive case management
Housing Navigation
Housing Retention 36 months
Voucher program
Referrals to other services
Funded by SCC
S OU TH C OU N TY C OOR D IN ATE D
E N TRY S Y S TE M ( C E S ) C ON N E C TOR
POPULATION:
Homeless
Individuals 18+
SERVICES:
Case management
Housing navigation and support
Resource referral and linkages
Funded by
SCC
WATSONVILLE WORKS! (WWKS!)
POPULATION:
CalFresh recipients
Housed or unhoused
SERVICES:
Work experience
Job preparedness and training
Supportive case management toward gainful employment
Referrals to other services including housing, medical, immigration Funded by SCC - Cal Fresh and
matching
OUR
SUCCESSES
WWks!
• Housed 40%, sheltered 28%, and employed 38% of
their new clients.
• Have collected: 6 Full Dumpsters
• 3,449 Garbage Bags
• 51 Shopping Carts
• 4,389 Syringes
South County Coordinated Entry System Connector
• $50,000 was used in diversion money to financially
assist 27 families and individuals
• Funding has supported housing cost, furniture costs,
and transportation costs.
OUR SUCCESSES
RAP
• In the last year, with $497,411.25, assisted 180 households (593 individuals) prevent eviction.
YHRT
• Served/Continue to Serve over 107 youth
• Housed 39% and helped employ 46% of their new clients.
TAY NAV
• Housed 44% and helped employ 52% of their new clients.
OUR STAFF
• Are the keys to housing
• Have lived experience
• Serve with empathy
• Are Trauma-Informed
• Provide a trustworthy safe space
T H A N K Y O U
HOMELESS
STRATEGIC PLAN
C O M P O N E N T S O F A H O M E L E S S
S T R AT E G I C P L A N
1. Survey of Watsonville’s homeless to clearly understand their needs
2. Identification of opportunities available, based on Council direction
3. Identify the City’s current capacity and what resources may be needed to address homelessness
4. Identify the gap between services currently provided and service goals identified by Council
5. Identify the level of investment, additional funding needed, and potential funding sources
6. Identify specific, measurable actions to reduce the
number of homeless persons in the City
EXAMPLES
County of Santa Cruz Strategic Framework 2021-2024
Goals: Build a Coalition, Prevent Homelessness, Increase Connections, Expand Permanent Housing
City of Santa Cruz Homeless Response Action Plan
Goals: Build Capacity and Partnerships, Permanent
Affordable and Supportive Housing, Basic Support
Services, Care and Stewardship, Community Safety
B U I L D A
C O A L I T I O N
P R E V E N T
H O M E L E S S N E S
S
I N C R E A S E
C O N N E C T I O N S
E X PA N D
P E R M A N E N T
H O U S I N G
Use targeted prevention and early intervention
housing problem solving to help people and families
keep or return to housing as quickly as possible.
Develop a strong and informed actionoriented partnership with leaders and stakeholders within the community.
Expand and improve "Front Door" programs
and services including outreach, temporary
housing and supportive services.
Increase permanent housing and income growth
resources and opportunities to become housed.
C O U N T Y O F S A N TA
CRUZ
CITY OF SANTA
CRUZ
TABLETOP
EXERCISE
What should the City prioritize?
• Services
• Prevention
• Housing
• Management/Enforcement
FINAL THOUGHTS
NEXT STEPS
SERVICES
Lack of Mental Health Assistance
Need for a day center: Lack of facilities for hygiene services, showers, safe storage, laundry, mail Hospital healthcare needs to be part of the conversation/solution Free phones program has helped to connect people to services (place needed for mail, connections, etc) Lack of infrastructure: building and Wellness centers Temp shelters are not a solution
Hygiene facilities
Look at what has been successful in other communities Chemical substance dependency- need more resources
OUTREACH
Lack of connection between unhouse and City
Demand for services – Hard to connect those in need with existing services City needs to better measure the impact on neighborhoods- Cluster services in one or a few areas- eg second street Need for a coordinator of services - feel disjointed. Point person-single place with info on all services provided by agencies
ENFORCEMENT/MANAGEMENT
Overburdened PD with response demand
Cost to Businesses- Clean up, repairs, safety improvements Safety impacts – People not feeling safe in their community Apathy – there is no hope
Friction between businesses and unhoused- affecting /lack of resources for example public restrooms Aggressive behavior
DA not prosecuting crimes
Safety plan for homeless needed on the streets and getting hit by cars – affects everyone Criminal element within the homeless community- causing harm to the homeless More resources for mental health workers paired with pd
COMMUNITY IMPACTS
It is depressing seeing homeless on the streets – Human Suffering The original intent of facilities that are supposed to be used by all but are abused by some Trash
Needles
Human Waste
Vandalism
Vandalism to business
Ecological and biological impact to fishing and waterways No enforcement
No incentive for businesses to stay
Gunshots in the levee
Neighbors are scared
Flood Protection
CONNECTING – FUNDING & PARTNERS
Funding distribution from Federal, State, County and City (how is it distributed? Opportunity for state bond to assist with money
Transparency on funding for services- city
Pvusd wellness centers are resources for wraparound services- be part of the conversation Costs of managing the situation and not solving it
Money use to respond could be used for other things
Continuity of funding
City staff training-coordination
Better coordination with the county of Monterey
Better connection with the faith-based community
QUESTIONS
How do we find a solution?
How do we talk about positive outcomes?
What do you do about homeless who refuse services?
How do we address the Mental Health Crisis?
Rehab resources- do we have any in Watsonville