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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1999 0901 CC REG ITEM 10GFROM: DATE: CITY OF MOORPARK AGENDA REPORT Honorable City Council ITEM /0-67-- CITY OF - ,jonT�r P' ,7, C of ACTION:�ICi�CPl atG:� f� C�icin B�.�t;t John E. Nowak, Assistant City Manager 24 August 1999 (Meeting of 09/01/99) SUBJECT: Consider the Recommendations from the Ventura Council of Governments Ad Hoc Homeless Committee. BACKGROUND: On June 24, 1998 the Ventura Council of Governments' Ad Hoc Homeless Committee presented a series of recommendations for dealing with homelessness in the County. The Council of Governments has requested individual cities to review and take action on the recommendations. DISCUSSION: An Ad Hoc Homeless Committee was established by the Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) in December 1998 to review the issue of homelessness in the County. The Committee met a number of times with city and county staff and community advocate groups for the homeless. In June 1999 the Committee presented ten (10) recommendations to the VCOG Board of Directors (see attached) . One of the actions of the Board was to present the recommendations to the individual cities and request that the city councils take action on the recommendation. None of these recommendations would require an appropriation of funds without further City Council action. RECOMMENDATION: The City Council is requested to endorse the recommendations made by the Ventura Council of Governments' Ad Hoc Homeless Committee. Attached 000z) 08/16/99 09:35 -FAX Ventura Council of Governments RECOMMENDATIONS TO VCOG Ad Hoc Homeless Committee June 24, 1999 Homelessness is a countywide issue, and the County has a statutory role as provider of last resort. Each jurisdiction must address homelessness both individually and- cooperatively, and funding (federal, State, County, City, and private) to support homeless programs primarily focused on meeting housing needs should be sought through a coordinated, regional approach. Recognizing this the following specific recommendations are presented. Establish a standing homeless committee of VCOG, which will work with the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition (VCHHC) to further a regional approach to providing shelter (from emergency to permanent) for homeless persons in Ventura County. This effort will be guided by the 1996 Regional Plan on Homelessness, annual Continuum of Care documents, and other relevant documents. 2. Support the need for a countywide network of year- round, emergency shelters, addressed on a community -by- community basis as determined by each community's identified need, but implemented cooperatively to insure service throughout the County. Establish a financing mechanism. 3. Support the need for year -round regional transitional housing models and establish a financing mechanism to include all assisted jurisdictions. 4. Support the development, by Ventura County Behavioral Health, of a regional strategy for housing mentally ill homeless persons that could 1) include a broad spectrum of housing to enhance currently available 'housing options, with a goal of phasing out the use of motel voucher programs; 2) focus on serving persons in their home communities, and; 3) involve all stakeholders (including cities) in policy discussions. 5. Pursue a pilot program for use of redevelopment housing set -aside funds for regional homeless programs, while at the same time allowing flexibility for each jurisdiction to provide support from the most appropriate funding source(s) it identifies. AUG 16 '99 10:5e la 002 hai Kathy 1. Long vtstws ce.Kq Bevd If sue= vi ai Donald Gunderson 091 rf F,o wa.r K,cvin B. Kildec cty of cun"Wa Patrick Hunter aq'f -- Ellen Hall - c1q f cl* Dr. Manuel Lopez 091 of a .. d Toni Young Gq of Pert Kwft rc Jack Tingstrom C,q fSarr Bwo�arrntun James Garfield 09F of Santa PA Ufa Bill Davis Michael Markey Gry of ThWaand Oat, John K Flynn Susan K Lacey Judy Mikels Frank Schillo vemmm Grwq 8-M of SIP—is- Arnold Dowdy Executive Director 00020 - PAGE. 02 08/16/99 09:33 FAX _ 10003 6. Support and pursue State legislation, which would enhance housing and supportive service opportunities for the homeless. 7. Encourage all jurisdictions to increase the supply of low-income, permanent housing, including addressing zoning issues, as an essential component of assisting homeless persons and families to achieve a fully independent lifestyle. 8. Ensure that county services will be available and linkage provided to services incorporated into supportive housing models. . 9. Support the establishment of outcome measures and empirical data gathering mechanisms will be established to measure program success against program investment. 10. Support the practice that jurisdictions will mutually consult regarding homeless policies that could impact other jurisdictions' resources. Y 0 OOU;C,:,L; AUG 16 '99 10:59 PAGE.03