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TO: Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County
FROM: Supervisor Jahn Gioia
DATE: November 16, 1999
SUBJECT: Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness Under Government Code Seo. 8639
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
ACKNOWLEDGE that finding a location and funding supplemental emergency shelter space for homeless individuals
in Contra Costa County for the upcoming winter months is a high priority health and social issue.
DECLARE a local emergency on homelessness under California Government Code section 8630.
DIRECT appropriate county staff to work with community based organizations which address homeless issues and
with local cities and state and federal agencies to cooperatively seek a location and funding for supplemental
emergency homeless shelter space to accommodate the needs of the homeless population in Contra Costa County
during the 9999-2000 winter season.
BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION:
According to Contra Costa County's Homeless Ombudsperson, there are approximately 3,000 people
sleeping on the streets of Contra Costa County each night and approximately 50 families each day are turned away
from social service agencies due to lack of shelter space. The County's Brookside Homeless Shelter in North
Richmond, the Central County Shelter in Concord, and the Richmond Rescue Mission are all full.
Due to some recent unfortunate events, there has been a dramatic increase in the homeless population in
Contra Costa County and an increase in the number of families on the verge of homelessness. Approximately 40
homeless individuals recently moved from a homeless encampment in Albany to a secluded firing range near Pt.
Isabel in Richmond. In addition, a fire on November 2, 1999 totally destroyed a 16 unit apartment building in
Richmond and displaced 16 families (72 people) forcing them to stay at area motels using Red Cross vouchers
which expire this week, after which time there is no identified funding or facility for these families. Most of these
families speak only Spanish and are having a difficult time finding affordable housing. The rent at the burned out
apartment building had been as low as $300 per month.
The first major storm of the winter season has caused the evening temperature to drop substantially and the
conditions for individuals sleeping on the streets to worsen dramatically.
On October 22, 1999, Contra Costa County was notified that it was eligible for$20,213.00 in "Cold Weather
Shelter Program Funds"from the California Department of Housing and Community Development and that the
application for such funds must be made by November 17, 1999.
The California National Guard Armory in Richmond is now eligible for use as an emergency winter shelter at
a cost of$395 per night. Other locations are being investigated to accommodate the needs of the homeless
population for the upcoming winter months.
It is in the best interests of our county's residents to declare a local emergency on homelessness in order to
facilitate the ability to find a location and cooperatively seek funding for supplemental.emergency shelter space for
homeless individuals during the winter months of 1999-2000.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: SIGNATURE'
ACTION OF BOARD ON f r 5A �, APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED" -GT+10;�
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND
UNANIMOUS (ABSENT CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND
AYES: NOES: ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
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Contact: Supervisor Gioia(6101374-3231) ATTESTED
PHIL BATCHELOR, CLE=RK OF THE
i BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY �� „� "�'` .w , DEPUTY