At the January 26, 2021, City Council meeting, staff presented the Draft Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness (CSPAH) in which a framework of goals and strategic actions were identified to address homelessness in Garden Grove. 

Subsequently, at the April 27, 2021, City Council meeting, staff provided an update regarding community outreach and engagement efforts already underway and those scheduled for deployment in the months to follow.

The Community and Economic Development Department (CEDD) continued to engage the community to receive feedback on the Draft CSPAH and to provide information on resources available to the homeless and at-risk populations. A summary of engagement activities are briefly summarized below and further detailed in Attachment No. 1:

1. Hosted the inaugural meeting of the Garden Grove Coalition to End Homelessness.
2. Launched the 2021 CSPAH Community Survey.
3. Executed a contract to deploy the Be Well OC (Garden Grove) Mobile Response Unit.
4. Produced the video series “Interviews with Mayor Steve Jones” with local service providers.
5. Developed a Homelessness Data Dashboard.
6. Updated the City’s website at https://ggcity.org/endhomelessness.

Four (4) notable accomplishments incorporated into the Final CSPAH are: 1) implemented the Workforce Activation and Readiness Program (WARP),  2) bolstered our partnership with 211OC and their Homelessness Hotline, 3) developed the Be Well Orange County in Garden Grove Mobile Response Unit, and 4) launched the Homelessness Data Dashboard.

1. Workforce Activation and Readiness Program (WARP)

In March 2021, the City implemented the pilot Workforce Activation and Readiness Program (WARP), which provides homeless and at-risk individuals with employment services including resume development, interviewing skills, job search assistance, basic office skills, dress for success workshops, and English classes. Due to the success of our non-profit partners, the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) and StandUp For Kids Orange County (SUFKOC), in enrolling 17 participants and forging partnerships with four (4) local businesses, WARP was extended through June 30, 2022. During this period, WARP is projected to assist 70 Garden Grove residents with employment services, with as many as 40 of the enrollees receiving paid internships.

Further, both OCAPICA and SUFKOC are current recipients of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding to provide services to homeless and at-risk Garden Grove residents, which allows them to provide WARP participants with a wide range of assistance including street outreach and rental assistance.

2. Homelessness Hotline and HMIS Data Dashboard

The City has a longstanding relationship with 211 Orange County (211OC), who administers a County-wide assistance hotline (2-1-1), as well as the Homeless Management and Information System (HMIS) and the associated Data Dashboard. Due to the recent increase in funding to support the homeless, the City utilized ESG-CV funds to expand its partnership with 211OC and provide a more robust system of care. The HMIS Data Dashboard can be viewed at https://ggcity.org/endhomelessness#homeless-data

3. Be Well OC (Garden Grove) Mobile Response Unit

Following approval in May 2021, collaboration is well underway with Be Well OC, CEDD, the Garden Grove Police Department (GGPD), and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) to develop a mobile unit program dedicated to providing in-community services and connection to resources for Garden Grove residents experiencing a mental health situation.

The following details activity to date:

1. CEDD established a Working Group comprised of staff from the CEDD, GGPD, OCFA, and Be Well OC.
2. Be Well initiated mobile unit staff recruitment.
3. Developed and continue to refine training protocols in coordination with GGPD and OCFA.
4. Be Well acquired the Mobile Unit van and renovations are in progress.
5. Working Group developing a Communications Strategy/ Framework.
6. CEDD coordinating video production of Be Well Program and the Mobile Unit van.
7. Be Well participated at National Night Out on August 3, 2021.

The Be Well OC (Garden Grove) Mobile Response Unit is scheduled to enter service on October 4, 2021.

4. Homelessness Data Dashboard

In an effort to increase transparency and educate the public regarding the City’s homelessness resources, a data dashboard has been dedicated to conveying the number of homeless and at-risk individuals assisted, as well as the funds expended to administer the six (6) eligible activities (Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Rapid Rehousing, Homelessness Prevention, Homeless Hotline, and Workforce Development) aimed at addressing homelessness.

The dashboard data will be updated quarterly and the activity-specific pages will receive real-time updates as needed. The Homelessness Data Dashboard can be viewed at https://ggcity.org/endhomelessness/dashboard

In closing, the Final CSPAH serves as a planning document enabling the City to be strategic in identifying ways to connect the homeless to resources and programs, to assist Garden Grove in becoming more proactive and contributing toward regional solutions to end homelessness, and to develop a framework for funding decisions related to homelessness. Being both flexible and adaptable to community needs, the CSPAH identifies goals and strategic actions to address solutions and prevention aimed at addressing homelessness over the next five (5) years. Periodic updates will be provided, as well as an annual report to provide a more comprehensive look at the City’s efforts to end homelessness. The Final 2021 CSPAH is attached to this report for reference.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve the Final 2021 Comprehensive Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness.