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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Agenda StatementCITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT MEETING DATE: February 21, 2012. AGENDA ITEM NO. ITEM TITLE: Resolution of the City of National City endorsing the keys to Housing Toolbox which identifies regional strategies and actions to address family homelessness PREPARED BY: Alfredo Ybarra DEPARTMENT: Administrative Services PHONE: 619 336-4279 APPROVED EXPLANATION: The San Diego Grantmakers Homelessness Working Group embarked on an effort to address episodic homelessness. The working group was established in May 2010 as a collaboration of private foundations, public governments, and other key stakeholders. The Keys to Housing Advisory Council and Steering Committee met regularly over the past year to develop a regional vision of ending family homelessness, with the goal that the "keys" will be adopted and implemented by jurisdictions and agencies in the region. The Keys to Housing Advisory Council and Steering Committee have developed a Toolbox to end family homelessness based on best practices. The Toolbox is a compilation of strategies from which stakeholders can identify actions items that can be incorporated into their own plans. National City has been an active jurisdiction on the Advisory Council with Councilmember Rosalie Zarate and Councilmember Mona Rios participating. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: ACCOUNT NO. APPROVED: Finance APPROVED: MIS There is no current fiscal impact to the General Fund as no action is being taken to fund or implement programs. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: ' Not applicable ORDINANCE: INTRODUCTION: FINAL ADOPTION: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: !Council adopt the resolution BOARD 1 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: ATTACHMENTS: 1. Background 2, Keys to Housing: A Toolbox to End Family Homelessness: Attachment 1 BACKGROUND The public perception and face of homelessness in the region is changing as more families struggle with today's economic challenges. Some individuals seek out emergency housing only for a short time because of a temporary crisis like a job loss, eviction or an episode of violence in their home. The largest group is families with children. Often families experiencing episodic homelessness can return to housing in a short period of time, with small instances of recidivism. The San Diego Grantmakers Homelessness Working Group embarked on an effort to address episodic homelessness. The working group was established in May 2010 as a collaboration of private foundations, public governments, and other key stakeholders. The Keys to Housing Advisory Council and Steering Committee met regularly over the past year to develop a regional vision of ending family homelessness, with the goal that the "keys" will be adopted and implemented by jurisdictions and agencies in the region. The plan was developed as a Toolbox, rather than a mandated plan. In this way stakeholders can identify those strategies and action items that they can and will incorporate into their own action plans. The Toolbox consists of eight outcomes in five key areas: Leadership, Policies & Advocacy • Policies are changed/created/implemented to increase stability and support families • A sustainable structure is created and ensures implementation of goals Capacity, Data and Coordination of Services and Resources • Multiple pathways exist to access resources, centralize information and increase capacity and coordination of services and agencies Permanent Affordable Housing • The number of affordable housing units in the region is increased Increased Economic Security and Stability • Family members are fully employed and earn at sustainable income levels • Families increase financial stability and move to self-sufficiency Prevention • Families are identified as at -risk and assisted prior to losing housing • The number of families in poverty that enter homelessness is reduced The only action requested today is support for the regional plan. The City of National City will look at these strategies, along with other housing issues over the next year as we develop the Housing Element, a State mandated Element of the General Plan.