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 the acquisition of the Pacific Inn, as well as TownePlace Suites.
In December 2020, the County used Homekey funding and other funding to acquire the Pacific Inn in order to create a new homeless shelter program to assist people experiencing homelessness (“Pacific Shelter”), with the long-term goal of converting the site to affordable housing.
Pacific Inn, located at 2610 El Camino Real, in Redwood City is a seventy-four-unit hotel, located near public transportation, shopping center, and the Fair Oaks Health Center.
DISCUSSION:
Pacific Shelter has been in operation since March 2021 and is providing intensive services to the individuals experiencing homelessness who are residing at the shelter. Collaboration with the City of Redwood City and local stakeholders is key to the success of the Pacific Shelter program. Accordingly, staff seeks this Board’s approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the City to set forth the parties’ expectations related to the Program. For instance, the MOU sets forth the parties’ understanding of the Pacific Shelter program operation and rules, coordination with stakeholders, filling vacancies in the program, grounds and exterior, and potential future use of the site.
Both County and City staff prepared and negotiated the MOU. County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution and the MOU as to form.
On May 10, 2021, the City presented the MOU before its City Council, and was granted authorization to execute the MOU with the County.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no net County cost associated with the County executing this MOU with the City.