Merced County’s implementing a new plan to address its homeless problem. Will it work?
The Merced County Supervisors recently approved the next steps for the Regional Homeless Plan — a comprehensive approach to addressing the region’s homeless population that increases low-barrier temporary and permanent housing.
Projects are anticipated to be implemented early as spring.
“This direction that we’re taking will give us the tools and the opportunity to make Merced County a better place to live,” said District 4 Supervisor Lloyd Pareira. He serves on the Merced City and County Continuum of Care board, which works to reduce homelessness.
The plan follows trends in approaches by homeless experts, who often recommend a housing first method for helping homeless people. This marks a break from traditional methods, which suggested mental health care and drug addiction services before housing.
“Asking people to change behavior is difficult, they’re at least minimally stabilized in a home or a shelter,” said John Ceccoli, a county management analyst involved in the effort. “Housing-first allows that one semblance of security.”
Not at Band-Aid solution
First discussed last year, the plan represents a growing county role in coordination with city governments. Next steps include getting it adopted by city councils and other local governing bodies. Proponents say collaboration between all Merced County jurisdictions will maximize results.
“This isn’t a Band-Aid on a wound,” Pareira said. “This is more like surgery.”
The plan has four components, Ceccoli said. The first began last year with county-wide outreach and engagement. The board’s recent action kicks off the next stage of building temporary housing shelters.
Permanent housing, including affordable housing projects, will come next. The final stage is administrative support behind the regional effort.
Types of centers coming soon
Two styles of navigation centers are anticipated to open this year. Navigation centers are low-barrier temporary housing facilities that have no sobriety requirements. Case managers connect the homeless with permanent housing, income, public benefits and health services.
The first navigation centers expected to open in spring will utilize single-family residences. Ten distributive housing units throughout Merced County will be rented, adding 50 to 70 beds. This requires an annual budget of $986,354.
The method is expected to provide low-cost housing that’s more attractive than traditional congregate shelters, according to the plan update. Sometimes homeless individuals are resistant to congregate shelters, Ceccoli said.
“The individuals we’ll be serving all have different needs,” said Deputy County Executive Officer Alexandra Pierce. This type of navigation center will provide more flexibility and options to meet those needs.
Ceccoli noted the challenge of Merced’s low vacancy rate, which drives competition high — especially for renters.
A second type of navigation center is anticipated to open in fall, adding at least 75 more beds. Located at 1411 B St, the site of a demolished juvenile hall, the location will include around 45 repurposed shipping containers to build a durable and cost-saving facility.
The 15,000 square-foot project site has a capital budget estimate of $5 million and an annual operating budget estimate of $2 million.
This navigation center will include capacity for an individuals’ pets, partners and possessions.
Ceccoli said the response from the homeless community has been mixed. “It’s a really diverse population,” he said.
“For the most part, when you talk to people who have needs, they want help,” Ceccoli said.
Sheltering more individuals will build a stronger dialogue with the homeless, he said.
The plan identifies several recurring and one-time regional funding opportunities to alleviate the multi-million dollar cost. One-time state funding is anticipated as well in the 2020-21 budget.
The most recent count of Merced County’s homeless population brought the number to 607 people, representing an 18% hike. Sheltered individuals accounted for 322 of those counted. A new count will take place in late January.
Is it the right plan?
Several community members still had concerns with the county’s homeless plans. Many residents believe the number of homeless individuals has far surpassed the last count of 607 people.
Some question whether the new facilities will make Merced County a tempting refuge destination for people who aren’t from here, encouraging more homeless to come here.
Ceccoli said homeless people who are not Merced County residents will be given resources and encouraged to return to their original home location. Programs like Homeward Bound purchase bus tickets for those people to return home.
The last count found 77% of the homeless population were from Merced County, he said.
Others questioned what will be done about people who refuse shelter and prefer a nomadic lifestyle — an issue complicated by the 2018 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in the Martin v. City of Boise case.
The decision stated that homeless individuals may not be legally punished for sleeping outdoors when there are not enough beds available. The Supreme Court denied a petition to review the Ninth Circuit Court’s decision, limiting law enforcement’s power against those living in encampments.
Adding more beds in Merced County will allow enforcement efforts against those who refuse shelter, Ceccoli said.
Others commented that the county’s efforts have been poorly communicated with the public. The community is largely unaware of the plan, they said. County officials said communication would continue to be a focus going forward.
A community summit on homelessness is set for spring.
“It’s only successful if we come together as a community.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
