The Contra Costa Health Services’ Division of Health, House and Homeless Services is looking for volunteers for the county’s annual point-in-time count of residents who are experiencing homelessness.
Volunteers will work in groups at designated locations across the county to interview people and collect data. All volunteers must be 18 or older. To volunteer, one must attend a two-hour training during the week of January 21 and work a two-to-three-hour shift during the week of January 28. Trainings and shifts are available across the county at a variety of times.
Volunteers are encouraged to wear warm clothing and comfortable footwear to their shifts and be prepared to stand for long periods.
Data collected during the count help H3 and its partners to improve services for Contra Costa’s homeless population and is used by federal, state and local government to determine funding for homeless services.
In 2018, the number of homeless in the County increased by 627 individuals compared to the 2017 count. The City of Antioch had the most homeless in the County with 350 followed by Richmond (270) and Concord (252). In East Contra Costa, Pittsburg had 110 homeless followed by Bay Point (61), Oakley (49), Brentwood (35), Bethel Island (7) and Discovery Day (1).
In response, the County is seeking state funding to help address homelessness by asking each city to declare a “shelter emergency” so the county can receive grant funding from the state.
The purpose of approving a Resolution is because of Senate Bill-850 and the 2018-19 Budget Act that has recognized the urgent and immediate need for funding at the local level to combat homelessness and have provided funding to local governments under the Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP).
HEAP grant funding is available to Continuums of Care (CoC) or large cities with a population of over 330,000. Since there are no cities in the County that meet the population requirement, the County is eligible to receive $7,196,770. The proposed allocation are as follows:
- West County – $1.36m (21% of the County’s unsheltered population)
- Central County – $2.2m (34% of the County’s unsheltered population)
- East County – $2.9m (45% of the County’s unsheltered population).
Some of the uses of HEAP funding could be used for:
- Outreach: boots on the ground
- Treatment – services such as mental health
- Shelter – supportive housing, safe shelter
- Homeless prevention – counseling, one-time rental assistance
- Resources – connect homeless individuals to healthcare, training
According to Karl Fischer of County Health, only the City of Brentwood and Clayton have voted not to move forward with the declaration.
Both El Cerrito and Pinole will consider a vote this week. Moraga and San Ramon moved forward with the resolution last week. All other cities in the county have made emergency housing declarations.
Visit cchealth.org/h3 for more information and to volunteer. For questions about volunteering, contact Georgia Lucey at [email protected] or 925-608-6700.
