LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS City of El Monte Input Session Homelessness Plan April 12,2018 Rachel Ralston, Principal LeSar Development Consultants LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Agenda Background on homelessness Best practices Homeless plan process Feedback on homelessness impact in city Discussion of potential strategies LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Why are people homeless? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Who are Homeless? Transitional homeless – 76% Those who experienced a life- altering event (e.g., job loss, medical condition, domestic violence situation, or divorce) Individuals and families who earn barely enough to pay for their housing costs and other necessities (e.g., as food, health care, and day care). People living on fixed incomes (e.g., elderly, persons with disabilities that are living on SSI). Chronically homeless – 24% Persons often experience long- term homelessness, frequently rotating through and among a community's various shelter facilities and the streets. They typically have health or substance abuse problems in addition to extreme poverty. This population is best served by permanent supportive housing, which combines housing with intensive rehabilitation, treatment, and other social services. LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Homeless History 101 Increase in homelessness since the 1980s result of several key factors: 1. Loss of Affordable Housing 2. Wages and Public Assistance 40 years ago homelessness as we know it today did not exist. Prior to 1980s there was sufficient cheap housing that even lowest of incomes could afford. Modern day homelessness was a result of major shifts starting in 1980’s. 3. Closing Institutions 4. Rapid Income Inequality Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Our Response to Homelessness Seen as Natural Disaster 1990s Fix Conditions of Individual Today Housing First (with Services) The George W. Bush administration adopted the housing first approach. Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Solutions to Homelessness Shelter Diversion Supportive Services Street Outreach Emergency Shelter Supportive Services Rapid Re-Housing Transitional/Bridge Housing Supportive Housing Affordable Housing PREVENT ASSIST SOLVE https://www.strategiestoendhomelessness.org/ LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Can homelessness be ended? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Can homelessness be ended? Yes* *It depends on how you define “ended.” LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Rare, brief, and non-recurring LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Ending Homelessness Ending Homelessness = Rare, brief, and non-recurring Source: USICH Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS What is needed? 1. Belief that it can be done 2. Leadership and buy in Ending veteran homelessness: a combination of intensive street outreach, immediate housing placement (VASH vouchers and other subsidies), intensive case management including voluntary access to SUD treatment, and assistance obtaining benefits. Same model works for other populations Utah has reduced chronic homelessness by 90% in 10 years (they still have a large homeless population) Helping this process: Utah is small. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a big supporter of Housing First. The service provider community is tight-knit and various agencies and organizations work well together because of it. They had political will behind them for the housing first approach 3. Well oiled “system” 4. Sufficient housing and services LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LA County Homeless Action Plan (2016) LA County approved an action plan of 47 interlocking strategies to combat homelessness: Prevention Subsidized Housing Increase Income Case Management & Services Coordinated Entry System Affordable Housing LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Measure H (2017) Authorizes a quarter-cent sales increase for 10 years Expected to generate an estimated $355 million annually for services to combat homelessness Cities can apply for direct funding for: Acquisition/rehab of an existing site to create a shelter Funding for beds in the shelter dedicated to those exiting institutions Subsidy for creating alternate staffing opportunities through social enterprise firms Landlord outreach subsidies/incentives but only for those with housing authorities The county only has housing/infrastructure jurisdiction over unincorporated areas. That is why the county does not fund housing directly within cities. The HI, including Measure H, are designed to provide services if the city provides the housing piece. LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Measure H (2017) Revenue from Measure H will flow from County Departments/lead agencies into communities countywide, where it will be put to work based on need. LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Next Steps - Plan Process Community Input Sessions and Interviews with City Staff Drafting of Plan with City Team City Council Study Session to Review Plan Draft – Updates Made City Council Adopts Plan and Submits to County LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS Existing City Efforts Affordable housing (e.g., Exchange at Gateway) Supportive housing (e.g., Veterans Village) Outreach and engagement (El Monte Police Department, Volunteers of America, etc.) Case management and services (Volunteers of America) Homelessness prevention (local service providers) OCTOBER 2015 LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Homelessness Impact on City What are current challenges with addressing homelessness in the city? What are current challenges with addressing unsheltered homelessness in the city? What are the specific challenges with permanently housing an individual or family in the city? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS

Initial Considerations for Plan What can the city do better to address homelessness within its jurisdiction? What can the city do better to be a partner and coordinate with service providers and other stakeholders? What are potential strategies the city should consider putting in their plan? LESAR DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS