Lack of shelter could continue to Christmas
CHICO » It is likely at least another month could pass without a new solution for expanded emergency shelter during the winter in Chico.
City staff announced before Thanksgiving an active search is still underway for a shortterm shelter, after “dozens” of potential sites have been deemed unsuitable for emergency requirements.
Sites must meet the following Emergency Solutions Grant Program criteria set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development:
• Must be structurally sound to protect from elements and not pose any threat to safety of residents;
• Each room or space within the shelter must have a natural or mechanical means of ventilation;
• Water supply must be free of contamination;
• Each participant must have access to sanitary facilities in proper operating condition which are private and adequate for personal cleanliness;
• Necessary heating/cooling facilities in proper operating condition;
• Adequate natural or artificial illumination to permit normal indoor activities with suf
ficient electrical sources to permit safe use of electrical appliances;
• Maintained in a sanitary condition;
• Must be at least one working smoke detector in each occupied unit of the shelter, with fire alarm system designed for hearingimpaired residents and a second means of exiting the building in the event of emergency;
• ADA-accessible interior and exterior;
• Interior sprinklers;
• At least 20,000 square feet interior space (COVIDspacing requirements/ footage per occupant);
• Within a reasonable distance/travel time to public services and transportation;
• Not in a runway clear zone/clear zone.
With so many requirements to meet, the county, the Homeless Continuum of Care, the city of Chico and local service providers will be leveraging multiple funding sources to try to create several solutions. A plan for using multiple funding sources will be developed by mid-January, according to city staff.
“I have worked in other jurisdictions where the fire marshal has granted occupancy given other accommodations, but that does not appear to be an option in Chico,” Homeless Solutions Coordinator Suzi Kochems said Nov. 23.
“I believe that city staff would make reasonable accommodations or even alterations to an otherwise viable facility, but each accommodation takes time and we are attempting to open something as soon as possible. At this time, I am working with service providers to identify, visit and make recommendations on potential facilities. It is not as easy as one might think.”
Of several alternative solutions being considered, city staff are working to establish a legal camp ground that could accommodate up to 40 tent sites and 30 tiny houses or pallet shelters. However, a service provider
is needed to operate the site and establish protocols for participation.
Staff also reported True North Housing Alliance has secured a contractor to begin construction at the Torres Shelter to expand its capacity by 50 beds. Any funding awarded to the city would likely be contracted to a nonprofit for service provision.
The county continues work with Safe Space Winter Shelter, the Jesus Center and the True North Housing Alliance to operate Project Roomkey which gets motel/hotel rooms to people experiencing homelessness as a non-congregate option to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Funding for Project Roomkey is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on a month-bymonth basis but funding will likely be terminated in the near future. Vulnerable participants will be released back to the streets if they do not have access to an emergency shelter bed, shared living opportunity or a more permanent housing solution.
Housing and Homeless Administrator Don Taylor of Butte County’s Department of Employment and Social Services confirmed Nov. 24 there are currently 115 FEMA qualified individuals — plus 33 caretakers/children/family members — for a total of 148 in 103 rooms countywide. Individuals
who qualify are accepted at all ages.
“There is no set end date,” Taylor said Wednesday.
“We continue to operate on a month to month basis based on authorized Public Assistance from FEMA. Yes, we have heard other jurisdictions have been wrapping up their projects. We are actively working on rehousing efforts with our community partners. We have coordinated efforts to successfully assist 118 people in obtaining transitional or permanent housing.”
For now, the Chico City Council also authorized $20,000 in outreach funding for local nonprofits to engage with unhoused persons living in the parks, greenways and public areas. Outreach workers will be trained in trauma-informed care, de- escalation tactics and adverse childhood experiences, and have some homeless case management experience.
In addition, Chico State’s Basic Needs announced an expanded partnership with Chico Housing Action Team and True North Housing Alliance as one of seven California State University campuses to receive a CSU College-Focused Rapid ReHousing Partnership Grant this year. Research estimates more than 500 Chico students will experience homelessness during an academic year — a number that additional campus
based research estimates is increasing, as 14 percent of Chico State students reported experiencing some form of homelessness during the 2018—2019 academic year.
The majority of the $870,000 grant is guided as direct student aid in the form of rental assistance combined with on- location case management. The goal is to develop a working rapid re-housing program to address increasing local student homelessness. Basic Needs Administrator Joe Picard said the challenges of finding and maintaining stable, affordable housing, and resulting financial stress continue to create significant barriers to graduation.
Chico State Basic Needs introduced its first emergency housing services in 2016 and has sheltered more than 125 students experiencing homelessness. The new partnership will assist with finding housing, including negotiation with property owners and movein costs (including security deposits, rental payments, lease and co-signing advising and utilities like internet and mobile service).
The council will discuss possible winter sheltering options again Tuesday, at the request of Councilor Scott Huber.