REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 26, 2021
FROM
CASONYA THOMAS, Assistant Executive Officer, Community Revitalization
SUBJECT
Title
San Bernardino County Homeless Strategic Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Receive a presentation on the proposed San Bernardino County Homeless Strategic Plan.
2. Approve the Homeless Strategic Plan and direct the Chief Executive Officer to collaborate with a variety of public and private stakeholders to implement the strategic plan.
3. Provide direction to the Chief Executive Officer regarding implementation of the San Bernardino County Homeless Strategic Plan.
(Presenter: CaSonya Thomas, Assistant Executive Officer, 387-4717)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On November 17, 2020 (Item No. 43), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the development of an annually updated San Bernardino County Homeless Strategic Plan (Plan) to increase the efficacy and expand the impact of the County’s housing and homeless programs.
The Plan falls in line with the goals and objectives of the Board of Supervisors and Chief Executive Officer, which include providing for the safety, health, and social service needs of County residents and working with other agencies and stakeholders. The Plan is also consistent with the four pillars of the County’s organizational culture, which include: valuing the importance of investing in addressing homelessness; vision to plan for the future by instituting a Community Revitalization Group to enhance focus on housing and homeless services; innovation in determining new and better ways of providing services; and service in pursuing a person-centered and collaborative approach to align County departments and community stakeholders to achieve the Countywide Vision.
A County-sponsored Homeless Strategic Plan contributes to the creation and progression of local policies, provides a path for effectively addressing homelessness, and drives system reform. The Plan is intended to give critical direction and clarity regarding needs, service gaps, and priorities in order to make effective and strategic funding decisions to benefit those currently experiencing homelessness and those who are at risk of homelessness. The Plan calls for expanded housing availability, increased local intervention efforts, the formation of meaningful and effective collaborative partnerships, and continued accountability, oversight, and monitoring of recommendations.
During a six-month stakeholder process, the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) conducted 15 community meetings with over 500 individuals. Participants included representatives from faith-based organizations, veterans, service providers, County agencies, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, housing developers, businesses, individuals with lived experience, and representatives from 16 cities throughout the County. Feedback was collected and used to develop the proposed Plan.
Following the stakeholder engagement process, a steering committee was formed to prioritize the core strategies identified in the stakeholder process and to make recommendations for the Plan.
Using the steering committee's feedback, as well as the results of a data analysis, the Plan was developed. The Plan will operate as a road map and a living document, guiding the next stages of implementation while also establishing a foundation for ongoing review and adaptation in response to changes in legislation, community objectives, service outcomes, and new funding possibilities.
Following the Board's approval and direction regarding the Plan, OHS will continue to reach out to be inclusive of and collaborate with a diverse group of public and private partners and all stakeholders to implement the proposed strategies and suggested actions aimed at reducing homelessness.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 18, 2021; Office of Homeless Services (Tom Hernandez, Chief of Homeless Services, 501-0611) on October 18, 2021; and Community Development and Housing (Dena Fuentes, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-4411) on October 19, 2021.