The Watsonville City Council responses to the Homelessness: Big Problems, Little Progress Report were returned using

The public opposition to homeless solutions is partially due to a lack of education, engagement and political will by City and County leadership. _ AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Over the past years, City staff has worked collaboratively with City and County stakeholders to address the complex issue of homelessness. City leadership has created, staffed, or participated in multiple efforts to educate and engage the public on the topic of homelessness and worked on the All-In Plan developed in 2003 for Santa Cruz County. Generally speaking, a lack of political will is defined retrospectively when looking at failed programs and initiatives. However, it is important to point out that while not all of the recommendations that resulted from these City-led efforts over the years were able to gain traction, some of the solutions have been accepted and even embraced by the public. These are demonstrated by the City’s continual support of the Continuum of Care (the Homeless Action Partnership), engagement with South County homeless service providers, support of employment programs for people experiencing homelessness, the establishment of an annual emergency winter shelter program, homeless outreach and engagement efforts, and participation in the homelessness diversion efforts, such as Homeward Bound and rental assistance programs. The Watsonville City Council has actively worked on identifying and supporting homeless solutions. Such is the case of declaring a homeless shelter emergency in 2017 to support establishment/expansion of homeless programs and services in Watsonville.

Santa Cruz County elected officials have been unable to combat NIMBYism, which is a significant barrier to getting projects approved and built to support the homeless. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Inconsistent and unclear funding sources and processes inhibit the effective implementation of solutions that require long term planning and sustained operations. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

The Homeless Action Partnership (HAP) is not organizationally equipped with the appropriate authority, structure, leadership, staff, training or processes and as a result is ineffective in its mission of reducing homelessness. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): HAP is a federally required COC for HUD recipients. Much of the issue is outside the scope of the HAP. The issue of homelessness is not directly connected to the HAP’s work. The ongoing governance work is envisioned to strengthen local homelessness response and administration. The governance work group has been tasked with developing a proposed plan to create a systemwide governance body that will design, direct, and evaluate the response to homelessness in Santa Cruz County, including a proposed scope for its structure, and decision-making and input processes. The group is proposing a revised governance structure that will guide the region towards a more effective response to homelessness, moving away from reactive decision making and towards forward thinking, systematic improvements and investments. The group recommends that a Charter for the new structure be adopted in 2020, with a process for standing up the new structure developed and integrated into the Strategic Action Plan.

The lack of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) results in the significant compounding of the homeless issue. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

There are parcels of land throughout the county that appear to be unused or underutilized, and could possibly be used to build housing for the homeless. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

Santa Cruz County law enforcement response to homeless, addiction, and mental health issues has the potential to criminalize social, medical, and psychological conditions. This requires law enforcement to perform the role of social worker; a role for which they lack the resources and mental health training. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree):

There is a lack of leadership from County and City officials to engage the business community in exploring potential solutions to homelessness. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): City staff and elected officials have engaged with the business community in the downtown area to not only explore potential solutions, but to work together to bring solutions to homelessness to the City of Watsonville. More efforts to find creative solutions in establishing private/public partnerships could be made.

Santa Cruz County and Cities, despite owning numerous parking lots, choose not to utilize their parking lots for safe parking programs, which results in an underutilization of resources that could help reduce homeless parking in neighborhoods and business districts. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Safe Parking Program has been established and expanded in recent years through HEAP State funding. The County has continued its efforts to expand/develop further sites in several areas around the County.

Faith-Based Organizations are an underutilized resource in the effort to end homelessness. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Faith-Based organizations are a key partner in providing services to the homeless population in our City. Many of the meal programs available in the City of Watsonville are led and coordinated by local churches. Two years ago, the Lutheran Church on East Beach Street hosted 3 months of the Warming Center Services in Watsonville and many of the volunteers for this program were active members of the church. However, all these services, provide little to no help in ending homelessness. These programs do not offer housing or create housing stock for homeless individuals. They provide much needed services to those who are experiencing homelessness. If Faith-based organizations are being underutilized we welcome their increased engagement in our efforts to end homelessness.

Santa Cruz County lacks an organization that is accountable for tracking the cost of homelessness, allocating funding, and measuring the effectiveness of funding which results in the inability to make progress toward solving the homeless problem. AGREE X PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Currently, there isn’t a single organization with this role and responsibility. Capacity to provide this level of analytics is limited at the time. Efforts to build capacity for accountable for tracking the cost of homelessness, allocating funding, and measuring the effectiveness of funding is ongoing.

If underutilized parcels of land throughout Santa Cruz County were identified, such as the area near Coral Street in Santa Cruz, and the parcel adjacent to the County Government Mental Health Building in Watsonville, these parcels could potentially be used to increase the number of beds and services to support the homeless. X AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): However, Watsonville City Council has no jurisdiction over Coral Street site in Santa Cruz or County owned property within Watsonville City limits. We defer to City of Santa Cruz and County of Santa Cruz to decide. In general, underutilized parcels could be considered to increase the numbers of beds and services to support the homeless.