S.J. Supervisors to discuss policy on the homeless

STOCKTON — The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider adopting a policy statement to address and limit the impacts of homeless people in the region.

The policy statement comes after supervisors approved the Fiscal Year 201920 budget in June, in which they declared homelessness an operational priority for all county departments.

According to county staff, the policy will focus on addressing quality of life issues impacted by homelessness on county residents.

Some of the activities to be undertaken once the policy is approved include focusing on behavioral health and substance abuse problems within the homeless population; focusing on outreach, prevention and intervention; and educating and communicating with county residents, businesses and the homeless.

Staff said that will include developing educational materials for residents, businesses and homeless individuals, and incorporating the topic into existing advisory board meetings and agendas.

Existing advisory boards include the county planning commission, the county parks and recreation commission, and even the San Joaquin Farm Bureau.

Once approved Tuesday, policy implementation and execution will be led by the San Joaquin County Sheriff ’s and District Attorney’s offices, the county community development department and county health services.

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 9 a.m. on the sixth floor of the county administration building, 44 N. San Joaquin St. in Stockton. The meeting’s agenda can be viewed online at https://tinyurl.com/ y424bt8v.