DATE: February 20, 2019
TO: Community Service Commission
FROM: Community Services Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Hayward Housing Navigation Center
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Commission review and comment on the report.
End
SUMMARY
The City of Hayward is experiencing a homeless shelter emergency. According to the 2017 Point-in-Time Count, there are 397 homeless individuals in Hayward, of whom 79% (313) are unsheltered. There are two homeless shelters in Hayward for families and women with children, leaving a serious need for shelters for homeless individuals. On January 22, 2019, City Council approved emergency actions to implement a Hayward Housing Navigation Center for approximately 45 individuals on the currently vacant City-owned parcel at the corner of Depot and Whitesell Roads (Site), including authorizing the appropriation of up to $3 million in State and local funding for one-time start-up costs (approximately $500,000) and one year of operational funding (approximately $2.5 million). The Hayward Housing Navigation Center is modeled after the successful City of Berkeley Pathways STAIR Center that opened in June 2018 and has placed 45 individuals in housing since opening.
The Hayward Housing Navigation Center will be operated by a social services agency with experience serving homeless populations under contract with the City and would include three highly integrated components: (1) targeted outreach services to existing homeless encampments in Hayward primarily for placement of individuals at the Center; (2) short-term housing in a low-barrier shelter environment in modular buildings placed on the Site; and (3) intensive case management and housing placement services for existing and former residents of the Center.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I - Staff Report
Attachment II - Navigation Center Photos