Nevada County Grand Jury • 2018-2019

Investing in Housing for People Experiencing Homelessness in Nevada County

Published: May 18, 2019 25 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings

F1
The number of people experiencing homelessness in the County is much higher than any count would suggest. The preliminary 2019 PIT count is 404 but stakeholders across the spectrum agree this number should be at least doubled to represent the true number of individuals who are currently considered homeless.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The County should take the leadership role for addressing homelessness.
F2
The PIT count shows the majority of people experiencing homelessness locally are long-term residents of the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The BoS should supplement the 2018 Ten Year Plan with an implementation plan that links goals and resources to outcomes and timelines.
F3
There are numerous dedicated and committed individuals and groups in the County working on addressing the homelessness issue but no single entity has the resources to do it alone.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The BoS should adopt the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness recommendation that “a strategic plan implementation have an oversight body involving a broad spectrum of the community.” The new organization overseeing the Nevada County CoC could serve in this function/capacity.
F4
Citizens in our community who are opposed to any projects or programs related to addressing homelessness occurring near their residences or businesses often slow or impede beneficial projects proven to save counties money.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The BoS and Municipalities should form a collaborative entity, perhaps a Joint Powers Authority, with the mandate to establish county-wide rules and programs to facilitate the development of housing. As suggested in the 2018 Ten Year Plan, “A unified effort in relation to housing ordinances and allocation of service resources would be a highly effective approach.” This Joint Powers Authority should generate a list of incentives for developers to construct low income housing including adjustments to impact fees, adjustments to building requirements, and the use of general funds to assist in funding housing. In the absence of such a collaborative entity, the County should take the lead to determine how to provide low-income housing and invite developers and builders to collaborate.
F5
The Housing First model of providing people experiencing homelessness with permanent housing is an evidence-based approach with proven outcomes that is considered a best practice across the country. The County will benefit from supporting the Housing First model, making it eligible for federal and state funds.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The BoS should explore reinstating an inclusionary housing policy.
F6
The majority of the funding to address homelessness comes from state and federal sources. The County and the new organization overseeing the Nevada County CoC are the two major entities best suited, at this time, to diligently pursue such funding for the benefit of our community.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The CEO should conduct an assessment of County personnel requirements necessary to prepare homelessness funding applications and oversee existing and new programs. A plan should be submitted to the BoS on staffing requirements and alternatives.
F7
The County’s severe shortage of low-income housing contributes to homelessness and requires an aggressive approach to comply with Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) plan for funding. The County is best situated to address the many obstacles to building low-income housing locally.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Homelessness should be a regular board/council meeting agenda item for the BoS and Municipalities.
F8
The BoS approved the 2018 Ten Year Plan on December 11, 2018. However, it lacks an implementation plan with accountable leadership.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
The County should continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to secure funding for and commence construction of the Day/Navigation Center as a top priority.
F9
Homelessness financially impacts all County residents. The cost of homelessness includes significant expenses related to medical, law enforcement including incarceration, clean-up of trash and human waste, damage to the environment, and increased risk of fires. Numerous studies across the country have shown that the public cost per person is reduced to less than half when housing is provided.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
The BoS should agree to equally share the administrative expenses of HRCS with Placer County.
F10
Two key functions that address homelessness within the County that would benefit from increased funding and personnel are the preparation of applications (e.g. grant writing) and the oversight of existing and new programs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
The new organization overseeing the Nevada County CoC should actively recruit membership and participation from all stakeholders serving people experiencing homelessness.
F11
The recent transition to an independent Nevada County CoC has increased stakeholder engagement and access to funding opportunities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
The BoS should allocate ongoing funding in their annual budget to support the operation of winter warming shelters in western Nevada County.
F12
Until the current shortage of low-income housing is remedied, there will be a continuing need for traditional emergency shelters, winter warming shelters, and other overnight options for people experiencing homelessness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12
The County, Grass Valley, and Nevada City should renew existing winter warming shelter agreements with non-profits by October 1, 2019, including more flexibility on the part of the operators as to when weather conditions, both forecasted and actual, warrant opening.
F13
The current contracts between the County and non-profit providers regarding winter warming shelters in western Nevada County do not extend beyond the winter of 2018-2019, leaving uncertainty about the availability of such shelters in the future.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13
The County should explore the risks and benefits of designating and maintaining an approved camping area for people without homes. The analysis, findings, and conclusions should be shared with the public.
F14
A Day/Navigation Center for people experiencing homelessness would benefit the community by offering a daytime destination to access social services and to complement the current overnight accommodations. The County has purchased land on which to build such a Center.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14
HHSA should continue to partner with community service providers and the Municipalities to increase outreach to educate and inform the community about homelessness issues and solutions.

Additional Recommendations 2

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

No Responses Found 7

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

County of Nevada Agency
Grass Valley City
Nevada City City
Nevada County County
Nevada County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Regional Housing Authority Housing Authority
Truckee City