HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - HOMELESS SHELTER UPDATE (2)CITY OF SANTA CI ARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approv wi
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item to be presented by: Frank Oviedo
DATE: March 9,1999
SUBJECT: TEMPORARY HOMELESS SHELTER UPDATE
DEPARTMENT: Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve the request to extend the Santa Clarita homeless shelter operation through
April 30, 1999
BACKGROUND
On November 10, 1998, the City Council approved the use of the Santa Clarita
Sports Complex (SCSC), building number one, as a temporary homeless shelter from
December 1, 1998, through March 31, 1999, and allocated $10,000 to the Santa
Clarita Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) for implementing the
temporary shelter.
At that time there were some concerns that having a homeless population on the
same property as the Sports Complex would be a security problem for members of
the community who wanted to use the facility. As a result, the Santa Clarita
Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) met with City staff and the Sheriff's
Department to develop a plan to deal specifically with security issues. This plan
included the use of volunteer safety patrols to enforce strict rules for the shelter
guests, and regular patrols by the Sheriff's Department deputies. These procedures
have been used to successfully run the shelter for the past three months, without
any major incidents.
The outreach and support by the community has once again proved to be successful.
On Christmas day over fifty volunteers came to the shelter to serve dinner and
provide entertainment. In addition The Auto Spa on Valencia Boulevard held a
"Cruise Night" and a raffle to help the SCCDC raise funds for the ongoing operation
of the shelter. Without the many volunteers each night to serve dinner, check in
guests, serve as volunteer safety patrols, and provide for daily operations, the
shelter would not have the necessary personnel to stay open. The homeless shelter
has become a community -wide effort.
Since the Shelter's opening in December the number of guests each night has
fluctuated. However, the following figures give the best description of the number of
guests the shelter has served in the past three months:
December/January/February
Average number of guests: 15.32
Highest number of guests in one night: 24 guests
Lowest number of guest in one night: 5 guests
(Typical guest is male)
Highest number of male guests in one night: 21 male
Highest number of female guests in one night: 5 female
Lowest number of male guest in one night: 4 male
Lowest number of female guest in one night: 1 female
The average number of guests for the same period last year has declined from 20 to
the current 15 guests per night. The difference can be attributed to less rain this
year than there was last year in the Santa Clarita Valley. However, this winter
season has produced freezing temperatures that have driven individuals in to the
shelter on a regular basis.
On February 23, 1999, the SCCDC formally requested an extension of the current
agreement (attached). For this reason staff is recommending that the SCCDC be
granted an extension through the month of April 30, 1999. This will allow the
shelter to operate the same amount of months as last year. Moreover, allowing the
use of building number one will offer the homeless in Santa Clarita an additional
month of shelter in the event that the weather conditions do not improve.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
1. Deny the Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation a one-month
extension through the month of April 30, 1999.
2. Other action as determined by Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation has funding to extend
operations for an additional month. The City will be responsible for an additional
month of utilities.
ATTACHMENT
Request for Extension
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PRCOUNCIL \agnrepts \1999\homisrpt.doe
Santa Clarita Shelter
A Project Of
Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation
A Non -Profit Corporation (I.R.C. §501(c)(3))/Tax Identification No. 95-4587823
Shelter Location:
26407 Golden Valley Road
Santa Clarita, California 91351
February 23, 1999
Mr. Frank Ovieda
Corporate Office:
24901 Orchard Village Road
Santa Clarita, California 91355
VIA FACSIMILE TO
City of Santa Clarita 661-255-1996
23920 Valencia Boulevard, Suite 120 AND FIRST CLASS MAIL
Santa Clarita, California 91355
Re: Request to Postpone Closing Date of Shelter to May 1, 1999
Dear Mr. Ovieda:
As we have discussed, Santa Clarita Community Development Corporation ("SCCDC") has been
successfully operating the "Santa Clarita Shelter" at the former Merle Norman building since December 1,
1998. Pursuant to the terms of our agreement with the City, the Shelter is to close following its last night
of operation on March 31, 1999.
SCCDC, through its Board of Directors, hereby requests that the City allow the Shelter to remain
in operation through the end of April 1999, with the doors closing when guests leave on the morning of May
1, 1999.
Please note that no additional funds for operation of the Shelter are being requested. SCCDC has
sufficient funds to pay all of the operating expenses of the Shelter for the additional month requested.
In view of the continued use of the Shelter by 20 to 30 needy individuals each night, and the
continued support of the Shelter by volunteers from many religious and civic organizations throughout the
Santa Clarita Valley, we believe that the need for the Shelter exists, and that we have the ability to provide
for that need in a cost-efficient way.
Mr. Frank Ovieda
February 23, 1999
Page 2
Pursuant to the terms of our agreement with the City, you are receiving regular reports on the
operation of the Shelter. If there is any further information which you believe would bear on this request,
please call me at you earliest opportunity. Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
SANTA CLARITA COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
MARK T. YOUNG,
Vice President
PC: SCCDC Board of Directors
Shelter Task Force
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