Homeless Solutions

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COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Plan of Action for Corona's Homeless Neighbors

In response to COVID-19, the City of Corona is implementing a multi-faceted plan of action to support our homeless neighbors. Click here for details »

County provides emergency housing for homeless individuals amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The County of Riverside has identified hotels and motels with available units for unsheltered homeless individuals to provide emergency temporary housing during the state order to “stay at home.” The temporary housing is part of a county program that includes case management, medical and wrap-around services. The housing is effective until the “stay at home” order is in effect.

Eligible unsheltered homeless individuals include those who are 65 and older, pregnant, have a serious chronic health condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, or have a compromised immune system. Homeless individuals who are ill or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 will be housed through a different system. Eligible clients can be referred to temporary hotel and motel housing by calling the HomeConnect hotline at 1-800-498-8847. Click here for details!

Are you serving the homeless?

Click here to view the County of Riverside Homelessness Solutions Guidance on the COVID-19 for Homeless Service Providers.

For more information about COVID-19, please visit www.CoronaCA.gov/COVID-19.

Homeless Solutions Activities and Updates

Homelessness is currently one of the most urgent and significant issues impacting national, state, and local government. The following data highlights this crisis.

National/State Data:
Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development submits a national homeless assessment report to Congress. According to the 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR), there are 151,278 homeless individuals in the State of California. California currently has the highest percentage of homeless in the nation as the 151,278 equates to approximately 27% of the total 567,715 homeless individuals in the U.S.

Riverside County:
The January 2019 Homeless Point in Time Count and Survey Report identified 2,811 homeless individuals in Riverside County.

City of Corona:
The January 2019 Homeless Point in Time Count and Survey Report identified 164 homeless individuals in the City of Corona; however, a more comprehensive homeless census conducted by City Net in March of 2019 identified 209 unsheltered homeless in the City of Corona.

Homelessness Resources Committee:
On January 23, 2019, City Council established the Homelessness Resources Committee to work with public and private stakeholders to evaluate the homeless issue in Corona. Through community engagement and evaluation of homeless response efforts in other regions, in November of 2019, the Committee concluded that a coordinated, systems approach was needed to effectively address homelessness in Corona.

Homeless Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee:
On November 21, 2019, the City hired Karen Roper, the Homeless Solutions Coordinator, to focus on homeless issues and to develop a Homeless Strategic Plan. Because the Homelessness Resources Committee was scheduled to sunset at the end of 2019, on December 18, 2019, City Council established the Homeless Strategic Plan Ad Hoc Committee to support the strategic plan development process.

To date, a considerable amount of work has been accomplished in support of the homeless strategic plan including a comprehensive community meeting and survey engagement process, needs assessment data collection, development of relationships with multiple County Agencies and other community stakeholders, City participation in regional Continuum of Care Strategic Planning efforts, and collaboration with County Supervisor Karen Spiegel to organize and convene sub-regional meetings with the neighboring cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco, and Riverside.

While development of the City’s Homeless Strategic Plan is an ongoing top priority, it is critical to ensure that direct service and shelter efforts are in place to address the homeless crisis facing the City of Corona. The January 2020 launch of the Motel Voucher Emergency Shelter Program is a good example of the City’s effort to quickly expand services and shelter to Corona’s homeless residents.

Because the City has a dual focus on direct service programs and development of the plan, the Homeless Strategic Plan draft will likely be completed sometime in late May of 2020. This timeline is subject to change due to COVID-19.

The following timeline provides a high-level overview of the City’s Homeless Solutions activities and milestones:

At a Study Session held on January 23, 2019 Corona City Council Members created the 2019 Homelessness Resources Committee. Click here to watch the video from the Study Session. The Homelessness Resources Committee began meeting monthly immediately thereafter.
On Monday, March 11, the Homelessness Resources Committee met with stakeholders, local non-profits, faith-based organizations and community volunteers to perform a SWOT Analysis and Asset Mapping Exercise facilitated by Dr. Debra Mustain from Norco College. The presentation is available here.
On April 5, the City of Corona launched a "Homeless Outreach" Data Dashboard to display current statistics, resources, and outreach efforts. The page houses information on the current number of homeless neighbors, provides a snapshot of homelessness forms, and showcases outreach engagements to date. Click here to explore the Data Dashboard.
On May 22, 2019 Corona City Council Members held a 2nd study session to update and discuss homelessness in Corona and provide direction to staff. Click here to watch the video from the study session.
On June 5, 2019 Corona City Council approved the allocation of $1,000,000 in general funds to address homelessness.
On November 21, 2019, the City of Corona hired Karen Roper, the Homeless Solutions Coordinator.
On December 11, 2019, the Homelessness Resources Committee and the Homeless Solutions Coordinator met with stakeholders and community members to discuss options for an Inclement Weather Shelter, the Homeless Strategic Plan components and timeline, and the January 29, 2020 Count of the Homeless.
During the months of January through March 2020, the Homeless Solutions Coordinator conducted a comprehensive Homeless Strategic Plan community meeting and survey engagement process. Community feedback received from these meetings will be included in the Homeless Strategic Plan.
On January 13, 2020, the City launched an Inclement Weather Emergency Shelter Motel Voucher Program. The program provides safe motel shelter, meal services, and case management services to eligible homeless in the City of Corona. Although the Motel Voucher program is currently at capacity, eligible homeless individuals and families from Corona can be referred to City Net to be placed on a waiting list as new clients can be served when existing clients graduate/exit the program. For more details about the program, contact City Net at: 951-390-3567 OR AT OUTREACH@CITYNET.ORG
On March 12, 2020, the Homeless Solutions Coordinator conducted a presentation before multiple County Agencies, the Office of Riverside County Supervisor Karen Spiegel, and the 2^nd District cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and Riverside. The presentation provided a draft outline of potential components for the City’s Homeless Strategic Plan. Click here to view the presentation.
On April 1, 2020, City Council approved a $65,000 COVID-19 Continuum of Care grant and $100,000 in City General funds to extend the Motel Voucher Emergency Shelter Program during the COVID-19 Stay at Home order. Click here to view the Agenda Staff Report.
On April 15, 2020, City Council approved a Shelter Crisis Resolution. Click here to review the Agenda Staff Report and Resolution. The Resolution will accomplish three objectives:
- Affirm the City’s commitment to address the homeless issue on a priority basis;
- Position the City for potential funding if Federal, State or local government agencies require a shelter crisis declaration; and
- Set the stage for Council consideration of policy options for timely development of shelter and housing interventions that will be outlined in the Homeless Strategic Plan.
On May 7, 2020, the City of Corona issued a press release regarding the results of the January 2020 Point in Time Count of the Homeless. According to the County of Riverside, the number of unsheltered homeless in the City of Corona decreased from 164 in 2019 to 109 in 2020 (34% decrease). Click here to review the Press Release

Creating Solutions

City Net

City Net is a team of nonprofit professionals who work to end street-level homelessness in a city or region through the coordination of community efforts and activities.

In many cases, City Net is contracted by cities and regions to lead multi-sector homeless collaboratives, which unite city and county agencies, law enforcement, non-profit organizations, businesses, advocacy groups, concerned citizens and the faith community in a singular effort to address and end homelessness in the community. The coordination of care among these groups results in shared goals and successes greater than the sum of the individual parts.

When local needs require it, City Net also deploys staff in direct service provision through street outreach and case management services. Street outreach seeks to connect unsheltered homeless neighbors with emergency shelter, housing, or critical services, and providing urgent, non-facility-based care. These activities are intended to help homeless neighbors obtain appropriate supportive services, including permanent housing, medical health treatment, mental health treatment, counseling, supervision, and other services essential for achieving independent living; housing stability case management; and other Federal, State, local, or private assistance available to assist the program participant in obtaining housing stability.

City Net also works to mobilize community resources, including meals, volunteers, donations and advocacy, to coordinate care in emergency shelters, parks, and other public areas where homeless neighbors live. These efforts seek to reduce wasteful duplication and fill missing gaps in the continuum of care, with the long-term goal of ending homelessness by providing homeless neighbors a stable context in which their emergency needs are met, so they can work on long-term housing plans. Community interest? Email getinvolved@citynet.org or go to the Contact Us link on the City Net website at www.citynet.org/corona.

There are many ways to support efforts within Corona. One way you can support is through monetary donations, which will be directly used to meet the needs of our Corona clients and support their housing plan. Funds will be used for things like; $5 one-day bus passes, gift cards to food establishments and grocery stores, documentation fees, and housing program fees. To donate, please visit our website at www.citynet.org/corona

CONTACT CITY NET AT 951-390-3567 OR AT OUTREACH@CITYNET.ORG

VIEW CITY NET HOMELESS REPORTS:

CALIFORNIA CONTINUUM OF CARE HANDOUTS

Comparison of 2017 and 2019 Homeless Counts

Corona Police Department (H.O.P.E.) Team

The primary duties of the Homeless Outreach & Psychological Evaluation (H.O.P.E.) team are to be the first responders and primary contact on calls-for-service involving the homeless and the mentally ill. The team also proactively seeks out and contacts people who are homeless and who are in need of services. The team utilizes a balance of support resources as well as enforcement to ensure a good quality-of-life for our community as well as a better quality-of-life for the homeless individuals themselves.

The H.O.P.E. Team members are Officer Eric Fox and Officer Brandon Walker. They report directly to Lieutenant Jim Auck, 951-736-2421.

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