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File #: 19-1646   
Type: Staff Briefing - Without Ordinance
In control: Community Health and Equity Committee
On agenda: 1/24/2019
Posting Language: Briefing on Alternative Giving options to encourage residents to donate to non-profit organizations and reduce panhandling that violate City code. [María Villagómez, Assistant City Manager; Brian Dillard, Interim Chief Innovation Officer]
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DEPARTMENT: Office of Innovation


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Brian Dillard, Interim Chief Innovation Officer


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide


SUBJECT:

Update on Alternative Giving/Panhandling Solution


SUMMARY:

Briefing and action on initiative to encourage residents to donate to non-profit organizations that support homeless programs and services and to reduce panhandling that violate City code.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The FY 2019 Budget approved funding in the amount of $30,000 for public messaging, including signage, as part of an initiative to encourage residents to donate to non-profit organizations that support homeless programs and services and to reduce panhandling that violates City code. This is a pilot initiative requested by councilmember Manny Pel?ez and approved by the City Council as part of the FY 2019 Budget.

The Office of Innovation conducted research on what other cities are doing to encourage residents to donate to charitable organizations in an effort to reduce on-street panhandling. Data analysis was conducted on the number of calls received by the City of San Antonio and citations issued for panhandling that violate city code. The Office of Innovation also convened a group of stakeholders to develop alternate giving solutions including the San Antonio Alamo Regional Alliance for Homeless (SARAH), San Antonio Faith Based Initiative, Haven for Hope, and City internal departments.


ISSUE:

The Office of Innovation will be briefing the Community Health and Equity Committee on research conducted and options developed to encourage residents to donate to non-profit organizations that support homeless programs and services in an effort to reduce panhandling that violate City code.

Findings and collected input have resulted in the following recommendations:
* Alternative Giving: The Human Services Department Faith-Based Initiative will use Short Messaging Service (SMS) feature to direct donations; a collaboration with the Texas Depar...

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