DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Overview of Homeless Services and Related Policies
SUMMARY:
This item provides a briefing and update to the Quality of Life Committee regarding homeless initiatives managed by the Department of Human Services.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Department of Human Services serves as the lead department in managing City of San Antonio homeless initiatives and investments. This includes oversight of funding provided to Haven for Hope and other community homeless providers; participation in the South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH); coordination of the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and the Zero: 2016 initiative; and policy research and analysis.
ISSUE:
The City of San Antonio supports the amelioration of homelessness through targeted investments in transformational homeless services including shelter, food, counseling, street outreach, mental health, and rapid re-housing services. Additionally, DHS directly provides homeless prevention and fair housing counseling services to help families maintain housing stability. DHS also continues to coordinate the Mayor's Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness and Zero 2016, which are national initiatives to end veteran and chronic homelessness.
Following the April 21, 2015, Quality of Life Committee discussion on food safety and homeless feeding, DHS and the City Attorney's Office began researching best practices, policies, and regulation of homeless feeding in public locations of comparative cities. Staff will provide a complete analysis and options for homeless feeding regulation to the Quality of Life Committee later this summer.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.