DATE: February 12, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Housing and Neighborhood Services Department
TITLE: ? OCEANSIDE HOMELESSNESS WORKSHOP: STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS
RECOMMENDATION
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Receive a comprehensive report on the state of the City's homeless service strategies and provide staff direction on recommendations to be incorporated into an updated Homelessness Action Plan which will be brought back to City Council for future consideration. Staff also recommends consideration of the following key initiatives which are further described in this staff report:
* Expanding outreach and support services by strengthening collaboration with social service and behavioral health professionals while lessening the need for direct Police Department intervention.
* Diversifying short-term, housing-focused solutions to include options such as additional safe parking programs, tiny homes, and low-barrier shelters.
* Scaling up long-term housing inventory, including development of affordable housing, shared housing programs and additional housing vouchers tailored to vulnerable populations.
* Minimizing public health and safety impacts through enhanced encampment resolution strategies and access to non-emergency healthcare services.
* Ensuring the sustainability of the homeless response system by improving regional collaboration, aligning with best practices, and pursuing additional funding opportunities.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Oceanside Homelessness Workshop is a forum designed to evaluate current homelessness response efforts, identify service gaps, and develop strategic initiatives that enhance service delivery with the goal of making significant positive strides towards reducing the state of homelessness in the City. It will also serve as a platform for community members to voice their opinions and suggest solutions.
The workshop is the first step in updating the City's...
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