Report Prepared by: Mark E. Hamilton, Housing Program Supervisor, Housing Division, Department of Economic Development
Title
SUBJECT: Request to Join the Mayor's Challenge to Ending Homelessness Among Unsheltered Veterans
REPORT IN BRIEF
Requesting the mayor to sign a letter to include the City of Merced in the Mayor's Challenge to Ending Homelessness among Unsheltered Veterans.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion allowing the Mayor to sign a letter that would include the City of Merced in the national Mayor's Challenge.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to City Manager or Housing Division for reconsideration; or
5. Continue to a future City Council meeting.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2015-16 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Staff is asking Council to consider having the Mayor sign the attached letter which would commit the City to joining the nearly 1,000 other jurisdictions throughout the country who are committed to ending homelessness among veterans in their community as outlined in Opening Doors, the nation's first comprehensive federal strategy to prevent and end homelessness.
The Merced County 2016 Homeless Count and Survey revealed that there were 25 homeless veterans on January 28. The previous year, the homeless count noted that there were 88 homeless veterans, which represents a 71.5% decrease.
The Housing Authority of the County of Merced (HACM) recently received 11 more U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program vouchers. This brings the total number of vouchers received by HACM to 66. In addition, the WestCare Foundation's San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) program administers the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program for homeless and at-risk-of-becoming-h...
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