|
treatment beds, in addition to multi-service centers for daytime use. Targeted beds for people with one or
<br />more special needs or disabilities are needed outside of Berkeley, Oakland and Hayward. However, creating
<br />new capacity will not result in a net increase if, at the same time, beds are being lost elsewhere in the
<br />County.
<br />The Alameda Countywide Continuum of Care Plan identified an enhancement of supportive services as a
<br />priority. The Plan states that existing multi-service centers should include the following services: showers,
<br />restrooms, mail, messages, phone, individual voicemail and other telecommunications, haircuts, clothing,
<br />furniture, house wares, client education, legal assistance, storage of personal items, links to health care,
<br />personal assistant services for disabled people, crisis counseling, recovery and mental illness counseling
<br />services, information and referral, access to respite services, and reading materials. New multi-service
<br />centers are also needed within the Consortium jurisdictions. The full range of supportive services outside of
<br />multi-service center activities would include access to existing (including government subsidized) food
<br />programs; expanding available subsidized childcare in coordination with housing and vocational services;
<br />maintaining and expanding access to affordable transportation programs that provide transportation passes or
<br />tokens to clients.
<br />According to the Plan, gaps in the current safety net mean that thousands of individuals regularly rely on
<br />soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters for a significant amount of their monthly food supply. Homeless
<br />and low-income people are at great risk for developing nutrition-related diseases, including diabetes, cancer,
<br />and heart disease. Homeless people with one disability are also at greater risk for developing other
<br />disabilities. Many homeless people are dually or triply diagnosed with physical health, mental health and
<br />alcohol and dntg (AOD) problems. They typically receive health treatment through the public system of
<br />care, and only when their needs become acute, requiring expensive treatment. Improving the delivery of
<br />health services will reduce the numbers of people who continue to cycle through periods of homelessness
<br />and reduce the high costs of acute medical, in-patient substance abuse, and psychiatric treatment.
<br />In order to compete in today's evolving job market, many homeless people need job training or re-training,
<br />followed by placement into "living wage" jobs created specifically for them. Due to their unique
<br />circumstances, training and placement for homeless people must also be matched by basic services such as
<br />appropriate clothing and literacy training, as well as intensive services such as transportation, child care, on-
<br />going job mentorship, counseling and substance abuse treatment. Homeless families not only need job
<br />assistance for the adult wage earner(s) but for other family members as the household transitions to work and
<br />its demands.
<br />Objectives
<br />Continue to support, enhance and expand (as needed) emergency and transitional housing facilities,
<br />programs and supportive services (e.g. healthcare, employment assistance) for homeless individuals and
<br />families. Activities will be funded using CDBG, HOME and Redevelopment Housing Set-Aside fiznds, and
<br />any other available public financing resources.
<br />Housing and Conununity Development Strategic Plan - FY 2005-09
<br />City of San Leandro
<br />Page 1S
<br />
|