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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Placer County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Placer County Grand Jury Homeless Shelter Services Managing the Needs of the Homeless City of Roseville Call Center

Published: May 10, 2017 10 pages

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⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 10 findings

VOA is to be commended for their management of the temporary shelter at the DeWitt Center.

HHS has joined with VOA and other charitable stakeholders to provide outreach and assessment programs to assist the homeless in finding jobs and treatment for alcohol and drug abuse.

The BOS and multiple government and non-government stakeholders continue to debate and study services for the homeless, including the need for emergency homeless shelters.

There is a general consensus there is a need for emergency homeless shelters in the Auburn area, but there is local opposition to a shelter in the DeWitt Center.

The County has addressed the need for an emergency shelter in Auburn through a series of short-term funding, temporary Site Access Agreements in the DeWitt Center and a vote to include the Heavy Commercial zone district of the Dewitt Center among the zones approved for shelters.

In addition to the emergency shelter, the County has provided needed services through the ASOC, including outpatient/inpatient evaluation of emotional issues, substance abuse and mental health services.

The additional law enforcement resources have addressed the need for improved security in and around the Dewitt Center.

Three of the four roles included in the Continuum of Care provision of the HEARTH Act involve emergency, transitional and permanent housing for the homeless. The study conducted by Dr. Marbut concluded there should be a permanent 24/7 shelter in both north and south Placer County. The County has not resolved whether there should be a 24/7 permanent shelter and, if so, where it should be located.

For the past two years, the County has been telling local residents that the emergency shelter in DeWitt Center is temporary. Despite these assurances, the County has not identified a site for a permanent shelter located elsewhere and continues to permit renewed operation of the temporary shelter at DeWitt Center through renewed Site Access Agreements, short-term funding and zoning efforts.

F10

While significant efforts have been made by all stakeholders, there has been no substantial progress in resolving the issue of the need and location of permanent homeless shelter(s). Conclusion The 2014 report provided by Dr. Robert Marbut concluded that there should be homeless shelters in Placer County operating 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing shelter and services for men and women in need. The BOS established a temporary shelter at the DeWitt Center, overcoming zoning issues with a temporary Site Access Agreement. The operation of the shelter could not be continued without a change in zoning. By adding Heavy Commercial zone district to the zones permitted for emergency shelters, the BOS is able to extend review of the Conditional Use Permit for a shelter at the DeWitt Center beyond the March 31, 2017 termination date for the Temporary Conditional Use Permit. On May 10, 2017 the BOS voted to extend the conditional use permit to allow continued operation of the temporary homeless shelter in the DeWitt Center for up to 5 additional years. While the need for emergency shelter for homeless men and women remains relatively undisputed, the physical location of such a facility has been a point of contention. The BOS vote on expanded zone districts for emergency shelters is a first step toward a long-term solution. The emergency shelter at the DeWitt Center has been repeatedly designated as a temporary facility. Now that Heavy Commercial zone district has been added to those zone districts that are permitted for emergency shelters, the BOS could decide (1) to make the current shelter at the DeWitt Center permanent, (2) decide on another location for a shelter, or (3) decide not to operate a 24/7 facility at all.

Recommendations 4

R1

The County develop and publish a comprehensive strategy for managing homelessness in Placer County. Included in the strategy should be a decision on the issue of permanent shelter(s).
R2

Placer County intensify the search for a permanent 24/7 shelter among the zone districts approved for shelters in north County.
R3

The County continue its efforts in outreach and assessment while seeking a permanent location for a 24/7 shelter. The County needs to resolve the issue of a need for emergency shelters in both north and south Placer County.
R4

The County make a decision on the number and location of emergency shelters by March 2018. Request for Responses: Recommendations Requiring Response Response Due Date Mr. Jeff Brown R1- R4 August 31, 2017 Director, Health and Human Services 3091 County Center Drive, # 290 Auburn, CA 95603 Mr. David Boesch R1- R4 August 31, 2017 Placer County CEO 175 Fulweiler Ave Auburn, CA 95603 Placer County Board of Supervisors R1- R4 September 30, 2017 175 Fulweiler Avenue Auburn, CA 95603

Conclusions 1

CL1

The 2014 report provided by Dr. Robert Marbut concluded that there should be homeless shelters in Placer County operating 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, providing shelter and services for men and women in need. The BOS established a temporary shelter at the DeWitt Center, overcoming zoning issues with a temporary Site Access Agreement. The operation of the shelter could not be continued without a change in zoning. By adding Heavy Commercial zone district to the zones permitted for emergency shelters, the BOS is able to extend review of the Conditional Use Permit for a shelter at the DeWitt Center beyond the March 31, 2017 termination date for the Temporary Conditional Use Permit. On May 10, 2017 the BOS voted to extend the conditional use permit to allow continued operation of the temporary homeless shelter in the DeWitt Center for up to 5 additional years. While the need for emergency shelter for homeless men and women remains relatively undisputed, the physical location of such a facility has been a point of contention. The BOS vote on expanded zone districts for emergency shelters is a first step toward a long-term solution. The emergency shelter at the DeWitt Center has been repeatedly designated as a temporary facility. Now that Heavy Commercial zone district has been added to those zone districts that are permitted for emergency shelters, the BOS could decide (1) to make the current shelter at the DeWitt Center permanent, (2) decide on another location for a shelter, or (3) decide not to operate a 24/7 facility at all. - 8 -