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>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THE TIME IS 1:09 P.M. ON THURSDAY APRIL 11, 2024. CITY COUNCIL HAS RECONVENED FROM ITS EXECUTIVE SESSION.
NO OFFICIAL ACTION WAS TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. OUR A SESSION IS NOW ADJOURNED.
AT 1:10 WE'LL NOW START OUR SPECIAL SESSION. WE HAVE ONE ITEM.
FIRST, MADAME CLERK, COULD YOU READ THE ROLL?
>> CLERK: SIR, WE HAVE A QUORUM. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. ERIK, OVER TO YOU FOR OUR ONE ITEM.
>> WALSH: THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO OUR 1:00 BRIEFING TODAY IS OE COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AS WELL AS OUR ENCAMPMENT CLEANUP PROGRAM. WE'LL WALK THROUGH A NUMBER OF ELEMENTS ABOUT HOW WE COORDINATE THAT WORK, WHAT THE DATA AND OUTCOMES HAVE BEEN SO FAR THIS YEAR. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF THE COUNCIL HAS HAD A CHANCE TO NOTICE BUT OUR DASHBOARD ON MUCH OF THE INFORMATION THAT YOU WERE GOING TO BE PRESENTED WITH THAT WE TRACK MONTHLY IS ON THE CITY'S LANDING PAGE. AND SO THAT WAY WE MAKE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE. WE'LL ALSO TALK ABOUT WHERE WE'RE AT IN TERMS OF ENCAMPMENTS AND HOW WE PRIORITIZE. I WANT TO REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT ONE OF THE CCRS THAT WENT THROUGH GOVERNANCE FROM COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO WAS THE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO PRIORITIZE AND SO WE'RE FULLY PREPARED TO HAVE THAT BE PART OF TODAY'S CONVERSATION AND GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE COUNCIL. I'LL SHARE WITH YOU THAT WE SET SOME PRETTY HEARTY GOALS AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS WE WOULD RESPOND TO.
OUR TIMELINESS TO THOSE RESPONSES -- ACTUALLY, THOSE ENCAMPMENTS -- AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF UNSHELTERED THAT WE WERE GOING TO IDENTIFY TO BRING INTO SHELTERING SITUATIONS.
MEL WILL WALK THROUGH WHERE WE'RE AT PART OF THE YEAR, HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR.
I'LL TELL YOU WE'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM THAT CONVERSATION AND THOSE TARGETS THAT WE SET.
AND I THINK WHAT IT'S OPENED OUR EYES TO IS THAT WE ARE SURPASSING OUR GOAL THIS YEAR TO GET UNSHELTERED INTO SHELTER BUT OUR NUMBER KEEPS GROWING. AND IT'S NEW HOMELESSNESS AND IT'S TIED DIRECTLY TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAYBE ONE MONTH AWAY FROM BEING HOMELESS THEMSELVES. AND SO I THINK THE TRACKING OF THE DATA AND THE WORK THAT DHS HAS BEEN DOING THIS YEAR WILL BETTER INFORM US TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE GOING FORWARD IN THE FUTURE. YOU'LL ALSO SEE THAT WE SET A PRETTY AMBITIOUS GOAL TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF BEING NOTIFIED.
AND YOU'LL SEE IN OUR DASHBOARD AND IN THE PRESENTATION, FRANKLY WE STRUGGLED WITH THAT IN THE FALL AND SOLID WASTE AND DHS MADE A NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL CHANGES ON FEBRUARY 1ST.
AND SINCE FEBRUARY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET THAT GOAL. SO THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COORDINATED PROCESS. I'LL REMIND THE COUNCIL THAT THIS WAS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE WE SAW IN NINE OF TEN COUNCIL DISTRICTS IN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET SURVEY SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO DO A GOOD JOBS AND BE RESPONSIVE AND IMPROVE OUR COMMUNICATIONS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
LORI IS GOING TO KICK US OFF AND SHE'LL HAND IT OVER TO MEL TO GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION.
LORI. >> HOUSTON: GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER LORI HOUSTON AND I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE TODAY'S ITEM. TODAY MELODY WOOSLEY, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES, WILL PROVIDE THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL A BRIEFING ON THE STATE OF HOMELESSNESS IN SAN ANTONIO AND HIGHLIGHT SEVERAL OF THE INITIATIVES THAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOGETHER TO REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION ON HOMELESSNESS.
WHEN I SAY "WE," I'M REFERRING TO THE COLLECTIVE WE. HOMELESSNESS IS A HEAVY LIFT AND WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE OR IN SILOS. AND SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE PARTNERS BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK A GROUP THAT WE REFER TO AS OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT EXECUTIVE GROUP THAT HAS BEEN MEETING REGULARLY AT LEAST EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE COORDINATED AND A WORKSHOP AND TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIORITIES WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS. HERE WITH US TODAY ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THIS IMPORTANT EXECUTIVE GROUP TO INCLUDE KATIE WILSON WITH CLOSE TO HOME.
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NA KEISHA BAKER WITH SAMMINISTRIES. KIM JEFFERIES WITH HAVEN FOR HOPE. DAWN WHITE WITH CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES.ERICA BORREGO WITH CORAZON MINISTRIES. TRISTA BERRY.
ROBERT GALVAN WITH SALVATION ARMY. ANNIE ERIKSON WITH ENDEAVORS.
AND WE OF COURSE HAVE CHCS AS PART OF THE GROUP BUT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
AND WE HAVE JESSIE HIGGINS, THE CITY'S CHIEF MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER.
VERONICA GARCIA AND MELODY WOOSLEY AND PATRICK. THIS IS JUST A GROUP, ONE GROUP THAT MEETS REGULARLY TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES BUT I WANT TO STRESS IT TAKES A VILLAGE AND IT TAKES PARTNERSHIP. NOW, THE GROUPS FOLLOW THE STRATEGIC HOUSING IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, THE STRATEGIC PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS AND THE FISCAL YEAR '24 OPERATING BUDGET.
COORDINATION IS A MUST WHEN IT COMES TO HOMELESSNESS. NOT ONLY DO WE FOLLOW THESE PLANS, WE WORK TOGETHER DAILY. FOR EXAMPLE, WE WORK COLLECTIVELY WITH THE SAME CLIENTS. I WANT TO USE THE EXAMPLE OF A GENTLEMAN BY THE NAME OF NVEILLE. CASTRO BROUGHT HIM THROUGH THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AMBASSADORS TO THE DAY CENTERS OPERATED BY CORAZON AND CHRISTIAN ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES .
THEY BUILT TRUST WITH HIM. THEY WORKED WITH HIM AND THEN AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS THEY WERE ABLE TO GET HIM INTO THE SAM LOW-BARRIER SHELTER. HE STAYED THERE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND NOW HE WAS ABLE TO TRANSITION TO A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNIT AT TOWN TWIN VILLAGE. WE ALL TOUCH NEVILLE AND HE IS A GREAT SUCCESS STORY BUT THAT SUCCESS STORY TOOK TWO YEARS. ONE PERSON TWO YEARS. IT'S ABOUT BUILDING TRUST AND WORKING THE SYSTEM AND CREATING THESE PARTNERSHIPS. ONE OF THE EXCITING COMPONENTS OF TODAY'S PRESENTATION IS THE ABILITY TO SHOW OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT AS A GROUP.
THIS DATA IS PULLED FROM THE HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM , WHICH IS AN ELECTRONIC DATABASE THAT CAPTURES THE CHARACTERISTICS AND INFORMATION ON PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. AND THE DATA SHARED TODAY IS A DASHBOARD THAT WENT LIVE ON MONDAY, AS ERIK MENTIONED, AND WE'LL UPDATE THAT ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
I DO WANT TO SHARE THAT WE DID A POINT IN TIME COUNT IN JANUARY 2024.
TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL NOT COVER THAT BECAUSE THAT INFORMATION WILL NOT BE RELEASED UNTIL LATE MAY OR EARLY JUNE. BUT AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT, WE WILL SHARE THAT WITH THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL ALONG WITH THE FULL REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. FINALLY, I WANT TO NOTE THAT TODAY'S PRESENTATION THAT PRESENTATION WAS A 35-SLIDE PRESENTATION. WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THIS DATA BUT WE KNEW IT WAS TOO MUCH TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND SO WE THOUGHT WE WOULD CONDENSE THAT AND THEN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO MEET WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY IF YOU HAVE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS OR CONVERSATIONS. BUT THE INFORMATION IN THE POWERPOINT YOU GOT EARLIER THIS WEEK IS CORRECT AND WE JUST CONDENSED IT IN TODAY'S PRESENTATION. WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MEL TO START OUR
PRESENTATION. >> WOOSLEY: THANK YOU, LORI. GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MELODY WOOSLEY, HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR.
AS LORI SAID, WE WORK WITH A PHENOMENAL GROUP OF PARTNERS AND I'M EXCITED TO BRIEF YOU ALL TODAY ON THE WORK OF THE RESPONSE SYSTEM BY THE COMMUNITY'S HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM AND STAFF FROM MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING HUMAN SERVICES, HOUSING, SOLID WASTE, SAPD, PARKS AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. I APPRECIATE THAT MANY OF THOSE LEADERS ARE HERE TODAY. WE HAVE ASSEMBLED THIS GROUP WHO UNDERSTAND THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF HOMELESSNESS AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING OUR GOALS.
I WILL COVER SEVERAL TOPICS TODAY RELATED TO OUR COMMUNITY RESPONSE, INCLUDING IMPROVED SYSTEM COORDINATION AND COLLECTIVE GOALS DEMONSTRATED BY OUR NEW HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM DASHBOARD, THAT I'LL WALK YOU THROUGH. INNOVATIVE SHELTER AND HOUSING OPTIONS, OUR FOCUS ON CUSTOMIZING SERVICES FOR TARGETED POPULATIONS WHO HAVE UNIQUE NEEDS. IMPROVEMENTS TO STREET OUTREACH AND ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENT AND EFFORTS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT EVEN STARTS. HOMELESSNESS IS A CRISIS FOR
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THOSE EXPERIENCING IT AND FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. BUT THE LIFT IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE CITY OR ANY ONE AGENCY TO DO IT ALONE. BEXAR COUNTY'S HOMELESS RESPONSE WORK IS COORDINATED THROUGH CLOSE TO HOME, THE HUD-DESIGNATED CONTINUUM OF CARE LEAD AGENCY FOR SAN ANTONIO . THE COORDINATION AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT LEADERSHIP GROUP HELPS FACILITATE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM'S COLLECTIVE GOALS.IN COORDINATION WITH CLOSE TO HOME THE LEADERSHIP MEETS BIWEEKLY AND INCLUDES KEY FUNDERS AND SHELTER AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. THIS GROUP REGULARLY AND SOMETIMES HOURLY, WITH A FOCUS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSES, PLANNING AND COMMUNICATING STRATEGICALLY AS A SYSTEM, ENSURE THAT WE ARE COORDINATED AND TALKING AND COMMUNICATING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE ALL DOING. COLLECTIVELY THE GROUP MANAGES THE MAJORITY OF OUTREACH, SHELTER BEDS, AND HOUSING SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE TO THE UNHOUSED IN BEXAR COUNTY.
THE CITY INVESTS IN THESE ORGANIZATIONS TO FURTHER THE COMMUNITY HOMELESS PLAN AND THE SHIP STRATEGIES. THE COMBINED EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES OF THIS GROUP ALLOW FOR NIMBLE RESPONSE THROUGH EMERGENCIES LIKE EXTREME WINTER WEATHER.
TWO PRIMARY DATA SOURCES PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO HOMELESSNESS IN BEXAR COUNTY.
THEY DRIVE OUR ANNUAL GOALS AND INVESTMENT DECISIONS. THE POINT IN TIME COUNT IS A HUD MANDATED ANNUAL PHYSICAL COUNT AND IT IS A ONE-NIGHT SNAPSHOT OF WHAT WE WILL SEE IS A FLUID SYSTEM OF PEOPLE ENTERING AND EXITING HOMELESSNESS. THE COUNT IS IMPERFECT AND IT'S IMPACTED BY WEATHER AND VOLUNTEERS SHOWING UP. BUT IT HELPS US IDENTIFY EMERGING TRENDS. IN JANUARY OF 2023 WE COUNTED 3,155 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE COUNTY. OF THOSE, 874 WERE LIVING ON THE STREETS AND THE REST WERE IN SHELTERS. THIS WAS A 5.3% INCREASE IN TOTAL HOMELESSNESS COMPARED TO 2022. BUT LOOKING OVER THE LAST DECADE, THE RATE OF HOMELESSNESS IN BEXAR COUNTY HAS DECLINED BY 20% COMPARED TO THE OVERALL POPULATION GROWTH OF 12% PER CAPITA. PERHAPS MORE TELLING IS LOOKING AT THE DATA THAT WE HAVE IN OUR HOMELESS MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM. OVER 11,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED SERVICES THROUGH THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM IN CALENDAR YEAR 2023.
NEARLY 9,000 PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH AN EMERGENCY SHELTER AND 2400 WERE ENGAGED OR REPORTED LIVING SOMEWHERE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION. SO, COUNCIL, THIS IS THE COLLECTIVE IMPACT DASHBOARD. WE WORK WITH HAVEN FOR HOPE AND CLOSE TO HOME TO BETTER COMMUNICATE THE FLOW OF PEOPLE THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THE IMPACT OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE WORK. THIS DASHBOARD IS AVAILABLE PUBLICLY AS OF THIS WEEK AND IT'S ACCESSIBLE FROM THE CITY'S MAIN WEBPAGE. I'LL WALK YOU THROUGH THE DASHBOARD SUMMARY SHOWN ON THE SLIDE. BETWEEN OCTOBER 2023 AND MARCH 2024 THE SYSTEM HELPED 934 INDIVIDUALS MOVE FROM THE STREETS TO SHELTER OR HOUSING.
AND 1425 MOVED FROM SHELTER TO HOUSING. ACCOUNTING FOR 152 PEOPLE WHO DID BOTH IN THAT TIME PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 2207 PEOPLE MOVED TO A BETTER LIVING SITUATION IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR. AND SO DURING THE SAME PERIOD, 1,057 PEOPLE BECAME HOMELESS OR ENTERED THE SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME AND 399 PEOPLE RETURNED TO HOMELESSNESS RESULTING IN AN INFLOW OF PEOPLE INTO THE SYSTEM OF 1456. AND SO WE CAN TELL YOU THAT A NET OF 751 PEOPLE MOVED TO BETTER LIVING SITUATIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 2024.
AND THIS IS DUE TO THE WORK OF THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM. WITH NEW RESOURCES THAT YOU ALL APPROVED FOR FISCAL YEAR '24, WE COMMITTED TO TRANSITIONING 400 UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE STREETS TO SHELTER OR HOUSING. WE ACHIEVED THAT GOAL AND THEN SOME WITH 934 TRANSITIONING FROM THE STREETS TO SHELTER. BUT WE ARE NOT STOPPING AND WE WILL ADJUST THE GOAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025. WE HAVE NEVER LOOKED AT HOMELESS DATA IN THIS WAY AND AT THE WORK
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OF THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, BUT THIS YEAR WILL BE OUR BASELINE MOVING FORWARD AND IT GIVES US SOMETHING TO MONITOR AND WATCH TO SIGNAL WHEN SOMETHING IS CHANGING.THE MOST EFFECTIVE HOUSING INTERVENTIONS CANNOT IMPACT HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF SUBSIDIZED AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE SIGNIFICANT FLOW OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THROUGH EMERGENCY SHELTER OPTIONS.
OUR SYSTEM HAS A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 1808 BEDS ON ANY NIGHT. EMERGENCY SHELTER BEDS, THREE-FOURTHS OF THOSE ARE AT HAVEN FOR HOPE. THIS SHOWS THE SCALE OF THE HAVEN FOR HOPE OPERATION. HAVEN'S TRANSFORMATIONAL CAMPUS IS DESIGNED TO SERVE 909 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. HOWEVER, THEY FREQUENTLY EXCEED CAPACITY SO THAT THEY CAN ENSURE FAMILIES ARE NOT TURNED AWAY. WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 629 LOW-BARRIER BEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, MEANING FEW ENTRY REQUIREMENTS WITH NO REQUIREMENTS OF SOBRIETY OR PARTICIPATION IN SERVICES AND REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS MAY BE SERVED THERE -- OR MAY NOT BE SERVED THERE. I'M SORRY. THE COURTYARD AT HAVEN FOR HOPE IS LOW-BARRIER CONGREGANT SHELTER AND HAVEN GENERALLY EXCEEDS CAPACITY AT NIGHT.
THE MAJORITY OF CLIENTS NOW SLEEP INSIDE ON THE BEDS. TO CLARIFY WHAT I JUST SAID, CAMPUS SIDE CANNOT SERVE SEX OFFENDERS BECAUSE OF PROXIMITY TO CHILDREN.
THE LOW-BARRIER COURTYARD SIDE OF HAVEN FOR HOPE CAN OR MAY SERVE SEX OFFENDERS.
THEN WE HAVE 200 NON-CONGREGANT LOW-BARRIER BEDS AT THE SAM LOW-BARRIER SHELTER.
THEY ARE FUNDED BY THE CITY THROUGH ARPA. THEY ARE RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED FROM THE STREETS AND THEY SERVE AS A BRIDGE TO PERMANENT HOUSING.
SAM TRANSITIONED FROM THE 45-ROOM SHELTER TO THE 200-ROOM SHELTER THIS PAST DECEMBER.
FROM OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH, THEY'VE SERVED 133 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS.
OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD, 31 EXITED SUCCESSFULLY AND 20 DID RETURN TO THE STREET.
SO BY THE END OF MARCH, THERE WERE 82 CLIENTS OCCUPYING THE SHELTER.
THEIR RAMP UP TO FULL OCCUPANCY OF 200 ROOMS IS SLOWER THAN EXPECTED BUT THIS IS DUE TO UNFORESEEN FACILITY ISSUES THAT TOOK BEDS OFFLINE. SAM ANTICIPATES THAT THEY'LL BE REACHING CAPACITY BY JUNE 1ST. AND SO PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS A COST-EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION FOR CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS. NATIONAL STUDIES SHOW US THAT PLACING CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS IN PSH COSTS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN LEAVING THEM ON THE STREET OR EVEN THEN SHELTERING THEM. THE SHIP GOAL OF 1,000 NEW PSH UNITS IS ON TRACK WITH 496 COMPLETED, UNDER CONSTRUCTION, OR IN THE PIPELINE TO BE COMPLETED. THE 2022 HOUSING BOND HAS $10 MILLION REMAINING.
IT IS OUT FOR SOLICITATION NOW AND IT IS ANTICIPATED TO LEVERAGE AN ADDITIONAL 100 TO 200 PSH UNITS. AND TO UNDERSTAND THE LOCAL IMPACT OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, HUMAN SERVICES IS WORKING WITH RESEARCHERS AT UTSA TO COLLECT CLIENT-LEVEL DATA FROM VARIOUS SYSTEMS TO IDENTIFY THE CURRENT LOCAL COSTS OF UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS COMPARED TO THE COST OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IN SAN ANTONIO.
WE ANTICIPATE BRINGING THE RESULTS MONTHS WITH CASE MANAGEMENT TO PROMOTING HOUSING STABILITY IS THE HALLMARK OF RAPID REHOUSING.
IT IS A USEFUL, SOMETIMES LESS TALKED ABOUT TOOL IN THE RESPONSE SYSTEM TOOLKIT.
JUST LIKE PSH IT IS COORDINATED WITH CLOSE TO HOME'S RESOURCE SYSTEM TO GET LIMITED RESOURCES TO THOSE MOST IN NEED. IT IS A VALUABLE TOOL TO PROVIDE AS A BRIDGE TO PERMANENT HOUSING. THIS SERVICE PROVIDES UP TO IT'S COMBINED WITH CASE MANAGEMENT TO MOVE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO STABILITY.
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CLOSE TO HOME ESTIMATES ALL FEDERAL HUD RAPID RESOWING RESOURCES WILL SERVE A TOTAL OF 925 HOUSEHOLDS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024. CLOSE TO HOME MANAGES THE TRACKING OF THOSE RESOURCES AND THE INVETERANER TO OF HOUSING WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. AS OF MARCH 1, THE WAITING LIST FOR EITHER PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR RAPID REHOUSING IS OVER 2200. I TALKED ABOUT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING GOALS AND PROGRESS TOWARDS DEVELOPING THOSE THOUSAND UNITS.DEVELOPMENT OF UNITS ACCESSIBLE AT ZERO TO 30% OF AREA MEDIAN INCOME INCLUDES PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS. AND WE ARE 48% OF THE WAY TO OUR SHIP GOALS.
CAPTAINED BY THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING AND SERVICES TEAM.
AT THE 31 TO 50% AMI BAND, WE ARE 75% OF THE WAY TO SHIP GOAL.
HOMELESSNESS SET-ASIDE AND PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS ARE KEY IN FUNDING AND SUBSIDIZING THOSE UNITS FOR BOTH PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS. CLOSE TO HOME MANAGES THE SYSTEM'S HOMELESS SET-ASIDE VOUCHER PROGRAMS IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BEXAR COUNTY. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME TO ACCESS MORE OF THESE TYPES OF VOUCHERS AS WELL AS WORKING WITH GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS TO MAKE A PITCH FOR ADDITIONAL SET-ASIDE AND PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS IN FUTURE LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS. SO TO LEAD PEOPLE INTO HOUSING, WE HAVE TWO IMPORTANT PROVIDERS WHO OFFER A DIFFERENT KIND OF SHELTERING. CORAZON. DAY SERVICES INCLUDING MEALS, SHOWER, HYGIENE AND RESPITE ARE ESSENTIAL FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE NOT YET ABLE TO TRANSITION TO ABOUT THIS WORK IS THAT IT'S CONNECTED TO LONGER TERM SERVICES.
CASE MANAGEMENT, HARM REDUCTION, ID RECOVERY, ALL OF THESE THINGS PLUS THE CRITICAL CONNECTIONS THEY HAVE TO SHELTER AND ULTIMATELY HOUSING.
WHEN SOMEONE LIVING IN THE STREET DECIDES THAT THEY ARE READY TO ACCEPT SERVICES, CAM ANCHOR -- AND CORAZON ARE THERE TO OFFER SERVICES SEEING MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE ON A TYPICAL DAY. IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHERE WE SEE A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS, OUTREACH PROFESSIONALS AT CORAZON PARTNER WITH THE FOLKS AT CENTRO WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING ON THE STREETS EVERY DAY.
QUALITY OF LIFE BEAMED, THE ONES YOU SEE IN THE BLUE SHIRTS AROUND DOWNTOWN, ARE TRAINED TO WORK WITH THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION. MANY OF THEM HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE AND WERE HIRED BY CENTRO WHILE STAYING AT HAVEN FOR HOPE.
THEY CALL ON CORAZON AND OTHER PARTNERS FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN SERVICES AND THEY WORK WITH BIKE CONTROL WHEN NEEDED AS WELL. CENTRO MAY NOT BE THE FIRST ORGANIZATION THAT YOU GENERALLY THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF THE HOMELESS RESPONSE. BUT THEIR COLLABORATION WITH THE RESPONSE SYSTEM IS ESSENTIAL AND OUR CENTRAL CORE AND OUR ABILITY TO REACH PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SEVERAL INNOVATIVE AND CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS. YES. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT SEVERAL INNOVATIVE AND CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS TO FILL THE GAPS IN THE SYSTEM AND SERVE PEOPLE WITH UNIQUE NEEDS. TO HELP MOVE FAMILIES OUT OF SHELTER AND BACK HOME FASTER, THE COMMUNITY LAUNCHED THE 90 FAMILIES IN 90-DAY CHALLENGE.
PULLING ON RESOURCES FROM VARIOUS AGENCIES AND FUNDING SOURCES TO HOUSE FAMILIES QUICKLY. AND IT WORKED. WE TRANSITIONED 102 FAMILIES IN 106 DAYS AND THE WORK CONTINUES. KEY TO THIS SUCCESS IS A REALLY GREAT SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT COORDINATED WITH OPPORTUNITY HOME TO GET FAMILIES THROUGH THE VOUCHER PROCESS MUCH QUICKER. PERHAPS OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, OUR UNSHELTERED PEOPLE WHO REQUIRE LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE OR ASSISTIVE LIVING. WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE NEED TO -- FOR SPECIALIZED CARE
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FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND WE ARE RESPONDING. CLOSE TO HOME IS COORDINATING IMPLEMENTATION OF A SKILLED NURSING PROJECT TO ACCEPT UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS FROM THE STREET AND MEDICALLY FRAGILE PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN SHELTERS.WHILE SOCIAL SECURITY OR BENEFIT APPLICATIONS ARE IN PROGRESS.
THE PROGRAM STARTS THIS MONTH AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FIVE INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY VERY MEDICALLY FRAGILE AT HAVEN FOR HOPE TO START THE PROJECT.
AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTINUES TO MEET FEDERAL BENCHMARKS FOR EFFECTIVELY ENDING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS. USING RESOURCES SPECIFIC TO THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 2023, VETERANS WERE HOUSED WITHIN 75 DAYS ON AVERAGE AND 149 VETERANS EXITED HOUSING WHILE 111 WERE NEWLY IDENTIFIED. AND THAT DEFINES THE BENCHMARKS OF THE FEDERAL INITIATIVE TO END VETERANS HOMELESSNESS IS THAT WE CAN HOUSE MORE VETERANS THAN COME INTO THE SYSTEM. OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM HAS EXPANDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESS ACROSS THE COUNTY. IN 2019, CLOSE TO HOME SECURED A LARGE HUD DEMONSTRATION GRANT WHICH HAS TURNED INTO AN ANNUAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR YOUTH HOUSING SUPPORT, DROP-IN CENTERS AND OTHER SERVICES.
THE DROP-IN CENTER THAT'S OPERATED BY SAMM MINIMUM TREES SERVED 325 YOUTH SINCE OPENING TWO YEARS AGO AND NEARLY HALF OF THEIR PARTICIPANTS HAD A HISTORY OF FOSTER CARE EXPERIENCE. LAST YEAR HAVEN SHIFTED PROGRAMS ON THE CAMPUS AND COURTYARD TO PROVIDE 56 BEDS DEDICATED TO THIS POPULATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. THESE BEDS HAVE REMAINED AT OR NEAR CAPACITY SINCE OPENING. FIVE YEARS AGO HUMAN SERVICES OPENED NEXT LEVEL OPPORTUNITY CENTER. ABOUT 15% OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE HOMELESS -- WERE HOMELESS WHEN THEY ENROLLED AND THE WORK -- AND WE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH HAVEN FOR HOPE AND THRIVE AS WELL AS OUR PARTNERS TO HOUSE THEM WHEN THEY FIND THEM. HUMAN SERVICES IS WORKING ON AN INITIATIVE WITH PARTNERS AND YOUTH WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE HOUSING AND SERVICES GAPS IN OUR SYSTEM. AND IN THE INTERSECTING SYSTEMS THAT ALSO SERVE YOUTH. THE GOAL IS TO COME OUT OF AN OCTOBER SUMMIT WITH AN ACTIONABLE PLAN TO GUIDE YOUTH DECISION-MAKING AROUND WAYS TO BETTER SERVE YOUTH.
AND SO SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE GENERALLY CONSIDERED HOMELESS.
ONE OF THE KEY PRIORITIES OF THE COMMUNITY'S STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION THIS YEAR IS BETTER SERVING AND CONNECTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES WITH THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM. TO THAT END, CLOSE TO HOME HAS DEVELOPED A SKILLED ASSESSOR PATHWAY, SPECIAL TRAINING FOR THOSE GETTING CLIENTS INTO HOMES FOR HOUSING PRIORTIZATION. THESE SKILLS ASSURE EFFECTIVE PRIORITIZATION OF HOUSEHOLDS FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TWO STAFF ARE NOW TRAINED AND DESIGNATED TO WORK WITH MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, OUR COUNCIL APPROVED AWARDS FOR HOME ARP FUNDS INCLUDING DESIGNATED RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SO 33 STREET OUTREACH TEAM MEMBERS WORKING IN VARIOUS AGENCIES SPEND MOST OF THEIR DAYS IN THE FIELD ENGAGING IN BUILDING TRUST WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY LAYERS OF TRAUMA. BY BUILDING RAPPORT AND OFFERING CONSISTENT SERVICE CONNECTION, OUTREACH WORKERS CAN THROUGH REPEATED ENGAGEMENT HELP OVERCOME BARRIERS TO STABLE HOUSING. HOMELESS OUTREACH IS AMONG THE MOST CHALLENGING JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE WORK IS BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY DRAINING AND THE TURNOVER IS HIGH. TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS AND INCREASE RETENTION OF OUTREACH WORKERS IN THE SYSTEM, WE HAVE WORKED WITH THE STAFF MEMBERS FROM ACROSS AGENCIES ON STRATEGIES TO INCLUDE PROVIDING UNIFORM AND CONSISTENT TRAINING AMONG ALL OUTREACH PROVIDERS. DEVELOPING A RESOURCE APP FOR USE IN THE FIELD, EASY ACCESS TO POLICIES AND GUIDANCE, DECREASING TIME
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SPENT NAVIGATING THE SHELTER SYSTEM BY CREATING A CENTRALIZED COORDINATION PROGRAM WHICH HAS HELPED PLACE 160 PEOPLE FROM STREETS TO SHELTER SINCE JANUARY 26TH. OF THE 12 POSITIONS THAT HUMAN SERVICES STREET YOUTH REACH TEAM HAS, FOUR ARE CURRENTLY VACANT. THOSE ARE IN DISTRICTS 2, 5, 7 AND 10. WE ANTICIPATE THEY WILL BE FILLED BY JUNE.MOVING ON TO ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENTS, HUMAN SERVICES LEADS A INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROCESS TO ASSESS, PROVIDE OUTREACH AND NOTIFICATION OF ABATEMENT EVENTS AND COORDINATE SITE ABATEMENTS OF ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. ALSO INCLUDING TWO POSITIONS FOR DHS AND FUNDING FOR SOLID WASTE AND WE COMMITTED TO ADDRESSING REQUESTS FOR COMPLAINTS WITHIN TWO WEEKS.
IN THE LAST MONTH, WE ACHIEVED THAT GOAL IN COORDINATION WITH SOLID WASTE BY INCREASING OPERATIONS FROM THREE TO FIVE DAYS PER WEEK AND BY SCHEDULING BUY WEEKLY ABATEMENT OF 33 RECURRING ENCAMPMENTS.
OUTREACH SERVICES AND SHELTER OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFFERED AT EVERY ABATEMENT EVENT AND IN BETWEEN. RECURRING SITES WILL BE ADDED TO THE CALLED AS THEY ARE IDENTIFIED. -- CALENDAR. SO COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO FILED A CCR RELATE TO THE PRIORITIZATION OF ABATEMENTS IN SENSITIVE AREAS.
IN RESPOND TO THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE FORWARDING THAT CCR TO THIS APRIL MEETING, STAFF CONDUCTED ANALYSIS OF ABATEMENTS CONDUCTED BETWEEN OCTOBER 2022 AND FEBRUARY OF 2024. THAT WERE NEAR SENSITIVE COMMUNITY LOCATIONS AS IDENTIFIED IN THE CCR. WE LOOKED AT ABATEMENTS WITHIN 500 FEET OF RESIDENTIAL ZONED PROPERTIES, SCHOOL AND WITHIN PARK BOUNDARIES AND DRAINAGE CHANNELS. THE SITES LISTED AS OTHER ARE NOT CLOSE TO RESIDENTIAL AREAS, SCHOOLS, PARKS OR STORM CHANNELS AND MAY INCLUDE EXPRESSWAY RIGHT-OF-WAYS OR MORE REMOTE WOODED AREAS. BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT MOST OF THE ABATEMENTS ARE DONE IN STORM CHANNELS AND NEAR RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
OUR CURRENT ENCAMPMENT SOP ALLOWS FOR ENCAMPMENT SITES THAT ARE REPORTED BY SAPD OR FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY AND WITHOUT NOTICE IF FIRES OR SERIOUS CRIMES ARE DOCUMENTED. SITES WITH FIRES ARE PRIORITIZED AND TYPICALLY FELONY WARRANTS RESULT IN IMMEDIATE ARRESTS PRIOR TO THE ENCAMPMENT BEING ABATED. THE NEXT SEVERAL SLIDES INTRODUCE ANOTHER NEW ONLINE DASHBOARD SHOWING ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENT ACTIVITY AND OUR PROGRESS ACHIEVING FY 2024 BUDGET GOALS. THE CHARTS SHOW THE TOTAL IN ABATEMENTS COMPLETED BY COUNCIL DISTRICT THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF FISCAL YEAR 2024, WE CONDUCTED 520 SITE ABATEMENTS WITH SOLID WASTE, TXDOT AND TO A SMALLER EXTENT PARKS AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT. WE ARE ON TRACK TO EXCEED OUR GOAL OF 700 AND WE WILL ADJUST OUR GOAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
WE ALSO REPORT ON THE PROGRESS TOWARDS OUR COMMITMENT TO CLEAR SITES REPORTED WITHIN TWO WEEKS. AS ERIK SAID, ACCOMPLISHING THAT GOAL HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AND SO WE MADE THOSE OPERATIONAL CHANGES MENTIONED EARLIER TO MEET IT. AND WE HAVE REDUCED THE AVERAGE DAYS OF ABATEMENT FROM NEARLY TWO MONTHS IN NOVEMBER TO TWO WEEKS IN MARCH.
AND THAT IS INFORMATION WE WILL UPDATE WEEKLY ON THE WEBSITE FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO PUBLICLY SHARE A WEEKLY SCHEDULE OF PLANNED ABATEMENT EVENTS BY DAY, NOTING THE CROSS-STREETS AND THE COUNCIL DISTRICTS OF EACH PLANNED ABATEMENT. I WANT TO END THE PRESENTATION WITH PREVENTION AND DIVERSION EFFORTS, WHICH I'LL SAY AGAIN IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO REDUCE OUR HOMELESS POPULATION.
PREVENTION IS BROAD. IT INCLUDES AN ARRAY OF UPSTREAM SERVICES AND IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED AND OUT OF SHELTERS.
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THE CITY'S HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAMS DIRECTLY SUPPORT VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS TO MAINTAIN OR ACCESS STABLE HOUSING IN THE FACE OF CRISIS.THE HOMELESS RESOURCES HOTLINE HAS HANDLED OVER 17,000 CALLS SINCE OCTOBER AND 33% OF THOSE CALLERS WERE ASSESSED AT BEING OF RISK OF BECOMING HOMELESS.
SO WE KNOW THERE IS GREAT NEED FOR THOSE INTERVENTIONS.
BETWEEN FEBRUARY 15TH AND MARCH 29TH, THE HOTLINE PRE-SCREENED 3700 HOUSEHOLDS FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. AND REFERRED 2,000 OF THOSE APPLICATIONS TO NHSD FOR PROCESSING AND ALMOST 1400 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THIS NEW PROCESS IS WORKING AND THOSE APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT MEET ELIGIBILITY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE ARE REFERRED BY THE HOTLINE CASEWORKERS TO OTHER RESOURCES. THE CITY'S DIVERSION FUND WHICH YOU ALL INCREASED FROM 200,000 TO 400,000 THIS YEAR DIVERTED 325 HOUSEHOLDS FROM ENTERING HOMELESS SHELTERS SINCE OCTOBER. AND THIS IS THROUGH QUICK, SMALL INVESTMENTS FOR RENT, UTILITIES OR HOTEL VOUCHERS. 2.4 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS PROVIDES UP TO 2 MILLION -- I'M SORRY, TWO YEARS ARE LIVING AT LESS THAN 30% OF AMI. SO THAT PEOPLE CAN STAY IN THEIR HOME WHILE WORKING TOWARDS GREATER FINANCIAL STABILITY. ADDITIONALLY, NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING CONTINUES TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO HOUSEHOLDS APPEARING IN EVICTION COURT, WORKING THROUGH ALMOST 11,000 COURT HEARINGS OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PART OF THE PRESENTATION AND I WILL NOW TURN IT BACK OVER TO LORI TO CLOSE.
>> HOUSTON: I'VE GOT TO SAY I'M SO EXCITED AND PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE.
I REALLY WANTED TO DO A SLOW CLAP AFTER THAT PRESENTATION.
[APPLAUSE] BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING. WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK TO DO, BUT JUST THIS STEP AND DOING THIS COLLECTIVE IMPACT AND WORKING TOGETHER, WE ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WE ARE LEADING THE WAY. WE ARE.
WE GET CALLS FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS AND WHAT WE'RE DOING.
SO YOU CAN'T TELL, I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THIS TEAM AND THE COLLECTIVE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER. AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE THIS A PRIORITY AND YOU'VE CHALLENGED US AND YOU'VE BROUGHT US ISSUES AND I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE TO BRING THOSE ISSUES BECAUSE WE'RE READY.
AND THERE'S NOTHING THAT WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH TOGETHER. SO THANK YOU.
JUST WANT TO END ON THREE POINTS. JUST THIS FISCAL YEAR ALONE, WE'VE IMPROVED THE LIVES OF 2200 PEOPLE. THAT IS AMAZING.
WE ARE AT 500 PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING UNITS IN YEAR 3 OF OUR TEN-YEAR GOAL OF 1,000 UNITS. THAT'S AWESOME. AND THEN FINALLY, WE'VE MET THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITY ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS AND AFTER SOME TWEAKS WE'VE FIGURED IT OUT AND WE'RE AT TWO WEEKS FROM EQUIPMENT CLEANUP. SO SAY I'M PROUD, I CAN'T EXPRESS HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT THAT WORK AND HOW GEEKED OUT WE GET ON OUR CALLS TALKING ABOUT THIS WORK AND THANK YOU FOR THE CHALLENGE AND WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE DIALOGUE. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, LET US MEET WITH YOU, DIVE INTO THE DATA A LITTLE MORE AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, LORI AND MELODY FOR THE GREAT PRESENTATION. JUST REALLY COMMENTS.
I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I THINK IT IS ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE FOR US TO RECOGNIZE SOME PROGRESS HERE. BECAUSE IT IS A -- THE WEEK OF THE STATE OF THE CITY, I WILL NOTE THAT THE MAYOR'S HOUSING POLICY TASK FORCE WAS ANNOUNCED THE WEEK OF MY FIRST STATE OF THE CITY WHICH WAS IN 2017.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE IT HAS TAKEN NEARLY SEVEN YEARS FOR US TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE'RE APPLAUDING PROGRESS ON THIS. IT HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS EFFORT. I MADE THE COMMENT EARLIER, MARK, TOOK THE CITY THREE YEARS TO HIRE A CHIEF HOUSING OFFICER AFTER WE HAD ALREADY APPROVED THE PLAN.
THE BIGGEST FINDING FROM THAT ENTIRE POLICY EXERCISE WAS THE FACT THAT WE NEEDED TO COORDINATE A SYSTEM. WE HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE SECTOR COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN THE HOUSING SPACE, BUT EVERYTHING WAS SORT OF MOVING IN ITS OWN DIRECTION AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A SENSE OF ALIGNMENT. THAT IS CLEARLY CHANGED AND MARK, YOU ARE SORT OF THE
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MAESTRO OF THIS ORCHESTRA WATCHING OVER IT ALL AND WE APPRECIATE THAT WORK.THE WORK HAPPENING IN THE TRENCHES IS TO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PARTS HERE TODAY, CORAZON, A HUGE PART OF THE EFFORT, HAVEN, SAMMINISTRIES, CLOSER TO HOME, HOUSING TRUST. EVERYBODY IS WORKING TOWARDS THE SAME GOAL WHICH IS GETTING A SAFE ROOF OVER EVERYONE'S HEAD AND ALLOWING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE SUSTAINABLE LIVES, CAREERS.
AND SO I DON'T WANT TO FORGET IF WE'RE TRULY COORDINATING THE SYSTEM WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE WORK THAT MIKE RAMSEY AND, YOU KNOW, OUR EDUCATORS, MIKE FLORES AND EVERYONE ELSE DO FOR THIS COMMUNITY. IT'S ALL PART OF THE SAME EFFORT. SO THAT BEING SAID, I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE US BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, WE SHOULDN'T BE SATISFIED.
IF WE'RE NOT IMPROVING, WE'RE REGRESSING. THOSE NUMBERS ARE STAGNANT IF YOU LOOK AT THE OVERALL HOMELESS POPULATION. THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING. OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN TREMENDOUSLY, SO IT'S PROGRESS. EVEN THOUGH THOSE NUMBERS TREMENDOUS PROGRESS BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT RESOURCES INTO THE PIPELINE, AS YOU SAID, LORI, 50% OF THE WAY TO THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING GOAL.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CORRECT THAT UPWARD, I'M PRETTY SURE.
WE HAVE THE LOW-BARRIER SHELTER THAT'S FINALLY COMING ONLINE.
WE'RE MAKING ENORMOUS PROGRESS -- I WOULD LOVE FOR US TO GO BACK TO SLIDE 9 AND SHOW HOW FAR WE ARE ON OUR TEN-YEAR GOALS JUST FROM BUILDING.
THAT 30% NUMBER IS HUGE. THAT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT AND SUBSIDY, FRANKLY, THAT'S AGREED TO BY THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THOSE THINGS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IF WE DON'T KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE GAS, WE'RE GOING TO SLIDE BACKWARD. AND SO THIS WAS A BRIEFING MEANT TO BE AN EXPLANATION IN SOME WAYS, A DIALOGUE OBVIOUSLY, BUT ALSO A PUBLIC EXPLANATION ABOUT ALL THE MYRIAD THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN FOR SOMEBODY TO GET A PERMANENT ROOF OVER THEIR HEADS. ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HAPPEN. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT EFFORTS GOING ON THAT MOVE IN THIS ONE POINT. AND SO EVERYBODY NEEDS TO BE HERE.
THERE'S SOME ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NOT HERE.
I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE OPPORTUNITY HOME IS. I SEE THE HOUSING TRUST.
SO EVERY ORGANIZATION THAT'S TOUCHING THIS ISSUE HAS TO BE INVITED TO THE TABLE.
EVERY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT HAS A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT IN THEIR ALLEYWAY NEEDS TO BE INTERESTED IN THE DISCUSSION HERE. WE NEED EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH EFFORT IT TAKES AROUND THE CITY TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL, AND THERE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE PROGRESS AND WE SHOULD PROUD OF, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE A PERIODIC CONVERSATION AND WE NEED TO HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AT THE TABLE AS POSSIBLE AT ALL TIMES. SO THANK YOU FOR ORGANIZING THIS, ERIK, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT DAY. LORI, YOU ARE RIGHT TO WANT TO CLAP.
I AGREE WITH THAT. BUT LET'S KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE GAS.
YOU'VE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK AND IF WE COULD LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE TODAY IN A CRYSTAL BALL SEVEN YEARS AGO, I WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT.
SO CONGRATULATIONS. LET ME START WITH COUNCILMEMBER ALDERETE
GAVITO. >> GAVITO: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL THE PARTNERS HERE AND PRESENT FOR ALL THE COLLABORATION.
WE KNOW IN 2023 SAN ANTONIO'S RESIDENTS' TOP CONCERN WAS THE HOMELESS AND EQUIPMENTS. I DO LIKE THE WORK AROUND THE DASHBOARD.
THANK YOU FOR BEING ABLE TO REPORT OUT ON THIS INFORMATION.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS I FILED THIS CCR WAS BECAUSE WE DID HAVE TO HOLD SOME CLEANUPS. THEY WEREN'T HAPPENING IN TWO WEEKS.
THERE WAS ONE WHERE THERE WAS A HUGE FIRE, NEEDED FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE, AND THAT ENCAMPMENT HAD BEEN THERE OVER A MONTH. SO THAT WAS SOME OF THE FIRE UNDER OUR BUTTS TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THIS CCR FILED. I SAID IT BEFORE, GOING TO SAY IT AGAIN, ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS ARE NOT THE END ALL TO BE ALL SOLUTIONS TO END HOMELESSNESS, BUT THE CITY DOES NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T BECOME PERMANENT FIXTURES IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR TOP DIRECTIVE AND INTENT WITH THE CCR IS CONNECT OUR UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS TO THE CITY'S WRAP-AROUND SERVICES THEY ARE PROVIDING TO HELP
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GET THESE PEOPLE BACK ON THEIR FEET. THE CITY IS ALREADY INVESTING IN THIS AS A PRIORITY. IT'S NOT DOING ANYBODY ANY GOOD TO HAVE SOME OF OUR UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS IN VACANT BUILDINGS ON BANDERA ROAD WHEN THERE IS HELP FOR THAT. THE INTENT IS CONNECT THEM TO HELP AND RESOURCES. I WANT TO EXPRESS I THINK SOME FOLKS THINK HOMELESSNESS IS A LAZYNESS ISSUE, HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS BECAUSE OF HOW OUR SYSTEM IS SET UP. PRIOR TO JOINING COUNCIL, I SERVED ON THE BEXAR COUNTY CHILD WELFARE BOARD AND I KNOW WHEN CHILDREN IN OUR FOSTER CARE YOUTH AGE OUT OF THE SYSTEM, A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THEM BECOME HOMELESS AND END UP ON THE STREET. I DO THINK -- I AM GLAD TO SEE THE FOCUS THAT THEY ARE ONE OF OUR TARGETED POPULATION FOCUSES SO THAT WE CAN WE CAN TEACH THEM LIFE SKILLS AND GIVE THEM THE WRAP-AROUND SERVICES INSTEAD OF HAVING TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT IF THEY END UP HOMELESS LATER.I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ACTION PLAN IN OCTOBER.
NOT ONLY THAT, I DO RECOGNIZE HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM.
I DO SUPPORT SEEKING UPSTREAM APPROACHES TO FIND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING LOW BARRIER SHELTERS AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. I'M GOING ON THE SAY, YOU KNOW, HOWEVER ON BEHALF OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, WE DO NEED TO SET EXPECTATIONS THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS WHICH WE CANNOT ALLOW HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS TO EXIST.
AND THIS NEEDS TO BE AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST FOR CLEANUPS.
FOR INSTANCE, NEAR SCHOOLS. WE CANNOT HAVE A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT NEAR A SCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE RISKS THEY POSE. WE CANNOT HAVE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS OR HOMELESS RESIDENTS IN PARKS OR IN DRAINAGE DITCHES.
WE SAW THAT -- WE SAW ON THE SLIDES A LARGE PORTION OF OUR RECURRING ENCAMPMENTS ARE LOCATED IN DISTRICT 7, SO THIS IS ESPECIALLY FRUSTRATING FOR OUR RESIDENTS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO TREAT OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS WITH RESPECT, DIGNITY AND COMPASSION. AT THE SAME TIME, I WORRY THAT IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THESE ENCAMPMENTS IN SENSITIVE AREAS AND FIND PERMANENT SOLUTIONS, THE COMPASSION FROM THE COMMUNITY WILL BEGIN TO ERODE. I'M SEEING THAT, I'M HEARING THAT IN THEIR WORDS, HEARING THAT IN THEIR FRUSTRATION. WHERE I GET NERVOUS MAYBE PARENTS ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW FRUSTRATED THEY ARE WITH HOMELESS IN THEIR ALLEYWAY, A TEENAGER MAY THEIR AND THEN WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT VIOLENCE AGAIN TO OUR UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS AND THAT'S NOTHING ANY OF US WANT TO SEE AND WE NEED A DUAL COURT PRESS TO PREVENT THAT. I WAS GLAD WHEN MY COLLEAGUES AND I ADOPTED THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 BUDGET AND INCLUDED A BOOST OF 500,000 FOR ENCAMPMENT ABATEMENT EFFORTS. I FILED THIS CCR TO PROVIDE DIRECTION ON HOW TO SPEND THAT MONEY. AS THE CCR POINTS OUT, IT IS CRUCIAL TO PRIORITIZE TO THE CITY ADDRESSING THESE ENCAMPMENTS.
TWO WEEKS ONCE THEY'VE BEEN REPORTED, BY THE CITY'S OWN ADMISSION WE ARE NOT ON TRACK TO MEET THAT UNTIL FEBRUARY 1ST. I'M GLAD WE'RE NOW ON THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IT IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN FOR A LOT OF UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS LIVING IN STORM CHANNELS OR DRAINAGE DITCHES. 22 OF THE 33 RECURRING ENCAMPMENT SITES ARE IN -- IDENTIFIED BY THE CITY ARE IN CAGE DRAINAGE AREAS. PEOPLE CHRONICLY UNSHELTERED ARE NOT RECEIVING THE SUPPORT THEY NEED IN AN ALLEYWAY OR DRAINAGE DITCH.
OUR TEAM JUST PARTICIPATED IN BASUDA BASH AND THIS WAS THE BIGGEST TRASH CLEANUP THEY'VE HAD. IT IS A LIFE SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THOSE UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS WHEN THE WATER IS COMING DOWN, BUT ALSO TOO ALL OF THE DEBRIS AND THE NEEDLES THAT GO DOWNSTREAM AND IMPACT THE REST OF US AS WELL.
THERE IS A RECURRING ENCAMPMENT ON BANDERA ROAD THAT RESIDENTS ARE REPORTING OVER AND OVER AND IT COMES BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. SO WHAT WE HEAR FROM NEIGHBORS IS FRUSTRATION THAT THESE ENCAMPMENTS QUICKLY RETURN.
THEY SEE THEM. THEY SEE THE EQUIPMENT CLEANUP, THEY SEE THE UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS GO ACROSS THE STREET AND COME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THEY ARE CALLING US DAILY TO LET US NOW WE ARE NOT DOING ENOUGH.
TO LET US KNOW THAT -- AND I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, THIS IS ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY. WE CANNOT LET OUR CITY BECOME, YOU KNOW, OUR NEIGHBORS UP NORTH OR OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE.
IN CLOSING, I DO WANT TO REITERATE THE INTENT OF THE CCR WAS PRIORITIZE ABATEMENTS IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE BOTH BOTH OUR UNHOUSED AND
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HOUSED RESIDENTS. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THE CITY HAS MADE SINCE THE BUDGET ADOPTED AND SINCE I FILED THE CCR. I STILL FEEL WE NEED A STRONGER STRATEGIC APPROACH TO APPROACHING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS BECAUSE WE'RE NOT THERE YET. WE NEED TO KEEP OUR FOOT ON THE GAS.WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. SO MUCH PROBLEM HAS BEEN MADE, BUT -- PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BUT WE CANNOT LET UP.
I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE WORK TOGETHER AND AS MY COUNCIL -- ASK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS IF AND WHEN THIS COMES TO A VOTE.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU, MAYOR AND THANK YOU TO LORI AND MELANIA AND FOR ALL THE WORK YOU ALL DO.
WE HAVE REAL LIFE SUPER HEROES, EVERYBODY WE SEE WORKING SO HARD DAY IN AND DAY OUT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO BE HERE AND LISTEN TO SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT WE HAVE.
I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE NUMBERS THAT WERE PRESENTED, AND IN PARTICULAR THE HAVEN FOR HOPE, THE SUCCESS RATE, PARTICULARLY THAT 79% SUCCESS RATE AT THE LOW-BARRIER SHELTER IS VERY IMPRESSIVE. AND SO WHOEVER IS WORKING OVER THERE, THEY ARE DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB. LOOKING FORWARD TO ALSO IMPROVING THAT SUCCESS RATE AT THE SHELTER. BUT I WANTED TO START OFF JUST BY ACKNOWLEDGING ROGER, WHO WORKS CLOSELY WITH MY D4 TEAM.
AND SO HE IS JUST INCREDIBLE, VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT HIS WORK.
AND OUR OFFICE AND HIM HAD A MEETING RECENTLY WITH SOME BUSINESS OWNERS AND IT WAS ALONG THE 90 CORRIDOR AND MILITARY. AND THEIR CONCERN WAS PANHANDLING. THAT FREQUENT HAPPENS NOT JUST IN MY DISTRICT BUT EVERYWHERE. THERE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE HOTEL AS WELL THAT WAS -- THAT IS ACROSS. AND IN PARTICULAR WE HAVE A LOT OF MILITARY FAMILIES THAT COME FOR GRADUATIONS AT LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE. SOME OF THEM ARE STAYING AT THAT HOTEL WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ON THE CORNER AND THEY WERE REPORTING THEY WERE GETTING KNOCKS ON THEIR DOORS. AND THAT THEY WERE HAVING BREAK-INS INTO THEIR VEHICLES. SO ROGER, WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE NEIGHBORS IN THE AREA AND SPECIFICALLY OUR BUSINESSES DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO LOOK INTO A SOLUTION AND WE'RE GOING TO PUT TOGETHER A COALITION OF BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY ALL WANT TO BE PART OF THIS SOLUTION.
THEN RECENTLY I WOULD SAY MAYBE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THERE WAS A STORM COMING AND I SAW A LOT OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AS I WAS PREPPING AND RUNNING AROUND THE DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE PREPARED. AND MY SAFE OFFICER WENT OUT AND TALKED TO INDIVIDUALS, MADE SURE THEY HAD ACCESS, SOMEPLACE THEY COULD STAY.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR SAFE OFFICERS. JANUARY 2024, IT'S EMPTY FOR DISTRICT 4. I'M WONDERING IS THERE A REASON THERE WAS NO DATA FOR
THAT MONTH? >> COUNCILWOMAN, JANUARY WAS OUR LOWEST -- WE DID THE LOWEST NUMBER OF ABATEMENTS THAT MONTH COMING OFF THE HOLIDAYS AND SOME OF THE OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT WERE GOING ON. YOU KNOW, WE DO TRY TO SPREAD THE ABATEMENTS OUT WHEN WE'RE SCHEDULING THEM ACROSS COUNCIL DISTRICTS SO WE'RE COVERING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. BUT THERE MAY JUST HAVE BEEN HIGHER PRIORITY ENCAMPMENTS THAT WE RESPONDED TO, BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE DO LOOK AT
AND WE'LL MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE TO GO THAT. >> GARCIA: THANK YOU.
BACK IN OCTOBER 2022, I SUBMITTED A CCR. I CALLED IT THE DECLARATION OF HOUSING CRISIS AND I KNOW WE WERE BRIEFED AND THEY SAID THERE WAS A LOT OF ITEMS ALREADY GOING ON THAT MIGHT HELP WITH THAT SITUATION.
I STILL THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CREATIVE SOLUTIONS LIKE COUNCILWOMAN COUNCILWOMAN GAVITO SAID EARLIER. RAPID ABATEMENT DOES NOT TAKE JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
WE'RE RIGHT AT THAT TWO WEEKS' MARK. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ALLEVIATING A LOT OF THE CLIENTS BECAUSE THEY MOVE DOWN TO THE OTHER STREET OR CATTY CORNER. HOWEVER OUR SOLUTIONS AND THERE'S SOME CHURCH FACILITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE. THERE'S PRIVATE COMPANIES AND FOUNDATIONS THAT CAN ALSO PUT SOME OF THEIR DONATIONS TO WORK, RIGHT? AND SO ONE OF THE IDEAS INN THE CCR THAT WE HAVEN'T NECESSARILY ROLLED OUT JUST
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YET IS WORKING WITH CHURCHES THAT HAVE THE SPACE AVAILABLE TO HOUSE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING THIS. AND SO THIS HELPS GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS, IT ALSO HELPS THEM BE IN A PLACE WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT BE FEARFUL. AND THEN I WOULD ALSO PROBABLY ARGUE THAT THESE CHURCH FACILITIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY SUBJECT TO SOME OF THOSE ZONING REGULATIONS THAT OTHER AREAS MIGHT BE. BUT IN SLIDE 13, WE ARE DEFINITELY MOVING FORWARD AND WE'RE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECTS.HOWEVER, WE HAVE SO MUCH NEED THAT WE CAN'T EVEN PREDICT THE NEED IN FIVE OR TEN YEARS. AND SO WE MENTION IN SLIDE 15 THAT WE HAVE MORE THAN 2,000 ON A WAIT LIST FOR SERVICES, AND SO I WOULD BE AFRAID LIKE WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE'S AN INCREASE. GOOD WOULD BE THERE IS A DECREASE, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS AN INCREASE. SOMETHING TO CONSIDER. WE HEARD AT PRESENTATION AT B SESSION ABOUT HOMELESSNESS A YEAR AGO AND WE WERE SPENDING $76.8 MILLION AND THE BULK GOING TO SAPD. I DON'T THINK WE CAN SPEND MORE MONEY ON THE POLICING ISSUE THAN WE SHOULD ON HAVEN FOR HOPE OR ANY OF OUR PARTNERS.
I WOULD SAY PD WOULD AGREE WITH ME. MY SAFE OFFICERS WOULD AGREE WITH ME ON THAT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IF WE COULD BE MORE BALANCED ON THAT. NEXT MONTH WE HAVE A MEETING AT PCDC AND WE'LL HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR HOMELESS AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT PROJECTED COST FOR INCORRECT VERSUS DIRECT SERVICES TO BE INCLUDED FOR FISCAL YEAR '25.
AND THEN I'D ALSO LIKE TO DISCUSS HOW MAYBE WE COULD MOBILIZE THOSE RESOURCES.
THOSE RESOURCES TO A GREATER EXTENT. AND I'M SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT, FOR INSTANCE, CHURCHES. I'D LOVE TO GET, IF WE HAVE TO ANONYMOUS FEEDBACK FROM OUTREACH COORDINATORS, FROM OUR BUSINESSES.
BUT, FOR INSTANCE, D4, WE'RE RIGHT AT THE END OF THE CITY LIMIT AND SO WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE PSH OR SHELTER IN MY AREA. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T JUST HAVE A CONCENTRATED DOWNTOWN, THAT THERE ARE SERVICES, THAT THERE ARE HUBS IN OTHER AREAS. I KNOW WE HAVE PARTNERS READY TO GO. WE HAVE NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER WHO HAS VOLUNTEERED AND GONE THROUGH TRAINING WITH HIS ENTIRE STAFF. THEY HAVE AN OUTREACH FOR HOMELESS IN THE AREA. AND SO WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO PACKAGE THAT BECAUSE I WOULD SAY PROBABLY OTHER CURCHES WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THIS.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE SAME TYPE OF SERVICE EVEN FOR THE NURSERY CRISIS CENTERS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THAT COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ AND I FILED LAST MONTH.
SO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE WORK, AND AGAIN, YOU ALL ARE JUST AWESOME.
I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU ALL ARE A PARTNER IN THIS WITH US AND LOOKING FORWARD TO WORK WITH YOU MORE. I'VE GOT TO GET A SHOUT-OUT TO PETE WITH THE SAN ANTONIO HOUSING TRUST WHO IS ALWAYS READY AND ABLE AND TRIES THESE NEW SOLUTIONS.
SO I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND THE ENTIRE WORK OF THE TEAM, PETE.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER ROCHA GARCIA. COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ.
>> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I DO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I APPRECIATE THE COLLECTIVE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE TO PROVIDE SERVICES AND EFFORTS TO LOOK AT HOMELESSNESS AND THE ISSUE OF HOUSING IN A NEW WAY AND TO MAKE INVESTMENTS AT THE ROOT WHICH IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS AND WITH THE HELP OF NON-PROFITS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
ESPECIALLY THOSE ON THE GROUND. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE HAS BEEN A SHIFT OF SORTS AND THERE'S BEEN SOME PROGRESS.
THAT'S WONDERFUL AND IT'S NOT DONE ALONE AND THAT VERY MUCH WARRANTS APPRECIATION AND GRATITUDE. MY JOB REMAINS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND CONVEY THE MORE THAT MY CONSTITUENTS WANT TO SEE AND THE WAY THEY FEEL ABOUT WHERE WE NEED TO GO.
THAT'S GOING TO BE THE FOCUS OF MY COMMENTS. WE ALL RECEIVE CONCERNS FROM CONSTITUENTS REGARDING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, BUT THE WAY WE RESPOND AS AN ISSUE IS IMPORTANT. I BELIEVE THAT'S BEING EXPERIENCED IS EARN GREATER AND I -- EVEN GREATER AND MAYBE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE ON THE GROUND DOING THE OUTREACH FOR THEM TO PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN THAT.
WHEN I HEAR CONCERNS FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, THE MOST RESOUNDING MESSAGE IN MY COMMUNITY IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE HURTING, THEY ARE WITHOUT HOUSING, THEY ARE EXPERIENCING VARYING DEGREES OF CRISIS.
THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THEIR NEEDS WHETHER IT'S ACCESS TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE, ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, ACCESS TO JOBS OR THE TYPE OF HOUSING THAT SUITS THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES, PETS, OR ONGOING NEED FOR WRAP-AROUND SERVICES. I HEAR WHEN WE HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT SHELTER EXPERIENCING VARYING DECREASE OF CRISIS THAT IT
[01:00:02]
CREATES A FEELING OF BLIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE SEE TRASH LEFT BY PEOPLE WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO THROW IT, TENTS SHOTTERRING PEOPLE, SHOPPING CARTS USED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO STORE THE ONLY THINGS WE OWN.WE SEE DESPERATION AND THAT IS WHAT THE BLIGHT LOOKS LIKE.
SOMETIMES THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THEY PRIORITIZE FOOD FOR THEIR PETS BECAUSE THAT'S OUR ONLY COMPANION AND SOMETIMES THE EMBODIMENT OF THEIR SOLE SOURCE OF FRIEND SHIP.
DO SOMETHING TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONDITIONS THAT OUR RESIDENTS HOUSED AND UNHOUSED ARE EXPERIENCING. DO SOMETHING TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE HOUSED AS POSSIBLE, SUPPORT HOUSING THAT IS DEEPLY AFFORDABLE AND GOING TO PREVENT MORE FROM EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND HELP PEOPLE GET ACCESS TO WRAP-AROUND SERVICES THAT MEET PHYSICAL NEEDS FOR WELL-BEING AND SAFETY.
WE'VE GOT GOOD AT USING PRETTY LANGUAGE TO DESCRIBE THE THINGS WE'RE DOING AND THE ISSUE IS SO FAR BEYOND US THERE'S NO WAY TO MEET ALL THE NEEDS THAT PER SIT TO BE UNMET. WE CONDUCT ABATEMENTS OR ENCAMPMENT SWEEPS AND THAT MAY PROVIDE IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION TO THOSE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS WHOMENT TO SEE THE PROBLEM GO AWAY. THEY WANT TO SEE THAT PROBLEM GO AWAY, BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT. INSTEAD PEOPLE WITHOUT SHELTER ARE SWEPT AWAY LIKE TRASH AND GROW IN DISTRUST OF OUR CITY AND BECOME MORE RESISTANT TO THE SUBPOENA WE WANT TO PROVIDE. AND COMPLETELY UNDERMINES THE WORK OUR OUTREACH DOES AND THAT HAS TO BE DEMORALIZING FOR PEOPLE DOING THE WORK ON THE GROUND. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT EXPERIENCE IS LIKE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THEM OR THE NON-PROFITS WHO DO WORK WITH THE UNHOUSED COMMUNITY.
WE DON'T TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN CREATE SAFE, CLEAN NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN ABATEMENTS DON'T WORK. WHY DON'T WE CREATE A BIGGER ROLE FOR CHURCHES AND NON-PROFITS THAT HAVE TIES WITHIN COMMUNITIES AND SOMETIMES DIRECTLY KNOW THE PEOPLE WE WANT TO SERVE. THEY COULD BE PLAYING SUCH A BIGGER ROLE IN THAT.
A ABATEMENT IS DONE ON MONDAY MORNING. THE ENCAMPMENT IS BACK UP MONDAY AFTERNOON. IT'S GOING TO BE BACK UP HOURS LATER AND THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE THROW OUR HANDS UP AND EXCEPT A PROBLEM IS A -- ACCEPT A PROBLEM IS A PROBLEM. WE NEAT TO PUT OUR THINKING CAPS ON, WORK WITH THOSE PROVIDING SERVICES TO PROPOSE ANOTHER SERIES OF SOLUTIONS AND KEEP IT MOVING. BUT INSTEAD WE DO WHAT CONTINUES TO NOT WORK AND THAT IS EXTREMELY DISCOURAGING AND DEMORALIZING.
I ASK -- WE HAVE NEVER ONCE CONTEMPLATED CREATING DESIGNATED AREAS AND ESTABLISH MORE FREQUENT SHOWERS AND BATHROOMS. THERE ARE SO MANY CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT WE DON'T DO BECAUSE THEY AREN'T PERMANENT SOLUTIONS, BUT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN ABATEMENTS WHICH ARE TEMPORARY BY NATURE.
I WANT TO ADDRESS A FEW GAPS. ONE BEING TRUE DEDICATED HOUSING -- PERMANENT HOUSING, UNTIL JUST SHELTER. -- NOT JUST SHELTER.
WHILE SAKE REDUCE REMAIN, ATTEND MULTIPLE COMMUNITY EVENTS, ANSWER REQUESTS FROM OUR OFFICES, PERFORM ID RECOVERY AND SO MUCH MORE. WHEN AN OUTREACH WORKER ENGAGES WITH AN UNSHELTERED CLIENT AND THEY COMMUNICATE THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN SHELTER BUT WANT TO BE HOUSED, THE CLIENT SHOULD BE REFERRED TO A HOUSING NAVIGATOR WHO WILL BE THE PRIMARY NAVIGATEER TO PROVIDE HOUSING OPTIONS LIKE A VOUCHER. THAT WILL HELP OUTREACH SPECIALISTS FOCUS ON PROVIDING DIRECT SERVICES AND RESOURCES AND I REALLY AND GENUINELY BELIEVED WE HAD THOSE DESIGNATED POSITIONS AND THAT WAS HAPPENING.
WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT'S NOT THE REALITY AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.
AGAIN IT'S BEEN SAID A FEW TIMES, WE NEED MORE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. WE'VE IN DISTRICT 2, WE'VE TAKEN MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY ON TOURS TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT A SUCCESSFUL HOUSING SOLUTION LOOKS LIKE. NOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE ADAMANTLY OPPOSED TO THE PROJECT HAVE BECOME ADVOCATES FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THEY WANT MORE OF IT. I URGE MY COLLEGE TO BRING THEIR NEIGHBORS DOWN.
WHEN WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FILL THE GAP IN ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY, WE CANNOT AFFORD TO REJECT IT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EDUCATION OR A BUY-IN.
WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE SO OUR JOB FOR THAT STARTED YEARS AGO.
I WANT TO SEND WITH SOMETHING I THINK ENCAPSULATES ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES. I HAVE A CONSTITUENT WHO HAS REDECIDED UNDER THE I-10 OVERPASS FOR TEN YEARS. FOR TEN YEARS SHE HAS LAID ON THE ISLAND WITH MISSING
[01:05:06]
LIMBS, LITTLE CLOSE, DRENCHED IN SWEAT IN THE SUMMERTIME AND FREEZING IN THE WINTERTIME. I WENT TO MEET WITH MY OUTREACH COORDINATOR AND SHE HAS A PERSONALITY. FOR TEN YEARS SHE'S REJECTED HOUSING.AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF OUTREACH SHE FINALLY VOCALIZED SHE WANTS AND NEEDS TO BE HOUSED, BUT ONLY IF SHE CAN STAY ON THAT SIDE.
THE PROBLEM IS SHE DOESN'T MEET THE AGE REQUIREMENT FOR TOWN TWIN VILLAGE.
THE EXACT PERSON DOES NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE SHE IS A LITTLE TOO YOUNG.
SO I SAY THAT AS A MESSAGE TO MY COLLEAGUES AND OUR NEIGHBORS.
AS YOU ADVOCATE FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, IT'S EASY TO SAY WE NEED TO HOUSE HOMELESS SENIORS. BUT THE REALITY IS WE NEED TO HOUSE EVERYBODY AND WE'RE GOING TO BE EXPANDING TREMENDOUS GAPS IN OUR SYSTEM IF WE ONLY ADVOCATE TO PEOPLE WE DEEM WORTHING TO BEING HOUSED.
I CONTINUE TO URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO BETTER BY OUR UNSHELTERED POPULATION BECAUSE EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE A HOUSE, THEY ARE STILL OUR CONSTITUENTS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ. COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. >> KAUR: THANK YOU, MAYOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO THE DHS TEAM FOR THE PRESENTATION. I WANTED TO FIRST OF ALL START OFF BY SHOUTING OUT OUR OUTREACH TEAM. THAT WORK IS SO DIFFICULT.
WE DID -- WE WENT ON A HALF-DAY TRIP WITH THEM WHERE WE WENT TO THE DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE SOME OF OF OUR ENCAMPMENTS ARE AND TALKED TO SOME OF OUR HOMELESS FOLKSEN -- FOLKS AND THE MORE THEY SEE OUR FOLKS THE MORE THEY WILL TRUST. SOMETIMES IT DOES TAKE TIME AND WE WERE THERE, ONE OF THEM RESCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR IDENTIFICATION WITH SOMEONE HE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH FOR A FEW MONTHS. I WANTED TO SHOUT-OUT THEM BY NAME, BUT JOE, REBECCA, EMIL IILO. THE GOAL IS LIKE COUNCILMEMBER MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ SAID GETTING THEM TO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. WHEN WE DID THE POINT IN TIME COUNT, THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN UNDER THE BRIDGE AND WE WERE TALKING AND THEY WERE BEST FRIENDS, SITTING LISTENING TO MUSIC TOGETHER. THEY HAD A STRONG RELATIONSHIP.
TOLD HIM HE WAS ON THE WAIT LIST FOR HOUSING AND HE GOT SUPER EXCITED BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN LIKE WAITING FOR IT. MADE ME THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A PLACE FOR THEM TO GO.
THAT'S GOT TO BE OUR FIRST AND FOREMOST PRIORITY. I ALSO AM GLAD TO SEE YOU MENTIONED HAVEN FOR HOPE DOESN'T TURN FAMILIES AWAY. I THINK THAT'S A COMMON MISPERCEPTION. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE AT-RISK INITIATIVE.
WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE BOARD MEETING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WITHIN WHILE WE'RE ALREADY IN CONTACT WITH THESE YOUTH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOICES ARE BEING HEARD CONSTANTLY AND WE STAY IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THEY COME UP WITH OUT OF THAT TASK FORCE.
I JUST HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT I WANTED TO ASK.
SO I THINK IT WAS SLIDE 7, THE EMERGENCY SHELTER. ON MY PRESENTATION IT'S SLIDE 9. SORRY. SO THE LOW-BARRIER SHELTER, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS. I GUESS NOT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO REFER TO. SORRY.
I MUST NOT HAVE AN UPDATED PRESENTATION. BUT I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE LOW BARRIER SHELTERS BEING CONSIDERED EMERGENCY SHELTER.
THEY ARE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS THERE AT THE NEW LOW-BARRIER SHELTER.
IT'S NOT JUST HOUSING. OR IT'S NOT JUST A SHELTER, I SHOULD SAY.
>> YES, THEY RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND OTHER SUPPORTS, ANA KEISHA BAKER
IS HERE. >> KAUR: I KNOW SAMM IS DOING WORK THERE SO I'M WONDERING WHY THAT'S CONSIDERED AN EMERGENCY SHELTER VERSUS SOME OF THE OTHER TYPES OF HOUSING BECAUSE THEY ARE RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS.
>> WOOSLEY: IT'S EMERGENCY SHELTER BECAUSE IT'S NOT PERMANENT HOUSING SO THERE'S NO LEASE, THERE'S SOME TIME LIMITS. THERE'S BARRIER -- YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME BARRIERS TO GETTING IN. BUT IT'S LOWER THAN ANYTHING
ELSE THAT WE HAVE. >> KAUR: OKAY. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THAT. AND THEN ON THE LIST OF FOLKS THAT ARE ACTUALLY WAITING FOR HOUSING, THERE WAS ON MY SLIDE, IT'S SLIDE 13, THERE'S 622 WAITING FOR PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND THEN THERE'S A LITTLE OVER 2,000 THAT ARE WAITING
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FOR RAPID AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. ARE THOSE OVERLAPPED NUMBERSOR ARE THOSE UNIQUE NUMBERS? >> WOOSLEY: THEY WOULD BE UNIQUE NUMBERS.
THERE A LIST OF 2200 AND IT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO COULD EITHER BE PLACED IN RAPID OR
PSH. >> KAUR: SO WHEN WE HAVE THE NEW SHELTER GOING ONLINE, THAT'S THE LIST THAT WE USE TO ACTUALLY DROP FROM TO REACH OUT TO FOLKS.
>> WOOSLEY: YES. >> KAUR: SO THE TOTAL NUMBER IS OVER 2,000.
>> WOOSLEY: YES. >> KAUR: IT SAYS WE HAD THAT $10 MILLION IN BOND FUNDING REMAINING. DO ANY RESPONSES TO THE RFP OUT OR WHAT'S THE TIME LINE
ON THAT? >> WOOSLEY: IT HASN'T CLOSED YET.
IT CLOTHES NEXT WEEK. >> KAUR: ANETHENE WHAT IS OUR EXPECTED -- ARE YOU GUYS ALLOWED TO SAY HOW THAT'S LOOKING? LIKE WHAT'S OUR EXPECTED --
>> YES, SO LAST TIME WE GOT ABOUT FOUR RESPONSES AND ONE WAS NON-RESPONSIVE AND WE WERE AWARDED TWO PROJECTS FROM THE CITY AND ONE FROM THE COUNTY.
WE HAD $45 MILLION IN BOND FUNDS AT THE TIME. WE ONLY HAVE 10 MILLION THIS TIME, BUT WE EXPECT TO COME BACK IN JUNE WITH THOSE AWARDS.
>> KAUR: OKAY. GOT IT. SO WE'LL KNOW WHAT THE TIME LINE IS FOR WHEN THE NEXT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IS GOING UP WITH THOSE
DOLLARS. >> YES, AS SOON AS WE KNOW WHAT THE PROJECTS ARE IN
JUNE, WE CAN BRING THE TIME LINES AT THE SAME TIME. >> KAUR: I GUESS MY ONLY POINT WAS I KNOW WE'RE EXCITED WE'RE ALMOST 50% THROUGH FOR OUR PSH GOALS, BUT THESE PROJECTS TAKE A LONG TIME TO COME ONLINE. IT'S BEEN GREAT, BUT THEY HAVE ONE SECTION OF THEIR PLAN THAT'S NOT STARTED YET. I'M THINKING HOW DO WE PROJECT FIVE YEARS OUT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WE HAVE ENOUGH UNITS COMING ON EVERY
YEAR. THANK YOU. >> WE DO HAVE A DASHBOARD, IF YOU WILL, A MATRIX WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT WHEN THEY ARE EXPECTED TO COME ONLINE.
THAT'S WHY THAT FIGURE SHOWS WHAT'S IN THE PIPELINE UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT DEFINITELY ARE NOT THERE WITH THE FULL GOAL.
>> KAUR: GREAT. THANK YOU. THE NEXT QUESTION THAT I HAD WAS IN THE TARGETED POPULATION SLIDE FOR THE YOUTH COMPONENT, IT SAYS WE'RE AT 100% OF SPACE ALLOCATED AT HAVEN. WHAT DO WE DO IN THAT CASE? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE'RE AT FULL CAPACITY? WHERE DO ADDITIONAL YOUTH
COMING IN GO? >> SO I'LL ASK KIM JEFFRIES TO SPEAK ON THAT, BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S 18 TO 24 AND THERE'S NO BEDS IN THE SPECIFIC YOUTH PODS, THEY COULD STAY IN OTHER SHELTERS. IT JUST REALLY DEPENDS ON THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES IF IT'S MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE COURTYARD OR EVEN THE SAMM SHELTER. THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS THEY COULD GO TO, WE JUST PREFER THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS BE IN THAT SAFER ENVIRONMENT.
>> KAUR: I WOULD AGREE. A THE REASON I WAS ASKING, IF WE'VE BEEN AT 100% CAPACITY FOR A WHILE, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE SPACE AT THE NEW SHELTER THAT'S JUST FOR YOUTH AS WELL IN A SIMILAR KIND OF ASPECT. IF IT IS ACTUALLY PROVIDING THE RESOURCE THAT WE NEED AT FULL CAPACITY FOR SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME.
MAYBE IF WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND GET BACK TO US ON THOSE NUMBERS TO SEE
IF THAT COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY THERE. >> WE CAN DO THAT.
WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. >> KAUR: OKAY.
COME ON UP. >> I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY, THE 52 DEDICATED BEDS ARE A POD THAT WE CREATED. THEY CAN STILL COME INTO OUR REGULAR SHELTER ENVIRONMENT.
WE CONSIDER YOUNG ADULTS A VULNERABLE POPULATION, SO EVEN IF WE'RE AT CAPACITY THEY COME ON TO PUS -- ON TO CAMPUS. THEY ARE NOT OUT ON THE STREETS, THEY ARE JUST NOT WITH THEIR PEERS WHICH IS THE IDEAL SITUATION WHY WE
CREATED THE PODS. >> MCKEE-RODRIGUEZ:. >> KAUR: IT'S A GREAT THING. I'M ASSUMING THEY FEEL SAFER THERE THAN IN THE COURTYARD.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> KAUR: APPRECIATE THAT. JUST I GUESS JUST A COUPLE OF LAST COMMENTS. SPECIFICALLY AROUND THE EQUIPMENT ABATEMENTS, IS THERE A WAY TO BETTER SECURE STORM CHANNELS? WE GET CALLS ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME AND I KNOW COUNCILWOMAN ALDERETE GAVITO MENTIONED THIS.
WE'RE MEETING WITH THE MAVERICK NEIGHBORHOOD TONIGHT AND WE GET A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THAT DRAINAGE CHANNEL OFF FREDERICKSBURG ROAD.
[01:15:05]
THERE'S NO ACTION. COULDN'T WE, SUSAN, OR DO WE NEED TO PAUSE? WE HAVE SIX. ONE IS ON THE SCREEN. WE CAN STILL DO SIMPLE MATH UP HERE. THIS IS FANTASTIC. [LAUGHTER]>> KAUR: I'LL JUST WRAP AND I JUST WANT TO SHOUT OUT, CASHMERE HAS BEEN WORKING TO HELP THIS NEIGHBORHOOD COME TOGETHER, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ON BOTH SIDES. WE HEAR IT ALL THE TIME WITHIN WE WANT TO BE COMPASSIONATE ABOUT OUR RESPONSE.
I ALSO WONDER IF WE WANT TO PUBLICLY SHARE THAT DATA BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TAKING VIDEOS, ET CETERA. SO THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE BEST AND MOST COMPASSIONATE WAY TO RESPOND TO ENCAMPMENTS ARE AND KEEPING THOSE FOLKS SAFE.
THE DRAINAGE CHANNEL SITUATION GETS REALLY TRICKY AND STRESSFUL.
I WANT TO REEMPHASIZE THE WORK AROUND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY THE REASON WE ONLY USE CROSS-STREETS, MAJOR INTERSECTIONS CLOSEST SO WE DON'T ATTRACT PREDATORS AND MEDIA AND THOSE KIND OF THINGS TO THE ACTUAL ABATEMENT. ON THE DRAINAGE ISSUE, WE HAVE HAD DRAINAGE CHANNELS THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS BEEN ABLE TO PUT BARRIERS OVER SO THAT THE PEOPLE CAN'T ACTUALLY GET INTO THEM AND THE ABATEMENT -- ENCAMPMENT CANNOT BE CREATED, BUT A LOT
CANNOT SUPPORT -- >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: YOU NEED TO FINISH.
>> KAUR: WE'VE HAD THAT CONVERSATION A COUPLE TIMES AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT A WAY AND UTSA IS DOING A STUDY FOR US, BUT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN PUSH THAT FORWARD, WE WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU, MAYOR.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER KAUR. COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE.
>> COURAGE: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I THINK THAT WE'VE HURD THAT WE'VE ACHIEVED QUITE A FEW THINGS. AND ALL THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT HOW TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES. WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE'VE DONE.
WE'VE GOTTEN HOMELESS, WE HAVE OUTREACH PEOPLE, WE HAVE SERVICES, BUT YOU KNOW, HOUSING AND SHELTER IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT'S CONTINUING TO BE A DRAMATIC PROBLEM FOR HOMELESS. YOU KNOW, JUST THE 700 OR 800 HOMELESS WHO ARE NOT SHELTERED, IF THEY ALL WANTED SHELTER TOMORROW, WE'VE GOT NO PLACE TO PUT THEM. I KNOW WE'RE BUILDING PERMANENT SUPPORTING HOUSING AND I THINK THAT'S GREAT AND I KNOW WE HAVE A LONG-TERM GOAL.
WE'VE GOT 124 UNITS THAT ARE BUILT, BUT 350 WILL ARE COMING AND IT COULD TAKE A YEAR, TWO YEARS. THAT'S STILL A WAYS DOWN THE LINE, HOW DO WE HELP THOSE PEOPLE TODAY FOR SHELTER. WE'VE GOT APARTMENTS OR WE'VE GOT HOTEL ROOMS THAT WE'RE MANAGING THAT SAMM MINISTRY IS MANAGING. THERE'S 200 OF THEM, BUT ONLY 85 HAVE PEOPLE IN THEM RIGHT NOW. HOW ARE WE GOING TO REDUCE THOSE CHALLENGES AND HAVE THEM BECOME MORE SOLUTIONS IN HOUSING ALONE? WE'VE GOT OUTREACH WORKERS BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATIONS, THE ONES WHO ARE HERE TODAY, 38 OUTREACH WORKERS. FOUR OF THEM ARE VACANT. BUT IS THAT ENOUGH? ARE 38 ENOUGH BECAUSE THEY DON'T ALL WORK EVERY DAY, THEY WORK IN SHIFTS.
ARE THERE ENOUGH THERE DOING THAT? I PRESUME THEY ARE COORDINATED IN THEIR EFFORTS. BUT IT TAKES MORE THAN AN OUTREACH WORKING TO GO OUT TO WORK WITH A HOMELESS PERSON BECAUSE WE KNOW MANY IF NOT ALMOST ALL OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS, DRUG ADDICTION, ALCOHOLISM. HOW CAN AN OUTREACH WORKING REALLY DEAL WITH THOSE PROBLEMS AND MAYBE EARN THE TRUST THAT WE NEED TO BRING PEOPLE IN OFF THE STREETS. I HAVEN'T HEARD US TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BRING IN MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHICH I THINK IS A MAJOR WAY OF TRYING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS THAT MANY OF THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE HAVE. I HAVEN'T HEARD US, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT THE LACK OF DRUG ADDICTION FACILITIES TO HELP PUT THESE PEOPLE INTO SO THEY CAN RECOVER OR ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT CENTERS OR HOW WE CAN GET PEOPLE INTO THOSE TO HELP THEM. I KNOW THAT WE ALSO FACE A LAW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WE DEAL WITH IT, I THINK IT'S THE SUPREME COURT THAT SAID IT'S NOT ILLEGAL TO BEG,
[01:20:01]
IT'S NOT ILLEGAL TO BE POOR, IT'S NOT ILLEGAL TO BE HOMELESS.SO I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH ABOUT HOW WE CAN OVERCOME THE BARRIER OF HELPING THESE PEOPLE OTHER THAN EARNING THEIR TRUST. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT ONE WORKER IS GOING TO BE VERY EFFECTIVE -- THEY ARE WOULDN'T IN A -- THEY ARE ONCE IN A WHILE, TOOK TWO YEARS TO GET THAT PERSON IN. WE NEED TO HELP MORE QUICKLY.
I HAVEN'T HEARD HOW WE MEET THAT CHALLENGE. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE STILL LAW ENFORCEMENT ITSELF. HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY FACTORS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS. AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY LIVE IN AND WHAT THOSE PEOPLE FACE IN THE WAY OF SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS TRESPASSING OR THEFT OR PEOPLE WHO MAKE THREATS TO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THEIR CONDITION AND BEING HOMELESS. YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES WHICH ARE PART OF THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.
YOU KNOW, ON PUBLIC SAFETY, JUST LIKE WE SAID, PEOPLE SLEEPING IN DRAINAGE AREAS.
YOU KNOW, THAT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY. ALL KINDS OF GARBAGE AND TRASH GET SWEPT THROUGH THE CITY WHEN THEY BUILD THESE ENCAMPMENTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. WE HAVEN'T REALLY, I THINK, TALKED ENOUGH ABOUT EVICTIONS AND RAPID REHOUSING. THERE'S THOUSANDS OF EVICTIONS GOING TO COURT EVERY MONTH. HOW EASILY, HOW AVAILABLE IS RAPID REHOUSING TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE FROM BECOMING HOMELESS.
AND I THINK THAT'S STILL A SOLUTION THAT WE NEED TO FIND FOR THIS.
AND FINALLY, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE YOUTH WHO ARE 18 TO 20-WHATEVER AND MAYBE JUST LEFT FOSTER CARE OR ARE JUST LIVING OUT ON THEIR OWN, AND ALSO THE CHRONIC HOMELESS. HOW DO WE FINANCIALLY HELP THEM TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. A 18, 19-YEAR-OLD YOUTH WHO HASN'T FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL WHO IS OUT ON THE STREET, WHERE DO THEY GET MONEY TO FEED THEMSELVES, CLOTHE THEMSELVES, TO FIND A SHELTER IF THEY CAN. WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO RESORT TO. HOW ARE WE WORKING ON A SOLUTION FOR THAT KIND OF A PROBLEM. AND THE SAME THING FOR THE CHRONIC HOMELESS.
A LOT OF THEM DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO APPLY FOR ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. AND I KNOW WE'RE WORKING ON TRYING TO HELP THEM GET IDENTIFICATION TO RECOGNIZE WHO THEY ARE, BUT THAT'S STILL A CHALLENGE FOR MANY OF THEM. SOME OF THEM DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHO THEY ARE OR THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO WORK WITH US IN THAT AREA. BUT BECAUSE THEY SAY I DON'T WANT ANY HELP, I WANT TO STAY OUT IN THE STREET, DO THEY STAY OUT THERE WITHOUT ANY MONEY, CAN'T BUY FOOD, CAN'T BUY CLOTHING, HOW DO THEY GET BY.
WHAT IS THE CONDITION THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF THAT CONDITION THEY LIVE IN.
I HAVEN'T HEARD MUCH IN THE WAY OF WHAT OTHER CITIES ARE DOING, WHAT OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ARE DOING OR WHAT WE COLLECTIVELY ARE DOING TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THOSE CHALLENGES. BUT I DO HEAR WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN, TRYING TO WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS TO GET THEM SOME KIND OF HELP. I SURE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE OF OVERALL PLANS OF SOLUTIONS TO THESE CHALLENGES THAT WE ALL FACE AND A THE HOMELESS FACE. SO I HOPE SOME OF THAT IS OUT THERE AND WE CAN GET BETTER EDUCATED ON THAT SO WE CAN SUPPORT MORE OF THAT. THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE. COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
>> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
I'M REMEMBERING THE FIRST MEETING THAT WE HAD WHEN YOU ALL GOT TOGETHER AND I JUST HAD A WHOLE BUNCH TO DROP ON YOU ALL. AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE AND THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK OUR HOMELESS OUTREACH COORDINATOR, DAVID AS WELL AS KRIS STEIN.
I KNOW WHEN DEALING WITH UNHOURSED INDIVIDUALS IT'S A LOT AND I KNOW THEY TAKE THIS WORK HOME WITH THEM SO I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THEM.
I THINK THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE.
I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE CRITICAL ROLE THAT OPPORTUNITY HOME PLAYS WITHIN THIS LARGER FRAMEWORK PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT THE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS.
AND I THINK WHAT WOULD BE OF VALUE IS IF THE HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM CAN MEET WITH
[01:25:03]
THE OPPORTUNITY HOME BOARD MEMBERS. I KNOW OPPORTUNITY HOME DOES PARTICIPATE WITHIN THE RESPONSE TEAM, BUT ULTIMATELY THEY ARE DIRECTED BY THE BOARD. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE MAY BE A DESIRE TO SHIFT BACK TO MIXED INCOME WHICH WOULD DRASTICALLY SHIFT THE GOALS AND THE PATH WE'RE CURRENTLY ON. I THINK ENSURING THAT THOSE BOARD MEMBERS ARE BROUGHT UP TO SPEED ON THE NEED AND THEIR ROLE WITH 100% PUBLIC HOUSING IS OF MUCH IMPORTANCE. SHIFTING TO THE ENCAMPMENT CLEARANCE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE GOAL OF FOLKS HOUSED AND NOT NECESSARILY ENCAMPMENTS THAT ARE CLEARED. AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT IN DISTRICT 5 MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY VISIT EACH OTHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND THEY ARE CONNECTING THE DOTS. IF THERE IS AN ENCAMPMENT SWEPT IN ONE NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY ARE HEARING IT'S THE SAME -- THESE AREN'T NECESSARILY THE SOLUTION, BUT I KNOW YOU ALL ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY ENSURING WE ARE CREATING AND INVESTING IN LOW, NO-BARRIER SHELTER. I ALSO WANT TO ECHO EMERGENCY AND SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES -- COUNCILMEMBER COURAGE AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE MANAGE EXPECTATIONS WITH CONSTITUENTS AND RESIDENTS BECAUSE I THINK OFTENTIMES FOLKS ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THERE ARE IMMATERIAL LIMITED BEDS, UN-- UNLIMITED BEDS AND IF EVERYBODY SAID YES TO HOUSING WE WOULD HAVE A SPOT AND THE REALITY IS SHOWS DON'T EXIST YET. JUST WALKING THEM THROUGH THE BARRIERS THAT EXIST AND APPROVAL OF ZONING TO ENSURE WE CAN HAVE CONSTRUCTION OF THESE MUCH NEEDED HOUSING UNITS. BUT WITH THAT, HAVE YOU ALL HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT A POTENTIAL INCENTIVE PACKAGE COULD LOOK LIKE FOR NON-PROFITS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE CREATING NO-BARRIER HOUSING? BECAUSE OFTENTIMES WHAT WE HEAR IT JUST ISN'T PENCILLED OUT, BUT WHAT ARE WE EXPLORETO GO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT FINANCIAL STRESS? >> I HAVE TWO ANSWERS.
FIRST, WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE, SPECIFICALLY TO WEATHER, WE DO HAVE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS. AND LAST YEAR WE DEVELOPED A TOOL KIT FOR THOSE CHURCHES THAT DO HOPE AND THEY NEED SUPPLIES. WE KNOW WHICH CHURCHERS ARE GOING TO OPEN AND PROVIDE SUPPLIES. THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY THIS COLLECTIVE IMPACT GROUP WORKS WITH THOSE TEAMS. NOW WE HAVE KIND OF A TIERED SYSTEM OF WHERE WE DIVERT HOMELESS IN WEATHER SITUATIONS. AND IT SAYS HAVEN IS THE PRIMARY SHELTER, THEN SAMM AND THEN THERE'S CHURCHES THAT ARE OPEN, WHO IS STAFF SUPPORT.
WE IDENTIFY WHICH ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR SYSTEM WILL TURN TO STAFF SUPPORT AND WE CAN DIRECT THEM TO THOSE CENTERS. AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED. THIS RECENT ONE WE HAD, WE NOTICED A LOT OF THE CHURCHES, THEY HAD GREAT PLANS WHEN IT CAME TO GETTING PEOPLE IN, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO GETTING THEM TO LEAVE, IT BECAME CHALLENGING.
WE PROVIDE TRAINING. WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE BUS PASSES SET UP AND GUIDELINES, SPECIFIC LANGUAGE. PEOPLE COME TO SHELTER, THEY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WITHIN 24 HOURS AFTER THE WEATHER EVENT, YOU ARE PROVIDED A BUS PASS AND WE WILL HELP YOU GET TO A SHELTER OR A PLACE OF WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO. SO IT'S BEING TWEAKED, BUT THAT'S ON THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE SIDE. NOW, THERE IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT COMES TO WORKING WITH FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH DEVELOPMENT OF NEW HOUSING. AND SO WE HAVE DONE INVENTORY OF SEVERAL CHURCHES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT SURPLUS PROPERTY THEY MIGHT HAVE TO BE ABLE TO USE TO CONTRIBUTE TO SUCH A HOUSING PROJECT.
AND MAYBE THAT HOUSING PROJECT, THEY DON'T WANT IT TO BE 30% AMI, THEY WANT IT TO BE 30% AMI AND TARGETING SENIORS OR WOMEN WITH FAMILIES.
WE'RE TAKING THAT INVENTORY. A GREAT EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE ST. JOHN'S SEMINARY PROJECT WHERE IT WAS ON ARCHDIOCESE PROPERTY AND THEY ARE ABLE TO BUILD DEEPLY AFFORDABLE UNITS. THE CHURCH GOT AN ANNUAL LEASE PAYMENT TO BENEFIT THEM. AN ASSET UNDER USED TO SUPPORT HOUSING.
WE WANT TO DO MORE OF THAT. YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT EMERGENCY SHELTER.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BOTH? >> CASTILLO: PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, YES.
>> WE ARE DOING THAT AND WE HOPEFULLY AFTER THIS SECOND BOND ROUND WILL HAVE A PERIOD OF TIME IDEA OF MORE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. AND ARCHDIOCESE IS A GREAT
[01:30:04]
OPPORTUNITY. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUTSURPLUS PROPERTY. >> CASTILLO: THAT REMINDS ME OF A -- WHERE WE APPROVED PLANNING FUNDING TO SEE IF A CHURCH HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING. BUT WITH THAT, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THE SKILLED NURSING AND ASSISTED LIVING PIECE AND COMMEND LORI AND HER TEAM FOR MOVING THAT FORWARD WITH URGENCY ENSURING THERE WERE SERVICES.
I DO SEE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH INCARNATE WORD AND WITH THEIR NURSING PROGRAM BECAUSE I HAVE A CONSTITUENT WHO HAS LIVED AT HAVEN FOR ROUGHLY THREE YEARS AND I COMES BY EVERY SO OFTEN. I'M ASKED HAVE YOU BEEN CONNECTED TO LONG-TERM HOUSING, WHAT HAVE THOSE OPTIONS LOOKED LIKE.
AND HE'S SHARED YES, HE HAS, BUT HE'S EXTREMELY TRAUMATIZED FROM HIS EVICTION EXPERIENCE AND THE ATTORNEY HE HIRED FAILED HIM.
HE'S JUST CONCERNED ABOUT RELIVING THAT EXPERIENCE AND LOSING ALL HIS BELONGINGS AGAIN. I SEE THE NEED FOR SCALING UP THOSE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND/OR THE SKILLED NURSING. IT IS A NEED AND THESE FOLKS NEED A LOT OF CARE. AND I SEE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO TIE SOME OF THE UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THOSE ARE ALL MY COMMENTS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I WANT TO FIRST TALK ABOUT OUTREACH BECAUSE I REALLY THINK THOSE ARE THE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STAFF HAVE A COMMITMENT AND PASSION TO SERVE. WHEN I FIRST GOT INTO OFFICE, OUR OUTREACH COORDINATOR WAS DANIEL GROVIN.
HE HAS SINCE LEFT, BUT HE SET AN EXPECTATION FOR MYSELF AND MY STAFF ABOUT HOW THE PROCESS OF OUTREACH GOES AND THE LENGTH. WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR NEIGHBORS. HE WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR NEIGHBORS. WHEN PATRICIA GOT IS THERE, SHE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, DOING AN AMAZING JOB. AND HAS SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT UNDERSTAND AND ALSO UNDERSTANDS THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT REALLY ARE KIND OF UPSET BY THE ENCAMPMENTS. SOME NEIGHBORS WHO ARE DOING THEIR OWN THING FOR HELPING OTHERS. AND SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO MAKE GOOD PROGRESS.
BUT WE KNOW THIS TAKES TIME. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS ARE THERE AND WE DO NEED TO BE COMPASSIONATE, THAT THERE IS AN ASPECT OF ACCOUNTABILITY.
TREATING SOMEONE WITH DIGNITY MEANS BELIEVING THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, I THINK. AND THE ONE GREAT THING ABOUT OUR OUTREACH COORDINATORS IS THEY WILL TELL US OR AT LEAST THEY TELL MY STAFF WE CAN GET THIS PERSON TOWED THIS, GUT WE CAPTAIN GET THEM TO DO-TO DO THIS, WE CAN GET THEM TO DO X, BUT WE CAN'T GET THEM TO DO Y, SO WE NEED TO GIVE THEM TIME.
THAT HAS BEEN GOOD. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF KATY WITH CLOSE TO HOME, GETTING US THE DATA THAT WE NEED.
AND CANESHA BY LOOKING AT EVERYTHING IN THE TOOLBOX. MY QUESTIONS REALLY ARE -- MY TWO QUESTIONS ARE REALLY ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN TERMS OF OUTREACH AND THEN I'LL TALK A LITTLE ABOUT ENCAMPMENTS. SO MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHAT IS BEING DONE AND ARE WE SEEING REUNIONS WITH FAMILIES, WITH THEIR LOVED ONES THAT HAVE BEEN HOMELESS OR HAVE BEEN CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, ARE WE KEEPING TRACK OF THAT? DO WE HAVE AN AGENCY THAT'S REALLY FOCUSING ON THAT AND
TRYING TO HEAL RELATIONSHIPS? >> SO I WOULD SAY THAT'S ONE OF THE TOOLS EVERY AGENCY USES WHEN THEY ARE WORKING WITH CLIENTS ESPECIALLY UNSHELTERED AND CHRONIC IS THAT THEY ARE IN CONTACT, OUTREACH IS IN CONTACT OR CASE MANAGERS WITH THE FAMILIES TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE'S A SOLUTION THERE.
SO I THINK THAT'S PRETTY PREVALENT. THE DASHBOARD FOR THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, SOME OF THE CATEGORIES SHOWS WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING WHEN THEY ARE HOUSED FROM SHELTER TO HOUSING. THE OTHER CATEGORY INCLUDES
[01:35:01]
FAMILY REUNION IF I INDICATIONS. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT OTHER REFERRED TO BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
MY OTHER QUESTION IS AND THIS CAME TO LIGHT AS WE WERE DISCUSSING THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMING OUT THE -- [INAUDIBLE] I WANT TO APPLAUD MY DIRE ENTIRE COUNCIL AND VOTING AND MOVING THAT FORWARD AND THE COUNTY FOR ALSO COMING IN. BUT ARE THERE GOING TO BE -- ARE WE KEEPING UP WITH THE SORT OF ASSESSMENTS WE NEED FOR THOSE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND IS THAT BEING -- IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S KIND OF COMING THROUGH THE HOTLINE? BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETIMES THEY DO WANT TO STAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY WERE AT, BUT THE -- THE PERPETRATOR IS ALSO IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND IT KIND OF MAKES MORE SENSE TO RELOCATE SO ARE WE DOING CONTINUAL TRAINING REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS
>> SO WE DO -- WE PARTICIPATE, OF COURSE, IN THE ASSESSOR TRAINING THROUGH CLOSE TO HOME. WE HAVE PEOPLE ON THE HOTLINE THAT CAN DO THAT ASSESSMENT. BUT WE ALSO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE METRO HEALTH TEAM AND MOVE PEOPLE TO THE CASEWORKERS THERE WHO ARE EXPERTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HELP IDENTIFY AND NAVIGATE THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS OF LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL HOUSING OR OTHER SUPPORTS. NOW, WE HAVE SET ASIDE THROUGH OUR HALLMARK DOLLARS, THOSE DOLLARS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR DOMESTIC SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SO THERE ARE RESOURCES
AVAILABLE JUST FOR THAT POPULATION. >> VIAGRAN: GREAT.
THANK YOU. AND THAT'S GOOD TO HEAR. THE OTHER THING IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE UNDERSTANDING ALL THEIR RIGHTS.
I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT IS CONTINUING. SO MY LAST THING, AND THIS IS MORE FOR -- I DON'T KNOW WHOSE DEPARTMENT THIS WOULD BE AND MAYBE MARK YOU NEED TO ANSWER THIS, BUT WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE SOUTHSIDE, AND THERE ARE SOME HOMES, LITTLE AREAS THAT ARE FUNCTIONING AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE A TRUE COUNT OF THAT. AND THERE ARE ALSO HOTEL-HOTELS THAT ARE FUNCTIONING AT NO BARRIER HOUSING.
AND IS THERE ANY WAY WE CAN GET A COUNT OR SEE THE CONCENTRATION OF WHERE THAT'S HAPPENING WHERE WE HAVE PEOPLE LIVING FOR WEEKS OR MONTHS? BECAUSE I KNOW SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS IN DISTRICT 3 ARE GETTING -- THEY ARE GETTING SSI CHECKS OR THEY ARE GETTING SOME FUNDS. AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IS THEY ARE USING IT FOR WEEKLY MOTEL STAYS AND THEN THEY ARE ON THE STREET FOR A WEEK OR SO UNTIL THEY CAN GET THEIR CHECK. ARE WE KEEPING TRACK OF THAT, AND WHO WOULD BE DOING THIS? WOULD THIS BE NHSD? DO WE HAVE A FORM IF WE FIND OUT -- AND I'M THINKING ONE SPECIFICALLY BUT I WON'T MENTION, ONE OF THESE MOTELS IS FUNCTIONING LIKE THAT, IF WE COULD GET SOME OF OUR OUTREACH OR SOME OF THE STAKEHOLDERS TO GET CASEWORKERS IN THERE TO TRY
AND SEE AND GET THEM IN A BETTER SITUATION. >> COUNCILWOMAN, I DO NOT HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT. AND SO WHAT WE WILL DO, WE'LL WORK WITHIN OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM AND RETURN WITH THAT ANSWER AND SHARE IT WITH THE ENTIRE
COUNCIL. >> VIAGRAN: THANK YOU, LORI.
I CAN GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES. THE COMMITTEE IS FREE TO CALL ON ME OR MY STAFF BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME -- WE HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS OF THAT. AND I WANT TO END WITH ENCAMPMENTS. I -- I BELIEVE YOU ARE WORKING WELL AND THE SAFFE OFFICERS ARE WORKING WELL AND OUT REACH COORDINATED TO WORK WELL WITH THIS.
MY NEIGHBORS ARE SEEING THEY ARE MOVING FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION.
BUT I LIKE THE IDEA OF SETTING UP THAT THESE PLACES SHOULD NOT BE CAMPED IN FOR WHATEVER REASON, ESPECIALLY THOSE NEAR THE HIGHWAY. BUT I'M ALSO WANT TO SEE AND TRY AND GET A PROFILE OF WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE IN THESE ENCAMPMENTS, BECAUSE MY NEIGHBORS COME IN AND BELIEVE THERE'S A CRIMINAL ELEMENT TO SOME OF THESE
[01:40:04]
ENCAMPMENTS. THAT'S WHY THEY NEED TO BE KIND OF DISBANDED BECAUSE THAT CRIMINAL ELEMENT WE NEED TO ADDRESS. SO I THINK THAT THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT ONCE WE DO THE [INAUDIBLE]. SOME WILL JUST MOVE ON.THE OUTREACH WORKERS GO AND THEY MOVE ON. AND SOME HAVE A LOT OF STOLEN PROPERTY IN THAT ENCAMPMENT THAT WE CAN TELL THAT THEY'VE BEEN ORGANIZING AND KIND OF HAD THEIR OWN LITTLE HIERARCHY WITHIN IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ADDRESSING THAT. AND THE OTHER THING I'M GOING TO BRING UP IS I THINK YOU GUYS ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB. THIS ISN'T A ONE FIX.
WE NEED TO TAKE ALL APPROACHES. BUT WE DO NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE LAY ALLOWING THEM TO COLLECT AND HAVING SHOPPING CARTS, AND I'VE HAD IN ENCAMPMENTS LIKE -- I HAD ONE PERSON HAVE AT LEAST FIVE SHOPPING CARTS THAT HE GOT. AND THIS WAS IN THE BROOKS AREA.
WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT AND THAT IS ENDING UP, THESE SHOPPING CARTS ARE ENDING UP IN THE RIVER IN THE SOUTHERN SECTOR ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS, BUT THE SHOPPING CARTS HAVE REALLY BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THAT. AND I THINK THAT COULD BE SOMETHING WE WORK WITH SAN ANTONIO RIVER AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS IF AN ENCAMPMENT HAS A NUMBER OF SHOPPING CARTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING OFF-LINE.
BIG PROPONENT OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND I THINK THAT'S KEY MOVING
FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK
YOU, COUNCILMEMBER VIAGRAN. COUNCILMEMBER PELÁEZ. >> PELÁEZ: THANKS.
LORI, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ISSUE A LOT AND THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD GO ANY OF US, RIGHT? HERE WE ARE IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED BUILDING AND WE'VE GOT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PRIVILEGE. I DO THINK THAT THERE'S -- I'M CERTAIN THAT THERE'S NOBODY ON YOUR TEAM THAT IS SATISFIED WITH JUST GOOD ENOUGH, RIGHT? I'VE SEEN YOU GUYS PULL FROM EVERY SINGLE LEVER, AND I'M PROUD OF YOU ALL, VERY IMPRESSED. I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE THAT INNOVATIVE IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SOLVING OLD PROBLEMS WITH NEW SOLUTIONS AND I THINK YOU ARE DOING IT. AND THE DATE YOU SOLVE HOMELESSNESS IN SAN ANTONIO IS THE DAY YOU ARE GOING TO GET A NOBEL PRIZE. AND YOU ARE HE ON-YOU AND MELODY AND THE TEAM, YOU ARE IN INDEFATIGUABLE. YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF HUNDRED%% OF THE CITIZENS OF SAN ANTONIO.
WHEREVER YOU SEE HOMELESS PERSON, I WANT YOU TO ARREST THEM AND HAUL THEM AWAY.
YOU ARE THE ONE THAT TAUGHT ME THAT -- WAIT A SECOND, THAT'S CALLED KIDNAPPING.
THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO DEAL WITH A HUMAN BEING. I'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME OUT AT THE ENCAMPMENTS AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S CLEAR TO ME WALKING THROUGH THERE IS THESE ARE HUMAN TRAGEDIES THAT PLAY THEMSELVES OUT EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE MOST HEART-BREAKING WAYS. AND IT IS OUR OBLIGATION AS PEOPLE OF PRIVILEGE, BUT IT'S OUR OBLIGATION AS LEADERS TO THROW A LIFE SAVER AT THEM BECAUSE WE CAN AND SHOULD. ARTICLE 1 OF THE CITY CHARTER GIVES THE CITY COUNCIL THE POWER TO THROW LIFE SAVERS WHO FOLKS THAT ARE HURTING.
I'M PROUD TO SERVE ON A DAIS WITH PEOPLE, YOU'VE HEARD THEM ALL, EXPRESSED A SENSE OF URGENCY AND EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION HOW SLOW THIS PROCESS IS, GETTING THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. THERE'S A HUGE CORPORATE PARTNER IN SAN ANTONIO CALLED NEW STAR WHO HAS BEEN VERY GENEROUSLY PUMPING MONEY INTO HAVEN'S COVERS SO THAT YOU GUYS -- COFFERS SO YOU CAN OFFER THESE SERVICES. I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH THE ACQUISITION OF NEW STAR BY SENECO. CRICKETS. NOBODY HAS REACHED OUT TO OUR OFFICE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE GOTTEN A CALL EXPLAINING WHAT THEIR INTENTIONS ARE. I KNOW THERE'S A BUNCH OF EMPLOYEES OUT AT NEW STAR WONDERING WHAT THEIR FUTURES ARE. NOBODY IS TALKING.
I THINK IT'S REALLY MEAN TO PEOPLE TO BE SILENT AND KEEP EVERYBODY WONDERING.
[01:45:08]
BUT THE CRISIS I HEY HURDLING OUR WAY IS SENECO HAS NO INTENTION OF HELPING HAVEN FOR HOPE. I HOPE I'M WRONG, BUT I ALSO DON'T THINK AUDIO]. NEW STAR RAISING FOR YOU ALL?>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IS A CHALLENGE FOR MY NON-PROFIT AND HAVEN IS NOT IMMUNE TO THAT. NEW STAR HAS -- THE NEW STAR FOUNDATION GIVES ANNUALLY -- THEY DO THE NEW HOPE GOLF TOURNAMENT. IT RAISES 3 HILL DOLLARS AND THEY -- MILLION DOLLARS. IT DOESN'T JUST EXACT HAVEN PROPER, IT -- IMPACTS HAVEN PROPER. IT'S DESIGNED TO LIFT UP THE ENTIRE MODEL.
WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING EITHER. I THINK IT'S OUR HOPE THAT THE EXECUTIVES THAT STAY IN THIS COMMUNITY HAVE THAT GIVING SPIRIT THAT HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, ENGRAINED IN THEM IN THE NEW STAR CULTURE AND THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS, NOT JUST HAVEN BUT OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
I WILL TELL YOU THE MINUTE I GOT TO HAVEN, FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY WITH A ONE WE WERE LOOKING TO ADDRESS. WE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD SUCCESS LAST YEAR IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE THROUGH THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE ADVOCATING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE ENTIRE STATE. AND HAVEN IS GETTING AN ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE THROUGH THAT HEALTHY COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE. SO THAT HELPS OFF SET SOME OF THIS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE GOT OUR FIRST HUD FUNDING FOR RAPID REHOUSING AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING IN THIS COMMUNITY AND NOW WE JUST HAVE THE MONEY TO SUPPORT IT WHERE WE WERE USING OTHER FLEXIBLE FUNDING AND THAT'S OVER A MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
THOSE TWO THINGS ARE HELPING PROVIDE SOME -- RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, SUSTAINABILITY FOR HAVEN. LONG-TERM IT IS A CHALLENGE AND IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR OUR PARTNERS AS WELL. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING
THAT UP. >> PELÁEZ: I THINK IT SHOULD BE MENTIONED AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EXISTS BECAUSE BILL GREEHY IS SUCH A GENEROUS MAN. BUT RELYING ON THE GREEHY FAMILY IS NOT A STRATEGY.
I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT WE'VE ALL BEEN LOOKING FOR A WAY TO DIVERSIFY THOSE REVENUE STREAMS FOR YOU. BUT, YOU KNOW, IN THE HOPES THAT MAYBE THIS VIDEO GETS PLAYED IN FRONT OF A DECISION-MAKER AT SENECO, MR. AV MAN, PLEASE RETURN THE CAMERA TO ME. IT'S MEAN TO NOT TALK TO OUR LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND JUST GIVE THEM SOME INFORMATION SO THAT THEY CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY. THAT'S JUST A POLITE, COURTEOUS THING TO DO.
I KNOW YOU WENT AND SAT DOWN, BUT YOU GUYS TURN FAMILIES AWAY? I'VE HEARD YES, NO. CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THAT?
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. WE DO NOT TURN FAMILIES AWAY.
IF A FAMILY COME TO US DEPENDING ON THEIR RESIDENCY, IF THEY MEET RESIDENCE OR NOT, THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS WE RESPOND. IF SOMEBODY COMES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT OR DURING THE DAY, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE FAMILY. IFIF THEY ARE A NON-RESIDENT OF BEXAR COUNTY, WE GIVE THEM 15 DAYS OF COMPASSIONATE PLACEMENT AND STAY AND WRAP AROUND THEM WITH CASE MANAGEMENT TO FIGURE WHAT IS THEIR LONG-TERM PLAN. IF WEEK THERE ARE TIMES WHEN FAMILIES, FOR WHATEVER REASON, LIKE ANY ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE SAFE COMMUNITY POLICIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO ABIDE BY. AND SO IF THERE'S A VIOLATION, AN EGREGIOUS VIOLATION OF SAFE COMMUNITY POLICIES, THEN A FAMILY MAY BE EXITED FROM THE PROGRAM, DEPENDING ON WHAT'S HAPPENED. THAT MAY BE WHAT HAPPENED. IF SOMEBODY GETS INTO A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH ANOTHER FAMILY OR INDIVIDUAL ON OUR CAMPUS, WE HAVE POLICIES TO KEEP THE CAMPUS SAFE AND SO IF THERE'S A VIOLATION OF THAT, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THEY MAY BE EXITED.
BUT WE DO NOT TURN FAMILIES AWAY. THE EXCEPTION OF THAT IS MIGRANT FAMILIES. WE SEND THEM TO THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.
SO WE ARE NOT DESIGNED, RESOURCED, OR FUNDED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE MIGRANT
[01:50:03]
FAMILIES, SO WE SEND THEM TO THE MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTERS. SO THAT COULD BE WHERE YOU'REHEARING THAT AS WELL. >> PELAEZ: THANK YOU. THANKS FOR THAT UPDATE.
LASTLY, I THINK THE STRUGGLE WILL ALWAYS BE -- I CAN'T ENVISION A SCENARIO WHERE IT WON'T BE. IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE BALANCING OF HELPING THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP -- AND WE SHOULD. EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING OUT THERE WITHOUT A HOME WHO IS SLEEPING ON THE STREET DESERVES OUR ATTENTION, SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS.
AND THEY DESERVE OUR HELP. AT THE SAME TIME THAT COMPASSION HAS TO EXTEND TO OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD TO AFFORD THEIR HOMES AND THEY EXPECT TO LIVE WITH SOME DEGREE OF QUIET ENJOYMENT OF THEIR PROPERTY. AND WHEN THERE'S HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS WITH BONFIRES AND THOSE BONFIRES HAPPEN TO BE RIGHT UP AGAINST THE FENCES OF HOMES, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN BE AS COMPASSIONATE AS WE WANT TO THE PERSON WHO LIT THE BONFIRE BUT THERE ARE RULES THAT WE HAVE TO ENFORCE.
AND SO BEING -- OUR GOVERNANCE CAN BE BENEVOLENT BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S STILL GOVERNANCE AND THAT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE THE CHALLENGE. I THINK THIS CITY COUNCIL HAS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB AT BALANCING THOSE PRIORITIES AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT TO THIS. THERE'S GOING TO BE A COURT COMPONENT TO THIS.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A NONPROFIT SERVICE COMPONENT TO THIS. THERE'S GOING TO BE A HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION COMPONENT TO THIS.
THAT'S MY WAY OF SAYING I DON'T ENVY YOUR JOB, MELODY AND LORI, BUT I THINK YOU'RE DOING
YEOMAN'S WORK. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG:
COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO. >> CASTILLO: THANK YOU, MAYOR. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW THIS CONVERSATION IS TIMELY IN THAT NEXT WEEK WE START OUR BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.
WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PRIORITIES THAT SAN ANTONIO RESIDENTS IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR WERE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS. WHAT I SEE HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. AND WHILE I UNDERSTAND PHILANTHROPY IS GREAT, WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY AND WE'RE ALSO DECISION MAKERS. SO I THINK EACH OF US HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK ALL THE HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM MEMBERS HERE WHAT THEIR ORGANIZATIONS NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT. BECAUSE JUST REVIEWING THE METRICS AND SAYING GOOD LUCK. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR ISN'T ENOUGH. AND IT'S NOT WHAT OUR CONSTITUENTS EXPECT OF US. JUST LOOKING AT THE 2024 ADOPTED ALLOCATIONS, I SEE SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY BASED OFF OF COUNCIL CONVERSATION ON WHERE WE SHOULD BE SCALING UP BUT DOING IT IN COORDINATION WITH OUR PARTNERS TO SEE CAPACITY AND HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST.
I'M HOPEFUL THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL REACH OUT TO SEE HOW CAN WE BEST SUPPORT YOU ALL.
SO THAT WAY IN RETURN WE'RE PROVIDING OUR CONSTITUENTS WITH WHAT THEY'RE REQUESTING AND THAT'S US TACKLING HOUSING AND UNHOUSED FOLKS. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, MAYOR. >> MAYOR NIRENBERG: THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER CASTILLO.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? AND I'LL JUST ALSO SHARE THE CONCERN AND THE URGENCY BEHIND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HAVEN FOR HOPE.
IT IS A CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR HOMELESS RESPONSE. NOT THE ONLY ASPECT, BY ANY STRETCH, BUT A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HOMELESS RESPONSE STRATEGY SO IT IS A COMMUNITY-WIDE URGENT ISSUE FOR US TO SOLVE WITH BUSINESS LEADERSHIP INCLUDED.
SO I THINK WE HAVE A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME TO WORK ON THAT ISSUE TOGETHER.
BUT IT CERTAINLY IS A HIGH PRIORITY, KIM. WE'RE WITH YOU.
WITH THAT, IT'S 3:03 P.M. ON THE 11TH DAY OF APRIL 2024 AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.