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By Emma García. Peninsula 360 Press.
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The number of homeless people in Redwood City has declined despite a significant increase in this group of residents in San Mateo County, following a reported increase in the number of unsheltered homeless people in the city from 2022 to 2023 from 245 to 189.
This was announced by Redwood City Human Services Director Teri Chin, who during a presentation on the city's Work Plan for Homeless Initiatives, detailed that the city has been in contact with 334 people and 54 families, and has been able to place 40 in permanent housing and 146 in temporary housing.
During the presentation held on Monday night at the Council meeting, Chin specified that the majority of people living in encampments are Hispanic, while 14 percent of the total population of this population has been living in that situation for more than 10 years. .
He also said that the average waiting time for single people to obtain shelter is significantly shorter than for those with families. The waiting list for families trying to obtain shelter is 50 long.
She said the city currently has seven outreach workers who go to the camps to provide people with resources and a way to transition to permanent housing, but funding for these employees is coming to an end this year.
However, the city said it will create an ad hoc committee to seek funding to continue to employ outreach workers in the city, as they play a key role in reducing the number of people living in camps by establishing a relationship of trust with residents so they accept the help needed to transition to housing.
To address encampment-related issues in the city, the City has launched seven initiatives that proactively address public health and safety concerns, as well as help homeless residents living in encampments access permanent housing, including:
- Proactive outreach to encampment residents: offering services, shelter, and housing, including access to Units on Demand at the San Mateo County Navigation Center as a bridge to shelter and housing opportunities through San Mateo County’s Coordinated Entry System (CES).
- Weekly Camp Waste Collection Services: Aimed at mitigating health and safety concerns and reducing the impact of camps on the community.
- City-owned encampment cleanup: Addresses encampments located on City property where health and safety concerns arise, such as proximity to critical infrastructure, fire hazards, criminal activity, biohazardous waste, hazardous materials, or obstructions to pedestrian or wheelchair access.
- Coordination with other agencies: Provide advance notice and offer services to homeless individuals when CalTrans and other public agencies conduct periodic encampment cleanups on their property.
- Priority Shelter Placement: Provides immediate shelter placement and services whenever camp cleanups are scheduled.
Meanwhile, at the meeting held at City Hall, Redwood City Mayor Jeff Gee, who also represents District 1, acknowledged that September is a busy month because it is Hispanic Heritage Month, Suicide Awareness Month, and it also includes Welcoming Week and United Against Hate Week.
At the meeting, members of the Redwood City Latino Community Council took the stage to speak about their gratitude to the city for recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and promoting the Fiestas Patrias event, a community celebration taking place this Sunday, September 15 at Courthouse Square, located at 2200 Broadway Ave, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Call to return to virtual public comments
Finally, the City Council reported that they received 17 written public comments to reinstate the option for virtual public comment during City Council meetings.
Community members said not having this option at meetings has created significant barriers for residents to join in person because meetings are at the same time they have to put their children to bed, while residents who work in the hospitality industry do not have a 9-5 workday, so they are also unable to make their voices heard by attending in person.
In addition to creating barriers, older adults said they feel uncomfortable driving at night, when visibility is low.
After hearing written public comments, Mayor Gee said the reason this format was stopped was because of a past incident in which homophobic and racist slurs were used.
The council discussed possible solutions to bring back virtual public comment, such as requiring people to fill out contact forms when joining the Zoom, but the city attorney quickly dismissed that option, explaining that by law, the city cannot require it.
Unfortunately, the council did not approve an amendment to bring back virtual public comment, but it will go back to committee for review. Gee said it is not indefinite.
For her part, Councilwoman Lissette Espinoza-Garnica said she was in favor of bringing back virtual public comment, but expressed that it is up to the mayor and, based on the manual, he can determine the option of virtual public comment.
If you want to watch the full City Council meeting, click here click here to see her.
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