55C - RESO - HOMELESS PLAN - Laserfiche WebLink

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Homelessness Prevention, Intervention and Mitigation Plan September 19, 2017 Page 3 In August 2015, City staff participated in the OC Civic Center Survey along with the County of Orange and counted 406 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Civic Center. In August 2016, that same survey found 461 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Civic Center, an increase of 55 individuals. In August 2017, an average of 400 individuals were provided shelter each night at the County of Orange Courtyard Transitional Shelter and approximately 175 individuals sleep at the Plaza of the Flags. More than 700 individuals are provided services on a daily basis at the Courtyard Transitional Center. On September 12, 2017, the City received the Point in Time Count information specific to Santa Ana (Exhibit 1). The report identified 1,000 individuals that were homeless as of January 28, 2017. Of the 1,000 individuals, 534 were sheltered and 466 were unshelted. Santa Ana ranks as #1 in terms of highest percentage of the total homless population in Orange County. Santa Ana finds itself in a situation where existing programs and services need to be reexamined and new strategies developed to stop the expanding demand for homeless services and begin to reduce the homeless population in the City limits. Staff is recommending immediate steps in five areas: 1. Intemal Coordination and Communication In response to litigation, staff began meeting as an inter -departmental committee to review how each Department responds to homeless requests for service. Staff found this increased communication valuable and will continue to further improve and coordinate the collective response of the City. Communication also needs to be enhanced with the community at large. Recommendations being discussed with the inter -departmental team include the development of formal policies and procedures as well as modifying existing ordinance for proper noticing, tagging, and storing of personal property. 2. Development of Single Point of Contact In order to best coordinate services among the various departments, staff is recommending the addition of a positionto serve as the single point of contact (Exhibit 2). One of the responsibilities of this position would be to respond to residents, businesses and visitors requesting assistance and triage these requests to the appropriate Department or Agency. The position would also coordinate and chair the internal inter -departmental committee or task force. The committee would develop recommendations to address gaps in service, identify resource needs, and recommend other changes in service to improve the City's response and enforcement capabilities. The City Manager's Office will manage the committee until the new position is filled. This individual would also attend Public Safety, Code Enforcement and Neighborhood Empowerment Council Committee meetings and partner with the neighborhood initiatives program to address and respond to issues as well as inform the community about City efforts. 55C-3