Department of Social Services*

R7

Cities in south county, the county itself and The Five Cities Homeless Coalition should begin to work with local churches and service groups to provide temporary shelter until the facility is operative. ECHO in Atascadero provides an excellent model. This recommendation will not be implemented by DSS on the basis that no current Response: authority permits DSS to provide temporary shelter. DSS's responses to these recommendations should not be interpreted as either disinterest or disagreement with the recommendations. DSS believes that the County, its constituent departments and the cities within the County should work together with non-profit agencies, with the business community and with individuals toward the eradication of homelessness within our community. DSS agrees that progress has been made, and that much more work is required. DSS is committed to reducing poverty, to providing supportive services to individuals and families and will continue to dedicate its staff and resources to support our community's efforts to reducing poverty, to eliminating homelessness and to creating a community that, in the words of DSS's Vision Statement, is "a responsible and caring community: Safe, Resilient and Healthy."