22 Oct Health Department Receives $5.7M Grant for San Pablo Homeless Project

(Contra Costa Health Services via Bay City News)

By Tony Hicks
Bay City News

Contra Costa Health said Tuesday the department corralled a $5.7 million grant for “compassionately tackling homeless encampments” from the state’s Encampment Resolution Funding program.

The county health department plans to use the money to collaborate with San Pablo to clear an encampment on city property while prioritizing the wellness and safety of residents.

CCH said in a statement it directs resources and housing solutions aimed at permanently resolving unsheltered homelessness.

“We appreciate this state grant, which will allow the county and city of San Pablo to humanely and effectively address homelessness by providing both interim and permanent housing with comprehensive support services,” Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, whose district includes San Pablo, said in a statement. “This is a great example of how to effectively move individuals from encampments to housing while ensuring they get the care and services they need to stay housed.”

The grant will provide homeless outreach and engagement teams, care management, and fund 20 interim modular shelters, along with removing trash and site cleanup.

The modular shelters will expand available interim housing and services to encampment residents while officials develop permanent housing plans.

The project builds on CCH’s success partnering with Richmond with a similar encampment resolution project. CCH collaborated with the city and community partners to deliver a variety of services at the encampment, including showers, meals and laundry, while enhancing safety measures and successfully securing longer term housing solutions for its residents.

The San Pablo project will assess residents’ needs and create pathways to permanent housing within the three-year grant term.

The program model uplifts participant choice and is meant to overcome barriers residents face in transitioning into housing by providing options keeping people together with their pets and possessions.

“The city of San Pablo is incredibly appreciative of this opportunity to help our underprivileged and underserved residents access better futures for themselves,” San Pablo City Manager Matt Rodriguez said in a statement. “Working in partnership with Contra Costa Health, we harness experience and proven methods to tackle homelessness in ways that protect the safety, wellness and dignity of our encampment residents.”

“Now more than ever, cities, counties and service providers must work together,” Anna Roth, CCH’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “I am grateful for partners like these, and for their leadership and collaboration in addressing community needs around homelessness.”

CCH said San Pablo’s grant will have a significant impact on homelessness in the city, but the overall impact will be felt across the county. The project allows existing CCH resources to go further, helping more people experiencing homelessness in the county.

For more information on homelessness in Contra Costa County, people can visit cchealth.org/h3.

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