HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08031999 - SD2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SUPERVISORJOHN IOTA $
Q July 1999qY`o ut
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SATE:
SUBJECT; PROPOSAL T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESS FAMILIES AND
CHILDREN IN WEST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
SPEC;F1C RE UEST(S)OR RECO MME€OAS"N(S)&BACKGROUND AN JUSTw!CATiON
RECOMMENDATLONa:
AGREE that, as we examine the facts regarding the homeless in Contra
Costa County, we find that;
The Homeless o ti uu of Care Advisory Board has concluded that finding
a shelter/transitional center for homeless children and their families is one of
the most pressing homeless issues in Contra Costa County.
On June 16, 1998, and again on December 8, 19983 the Board approved
reports from its Family and Human Services Committee which noted that
many community-based organizations that provide services to the homeless
have also concluded that the needs of homeless children and their families
is ars urgent issue and is a key component in addressing homelessness in
Contra Costa County.
Meeting the needs of homeless children who, through no fault or action on
their part, have no place to live, rust be a high priority of the Board of
Supervisors in allocating its very limited resources.
--ONTi €;kD N ATTACH eEN'T: _ SEs SiGNA UR-.' �
T RECOMMENDATMN"OF SOA. , COMt
APPROVE OTq_=8
aQ N A L-I E I S. HN G101A
ACTiON OF BOAP0 ON August 3 199
VOTE OF SUPERMSCRS
E HERESY CERTIFY THAT TiS 4S A TRUE
UNANM OUS(ASSENT- - tea.,- } AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACT ON TAKEN'
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE€,fiiNUTES OF HE BOARD
AiMENT: ASS`t`AN: OF SUP RV;SORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED __s�
Contact, PH:L BATGE OR,CLERK O? HE BOARD OF
Cc: SUP:RV;SORS AND COUNT Y ADM STRATOR
See Page 3ri
'DEPUTY
May Contra Costa County families hold minimum m wage jobs; the slightest
disruption to their earnings ability can cause homelessness, including such
factors as the high cost of child care, the very high and increasing cost of
housing in the County, the low vacancy rate in the rental market, domestic
violence, buildings which are condemned (resulting in the eviction of the
tenants), illness which is not covered by sick leave and results in the parent
losing employment,t, essential emergency repairs to the family, only vehicle
which cannot be afforded and result in the parent being unable to get to work,
and landlords who are reluctant to rent to low income families.
In spite of the valiant efforts made by the faith community, non-profit
community groups, and others in our County, a great deal more needs to be
done to keep children from being forced to sleep in an automobile, in
abandoned buildings, or on the streets in Contra Costa County.
2s RECOGNIZE that the Board of Supervisors has approved pleas to expand
and replace the Brookside Shelter in North Richmond which houses single
adult men and women.
3, RECOGNIZE that the Board has also approved the construction of a Family
Transitional Center in East County on a site that has been acquired from the
City of Antioch adjacent to the Social Service Department offices on Delta Fair
Boulevard,
4� AGREE, that in view of the above, it is essential for the County to take a
leadership rale in providing an additional housing facility for homeless children
and their families in West County.
. RECOGNIZE that the next step that needs to be taken to establish a West
County Family Transitional Center is to identify an appropriate site for a
facility.
6. DIRECT the Health Services Director to prepare and issue a Request for
Proposal (IFR) for pre-development work for a Family Transitional Center in
West County, the scope of work for which should include at least: (1) site
identification, (2) identification of funding sources and tax credits and (3)
identifying opportunities for collaboration with local jurisdictions, non-profit
organizations and the private sector; and return a contract for the pre-
development work to the Board for subsequent consideration and funding.
7. AUTHORIZE Supervisor Gioia to work with County staff to seek funding for
the , 'est County Family Transitional Center from:
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
foundations
® churches
® private businesses
0 West County cities
0 grants from public, private and other sources
0 donations from the general public
any other appropriate sources
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BACKGROUND.
The Board of Supervisors has devoted a good deal of time, energy and money to the
problem of homelessness in our County in the past few years. We now have
shelters in Concord and Richmond for single individuals, We have very limited
facilities available in our County for homeless children and heir families. We have
received reports and recommendations from the Homeless Continuum of Care
Advisory Board regarding the need to address the problems of homeless children
and their families.
The Board of Supervisors has approved plans to expand and replace the Brookside
Shelter in North Richmond which houses single adult men and women. The Board
has also approved the construction of a Family `transitional Center in East County
on a site that has been acquired from the City of Antioch adjacent to the Social
Service Department offices on Delta Fair Boulevard.
There is a pressing need for a Family Transitional Center in West County. The
Mayor of Richmond and l have established a West County `task Force on
Homelessness which includes various organizations that are concerned with the
needs of the homeless in gest County.
The`bask Force held a series of meetings through the Spring and Summer involving
officials from the Cities of Richmond and El Cerrito, West County community
organizations,the West Contra Costa Unified School District,faith organizations and
members of the countywide Homeless Continuum of Care advisory Board to
consider plans to address homeless individuals and families in West County, We
now believe that it is appropriate to seely the approval of the Board of Supervisors
to move more formally to begin identifying an appropriate site for a Family
Transitional Center. this will also include seeking funding to assist in the cost of
constructing or renovating a facility for this purpose,
cca County Administrator
Health Services Director
Public Health Director
Executive Director, Housing Authority
Community Development Director
Deputy Redevelopment Director
Director of General Services
Laura Lockwood, Director, Capital Facilities and Debt Management
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