This is press release from the City of Novato explaining the next steps in their campaign to “proactively” address homelessness in the city, particularly the large encampment at Lee Gerner Park.
At their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the Novato City Council approved a set of new actions for how our community can continue to proactively address homelessness. These actions are intended to help continue providing access to resources, services and housing to unsheltered community members while also protecting the environment and services essential for continuity of government and use of facilities by all persons not just those unhoused.
Newly adopted Ordinances 1669 and 1670 related to camping near critical infrastructure, wildfire risk areas, as well as within stream protection zones will become enforceable no sooner than 30 days after adoption, and not until:
- the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amends or revokes its Interim Guidance on Unsheltered Homelessness and Coronavirus Disease 2019, OR
- COVID-19 vaccinations are accessible for individuals experiencing homelessness, at least 90% of Marin County residents over the age of 16 have been fully vaccinated, and the county meets the State of California requirement for the Yellow Tier in place as of May 25, 2021.
The new ordinances do not prevent camping by the unhoused during nighttime hours on publicly owned land if it’s further than 50 feet from identified critical infrastructure and waterways, but it does prohibit day camping at all locations. Additionally, the ordinances do not allow the City to make people go into housing or a shelter environment, as such actions are voluntary.
As part of these new actions, the City Council also adopted a resolution identifying critical infrastructure
“We continue to work with the county and other local partners on programs and initiatives to effectively and humanely address homelessness and improve the quality of life for all members of our community,” said City Manager Adam McGill.
With the availability of one-time federal American Rescue Plan stimulus monies, the Council voted 5-0 to allocate up to $240,000 in one-time funds to support the County of Marin in the hiring of additional case managers to help unhoused community members secure and maintain housing.
Through Marin’s Housing First approach, people are placed directly into housing as the first intervention, and then case managers help people address all other issues that might have led to that person’s homelessness in the first place. Projects operating on the Housing First model house people more quickly than other models, and those people are more likely to remain stably housed. Since 2017, countywide over 330 of the most vulnerable people experiencing chronic homelessness have been housed — and over 90% remain housed.
The City continues to be engaged on matters related to homelessness in our community, and we are currently negotiating interim housing solutions with a local partner for many of the unhoused at Lee Gerner Park which would include full wrap around services for those accepted into the program.
Information on homeless outreach in Novato, assistance for those currently experiencing homelessness and a listing of community partners and resources is available at novato.org/homelessness.
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