City of Monterey’s Response to report: Who's In Charge? Stepping up on Homelessness: The need or strategic leadership and comprehensive planning*

R1

Elected County and City officials should provide government leadership to address homelessness. Response: While much work remains, the City Council and staff have accomplished a number of initiatives designed to help homeless persons in the city of Monterey transition to a more stable situation. The City Council regularly updates two major policy documents that identify housing issues, needs, policies, and programs: the Housing Element and the Consolidated Plan. Monterey's Planning Office and Housing Programs Office staff implements and administers the policies and programs on a regular basis. ATTACHMENT 3 The policies and programs seek to enhance available housing opportunities and fulfill the community service needs for: low, moderate, and workforce-income households; disabled persons; senior citizens; persons at risk of homelessness; and other special needs populations. Housing Office programs include: purchasing, rehabilitating, selling, and/or managing affordable ownership and rental housing; encouraging and facilitating first time home purchases, administering public service grants, and administering rehabilitation grants and loans. Planning staff implements programs that contribute to and preserve the City's affordable housing stock. These programs include the City's short-term rental ban, inclusionary housing ordinance, density bonus ordinance, and allocating water to affordable housing projects. The City maintains an inventory of over 550 deed-restricted affordable housing units, including approximately 375 rentals and 175 ownership units. The City recently partnered with affordable housing developers and completed an 18-unit development affordable to very-low income seniors and an 18-unit development affordable to low- and very low-income citizens. The City's purchase and resale program ensures that the City's deed-restricted affordable housing stock is preserved in perpetuity. In the past three years, the City Council established a local Safe Parking program; administered a "Challenge Grant" program in conjunction with area cities; installed five parking meters dedicated specifically to collect donations to be used for helpful services to homeless individuals; and passed legislation that created a new emergency (homeless) shelter overlay zoning district. The City works with area non-profits to provide services to homeless. The City of Monterey's Recreation Department has had a long standing relationship with Community Human Services which provides support to homeless youth, and has worked with Pass the Word Ministries to provide weekly Saturday meal services at El Estero Park. The Monterey Police Department (MPD) has engaged in multiple processes to assist in addressing homelessness issues. The MPD coordinates a monthly "Monterey Homeless Exchange" which includes the MPD and a myriad of governmental and non- governmental service providers to assist those identified as needing services. Individual cases are discussed so the team can tailor a way to address a program specific to that individual. The MPD coordinates a monthly "City Liaison Meeting" for first line supervisors in City Departments to discuss any issues surrounding homelessness to collaboratively develop solutions. The MPD has several officers assigned to the Community Action Team (CAT) to coordinate and assist with homelessness issues. The MPD provides office space and support for members of the MPD Multi Disciplinary Outreach (MDO) team who are employed by other entities that are engaged in providing services via the on-going contacts that police agencies have with those in need. The MDO is composed of a member of the Monterey County Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team; a County Adult Protective Services Social Worker; a YWCA Domestic Violence ATTACHMENT 3 Advocate, and a CHOMP Homeless Navigator Social Worker. The MPD CAT works hand-in-hand with the MDO.

R2

The County and its Cities should form an accountable leadership body that has the power to oversee a regional approach to ending homelessness and address housing insecurity in Monterey County. Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented by the City of Monterey, but will be implemented in the future if there is willingness by other jurisdictions to form such a body. The City Council supports a regional approach to forming an accountable leadership body. There is no identified time frame.

R3

The County and its Cities should enter into a binding, enforceable agreement, such as a Memorandum of Agreement, to secure commitment to the plan and ensure responsibilities of each jurisdiction. Response: This recommendation has not been implemented by the City of Monterey, but would be considered for implementation in the future, contingent upon the drafting of a memorandum of agreement and adoption by participating jurisdictions. The City supports an agreement for a regional approach. There is no identified time frame.

R4

The Lead Me Home Leadership Council should clearly define its purpose and goals. Response: This recommendation is not under the purview of the City of Monterey to implement. The City Council supports the Lead Me Home Leadership Council clearly defining its purpose and goals.

R5

There should be a clear distinction between governance of the Continuum of Care—as an integral part of the broader strategic plan— and the leadership body charged with implementing a regional strategic plan to end homelessness. Response: This recommendation does not fall within the purview of the City of Monterey to implement. The City Council supports efforts to distinguish and define the differing roles of the various entities that implement the strategic plan.

R6

If the County effectively exerts control of Coalition for Homeless Service Providers through the Leadership Council, then the County should clearly define the purpose and role of the Coalition for Homeless Service Providers. It also follows that the Coalition for Homeless Service Providers should be adequately funded and staffed in proportion to its level of responsibilities with respect to securing resources and performing services for the county. Response: This recommendation does not fall within the purview of the City of Monterey to implement. ATTACHMENT 3

R7

The newly created regional leadership body (see R2) should update and implement a regional strategic plan to end homelessness by defining its purpose, goals and assessments to measure and track progress. Response: The City Council supports the formation of a regional leadership body and will participate. There is no established timeline for this recommendation.

R8

The strategic plan should be revisited annually using outcome measurements to evaluate and adjust strategies for meeting goals. Response: The City Council supports the Leadership Council revisiting the strategic plan on an annual basis and using outcome measures to evaluate and adjust strategies for meeting specific goals.

R9

Reports that assess which goals are, or are not, being met should be generated and made publicly available. Response: The City Council supports the generation of publicly available reports that assess which goals are, or are not, being met.

R10

The new regional leadership body should produce a transparent consolidated budget to maximize resources and identify expenditures. All municipalities should demonstrate their commitment to the regional plan to end homelessness in an equitable, or proportionate, manner. Response: The City Council supports the commitment of all municipalities to the regional plan and all involvement should be fair and equitable. The City of Monterey appreciates the work of the Civil Grand Jury in preparing this report on this important topic. We hope that this information addresses the Grand Jury's