HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 16-7619-Support "No Place Like Home" Senate Proposal on Homelessnessr • �
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
SUPPORTING THE "NO PLACE LIKE HOME" SENATE PROPOSAL ON
HOMELESSNESS
WHEREAS, California has the largest homeless population in the nation at 114,000;
comprising 22 percent of the country's homeless; and,
WHEREAS, California has one third of the nation's chronically homeless, those with
mental illness or other significant problems; and,
WHEREAS, of the 28,000 chronically homeless nearly 85 percent are unsheltered, with
this group creating the greatest strain on tax dollars, often more than $100,000 per person
annually for emergency room visits, hospital stays, law enforcement, and other public services;
and,
WHEREAS, most, if not all, California counties and cities have experienced the negative
affects homelessness can have on businesses, government resources, community safety and
wellbeing, and neighborhood quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, California's homeless problem is in stark contrast to its ranking as seventh
largest economy in the world and the compassion aspired to in the "Golden State;" and,
WHEREAS, the California Senate has proposed a multi - pronged attack on
homelessness with immediate and longer -term resources, while using with greater efficiency
existing local, state, and federal dollars; and,
WHEREAS, the Senate plan embraces the "housing first" strategy that calls for safe,
secure housing to create an environment where wrap- around services, such as mental health
treatment, can take hold; and,
WHEREAS, for a homeless person living without shelter, the key to a home can open a
future of hope for restored health and successful reintegration into society; and,
WHEREAS, the Senate proposes a "$2 billion bond to construct permanent housing for
chronically homeless people with mental illnesses, paid for using less than 7 percent of the $2
billion generated annually by Proposition 63; and,
WHEREAS, the Senate also proposes $200 million in general fund money to provide
shorter -term housing, including rent subsidies; and,
WHEREAS, the Senate also proposes support of the "Bringing Families Home" pilot
program to reduce homelessness among families, and the CaIWORKS Housing Support
Program, which provides services and housing for CaIWORKS families in danger of
homelessness; and,
WHEREAS, the Senate also proposes an increase in Supplemental Security
Income /State Supplementary Payment (SSI /SSP) to prevent homelessness among the blind;
aged, and disabled poor who cannot work, while providing a one -time investment to assist local
governments in outreach efforts to get more eligible people enrolled in SSl /SSP;
RESOLUTION : • 16-7611
RESOLVES PAGE 2
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES
HEREBY • •
SECTION 1. Support and request that the State Senate and Assembly support the
funding recommendations related to the Senate's "No Place Like Home" initiative.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk Shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of March, 2016.
ALEX SAAB, Mayor
ATTEST:,
ADA1A M. IMENE , CMC
City Clerk
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of
the City of Downey at a regular meeting held on the 8th day of March, 2016, by the following
vote, to wit:
AYES:
Council Members:
Ashton,
NOES:
Council Members:
None.
ABSENT:
Council Members:
None.
ABSTAIN*
Council Members-
None.
Brossmer, Marquez, Vasquez, Mayor Saab
ADRIA M. JIMENEZ, CM
City Clerk