Title
Accept Status Report from Operation Dignity on Case Management Services for Homeless Individuals. (Recreation 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Accept Status Report from Operation Dignity on Case Management Services for Homeless Individuals.
BACKGROUND
Homeless encampments in Alameda and across the entire Bay Area region have grown in recent months and the city is working to address this issue throughout the island, including homelessness at the future Jean Sweeney Open Space Park. Alameda County recently issued a report on homelessness throughout the county, called Everyone Counts, which found that the number of people who are homeless throughout the county has increased by 33%, partially due to improved counting methods. City councilmembers and staff participated in this count for homeless people and are actively engaged in finding solutions to this concerning issue in Alameda.
On December 6, 2016, the City Council approved an agreement with Operation Dignity to provide case management services for homeless people living in the City of Alameda.
DISCUSSION
During the first six months of the case management contract, Operation Dignity provided supplies, resources and services to 41 individuals in seven areas across Alameda, ranging from Park Street to Crab Cove/Shoreline Drive to Jean Sweeney Open Space Park and near the Main Street Ferry Terminal. These services include providing nearly 1,000 harm reduction supplies; enrolling individuals in the county’s tracking system so they are able to access housing opportunities; and identifying housing opportunities and other critical services. Operation Dignity has established a good rapport and trust with the homeless population it has identified and see on a regular basis.
There has also been success in getting people housed within this short timeframe of six months. One veteran is now in permanent housing. A veteran’s family of four is in interim housing; another two individuals, and possibly a third, are in the process of being placed in housing at Alameda Point Collaborative; two couples are close to connecting with housing; and seven more individuals are on housing waiting lists.
Challenges experienced by Operation Dignity’s mobile outreach team include drug use among individuals, finding and connecting with individuals during their time on site, as well as a lack of available and affordable housing both here in Alameda and county wide. Many of the homeless individuals in the city prefer to remain living in Alameda.
Operation Dignity will continue to provide case management services through November 2017.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
This action does not have a financial impact.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15301 of CEQA Guidelines (Operation of Existing Facilities).
RECOMMENDATION
Accept status report from Operation Dignity on case management services for homeless individuals.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Operation Dignity Report