Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Ken Cole, Director, Human Services Agency
Subject: MOU with the City of Redwood City regarding the New Homeless Shelter Program in Redwood City known as Pacific Shelter
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing and directing the County Manager, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the County of San Mateo and the City of Redwood City for a five-year term beginning May 11, 2021 regarding a new homeless shelter program in Redwood City known as Pacific Shelter.
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BACKGROUND:
According to the 2019 One Day Homeless Count, there were 901 unsheltered homeless individuals living in San Mateo County on the day of the count, including 221 in Redwood City, which is the highest number of unsheltered individuals of any city in the county.
Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing community needs and inequities. Persons experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of infection and death due to COVID-19.
The County and its community partners provide a continuum of homeless services via the homeless crisis response system, which includes services such as homeless prevention, homeless outreach teams, shelters, rapid rehousing programs, Street Medicine, and other services. As part of the County's goal to reach a functional zero level of homelessness, the County has been seeking ways to maximize the shelter resources available, both by expanding shelter capacity and also by enhancing the services provided at shelters to help shelter clients move into housing as quickly as possible. As part of the County's efforts to maximize shelter capacity, the County applied for funding under the State's Homekey Program, which allowed local communities to apply for funding to purchase hotels with the intention of creating new shelters and permanent housing. The County was awarded Homekey funding to help support th...
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