Title
Recommendation to Accept the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) Community Needs Assessment Final Report. (Housing 267-667100)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Elizabeth D. Warmerdam, Acting City Manager
Re: Recommendation to Accept the Social Service Human Relations Board SSHRB Community Needs Assessment Final Report
BACKGROUND
The Charter of the City of Alameda assigns the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB) the responsibility of assessing and responding to the social service and human relations needs of the City. To fulfill that responsibility, the SSHRB periodically surveys Alameda residents to determine the scope of the community needs and to evaluate and publicize resources to meet those needs. The attached 2017 Community Needs Assessment report summarizes the needs of Alameda’s residents and includes the methodology used by the SSHRB to produce a comprehensive and accurate report (Exhibit 1). Highlights of the results of the survey are presented in Exhibit 2.
DISCUSSION
The survey was conducted from November 1 through December 11, 2017. It was posted online, sent out via e-mail, and made available in hard copy at numerous locations throughout the City. The survey was available in English, Spanish, and Chinese in printed and electronic form. The City posted the survey on the front page of the City website. A number of service providers, including Alameda Point Collaborative, the Library, and Mastick Senior Center provided access to the survey in their computer labs as well as in printed form. In total, more than 1,700 responses were collected, yielding statistically significant data for a population the size of Alameda.
The survey was designed to gather information in the areas of community services, community facilities, social services, business and job services, and housing services. Also gathered were household demographic characteristics, including household size, number of children, economic level, and race/ethnicity of residents. The federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for extremely low, very low, and low income were used to assess household economic levels. Demographic information was sought to ensure that the survey sample generally reflects the Alameda population. Responses were kept anonymous and confidential.
In 2012, SSHRB sought to standardize the Community Needs Assessment Survey to obtain data that would be comparable to other communities, as well as preserve consistency over time. In keeping with that intention, SSHRB maintained a consistent survey design and format in 2017. The SSHRB dedicated hundreds of hours to the community assessment effort to ensure that the information is a valuable tool for the City and its non-profit service providers, and that it is in a format that can be used in the future to compare this year’s report to new data. The survey assessed participation in local community-based programs, including health and mental health, fair housing, transportation, safety and anti-crime, and senior services. Data collected on participation in school-based and after school programs, including pre-school, elementary, middle and secondary schools and recreational programs provides helpful information for the School District and after-school providers.
The following is a summary of selected demographic characteristics of the respondents to the SSHRB 2017 Community Needs Assessment:
• Of those that responded to the head of household question, 31% were age 65 and older, 14% were single parents, and 9% were Hispanic/Latino.
• Of those that specified the race/ethnicity of their head of household, 73% identified as white, 15% Asian, 11% Other (including mixed race and specified countries of origin) 4% Black or African American, 3% Filipino 2% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
• Of those that indicated their household income, 64% were not low income while 36% were low to extremely low income based on HUD income limits.
• Of those that indicated their housing status, 66% own, 32% rent, and 2% other (live with family, own/live on a boat, homeless, or non-specific).
Some of the highlights of the 2017 survey include:
• Over 80% of respondents rated the following services and facilities moderate to high need:
s Senior Services s Disability Services
s Health Services s Recreation and Parks (fields,
s Library Services courts, paths, picnic areas, open
s Safety and Anti-Crime Programs spaces, community pools)
s Mental Health Services s Health care facilities
s Transportation/Shuttle Services
• Affordability of housing and increasing traffic congestion were of predominant concern in respondent comments
• 20% more people noted experiencing housing discrimination than in 2012, mostly due to financial/income factors
Through this survey, SSHRB will not only inform the City Council of Alameda residents’ needs, it will also assist social service agencies in their strategic planning and program development. The results will help community-based organizations document community needs in their applications for funding and will give granting agencies important information to help guide their giving programs. Above all, the survey provides an avenue for the residents of Alameda to participate in an important planning process and provide their input.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to the General Fund from accepting the SSHRB Community Needs Assessment report.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
SSHRB is a chartered Board assigned to advise the City Council on the Social Service and Human Relations needs of the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project as defined in Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a), therefore no environmental review is required under CEQA.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the SSHRB Community Needs Assessment report.
Respectfully submitted,
Audrey Hyman, President, Social Services Human Relations Board
By,
Ana Bagtas, Management Analyst
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Edwin Gato, Interim Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. SSHRB Community Needs Assessment Report
2. 2017 Community Needs Assessment Presentation
cc: Members of the Social Services Human Relations Board