Important note: The following recommendation was approved by the Board on July 21, 2015:
DISTRICT 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley)
FY 2015-17 Measure A Request Home and Hope Feasibility Study – Rotating Church Shelter on Coast $40,000 one-time
This Measure A allocation of $40,000 would support an evaluation of the feasibility of establishing a rotating church shelter for homeless individuals on the San Mateo County Coast. The 2015 One Day Homeless Count found that 169 of the 775 unsheltered homeless individuals reside on the Coast.
Despite this disproportional representation of the homeless population, there are no shelter beds on the Coast. Home and Hope currently works with 34 congregations throughout San Mateo County to provide nightly shelter, meals, day center and social support to 15-25 individuals through the year. A designated church provides shelter and meals for one week at a time.
This project will determine if this model can be developed on the Coast. Key questions to be assessed include:
• Will a core group of congregations commit to covering the shelter rotation for the specified duration of service?
• Will year round or inclement weather (October to May) shelter be the most appropriate for initial program build out?
• Can sufficient funds be identified for the project to be sustained in the long term?
The feasibility study will be completed within six months from the start of the agreement, or mutually agreed upon date between the County and Home and Hope. With Board approval, the Director of the Human Services Agency or her designee will be directed to prepare and execute the agreement for an amount not to exceed $40,000.
Important note: This is a copy of the official report -- item 8 on the Board's agenda.