HB PLAN TOADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

Updated March 28, 2018

Homeless Plan Highlights

Who are HB’s Homeless?

What have we done so far?

What more needs to be done?

Who have we partnered with?

Where do we go from here?

What is the cost of homelessness?

How do we benefit from addressing it?

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WHO ARE THE HOMELESS?

Transitional YouthYouth

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HUD Definition of Homeless

A person is considered homeless when he or she lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and sleeps in a variety of places not fit for human habitation.

Homeless persons include, but are not limited to, those sleeping in:

Cars, parks, campgrounds, sidewalks, railroad tracks, alleys, storm drains, parking structure, abandoned buildings;

Emergency shelters; or

Transitional housing for homeless persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters.

P.L. 111-22, Section 1003) HUD

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Multiple Segments of Homeless Population

Young Adults Ages 18-24 Mental Illness Substance Abuse Unemployed, under-employed Transitional youth (aged out of foster care)

Single Parent or Dual Parent Families Mental Illness Substance Abuse Unemployed, under-employed Low Income Lack of Affordable Housing Domestic Violence

Mentally Ill/Disabled Acceptance of disability Lack of medical insurance Lack of outpatient treatment facilities Lack of inpatient treatment facilities Unemployed, under-employed

Seniors Low Income Lack of Affordable Housing Death of Spouse or Divorce

Veterans Mental illness or PTSD Substance Abuse Unemployed, under-employment Lack of Affordable Housing

Lifestyle Choice Any of the above None of the above Service Resistant

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No One Size Fits All - Multiple Solutions Required –Transitional Youth Case

Transitional Youth

Employment

Housing

Education

Behavior/Substance Abuse Treatment

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No One Size Fits All - Multiple Solutions Required –Elderly Homeless Case

Elderly Homeless

Housing

Social Services

Mental Health

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Complex Issues Require Complex Solutions

Different Segments of Homeless Population Require Multiple Types of Wrap Around ServicesMental Health Services and/or Prescription TreatmentAlcohol or Substance Abuse TreatmentAffordable HousingEducation or Vocational Training and Skill DevelopmentEmergency Shelter/Transitional HousingPermanent Supportive HousingFood, Health Care, Hygiene and Personal Necessities

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HOMELESS IN HUNTINGTON BEACH

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Point-in-Time Census and Survey OverviewOverview

• A Point in Time Survey is a snapshot of homelessness on ONE DAY• It is NOT a definitive and statistically accurate count• Many factors may contribute to a low or understated count• This was a County-wide exercise• For Huntington Beach, the count occurred on January 28, 2017• The survey was taken from the hours of 3:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.• Approximately 200 volunteers participated• Council Members also participated• HB was one of the County’s four deployment centers

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Orange County Demographics – Point In Time Survey

Who are they?How many?

2015• 2,200 Unsheltered Homeless (Including

360 Veterans)• 4,500 Homeless

2017• 2,600 Unsheltered

Homeless • 4,800 Homeless

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Huntington Beach Demographics – Point In Time Survey

ShelteredHow many?

2017208 Homeless (89 sheltered,

119 unsheltered) adults

82% 18%

families

61%

male

39%

female

Who are they? Unsheltered

families

61%

female

77%

over the age of 24

97%

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WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT?HB Homeless Task Force

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2013 Initial Efforts

In October 2013, HBPD identified

130-150 homeless persons.

In 2013, an ancillary team of officers was

formulated to address the issues and attempt to

provide services to the Homeless.

Officers discovered many were

interested in food, clothing, but many were not interested

in shelter or rehabilitation.

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2014 Additional Efforts

City Council conducted a Study Session in March 2014 with the County of

Orange and Chief Handy to discuss Homelessness

October 2014, City Net provided an assessment of the City’s homeless

and services

+Ancillary team of Police Officers still in effect and assisting with

homeless

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2015 Additional Efforts

HBPD contracted with Coast to

Coast for volunteer assistance and services -- 2015

March 2015 City Council created a

Community Homeless Task Force

September 2015 Officer Gabe Ricci was assigned full-

time as a Homeless Police Liaison Officer

Part-time Homeless Coordinator hired in

November 2015 to assist the Police Department

Homeless Coordinator developed on-going

partnerships with non-profits, County, Faith-based

community and others

+

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2016 Additional Efforts

Second full-time Police Liaison Officer Joseph

Schloss hired in February 2016

In March 2016, the Community Homeless Task Force presented

22 recommendations to the City Council

Homeless Case Manger hired in November 2016

+Volunteer Mentorship Program was created for Outreach with Case Manager every Tuesday at the PD Substation

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2017 Additional Efforts

In 2017 the City Council appointed an ad-hoc City Council

sub-committee

Supplemental Police support for

homelessness in November 2017

Library Services trained a Librarian in Mental

Health Interventions for Homeless

+Public works entered into

a contract for Encampment Debris

Removal3 days a week

Coordination with BCIS/Illumination

Foundation (December 2017 and on-going)

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2018 New and Upcoming Efforts

Second Homeless Case Manager hired February

2018

Community Meeting with Non-Profits/Faith Based Organizations for review of Plan

April-September 2018

Third Homeless Case Manger to be hired in March 2018

Study Session on Homelessness March 19, 2018

HB Joining with ACC-OC and

County to create Permanent Supportive

Housing Units

+

HB to Join cities of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Tustin in a 4-way Housing Program

2 Council Members visited Haven for

Hope in San Antonio, Texas

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Homeless Task Force

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HB’s Steps for Success

HTF Makes Contact

Ask if they desire services

If no, assist if possible

If yes, refer to Case Managers

Step 1 Identify Needs

VISPAT Survey performed

Create a path for services

Work on Document Prep

Step 2 Refer to Case

Manager Work with County/2-1-1/ or Non Profit

Attend Placement meetings

Step 3 Refer to Services Remain in

Constant contact

Provide Additional Support Services and Tracking

Step 4 Reporting

and Tracking

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Homeless Task Force Results – 2016 and 2017

In 2016 and 2017, the HTF assisted 172 people in getting off the street, with 46 of those reconnecting with family

Case Managers, Coast to Coast Volunteers and Officers assisted people on over 617occasions with:

Housing referralsMental Health referralsBus passesDMV FormsGas cardsFoodMail boxesRelocations

Refused Assistance – 742 contacts declined assistance (many are repeat contacts)

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Homeless Task Force Results – 2017 Snapshot

Veteran Contacts – 10 individuals

Senior Over the age of 62 years – 15Homeless Case Coordinator and Case Manager assisted 15 from Senior Center and other referralsNo contacts with the Police Department

Disabled – 50 individuals documented as disabledHomeless Case Coordinator and Case Manager assisted at least 50mentally disabledThere is a high likelihood this statistic is understated as it is difficult to detect

The Police Officers had over 700 contacts, with many being repeat contacts with the same individual

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Homeless Task Force Results – 2017 Snapshot

The community is frustrated with multiple aspects of homelessness

Law Enforcement is a key element in addressing homelessness

HTF Officers utilize multiple strategies including case referrals, citations, and arrests, if needed, to keep the community and City safe

Legal challenges and complexities exist due to constitutional, civil and other human rights, as well as case law

Although proud of our outreach efforts, it is vital to enforce law to protect all community members

Approximately 230 arrests/citations were made in 2017 for violations of state and local codes

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HB TASK FORCE SUCCESS STORY KENNY WHEELER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRpN6c1KzPs&feature=youtu.be

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COMMUNITY HOMELESS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

Implementation Update

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Community Task Force Recommendations and Implementation

The Community Task Force was comprised of seven members appointed by the City Council

Various speakers and representatives from the County, other cities, and non-profits addressed the group and provided data and information regarding the homeless

Multiple City Departments also gave presentations to the Task Force regarding the services provided to homeless individuals in the City

Six sub-committees were created: Housing (2), Police, Coordination of Services, Economic Self-Sufficiency and Health Services

The Task Force met for a year to and developed 22 recommendations which were presented to the City Council for consideration

To date, 14 of the recommendations have been fully or partially implemented

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CITY COMMITMENTS TO HOUSING

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City Funded Housing – Existing Inventory and Funding

Inclusionary Housing Program

City owned rental housing: 1,068 total affordable housing units: -10 extremely low, 546 very low, and 512 low income units Huntington Beach Youth Shelter (Operated by Wayfinders) – 12 beds Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program – (40 units) through Mercy

House and Interval House

City support for two existing transitional housing facilities: (28 beds total): Interval House – 6 Units (12 beds) Colette’s Children’s Home – 8 units (16 beds)

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THE CO$T OF HOMELESSNESS

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The Cost of Homelessness*

Studies have shown that a “do nothing” approach is not financially feasible

There are societal costs associated with NOT addressing homelessness including: Health Care Costs Flight of existing business and inability to attract new businesses Costs of Incarceration Increased public safety costs Lack of employability and impacts of workforce

The annual cost for services for the most chronic homeless person is $439,787 vs. only $55,332 to house them in permanent supportive housing

This reflects a cost savings of 88%

It is projected the County would save $42 million in annual costs by providing housing to the homeless

*University of California, Irvine, March 2018 Study31

The Cost of Homelessness* - Huntington Beach

The Fire Department responded to 1,035 calls for service in 2016 related to the homeless

For the Fire Department, the cost was approximately $201,400

The Police Department responded to 511 calls for service in 2016 related to homelessness, an increase of 11 percent over the prior year

The 511 calls equated to 208.75 hours responding to homeless related calls

The estimated cost of these calls for service was $223,536

These amounts, coupled with the cost of two full-time police officers plus a Community Outreach Liaison totals $873,936

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HB PLAN TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS

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10 Point Plan to Address Homelessness

1. Expand Public Private Partnerships

2. Use ACC/OC to Develop and Promote Regional Approach

3. Expand Partnership with the County of Orange to Increase Funding and Services

4. Increase Federal Funding, Grants and Donations for Services

5. Work with Developers to Create Additional Housing for Veterans and Seniors

6. Create Programs to Promote Permanent Supportive Housing

7. Partner with Greater Huntington Beach Interfaith Council and Other Groups

8. Lobby for State Funding to Curtail Impacts of Prop 47, Prop 57 and AB 109

9. Partner with Educational Institutions to Improve Workforce Development

10. Work with Non-Profit Organizations to Help Identify Regional Site for Services

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Increase Public Private Partnerships - NEW

Partnership with Golden West College to promote technical programs and assist with resume writing for the homeless.

Provide Case Management to individuals to assist in obtaining necessary documents.

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Create an “HB Fund for the Homeless” - NEW

Help create a more aggressive private donations campaign for homeless services led by community volunteers

Conduct an annual fundraiser utilizing local volunteers to generate funds for homeless services

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Increase Opportunities for Additional Funding

Seek additional Federal, state or county funding for City services

If available, utilize one time resources for one time support

Consider opportunities for additional donations by residents and community members

NEW - Giving Meter concept among others

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Expand Partnership with County and Central Service Area Cities

In concert with ACC/OC actively participate in regional effort to provide additional permanent supportive housing

Expand the relationship with the County to secure proportionate share of $20 million in annual funding

Apply for competitive grants at regional, state and federal levels

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Summary and Next Steps

The City has been actively addressing the homeless crisis for 5 years now

The Homeless Task Force has expanded from 1 to 5 staff since 2013

The City is actively engaged in county-wide and regional solutions to the problem

The Plan will be further developed and rolled out to the City Council, community and other stakeholders over the coming months

A community-wide approach is needed with multiple options

A “One Size Fits All” approach will NOT work

Maximizing ALL available resources, including local volunteers will be key

Staff will be reporting back to the City Council in September 2018 with further details and recommendations

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QUESTIONS?

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