Shelter Ordinance

City Council

11.15.10

• One zone by right (without a use permit) to accommodate unmet need

• Transitional /supportive housing –a residential use - subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential uses.

State Law (SB2)

• Most cities were not providing their “fair share”

• lack of shelters leads to concentration of services in poor communities

Why?

• City’s 10-year Strategy– Shelter Beds– Transitional Housing Units

• 2010 Count = 601• Approx. need = 278 beds

Shelter Needs

Why the Broad Approach?

• Site selection a challenge• Equitable• Near transit/services

• Max # of beds• Off-street parking• Interior/Exterior waiting areas • Provision of Onsite Management• Proximity to other shelters • Length of Stay• Lighting• Security

SB 2 Standards

• 15 clients in R-3, Professional, Commercial, Hospital, or T4-T6 zone.

• R-3-5 zone requires Director’s Permit• 55 clients within ¼ mile of an existing

bus transit route or rail station in a Professional, Commercial, Industrial, Hospital, or T4-T6 zone.

Capacity Standard

• If on-site = an enclosed or screened waiting area

• No queuing within the public right-of-way or within any parking lot

Intake Areas

On-site Management

• 24-hours a day/7-days each week• On-site personnel• Client restrictions• Length of stay• Security

• Ample bike parking• Near transit

services/transport provided.

• Less vehicle parking required if near transit.

Parking

Proposed Shelter Areas

Zoning Map

Civic Engagement

• Planning Commission meetings (April 6, May 4, June 15)

• Community Councils

• Stakeholder meetings

• Shelter Operator meetings

• Homeless Subcommittee Meeting

• September 2010 Public Workshop

September Workshop Top 3

1. If zones are reduced, then other zones should still be allowed via CUP

2. Zones/shelters must be reasonably central to services

3. Permanent affordable housing is the only long-term solution

…

Recommendations

1. Introduce the Emergency Shelter/Supportive and Transitional Housing Ordinance for first reading.

2. Set the proposed second reading and adoption for Nov. 22, 2010.

Alternatives

1.  … return with an ordinance that meets only the minimal requirements of SB2, [Example: the M-1 and M-2 zoning only]

2. …amend operational standards to further control the operation of emergency shelters and minimize off-site impacts…

3. …further limit the zoning districts to limited industrial and commercial zones and permitted with a conditional use permit in other commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use

zones and not in other residential zones

(M-1 and M-2 only)

Alternative 1

Misc. definitions

Emergency Shelter Definition

Housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person. No individual or household may be denied emergency shelter because of an inability to pay.

Transitional Housing*

… buildings configured as rental housing developments, but operated under program requirements that call for the termination of assistance and recirculation of the assisted unit to another eligible program recipient at some predetermined future point in time, which shall be no less than six months.

*To be treated as residential.

Supportive Housing*

…housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the target population, and that is linked to onsite or offsite services that assist the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the community.

*To be treated as residential.