Agenda

Return

C. 78

To:	Board of Supervisors
From:	FAMILY & HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
Date:	September 20, 2022

Contra

Costa

County

Subject:

Homeless Continuum of Care Annual Update

APPROVE	OTHER
RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR	RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE

Action of Board On: 09/20/2022

APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED

OTHER

Clerks Notes:

VOTE OF SUPERVISORS

AYE:

John Gioia, District I Supervisor
Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Karen Mitchoff, District IV Supervisor
Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor

ABSENT:

Diane Burgis, District III Supervisor

Contact:

Christy Saxton, (925) 608-6701

I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown.
ATTESTED: September 20, 2022
Monica Nino, County Administrator

BY:	, Deputy

RECOMMENDATION(S):

ACCEPT the annual Update on Homeless Continuum of Care report and presentation from the Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division of the Health Services Department, as recommended by the Family and Human Services Committee.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no fiscal impact for this action.

BACKGROUND:

In November 2014, the Board approved “Forging Ahead Towards Preventing and Ending Homelessness: An Update to Contra Costa’s 2004 Strategic Plan,” that renewed the County's 2004 plan with the latest data, best practices, and community feedback and reaffirmed the County's commitment to the Housing First approach. As such, “Forging Ahead” establishes this guiding principle:

BACKGROUND: (CONT'D)

“Homelessness is first a housing issue, and necessary supports and services are critical to help people remain housed. Our system must be nimble and flexible enough to respond through shared responsibility, accountability, and transparency of the community.”

The Strategic Plan Update identifies two goals: 1) Decrease the length of time people experience homelessness by focusing on providing Permanent Housing and Services and; 2) Decrease the percentage of people who become homeless by providing Prevention activities. To achieve these goals, three strategies emerged:

1. Implement a coordinated entry/assessment system to streamline access to housing and services while addressing barriers, getting the right resources to the right people at the right time;
2. Use best, promising , and most effective practices to give the consumer the best possible experience through the strategic use of resources; and
3. Develop the most effective platforms to provide access, support advocacy, and connect to the community about homelessness and available resources.

The Homeless Program of the Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division partners with the Homeless Advisory Board and Continuum of Care to develop and carry out an annual action plan that identifies the objectives and benchmarks related to each of the goals and strategies of Forging Ahead. Further, the Homeless Program incorporates the strategic plan goals into its own delivery system of comprehensive services, interim housing and permanent supportive housing as well as contracting with community agencies to provide additional homeless services and housing with the goal of ending homelessness in our community.

On June 27, 2022, the Family and Human Services Committee (FHS) received and approved the attached annual report on the Homeless Continuum of Care and directed staff to forward it to the Board of Supervisors for its information. The delay getting the report to the Board of Supervisors is due to administrative staff oversight after FHS approval. Committee staff are reviewing all FHS approved items to be forwarded to the Board, and has improved its tracking tool to ensure delays do not occur in the future.

CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:

The Board will not receive the annual update on Homeless Continuum of Care report and presentation from the Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division of the Health Services Department.