HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04111995 - 1.53 . 5 3 Pr
T& BOARD OF SUPI?
I
• f
-2- i
Working in collaboration,collective knowledge and resources will be pooled to construct creative components
of a solution to homelessness. The Initiative is the culmination of months of hard work by individuals and
organizations who have been defining regional solutions to homelessness and are actively pursuing this
opportunity.
Implementation of the Regional Initiative will begin as soon as possible so that money can be made available
quickly to fill the gaps in the regional continuum of care. An Allocations Committee comprised of
representatives from Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, San Jose, and the 9 Bay Area counties will join
representatives of federal agencies, private foundations,business,labor and homeless people to make funding
decisions. Technical assistance will be provided to all grantees as needed and policy work will develop to
ensure the success of all Initiative efforts. Finally,all grantees will be monitored to insure that performance
outcomes are met.
i
i
The Board of Supervisors prlra Phil Batchelor
Clerk of the Board
and
County Administration Building County Administrator
651 Pine Street, Room 106 Costa (510
)646-2371
Martinez,California 94553-1293 Count I
Tom Powers,1st District J�
.teff Smith,2nd District
0
Gayle Bishop,3rd District
Mark DeSsulnier,41h District I
Tom Torlakson,5th District .. 5
April 18, 1995
The Honorable Henry Cisneros
Secretary
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, DC 20410
Dear Secretary Cisneros:
I am pleased to endorse the $7 million Bay Area Innovative Regional Homelessness Initiative. I am pleased to
support Reducing Homeless Around the Bay Area: A Plan for Action,which provides a regional continuum of care
in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Plan is the product of much deliberation by the people who are most involved in community efforts to reduce
homelessness in our communities - local elected officials and government staff, homeless people, housing and
service providers, homeless advocates, business people, labor, academia, interfaith organizations, private and
charitable foundations, and federal officials.
Homelessness is a growing problem in the Bay Area, and I welcome the opportunity provided by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness on a regional level. The development of the plan has
already been the catalyst for the cross,jurisdictional collaboration that needs to continue in order for us to reduce
homelessness in the Bay Area.
Thank you for your recognition of the impact that homelessness has on individuals and communities. I look forward
to working with your Department and others on the Regional innovative Homelessness Initiative to identify resources
and provide opportunities for our residents to obtain and retain permanent housing,increase skills and income, and
achieve greater self determination.
Sincerely,
Gayle Bishop, Chair
Board of Supervisors
Contra Costa County
cc: Jim Rogers
Jeff Smith
Mark DeSaulnier
Tom Torlakson
TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Contra
Phil Batchelor, County Administrator
CostaFROM: ^;
April 6, 1995 County��`""' T;a
DATE: 'e uN� c
INDICATE SUPPORT FOR THE REGIONAL INNOVATIVE HOMELESSNESS
SUBJECT: INITIATIVE
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE and authorize the Chair to send a letter to the Secretary
of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development endorsing
Reducing Homelessness Around the Bay Area: A Plan for Action, the
Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative Collaborative Plan and
AGREE to continue to support the regional efforts to address the
problems of homelessness in the Bay Area.
BACKGROUND:
Attached is a letter from Housing and -Urban Development Regional
Representative Art Agnos, noting that HUD has made a commitment of
$7 million to the Bay Area to develop a Regional Initiative to
address the needs of the thousands of homeless residents who lack
sufficient housing, income, and supportive services .
A Plan for Action has been developed, a copy of which is attached.
Approval of this Plan by HUD in Washington, D.C. will trigger the
release of the $7 million for the implementation of the priorities
which are outlined in the Plan.
Mr. Agnos is requesting a letter of commitment from the Board of
Supervisors which can be forwarded to Secretary Cisneros along with
the Plan. In addition, Mr. Agnos is asking that the Board of
Supervisors pledge to continue its support of the Initiative by:
1 . Continuing to participate on the Regional Steering Committee
on Homelessness and Housing by assigning a member of the
County' s staff to facilitate the success of Regional
Initiative projects in the County.
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE:
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE S
ACTION OF BOARD ON April 11, 1995 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED ( 11 192 2
Contact: PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF T BEH OARD OF
cc: See Page 2 SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
BY , - DEPUTY
-2-
2 . Agreeing to sit on or designate a representative to sit on the
Allocations Committee.
3 . Continuing to participate on the Regional Steering Committee,
which will oversee the implementation of the Regional
Initiative.
4 . To the extent that budgetary constraints allow, agreeing to
maintain current funding levels for homeless programs .
We believe that such a commitment is appropriate given the Board' s
existing level of support for programs for the homeless and the
comprehensive plan on which staff are currently working.
cc: County Administrator
Health Services Director
Public Health Director
Executive Director, Housing Authority
Acting Social Services Director
/ �'�yENigy U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development k
O
• * *@$ Pac'rfic/Hawaii Office
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco,California 94102-3448
o9ew oEv�`Pi
MAR 0 91995
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
RECEIVED
MAR J igg5
Mr. Tom Torlakson
Chairperson, Board of Supervisors
County of Contra Costa OFFICE OF
300 East Leland Avenue, Suite 100 COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Dear Mr. Torlakson:
I am writing to thank you for your continued support of
the Bay Area's Innovative Homelessness Initiative. As you
know, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
has made a commitment of $7 million to the San Francisco Bay
Area to develop a Regional Initiative to address the needs
of the thousands of homeless residents who lack sufficient
housing, income, and supportive services.
This Award will foster a regional approach to providing
the fullest possible range of services under the continuum
of care, including affordable housing, mental health and
substance abuse treatment, and job training. The Bay Area
Innovative Regional Homelessness Initiative has developed a
regional continuum of care, and will leverage public and
private resources to maximize assistance to homeless
individuals and families. The primary focus of this
Initiative is to strengthen and increase the effectiveness
of local efforts by devoting the resources to fill the gaps
in the current regional system of homeless care.
Over the past few months, your staff, along with their
counterparts in other jurisdictions, have worked with
housing and service providers, business and labor leaders,
interfaith and other charitable groups, and advocates and
homeless people from throughout the region to develop a
regional continuum of care plan to meet the needs of
homeless people in the Bay Area.
Your work has resulted in Reducing Homelessness Around
the Bay Area: A Plan for Action. This Plan is now ready
for submission to Secretary Henry Cisneros. After reviewing
the plan, I am asking that you endorse it and pledge to
continue your support of the Initiative on different levels.
_ t•
2
° Continue your community's participation on the Regional
Steering Committee on Homelessness and Housing which
will oversee the implementation of the Regional
Initiative, and assign a member of your staff to
facilitate the success of Regional Initiative projects
in your jurisdiction.
° Sit on the Allocations Committee that will make funding
decisions. If you are unable to participate in this
way, an appropriate designee would be your
jurisdiction's homelessness coordinator. If such the
position of homeless coordinator does not exist in your
jurisdiction, a person who has an understanding of
homelessness and a background in homeless funding and
programs in your area.
° Continue your community's participation, through your
(position) , (name) , on the Regional Steering Committee
on Homelessness and Housing, which will oversee the
implementation of the Regional Initiative.
° To the extent that budgetary constraints would allow,
maintain current funding levels for homeless programs
within your jurisdiction, in order that Regional
Initiative resources can be directed to new efforts in
tackling homelessness.
The Bay Area's $7 million Award is the Nation's first
regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative. HUD is aware
that the Bay Area has developed a remarkable level of
expertise and has devoted tremendous energy towards
addressing the needs of homeless people, within each
jurisdiction and as a region. I look forward to continuing
to work together to fight homelessness in the region.
Enclosed for your convenience is a draft endorsement
letter that you may address to Secretary Cisneros.. Please
return your endorsement letter to my office so that we can
present it to the Secretary along with the official Plan.
3
Thank you again for your assistance in making the Bay
Area Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative a success.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to
call me or Steve Sachs, Director of Community Planning and
Development Division, who assists me in these matters.
Sincerely yours,
Original signed by;
Art Agnos A % 6§, flS
Secretary's Representative
Enclosures
cc:
Mr. Phillip Batchelor, County Administrator
Ms. Pat Pinkston, Contra Costa County
Homeless Coordinator
A a
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
ASSESSMENT OF HOMELESS NEEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
HOMELESSNESS AS A REGIONAL ISSUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
CONSULTATION PROCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
INITIATIVE MISSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
FUNDING CRITERIA FOR REGIONAL INITIATIVE PROJECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
PRIORITY AREAS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
POLICY WORK THAT WILL SUPPORT THE REGIONAL INITIATIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
LEVERAGING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reducing Homelessness Around
the Bay Area: A Plan for Action
"If I had some way to pay my rent, I wouldn't be homeless."
-- Resident, Hamillon Emergency Shelter, Marin County
The Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative
Collaborative Plan
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made a commitment of$7 million to the S.F.
Bay Area, to develop a Regional Innovative Initiative to address homelessness. This brings Priority Home! The
Federal Plan to Break the Cycle of Homelessness home to our communities. The Award is a testament to the
tremendous work that has been done on homelessness in the Bay Area for many years.
Reducing homelessness is the number one priority at HUD. The Department will almost double its homeless
program funding in FY'95. This $7 million award to the San Francisco Bay Area is intended to maximize
regional programs and services to help the nine-county Bay Area fill gaps in the continuum of care for homeless
people.
This Award will foster a regional approach to providing the fullest possible range of services under the
continuum of care, including affordable housing, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and job training.
The Bay Area Innovative Regional Homelessness Initiative has developed a regional continuum of care, and will
leverage public and private resources to maximize assistance to homeless individuals and families. The primary
focus of this Initiative is to strengthen and increase the effectiveness of local efforts by devoting the resources
to fill the gaps in the current regional system of homeless care.
The continuum of care focuses on prevention,outreach,emergency, transitional and permanent housing,support
services and jobs. The regional continuum of care will look to:
• take immediate measures to bring those who are currently homeless back into our
communities, workforce, and families; and,
• address the structural needs to provide the necessary housing and social infrastructure
for the very poor in our society to prevent the occurrence of homelessness.
The Regional Initiative will support local needs and programs by bringing together the efforts of the private
sector, philanthropy, nonprofit service providers and housing developers, homeless people and advocates,
universities, and federal, state and local government. Working in collaboration, collective knowledge and
resources will be pooled to construct creative components of a solution to homelessness. The Initiative is the
culmination of months of hard work by individuals and organizations who have been defining regional solutions
to homelessness, and are actively pursuing this opportunity.
Implementation of the Regional Initiative will begin as soon as possible so that money can be made quickly
available to fill gaps in the regional continuum of care. An-Allocations Committee comprised of representatives
from Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, San Jose, and the 9 Bay Area counties will join representatives of federal
agencies, private foundations, business, labor, and homeless people to make funding decisions. Technical
assistance will be provided to all grantees as needed and policy work will develop to ensure the success of all
Initiative efforts. Finally, all grantees will be monitored to ensure that performance outcomes are met. Further
information on the Implementation Plan can be found at the end of this Executive Summary.
1
ASSESSMENT OF HOMELESS NEEDS
Over the past several years, increasing numbers of people in the Bay Area have experienced an episode of
homelessness. Homelessness is a temporary condition for large numbers of people in our communities, with
a steady flow of people becoming homeless for varying lengths of time in any given year. The faces we see
on the streets, in shelters and in lines outside soup kitchens are not the same faces over time.
In 1994, 67,044 parents and children in the Bay Area applied for state homeless assistance, an increase of 23%
from 1992. This figure does not include homeless solo adults, couples with no children, and families that did
not know about or qualify for homeless assistance funds. Considering that between 4-12% of the general
population have experienced an episode of homelessness within the past five years, an estimated 250,000 to
845,300 people in the Bay Area could have experienced an episode of homelessness in the last five years.' The
increase in homelessness is caused by a major housing-jobs-services imbalance that leaves poor people without
sufficient resources to survive periods of instability.
Bay Area Family Short Term Housing
Members Experiencing an for Homeless People
Episode of Homelessness (Winter/Emergency/
County During the Fiscal Year Transition/Treatment Beds)
Alameda 18,180 1194
Contra Costa 12,309 934
Marin 826 291
Napa 903 102
San Francisco 4,586 2409-2439
San Mateo 4,749 475-525
Santa Clara 9,928 1951
Solano 9,588 185
Sonoma 5,975 397
Minimum Wage Needed to Afford Fair Market Rents'
County Fair Market Rents Minimum Hourly Wage Needed
One Bedroom Two Bedroom One Bedroom Two Bedroom
Alameda $651 $815 $12.52 $15.67
Contra Costa $651 $815 $12.52 $15.67
Marin $794 $1,004 $15.27 $19.31
Napa $577 $704 $11.10 $13.54
San Francisco $794 $1,004 $15.27 $19.31
San Mateo $794 $1,004 $15.27 $19.31
Santa Clara $773 $954 $14.87 $18.35
Solano $577 $704 $11.10 $13.54
Sonoma $610 $791 $11.73 $15.21
1 Toro,P.,and D.M.MCDonell,'Beliefs,Attitudes and Kncwlcdge About Haneleasncss:A Surrey of the General Pubfic,�American laraildl of CammmdN Aryclmlogy,Voltam 2U,Number
One,pages 53-ft Nowak,1.,el al.,Gdzemr'Op*dcw abom Tulsa's Nameless.Tulsa hodu to of Behavioral Sciences,1991;link,B.G.ct al.,'Reconsidering the Debate Abad the Numbers of
Haneless People in the United States,' Paper pmsented at the Anmtal Meeting of doe American Public Health Assoclaticm,San Francisco,October 1993.
' Table supplied by Patricia A.Vmbel.'Hosing Justice campaign:Materials for Press Release,'National Low Income Housing coalition,5 April 1494. Materialsextracted from forlhcamidg
publication Out of Reach.
2
HOMELESSNESS AS A REGIONAL ISSUE
The Bay Area is in a singular position to pilot nationally a regional continuum of care collaboration. This
region has a unique history of interactive efforts on homelessness among funders, local government,non-profits,
homeless people and advocates since the late 1980's. Building slowly, a network now exists with established
working relationships, that informs local circumstances from a regional perspective. In particular, the focused
efforts of funders through the Northern California Grantmakers Homeless Task Force, and of non-profits and
local government through the Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness and Housing facilitated by
HomeBase, in early partnership with the Association of Bay Area Governments, provide the region with a
wealth of experience and vision.
Homelessness impacts the entire Bay Area and calls for regional solutions.-
Regional
olutions:Regional conditions often similarly affect the ability of people to retain and regain housing. For
example, the Bay Area has the least affordable housing of any area nationwide, and our local economies
are interconnected.
• Regional transportation systems make travel for recreation, work, and housing a possibility---for those
who can afford it.
• Many cities and homeless agencies report serving clients from neighboring communities. (It should be
noted, however,that most homeless people report being long time residents of the communities in which
they are seeking service).
• Many cities and neighborhood groups cite a "magnet theory" as their rationale for opposing much
needed housing and services for homeless people, fearing that other communities will not do their fair
share to address homelessness. It is hoped that by collaborating to create regional solutions, Bay Area
communities will come to understand that we are all in the fight to end homelessness together.
Accordingly, many groups and individuals have been working for years to promote regional solutions to ending
homelessness. They have succeeded in:
• working with local governments to plan and coordinate the delivery of services, with a focus on long-
term solutions;
• leveraging increased resources and improved procedures to address homelessness from federal, state
and private sources;
• developing model programs and projects to serve the region;
• promoting policy change to meet the needs of homeless people in the Bay Area; and
• crafting a regional structure on homelessness to provide expertise and continuity to the struggle to end
'homelessness.
3
CONSULTATION PROCESS
This application was prepared in light of the following action steps.
• Mail Survey
Five thousand surveys were disseminated to a broad universe of service providers, local government,
and anyone who was thought to be interested in giving input. The focus was on substantive work the
Initiative could support. Direct service/housing providers were asked to have clients complete the
survey, as well. A few hundred responses were recorded.
• Presently-Homeless Persons Focus Groups
Eight focus groups were held by HUD and HomeBase staff on-site at homeless service centers and
housing agencies around the Bay Area. In total, more than 200 presently homeless people participated.
The groups were held with:
• Turning Point transitional housing in San Mateo County
• St. Anthony Foundation women's shelter in San Francisco
• a Conference on Homelessness in Contra Costa County
• Napa Valley Shelter Project, Napa County
• Hamilton Emergency Shelter in Marin County
• Henry Robinson Multi Service Center in Oakland, Alameda County
• Sunnyvale Armory, Santa Clara County
• Coalition of Homeless Groups in Berkeley, Alameda County.
• Ad hoe Meetings Region-wide
A number of conversations, presentations, and focus groups took place to discuss the Award throughout
the nine counties, including HUD presentations to existing inter-governmental forums and selected
Mayors. Program residents and clients, homeless coordinators, homeless coalitions, advocacy groups,
intermediaries and others discussed the Award in various existing forums.
• Working Group Meetings on Technical Issues
Five public region-wide working group sessions were held to discuss:
• Organizational Structure, Allocation, Disbursement, Leveraging
• Housing
• Civil Rights and Ensuring a Place in the Community
• Jobs and Income
• Support Services.
• Bay Area Collaborative Planning Roundtable
Over two hundred people representing local elected officials, homeless people, advocates, service
providers, business, labor, academia, philanthropy and civic organizations attended a full day session
to construct the Bay Area's Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative.
4
• R •
INITIATIVE.MISSION
The Bay Area Homelessness Initiative will begin by supporting projects over the next 3 years that constitute
a regional continuum of care. We challenge ourselves'to:
• launch 4 large scale, multi-county, creative, entrepreneurial, landmark strategies as a
hallmark of the Bay Area's Innovative Homelessness Initiative;
• foster great,regional,collaborative,and replicable programs, projects, and policies that
have significant, measurable, and lasting region-wide impact on reducing homelessness;
• reduce homelessness by supporting a holistic continuum of care approach that includes
housing, jobs and income, and service opportunities, and that respects the dignity of
homeless people throughout the region;
0 ensure that all cities and counties support the civil rights of homeless people by
addressing policies and ordinances that infringe on civil and human rights;
• leverage the HUD grant by pursuing substantial additional resource commitments from
the public and private sectors, and by collectively pursuing policy and administrative
changes on the local, state, and federal levels that will facilitate the success of all
efforts;
• maximize existing resources and expertise to avoid creating new administrative
bureaucracies and burdensome procedures; and,
• continue to involve homeless people in all aspects of the Initiative, including hiring
homeless people to fill the job opportunities created through disbursement of Initiative
funds.
5
FUNDING CRITERIA FOR REGIONAL INITIATIVE PROJECTS
All projects funded by the Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative must be state of the art, incorporate the
latest relevant research and methodologies, and reflect community strategies currently in place or considered.
All Initiative efforts must benefit people who are currently homeless, formerly homeless, and/or at=risk of
homelessness in accordance with the McKinney Act definition of homeless. The following criteria are
mandatory for all applicants for funding.
INNOVATIVE
1. Links employment, services and housing, while respecting the dignity of all.
2. Strives to mainstream homeless programs into existing service delivery systems.
3. Produces visible, measurable outcomes that reduce homelessness.
4. Will require systems change to support implementation, addressing policies and programs that are
barriers to homeless people..
PROMOTES A REGIONAL APPROACH
5. Develops a new strategy that encompasses a regional scale.
6. Incorporates regional differences in population diversity, geography, economic opportunity, and does
not exclude any part of the nine county region.
7. Can be replicated throughout the region, while including at least subregional coordination.
SUPPORTS A CONTINUUM OF CARE
S. Supports the continuum of care development in each locality.
9. Builds on in-depth experience of agencies and leverages grant awards with support from public and
private sources.
10. Requires participation of local government, non-profit, for-profit and philanthropic corporate and
business sectors, and homeless people.
11. Demonstrates an approach to meeting needs that could be replicated for many homeless subpopulations.
RESPECTS THE DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE
12. Provides confidentiality guidelines and a grievance process for program participants.
13. Provides staff training on civil rights and diversity issues as they relate to homeless people.
14. Participates in regional public education efforts to inform local elected officials, the private sector,
churches and community groups about the causes of, and solutions to, homelessness, with an emphasis
on civil rights and human dignity.
15. Participates in regional efforts to address ordinances and policies that infringe on the civil and human
rights of homeless people by subjecting them to rousting, citation, arrest and/or incarceration for
engaging in life-sustaining activities.
6
• J t, �
INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURE
The Innovative Regional Homelessness Initiative will honor the existing infrastructure in order to tap regional
expertise, expedite the release of funds, and avoid inventing new bureaucracies.
GRANT ADMINISTRATOR
Northern California Community Services Council,Inc., a catalyst for community planning and problem solving
by strengthening capacity, will serve as the grant administrator for the Initiative. Their role includes being the
fiscal intermediary, receiving the grant, convening the Allocations Committee, screening applications for
threshold eligibility, executing contract agreements with Initiative grantees, disbursing checks, and filing
accountant statements. They have performed this role for the FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Program,
and the state Emergency Shelter/Emergency Housing Assistance Program, for many years, under their parent
and partner agency, the United Way of the Bay Area.
ALLOCATIONS COMMITTEE
Allocation decisions will be made by a committee comprised of 3 private foundations engaged in funding
homeless programs, one representative from each of the 4 major cities and 9 counties, 1 labor and 2 business
representatives, 3 recent service system users, and the Secretary's Representative to the Region from the federal
Departments of HUD, Health and Human Services, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Labor. This Committee
will review all applications and award grants.
POLICY REFORMS
The Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness and Housing (RSC), a diverse body that develops regional
policy on homelessness, will work on broad based program areas and policy reforms needed to carry out
Initiative objectives. This group may form working groups around each Initiative program area, open to all for
active participation. These working groups would have input into shaping the implementation of the Initiative
program areas, doing policy and program design research, and crafting recommendations on what program
models funded by the Initiative should be replicated throughout the region.
POLICY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Association of Bay Area Governments, the seat of regional government, will convene a committee
comprised of elected officials from throughout the region to receive recommended policy reforms from the RSC
and to develop policy reforms that will support all Regional Initiative efforts. This committee will facilitate the
involvement of all local governments in the fight to reduce homelessness.
STAFF WORK
HomeBase will staff the policy and program work of the RSC and administratively assist the Allocations
Committee. Tasks will include: convening appropriate participants to refine program design and policy
parameters; research and policy development for program components; procuring and providing technical
assistance to Initiative applicants and grantees; engaging with program operators to keep projects on track and
refine scope; evaluate and report on outcomes; generate public education and media materials, training and
technical manuals; and, conduct all other policy work and materials development required to carry out Initiative
goals.
7
PRIORITY AREAS
The Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative will support key, ground-breaking efforts in 7 Priority Areas.
Priority Area 1. Improved delivery of support services to homeless people
For people who have lost their housing, the lack of access to affordable support services such as general health
care and specialized medical treatment programs, childcare, and even access to information often means the
difference between life on the streets or in shelters, and independent living. Gaps in services, as well as lack
of coordination and easy access points to the service delivery system, leads to frustration and fewer homeless
people able to enter into and utilize systems of care.
Priority Area 1 will seek to fill in the services gap in the regional continuum of care by developing a voucher
program that not only allows homeless people to decide what services they need to move towards independent
living, but also increases the amount of services available in the region. Additionally, coordinated systems for
linking people to available housing and services will be developed to make these services more accessible.
It is anticipated that Initiative funds will leverage additional resources, especially in developing systems for
linking people to services, to help fill this gap in the regional continuum of care.
Priority Area 2. Increased incomes of people eligible for public benefits
Insufficient income is one of the main reasons why people become and remain homeless. Low wages today are
not enough for many people to afford housing. Although several forms of public assistance exists, they do not
effectively prevent homelessness because the benefits provided are far below the cost of housing in the Bay
Area. Worse still, many poor people receive no aid at all.
Priority Area 2 will seek to meet the need for stabilizing income by linking homeless people to mainstream
income support programs. Work will focus on developing a central point of information on assistance
programs, and conducting aggressive outreach to assist people in securing benefits, especially Earned Income
Credits for people who have worked, and Supplemental Security Income for people with disabilities.
It is anticipated that little or no Initiative funds will be used to support this effort to link people to existing
benefits programs for which they are eligible. Legal services, advocacy, and government organizations will
be encouraged to work towards this goal.
Priority Area 3. Accessible, affordable transportation
Transportation was the number one issue raised by homeless people during the outreach phase of the Initiative
planning process. Transportation affects everyone's ability to gain employment and to secure necessary social
services. For people in poverty, costly transportation results in fewer opportunities to exit homelessness.
Priority Area 3 will seek to develop region-wide transportation systems for homeless people. Mechanisms that
enable homeless people to access public transit or para-transit at affordable prices will improve their mobility,
bringing them closer to jobs or services. The provision of these transportation services may in itself create new
job opportunities for homeless people.
It is anticipated that little to no Initiative money will be used to support this effort. Regional transportation,
providers will be approached and outside funds will be sought to provide this much needed service.
8
Priority Area 4. Jobs: training, development, creation, and placement
Many homeless people, like so many American workers, find themselves working into poverty. Changes in
the economy have resulted' in fewer jobs that pay a living wage. Job services can help, but they often do not
lead to sustained employment. Existing programs that target disadvantaged individuals often do not provide
adequate support for homeless people who lack the basic resources needed to seek employment.
Priority Area 4 will seek to create more job opportunities for homeless people through the development of job
training approaches, facilitated hiring of homeless people by the public, private, and non-profits sectors, and
temporary jobs tailored to the needs of homeless people. The Regional Initiative will seek to utilize existing
HUD funding programs, such as CDBG, to create job opportunities for homeless people.
It is anticipated that Initiative funds will support these efforts, and leverage additional funding and resources.
Priority Area 5. Expanding community acceptance strategies
One of the most persistent and frustrating obstacles to the creation of affordable housing and homeless service
programs is community opposition to siting. Opposition is based upon discrimination and unsubstantiated fears
that property values, business profits and quality of life will decline if a low-income housing project is to be
located in the neighborhood.
Priority Area 5 will seek to foster community acceptance of programs serving homeless people by developing
a capacity building team to support service providers and housing developers through the provision of
community outreach and legal assistance, and the development of a regional public education campaign designed
to change negative attitudes about housing and service programs serving homeless people.
It is anticipated that little to no Initiative funds will be used to support this Priority Area. Existing efforts to
address NIMBY in the region will be supported by outside resources.
Priority Area 6. Developing a trust fund to support services linked to permanent housing
The crisis of homelessness is compounded by our failure to take holistic approaches to addressing homelessness.
A major gap in the regional continuum of care is the lack of a sufficient supply of support services linked to
permanent housing that will enable residents to maintain independent living and to exit homelessness.
Priority Area 6 will seek to create a mechanism to provide long term funding for support services that are linked
to permanent housing.
It is anticipated that Initiative funds will be used to establish a permanent funding source for support services
linked to permanent housing, leveraging other financial resources for sustaining support.
Priority Area 7. Housing Trust Fund
Lack of affordable housing results in homelessness. Affordable housing is particularly in need among those who
earn minimum wages or are receiving public assistance benefits, due to escalating housing costs and a reducing
low-income housing stock.
Priority Area 7 will seek to bridge the gap between incomes and the high cost of housing by establishing
funding mechanisms to help people pay move-in costs and deposits, negotiate lower rents with landlords of
tenant's in edu�.ational and training programs, and provide time limited rental assistance.
It is anticipated that Initiative funds will be used to start up and leverage additional resources.
9
o ., r•
POLICY WORK THAT WILL SUPPORT THE REGIONAL INITIATIVE
The Bay Area's Regional Homelessness Initiative is truly an innovative approach to addressing homelessness
in the region. In addition to filling gaps in the Bay Area's continuum of care through the provision of direct
services to homeless people, this Initiative will develop policy change that supports grantees and homeless
people throughout the region. This policy work will operate on two fronts.
1. The Policy Advisory Committee convened by the Association of Bay Area Governments will bring
together local elected officials from throughout the region to review local government policy reform
measures targeted by the RSC for action.
2. The Regional Steering Committee on Homelessness and Housing (RSC) will conduct policy work
directed at ending homelessness in the Bay Area. The RSC will focus on the specific policy work
identified during the Regional Initiative's extensive community planning process, listed below. Work
will be done in each of the 7 Priority Areas, and local government reforms passed to the ABAG Policy
Advisory Committee.
Priority Area 1: Improved delivery of support services to homeless people
• Leverage existing child care opportunities so that they translate into more child care
slots for homeless families; work with families so that they can continue to afford child
care even after they have found housing; make child care available 24 hours a day to
accommodate people working the night shift; bring child care into the shelters; and,
expand child care preferences for homeless children.
• Identify funding sources for homeless programs and develop public policy strategies.
Identify and analyze resources to meet the abyss in funding for services regionally.
• Assist in the development of local and regional voucher strategies. Research the cost
effectiveness of such systems.
• Each County will contribute to the creation of a regional service directory with in depth
listings of programs and benefits.
Priority Area 2: Increased incomes of people eligible for public benefits
• Promote work and asset accumulation within benefits programs.
• Work to streamline the process for receiving benefits and shorten time for approval.
• Adjust EITC program to account for regional cost of living and tie benefits to child
care.
• Show that benefits advocacy and EITC are cost effective.
• Advocate to increase the minimum wage.
Priority Area 3: Accessible, affordable transportation
• Promote policies that lead to free or reduced-fare regional transit systems.
• Document the number of people able to secure housing, jobs, income support, and
support services due in large part to increased access to transportation. Develop
research to show the cost effectiveness of helping people gain stability in their lives.
10
Priority Area 4: Jobs: training, development, creation and placement.
• Promote regional homeless hiring. Promote access to federal Job Training Partnership
Act programs, as well as employment development and vocational rehabilitation
agencies; use existing hiring incentives, such as JTPA and Section 3; create monitoring
systems to ensure that hiring incentives benefit the economically disadvantaged; and,
explore the possibility of translating hiring preferences into union membership.
• Seek revision of JTPA policy on time frames and performance outcomes which
encourage providers to "cream," and remove other disincentives to working with
homeless people.
• Study emerging industries to direct training of job seekers.
• Create a niche in the state Employment Development Department offices to
accommodate homeless persons in a way that does not label them.
• Develop hiring/ employment guidelines that accommodate homeless needs.
• Seek waivers so that any training or stipends or money received will not result in
forfeiture of other benefits.
Priority Area 5: Expanding community acceptance strategies
• Bring about legislative change to end discrimination in local practices.
• Develop model policies for siting all forms of affordable housing and homeless service
facilities.
• Bring local zoning ordinances and permit procedures in compliance with state and
federal anti-discrimination laws. Draft and propose model policies to local governments
for adoption.
• Revise state housing element law so that requirements to identify sites translates into
more housing for homeless and low-income people.
• Develop objective data and case studies to be used in resolving future disputes.
Priority Area 6: Developing a trust fund to support services linked to permanent housing
• Identify sustaining government funds for services leveraged by initiative funds.
• Impact existing funding streams and create new funding sources to nourish the trust
fund.
• Information exchange and analysis to show that such models are cost effective.
Priority Area 7: Housing Trust Fund
• Promote housing loss prevention/retention strategies to be adopted by all levels of
government.
• Develop and promote strategies for increasing the supply of permanent housing that is
affordable to people earning minimum wage or on public assistance.
11
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
All Initiative grantees will be required to meet certain minimum standards. Although precise outcomes cannot
be predicted until the Allocations Committee meets and decides how to allocate the Award, it is anticipated that
the Bay Area Innovative Homelessness Initiative will achieve the following annual outcomes.
Priority Area 1: Improved delivery of support services to homeless people
• -computer systems facilitate 500 placements
• vouchers support service needs of 200 people
• outreach leads to 300 contacts, assessments, and service
• improved coordination of service delivery
Priority Area 2: Increased incomes of people eligible for public benefits
• outreach and assistance will lead to 100 people accessing EIC for first time, and 200
people receiving SSI
• professional SSI rep payees will be available for 100 people
• improved coordination, efficiency, and policy change
Priority Area 3: Accessible, affordable transportation
• 500 people will access affordable transportation
• coordination leading to regional reduced fare transit
Priority Area 4: Jobs: training, development, creation and placement
• 300 people will access jobs and/or training, of these; 100 people will retain jobs at
$8/hr for 6 months; 50 people will receive on the job training; 100 people will develop
skills in areas where jobs are available.
• 10 businesses will participate in this effort
• 3 labor unions will participate in this effort
• increased coordination to link homeless people with good jobs
Priority Area 5: Expanding community acceptance strategies
• public education, community acceptance technical assistance and permit reform will
result in 3 projects gaining acceptance
• improved public perception in the region of homeless housing and services
Priority Area 6: Developing a trust fund to support services linked to permanent housing
• 200 people will retain supported housing for 1 year
• development of self sustaining fund for support services
Priority Area 7: Housing Trust Fund
• 250 people will find and retain housing for 36 months
• 50 landlords will agree to reduce rents and will be publicized for doing so
• move-in costs repaid can assist others over time
12
t'
LEVERAGING
All participants in the Regional Initiative planning process recognize the critical importance of leveraging to the
success of regional efforts to address homelessness. It is anticipated that much of the leveraging and support
for the Regional Initiative will occur when specific grantees are selected to carry out Priority Area goals.
Leveraging funds will take several forms.
9
1. The Regional Initiative will cement new relationships, fostering cooperative relationships that will
strengthen the fight to reduce homelessness in the region. Working groups will approach all relevant
parties who may have something to contribute to the Initiative. It is anticipated that the groups from
which leveraging will be sought include, at a minimum, the following.
• Silicon Valley computer and software companies, local universities,and the Department
of Commerce will be asked to develop and fund systems for improved access to
services.
• Local Public Health Departments, private medical professionals and the Departments
of Health and Human Services and the Veterans Administration will be asked to
contribute to Initiative efforts to fill gaps in the service system.
• Legal services attorneys,private foundations, and the Departments of Internal Revenue
Service and Health and Human Services will be asked to develop and fund efforts to
link homeless people to public benefits, such as Earned Income Credit and
Supplemental Security Income, for which they are qualified.
• Local and regional transit agencies, and the Department of Transportation will be asked
to develop accessible and affordable transportation options for homeless people.
• Labor unions, businesses, and the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs will be
asked to support linkages between homeless people and training and job opportunities.
• Local governments, the National Institute for Dispute Resolution and Fannie Mae will
be asked to coordinate, develop, and fund regional approaches to combatting NIMBY.
• Existing public and private funding sources, non-profit agencies, and intermediaries will
be asked to work together to support efforts to create a permanent funding stream for
support services linked to permanent housing.
• Administrators of programs such as the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program,
the state Emergency Housing Assistance Program, and local trust funds, will be asked
to work together to support the creation or expansion of a housing trust fund or funds
that will serve housing needs in the region.
2. Efforts will continually be made to secure additional federal, state, local, and private funding to support
Initiative implementation.
3. All applicants for funding under the Regional Initiative will have to leverage the Initiative grant by
securing matching funds.
13
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
After the Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative has been endorsed by the nine Counties of the Bay Area
and the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond, San Francisco, and San Jose, and accepted by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the implementation phase of the Award shall begin.
• Establish Allocations Committee - within one month of final acceptance of the Regional Initiative by
HUD.
• County advocacy and planning coalitions nominate three homeless or formerly homeless
people (homeless within the last 12 months) total, each from different counties.
•. County Boards of Supervisors and Mayors of Berkeley, Oakland, Richmond and San
Jose nominate Homeless Coordinator or other qualified person.
• NCG Task Force nominates representatives from three foundations, each from different
counties.
• The Bay Area Council will be asked to nominate 2 business representatives and 1 labor
union representative, each from different counties.
• Secretary's Representative from the Departments of Housing and Urban Development,
Health and Human Services, Education, Veterans Affairs, and Labor.
• Funding
• From five to ten grants will be made with Initiative funds.
• Grant levels will range from $250,000 to $2 million of HUD dollars.
• No more than four large grants (in excess of$1 million) will be made with Initiative
funds.
• A minimum of four of the seven Project Areas will receive HUD funding.
• Eligible grantees include any entity that can meet the requirements of the Initiative, as
set out in the Initiative Mission, Funding Criteria, Priority Areas, Eligible Activities,
and Performance Standards. Prior experience, ability to match Initiative funds, and
willingness to hire homeless people to fill job openings created by Initiative funds will
be a positive factor in the allocation decision making process.
• Grant Application Process - Allocations Committee, NCCSC, HomeBase
• Finalizing the allocation process - within three months of final acceptance of the
Regional Initiative by HUD.
• Initiating that process, possibly by issuing Requests for Proposals or Qualifications
(RFPs, RFQs).
• Allow sufficient time for applications to come in.
• Technical assistance will be available upon request.
• Grant Review and Decision-making
• Allocations Committee reviews all materials submitted under the allocations process
with assistance from staff - within five months of final acceptance of the Regional
Initiative by HUD.
• Announce a short-list of proposals received for each Priority Area.
• Short-listed applicants give presentations on their project.
• Announce decisions
• Repeat cycle for remaining Priority Areas, as necessary.
14
• NCCSC Fiscal Management - immediately after final acceptance of the Regional Initiative by HUD.
• Setting up Accounting Procedures, Financial Management Procedures and Reporting
Requirements.
• Policy Work - immediately after final acceptance of the Regional Initiative by HUD.
• ABAG Policy Advisory Committee comprised of local elected officials will be convened
within two months of final acceptance of the Regional Initiative by HUD, to review
local government policy.reform areas identified by the RSC. This Committee will
facilitate the success of Initiative funded efforts.
• Regional Steering Committee will meet to consider policy work leading to an end to
homelessness. Work will focus on policy projects identified during the Regional
Initiative planning process.
• Technical Assistance
• Provided by staff to grantees as needed.
• Monitoring
• Grantees will be monitored every six months through simple evaluations and
surveys/interviews with consumers, using tools created by HomeBase staff, who will
provide reports to the Allocations Committee.
15
(your letterhead)
The Honorable Henry Cisneros
Secretary
Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20410
Dear Secretary Cisneros,
I am pleased to enforse the $7 million Bay Area
Innovative Regional Homelessness Initiative! I am pleased
to support Reducing Homelessness Around the Bay Area: A
Plan for Action, which provides for a regional continuum of
care in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Plan is the product of much deliberation by the
people who are most involved in community efforts to reduce
homelessness in our communities - local elected officials
and government staff, homeless people, housing and service
providers, homeless advocates, business people, labor,
academia, interfaith organizations, private and charitable
foundations, and federal officials.
Homelessness is a growing problem in the Bay Area, and
I welcome the opportunity provided by the Department of
Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness on a
regional level. The development of the Plan has already
been the catalyst for the cross jurisdictional collaboration
that needs to continue in order for us to reduce
homelessness in the Bay Area.
2
Thank you for your recognition of the impact that
homelessness has on individuals and communities. I look
forward to working with your Department and others on the
Regional Innovative Homelessness Initiative to identify
resources and provide opportunities for our residents to
obtain and retain permanent housing, increase skills and
income, and achieve greater self determination.
Sincerely,
Name
Tile
Date: E5
REQUEST TO SPEAK FORM
(Two [2] Minute Limit)
Complete this form and place it in the box near the speakers' rostrum before addressing the Board.
Nam Phone:
Address: City: .,��
I am speaking for: yself OR ❑ Organization:
NAME OF ORGANIZATION
CHECK ONE:
❑ I wish to speak on Agenda Item #
My comments will be: ❑ General O'For ❑ Against
❑ I wish to speak on the subject of:
❑ I do not wish to speak but leave these comments for the Board to consider: