Action Plan for Preventing and Ending Homelessness for FY 2020–2023 – Adopted March 2020

Page Intentionally Left Blank A MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM Addressing the issues of housing costs, housing stability, and homelessness is critical to creating opportunities for all Californians. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all how important Housing for All is, with safe and stable homes for each and every one of us – for ourselves, for our families, for our loved ones, and for our neighbors. For our health, our well-being, and for our very lives. Against all odds, we’ve created solutions to housing needs and homelessness during a once-in-a-generation pandemic: the strongest eviction controls in the nation to prevent millions of renters from losing their homes; a framework for billions of dollars of rental support for struggling landlords; providing shelter to keep people experiencing homelessness safe during the pandemic through Project Roomkey; and creating new permanent housing at lower costs and quicker than ever before through the Homekey program. We still have more work to do in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, of course. And we must also remain focused on the longer-term crisis of homelessness, applying the lessons and innovations of our pandemic response to this challenge. That’s why I’ve proposed nearly $2 billion in the budget to create more housing for people currently homelessness and to address mental health and substance abuse issues. And that’s why this Action Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, adopted by the State’s Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, is so important. It defines the path forward, through collaboration across State departments and with local communities. Through strategic use of Federal and State funding, driving Housing First approaches and housing outcomes. Through shared responsibility and accountability and data-driven decisions and solutions. And with a commitment to racial equity and justice. Together, we can stare down big challenges. This Action Plan provides a playbook for staring down the challenge of homelessness, for State departments and for our partners. Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council From Secretary Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Council Chair One of the greatest honors of serving within the Newsom Administration is my role as the Chair for the State’s interagency council on homelessness, the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC). HCFC’s mission is to develop policies and to identify and coordinate resources, benefits, and services, to prevent and end homelessness in California. This past year, I saw firsthand the power of systems working together for people experiencing homelessness as we faced the gravest economic and public health crisis of our times. I stand in awe of how our state departments, in partnership with local governments, pulled together, coordinated emergency efforts, and launched innovative solutions such as Project Roomkey and Homekey. Homekey produced over 6,000 permanent housing units leveraging federal, state and philanthropic funds. We are committed to continuing to build on this work, meet our State’s Housing First mission, and do all we can to ensure that homelessness is prevented whenever possible, rare, and ends quickly whenever it does occur so that no Californians experience homelessness repeatedly. This Action Plan centers racial equity in everything we do and advances HCFC’s mission by boldly striving for a full suite of strategies and interconnected activities— spanning from homelessness prevention efforts, to meeting the immediate needs of people who are currently unsheltered, staying in shelters or interim housing, to ending people’s homelessness through access to permanent affordable housing and the supportive services they need to succeed. Our plan comes at a critical time, as the Biden-Harris Administration elevates housing and homelessness. A strong partnership with the federal government and investments in our Housing for All agenda will enable us to make even greater strides in prevention, sheltering, permanent housing and access to supportive services. A plan on paper is just that – unless it drives our work, and changes how we work, together and with greater accountability. The Council, and the leaders and staff across its member departments, are committed to implementing this Action Plan, to measuring our progress and our impact, and to continuously refining and strengthening our efforts. I would like to personally recognize Governor Newsom for his steadfast commitment to ending homelessness and the dozens of stakeholders, our Council members, consultant Matthew Doherty, and State staff – including within the agency I lead, BCSH and within HCFC – that contributed to getting us to this moment of clarity for how our shared work will progress. In many ways, this Action Plan is a heroic act: it was developed collectively during a most difficult year with a sense of urgency, clear purpose, and concrete steps to prevent and end the crisis of homelessness in California. From Ali Sutton Deputy Secretary for Homelessness, Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency It is my privilege to lead the team of staff at the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. We’ve been given the opportunity to expand our capacity so that we can do more to both lead and support State staff, and people working tirelessly in communities across California, to prevent and end homelessness for everyone. We’ve proudly worked with the Council to develop this Action Plan – a plan that explicitly commits to the work that we will accomplish and expresses a clear intention to deliver on the opportunities we have, right now, to build toward an equitable future in which we can prevent and end homelessness. The challenges ahead are daunting. The team at HCFC stands ready to face them – in partnership with our state and local colleagues, with our private collaborators, and with people with expertise from their own experiences of housing crises and homelessness. STATEMENTS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS “This is our moment to end “This plan will help California deepen homelessness. With this clear and our impact, advance racial equity, and comprehensive plan, we can ensure will support our collective efforts to end that every Californian has a safe, homelessness in our state. It proves that affordable home in a vibrant, inclusive, the whole is greater than the sum of its sustainable community. The lives of parts.” hundreds of thousands of Californians depend on us to deliver.” – Gustavo F. Velasquez, Director, California – Corrin Buchanan, Assistant Director of Housing Department of Housing and Community and Homelessness, California Department of Development Social Services “The California Department of “With homelessness continuing to be Education is focused on closing the one of the key issues facing California, opportunity gap for the approximately particularly as the COVID-related 200,000 K-12 students experiencing financial struggles are being felt by our homelessness. As a member of the state's lowest-income residents, the Homeless Coordinating and Financing development of this Action Plan gives Council Committee and partner on the the Homelessness Coordination and 2021 Action Plan, we are committed to Financing Council a roadmap to target improving the education outcomes of assistance to the most vulnerable our students experiencing homelessness Californians. Additionally, I am through targeted interventions and encouraged to see a focus on creating supports.” permanent housing solutions, which are so vital when addressing the issue of homelessness.” – Lindsay Tornatore, PhD, Director, Student – Donald Cavier, Acting Director, California Achievement and Support Division, California Housing Finance Agency Department of Education “I am highly committed to continuing to “For the first time, the state of California focus on homeless solutions that will will have a framework and strategic support youth. Youth are the future.” direction in how to disrupt homelessness at the state-wide level.” – Gail Gilman, Chief Strategy Officer, All Home, – Alexis Barries, Advocate California “As a councilmember representing Cal “The Action Plan is a groundbreaking OES, I’m excited to be part of the tool for giving all of the many State development of the HCFC Strategic agencies that touch the lives of people Action Plan. This is a vital step in our experiencing homelessness a clear and effort in achieving the mission of ending aligned path for making change.” homelessness throughout CA.” – Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Assistant Director, – Amy Anderson, Former Chief Housing Officer, Grants Management, Victim Services Program, Office of Los Angeles Mayor, Eric Garcetti Governor’s Office of Emergency Services “DHCS’ CalAIM and other initiatives in “Caltrans is committed to working with this plan are exciting, but real, ‘whole- our partners to advance solutions person’ progress on the complicated aimed at ending homelessness, issue of homelessness requires the including for the people living along our coordinated, multi-department focus transportation network. We will continue that we have in this action plan.” our efforts to lease department-owned land to cities as an option for emergency homeless shelters and to hire people experiencing homelessness into positions at Caltrans.” – Jacey K. Cooper, Chief Deputy Director of – Toks Omishakin, Director, California Health Care Programs, California Department of Department of Transportation Health Care Services “This action plan represents a “Ending homelessness will require both comprehensive roadmap for addressing decisive action and significant the issue of homelessness in California investments from the State, and this and includes the needs of target action plan provides a framework for populations such as our state’s how we can all come together to veterans.” address this growing humanitarian crisis." – Russell Atterberry, Undersecretary, California – Jennifer Loving Department of Veterans Affairs Chief Executive Officer, Destination: Home Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez Gail Gilman Secretary, Business Consumer Services and Housing Chief Strategy Officer, All Home, California Agency Council Chair Jody Ketcheside Deputy Regional Director, Turning Point of Central Emilio Ramirez California, Inc. Housing Director, City of Oxnard, CA Council Vice Chair Jennifer Loving Chief Executive Officer, Destination: Home Amy Anderson Former Chief Housing Officer, Office of Los Angeles Gary McCoy Mayor, Eric Garcetti Community Member and Congressional Aide, Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Russell Atterberry Undersecretary, California Department of Veterans Toks Omishakin Affairs Director, California Department of Transportation Alexis Barries Rebecca Ruan-O’Shaughnessy Advocate Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support, California Community Colleges Gina Buccieri-Harrington Assistant Director, Grants Management, Victim Lindsay Tornatore, PhD Services Program, Governor’s Office of Emergency Director, Student Achievement and Support Services Division, California Department of Education Corrin Buchanan Joseph Uchishiba Assistant Director of Housing and Homelessness, Former Police Officer, City of Fairfield Police California Department of Social Services Department Donald Cavier Gustavo F. Velasquez Acting Director, California Housing Finance Director, California Department of Housing and Agency Community Development Jacey K. Cooper Chief Deputy Director of Health Care Programs, California Department of Health Care Services The Council would like to extend its gratitude for the commitment of our stakeholders who took the time to provide input and recommendations for this plan, including State staff, representatives from local governments, advocates, researchers, and from individuals who provided expertise drawn from their lived experiences to shape this plan. We are also grateful to the tireless work of consultant, Matthew Doherty, for helping California to lead the way to focus on the actions that will prevent and end homelessness across our state. Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................ 2 THE CALIFORNIA HOMELESS COORDINATING & FINANCING COUNCIL ............................................. 5 ACTION PLAN’S VISION .......................................................................................................................... 6 ACTION PLAN’S FIVE ACTION AREAS .................................................................................................... 7 Action Plan’s Objectives ................................................................................................................... 8 Timeframe for this Action Plan: Fiscal Year 20-21 through Fiscal Year 22-23 ................................. 8 KEY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES ......................................................................................................... 11 FORMATION OF NEW WORKING GROUPS TO DRIVE ACTIONS AND PROGRESS ............................... 12 HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA .......................................................................................................... 16 DEFINING AND MEASURING PROGRESS .............................................................................................. 17 DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ACTION PLAN ................................................................................................. 18 OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, TIMEFRAMES, AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES .......................................... 19 APPENDIX.............................................................................................................................................. 65 Exhibit A. Statutory Requirements for the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council .............................................................................................................................................. 65 Exhibit B. Organizations Represented within Stakeholder Input Conversations .......................... 69 Exhibit C. List of Acronyms and Meanings Used Within Action Plan ............................................ 70 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vision and Intent and this Action Plan On any given night, more than 161,000 people are experiencing homelessness in California, representing more than one-quarter of all people experiencing homelessness in the United States. Making significant progress in preventing and ending homelessness across the state will require sustained and focused efforts at the Federal, State, and local levels. Through this Action Plan, the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC), the State’s interagency council on homelessness, is pursuing a vision for the Council and the State’s work to prevent and end homelessness that features: • Increased leadership from the State for identifying and supporting short-term and long-term solutions; • Purposeful, action-oriented coordination and alignment across State agencies and programs; and • Stronger, collaborative partnerships with public and private partners in communities. This Action Plan orients the State’s efforts to drive purposeful, meaningful, and measurable progress toward preventing and ending homelessness in California, motivated by a vision of a future in which homelessness in California is: rare, because it is prevented whenever possible; brief, ended quickly whenever it does occur, through a focus on Housing First approaches and housing outcomes; and a one-time experience, ended successfully the first time, so that no Californians experience homelessness repeatedly. The implementation of this Action Plan will be aligned with several key principles and practices, including: ✓ Pursuing racial equity and justice; ✓ Aligning State activities with Housing First approaches; ✓ Creating solutions for the full diversity of people experiencing homelessness; ✓ Balancing crisis response and permanent housing solutions; and ✓ Seeking and valuing the expertise of people with lived experiences of ✓ Shared responsibility, accountability, and homelessness; efficiency across State departments and programs, in close coordination with local communities. 2 Driving Progress Across Five Action Areas The Action Plan will drive progress across five (5) distinct but interrelated and complementary Action Areas, inclusive of the full range of actions necessary to prevent and end homelessness. Action Area 1. Strengthening Our Systems to Better Prevent and End Homelessness in California Activities focused on pursuing racial equity in response to homelessness and housing instability; engagement and partnership with people with lived expertise from experiences of homelessness; supporting interjurisdictional and regional planning; partnerships to strengthen outcomes related to education, employment, income, and assets; disaster preparedness and response; and communications and public awareness. Action Area 2. Equitably Addressing the Health, Safety, and Services Needs of Californians Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness Activities focused on addressing health and safety needs and increasing access to State- supported services and programs for people who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Action Area 3. Expanding Communities’ Capacity to Provide Safe and Effective Sheltering and Interim Housing Activities focused on expanding the supply of safe, housing-placement focused sheltering and interim housing models and addressing health and services needs of people staying within such programs. Action Area 4. Expanding and Ensuring Equitable Access to Permanent Housing in Our Communities Activities focused on strengthening Housing First approaches and expanding permanent housing opportunities through development strategies, short- and long-term rental assistance, and other rehousing activities. Action Area 5. Preventing Californians from Experiencing the Crisis of Homelessness Activities focused on reducing entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services through State-funded programs and systems and enhancing communities’ capacity to provide targeted homelessness prevention and diversion services and assistance. 3 Implementation and Performance Measurement The Action Plan covers the State’s FY 20-21 through FY 22-23, focused on the highest-priority strategies and efforts that will have the greatest impact. The Council will update this Action Plan ahead of FY 22-23 to make any modifications to the Plan’s Objectives and to identify more specific Activities to be implemented during FY 22-23. HCFC and its member departments will pursue the Plan’s vision with shared accountability across State departments and with local partners. The Action Plan will be implemented through existing teams and structures, and also through the planned formation of five (5) interagency Working Groups, including State staff and external stakeholders and partners, focused on: • Maximizing the Impact of State Funding • Strengthening Employment Opportunities and Programs Addressing Homelessness and Outcomes for People with Experiences of Homelessness • Racial Equity in Responses to Homelessness and Housing Instability • Preventing Homelessness Among People Transitioning Back into Communities from • Tailoring Strategies for Preventing and Corrections Settings Ending Homelessness for Youth and Young Adults This Action Plan requires a sharpened focus on performance measurement, data, and analyses. Performance measures are identified for every Activity, and implementation progress will be reported to the Council on a regular basis. HCFC will use data from the State’s newly developed Homeless Data Integration System, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and from the California Department of Education in order to assess the impact of Federal, State, and local efforts; to document and analyze racial inequities; and to refine this Plan’s Objectives and Activities. Conclusion Driving progress on preventing and ending homelessness, and toward racial equity, requires multi-pronged, multi-year strategies across sectors and systems, supported by data analyses, performance measures, and metrics to assess, refine, and revise those strategies. The development and adoption of this Action Plan is a significant step forward for HCFC and for the State of California. This Plan represents a commitment to action-oriented coordination across State agencies and programs and deeper collaboration with public and private partners in communities, in pursuit of a future in which homelessness in California is a rare experience, prevented whenever possible, and is a brief and one-time experience when it cannot be prevented. 4 THE CALIFORNIA HOMELESS COORDINATING & FINANCING COUNCIL Homelessness in California requires urgent Objectives and Activities. Council members actions and sustained, long-term efforts across from State agencies are responsible for all levels of government and across the public mobilizing actions and accountability across and private sectors. The California Homeless their agencies in support of the Action Plan’s Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) implementation. HCFC staff and senior staff serves as the State’s interagency council on across State agencies will be responsible for homelessness, providing leadership, ensuring that the Activities committed to in this coordination, and guidance to strengthen and plan are implemented and well-coordinated, align efforts across all of State government. and for reporting to the Council on its HCFC was created in 2017 to oversee the implementation, regarding the measures implementation of Housing First policies, identified within the Action Plan and progress guidelines, and regulations to reduce the toward fulfilling HCFC’s statutory requirements. prevalence and duration of homelessness in California. The Council's mission is to develop Led by the BCSH Deputy Secretary for policies and to identify and coordinate Homelessness, the team at HCFC includes up resources, benefits, and services to prevent to twenty-nine State staff who: and work toward ending homelessness in • Implement two major grant programs, the California. Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) and the Homeless Housing, Assistance and HCFC’s current activities, and activities Prevention Program (HHAP); forecast within this Action Plan, are designed to fulfill its charter to oversee implementation • Oversee the development and ongoing of California’s Housing First guidelines and to management of the Homeless Data achieve eighteen statutory goals, including Integration System (HDIS); five youth-related goals identified through SB • Coordinate Council activities across State 918 in 2018. HCFC pursues those statutory agencies and departments to ensure goals through both a Council of state leaders alignment with the Council’s policy and a team of staff within the Business, priorities and best practices; and Consumer Services and Housing Agency. • Work in partnership with Continuums of The Council, chaired by the Secretary of the Care (CoCs), Federal agencies, city and Business, Consumer Services and Housing county governments, non-profits, housing Agency (BCSH), is a committee comprising and services providers, and others. representatives from ten State departments HCFC staff also work in consultation with the with up to ten additional community Governor’s Office and with the Legislature as members, including individuals representing subject-matter policy experts to guide and community organizations, individuals strengthen the State’s response to appointed by the Governor, and people with homelessness. lived expertise of homelessness. See Appendix Exhibit A for documentation of HCFC’s HCFC will be responsible for monitoring the statutory requirements. implementation and for updating this Action Plan on an annual basis to adjust and tailor its 5 ACTION PLAN’S VISION In developing and implementing its first-ever to orient the State’s efforts toward driving Action Plan, HCFC is pursuing a vision for the purposeful, meaningful, and measurable Council and the State’s work to prevent and progress toward preventing and ending end homelessness. homelessness in California. The vision for this plan features: The collaborative development of this • Increased leadership from the State for Action Plan has been driven by a vision of identifying and supporting short-term and a future in which homelessness in long-term solutions; California is rare, because it is prevented • Purposeful, action-oriented coordination whenever possible; brief, ended quickly and alignment across State agencies and whenever it does occur, through a focus programs; and on Housing First approaches and housing • Stronger, collaborative partnerships with outcomes; and a one-time experience, public and private partners in ended successfully the first time, so that no communities. Californians experience homelessness repeatedly. In pursuing this vision, HCFC recognizes that: • The response to homelessness in California must address and reduce well- The development and implementation of this documented racial inequities in who Action Plan creates commitments and experiences housing instability and risks of structures through which HCFC and its homelessness, in who experiences member departments will pursue that vision homelessness, and in how people are relentlessly, with shared accountability across served and outcomes achieved within State departments and with local partners, homelessness response systems; and with a sharpened focus on data and analyses that will help assess progress and • Progress will require multi-pronged, multi- inform adjustments to sharpen strategies and year strategies to enhance every element activities. of our responses to the housing, services, health, and public health needs of people experiencing and at-risk of homelessness; and that • State agencies need to act with shared responsibility and mutual accountability, and must implement effective data analyses, performance measures, and metrics to assess, refine, and revise those strategies. The vision for this Action Plan is not simply making changes in how HCFC and State agencies do their work. This Action Plan seeks 6 ACTION PLAN’S FIVE ACTION AREAS Reflective of the perspectives provided through stakeholder conversations, this Action Plan is also deeply informed by the national Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response and is structured into five (5) distinct but interrelated and complementary Action Areas, inclusive of the full range of actions necessary to prevent and end homelessness. ACTION AREA 1 Strengthening Our Systems to Better Prevent and End Homelessness in California ACTION AREA 2 Equitably Addressing the Health, Safety, and Services Needs of Californians Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness ACTION AREA 3 Expanding Communities’ Capacity to Provide Safe and Effective Sheltering and Interim Housing ACTION AREA 4 Expanding and Ensuring Equitable Access to Permanent Housing in Our Communities ACTION AREA 5 Preventing Californians from Experiencing the Crisis of Homelessness 7 Photo courtesy of The Danco Group Action Plan’s Objectives Timeframe for this Action Plan: Fiscal Year 20-21 through Fiscal The Action Plan identifies a total of fifteen (15) Objectives to be prioritized and pursued Year 22-23 across the five (5) Action Areas, as described below. For each Objective, the Action Plan This Action Plan identifies Objectives and further details: Activities that cover the State’s FY 20-21 through FY 22-23. It is not intended to be • Activities to be implemented to drive inclusive of every strategic activity or progress toward achievement of the investment that State agencies or the Council Objectives. will undertake, but instead seeks to focus on the highest-priority strategies and efforts that • The Lead Department or Departments will have the greatest impact. responsible for implementing each Activity. • The Collaborating Departments deeply The Action Plan includes efforts that have involved in implementing each Activity. been implemented or are underway in current FY 20-21 in order to document current • Timeframes for each Activity. activities, to recognize significant and • Performance Measurements that will be meaningful efforts under way, to align them used to assess progress and impact, within this Action Plan’s Objectives, and to inclusive of process measures, output incorporate those Activities into the measures, and, when possible, outcome accountability mechanisms and measures. measurement systems that the Council and HCFC staff will use to manage and monitor the implementation of this Action Plan. The Council will update this Action Plan ahead of FY 22-23 to make any modifications to the Plan’s Objectives and to identify more specific activities that will be implemented during FY 22-23. 8 ACTION AREA 1 ACTION AREA 2 Strengthening Our Systems to Better Prevent Equitably Addressing the Health, Safety, and and End Homelessness in California Services Needs of Californians Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness  Objective 1 Strengthen racial equity-focused responses,  Objective 7 strategies, and activities of State agencies and of Continue to support California communities to local agencies and organizations receiving State implement multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional funding for any homelessness services and housing outreach and protective measures addressing the activities. health and safety needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, throughout the COVID-  Objective 2 19 pandemic and beyond. Ensure that State and local planning and decision- making processes are deeply informed and  Objective 8 guided by recommendations from people with Improve access, and address racial inequities lived expertise from experiences of homelessness. within such access, to essential State-supported services appropriate for the needs of people  Objective 3 experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including Incentivize interjurisdictional and regional planning, through Medi-Cal and behavioral health care decision-making, and accountability, and support reforms. capacity for such coordination through “mapping” and local gaps analysis activities focused on needs, demographics and inequities, and service delivery capacities. ACTION AREA 3 Expanding Communities’ Capacity to Provide  Objective 4 Safe and Effective Sheltering and Interim Enhance partnerships between homelessness Housing services systems and services and systems which can support asset building and wealth building,  Objective 9 including improving access to educational Partner with communities to implement innovative opportunities and employment services and approaches and expand the supply of safe, employment for people experiencing and exiting housing-placement focused sheltering and interim homelessness. housing models for Californians experiencing homelessness.  Objective 5 Support California communities to develop disaster  Objective 10 preparedness plans that are more inclusive of the Expand alignment and engagement of State needs of people experiencing homelessness. resources, including Medi-Cal and behavioral health care resources, in efforts to address health  Objective 6 disparities and services needs among Californians Expand State communications efforts to create temporarily staying within sheltering and interim public awareness of the State’s homelessness housing options. strategies, successes, challenges, and the importance of Housing First approaches. 9 ACTION AREA 4 ACTION AREA 5 Expanding and Ensuring Equitable Access to Preventing Californians from Experiencing Permanent Housing in Our Communities the Crisis of Homelessness  Objective 11  Objective 14 Mobilize State resources, technical assistance, and Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit guidance to strengthen implementation of Housing and/or receive services from State-funded settings First approaches and other best practices in and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks support of equitably and urgently rehousing of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people from Project Roomkey sites, from other people re-entering communities from jails and temporary settings, and from unsheltered prisons, young adults connected to the child homelessness. welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs.  Objective 12 Foster the creation of an expanded supply of  Objective 15 affordable and supportive housing opportunities, Enhance communities’ capacity to provide paired with appropriate health and behavioral targeted homelessness prevention interventions health care resources, and accessible and and to successfully divert people from entering culturally responsive to people exiting shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness. homelessness, to people at lowest income levels, and to people from historically marginalized communities.  Objective 13 Improve access to short- and longer-term forms of rental assistance to encourage innovations, to support racially equitable and successful exits from homelessness, and to support housing development activities. 10 KEY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES Pursuing Racial Equity Creating Solutions for the Full Seeking and Valuing the and Justice Diversity of People Expertise of People with Lived Experiencing Homelessness Experiences of Homelessness The historic – and very current – causes of racial injustice and The Objectives and Activities Effective and efficient systems, inequities in housing and are designed to support programs, and strategic decisions homelessness, and the racially progress toward preventing for preventing and ending disparate impacts of housing and ending homelessness for homelessness are strengthened instability and homelessness, are all people and populations, when they are deeply informed clear, stark, and even deadly. but HCFC also recognizes that by and guided by people who HCFC and its member agencies strategies, activities, and have expertise that is grounded in are committed to deepening programs must be trauma- lived experiences of their knowledge and informed and tailored to homelessness. HCFC will understanding of these issues, address the specific needs of strengthen its partnerships with and to taking action through the people with different people with lived expertise implementation of this Action experiences and identities – through the formation of a new Plan, with a focus on racial including youth and young Lived Experience Advisory Board, justice and equity and the adults, families with children, who will deeply inform the formation of an interagency adults, older adults, women, implementation of Activities Working Group focused on racial people who identify as throughout this Action Plan, and equity in housing and LGBTQ+ or gender-non- will also encourage and support homelessness. conforming, Veterans, people communities to further center the with disabilities, survivors of voices of people with lived domestic and intimate experiences of homelessness partner violence, and other within their local planning, people. decision-making, and activities. Aligning State Activities with Balancing Crisis Response Shared Responsibility, Housing First Approaches and Permanent Housing Accountability, and Efficiency Solutions While awareness, understanding, Creating the scale of solutions and implementation of Housing While recognizing permanent needed to prevent and end First approaches have expanded housing is the only true homelessness will require focused, in recent years, a sustained focus solution to homelessness, the aligned, sustained, and efficient on Housing First within thousands of Californians long-term actions and communications, guidance, experiencing homelessness investments across Federal, State, technical assistance and right now are facing urgent and local government, and that training, and the implementation and dangerous crises every are supported by private partners. of State programs is needed. The single day. HCFC and its In the implementation of this implementation of every member agencies will Action Plan, HCFC will foster and element of this Action Plan will balance a focus on the rely upon increased coordination be based upon and help immediate crisis needs of and shared responsibility and advance a focus on people experiencing accountability across State strengthened Housing First homelessness, through departments and programs, and approaches, removing barriers to supportive and non-punitive will work in close coordination and fundamentally focused on approaches, with efforts to with local communities, in order to ensuring people have access to create the necessary create the solutions Californians permanent housing and the right permanent housing options at experiencing homelessness need level of services to support their the scale needed. and support the greatest impact success, as quickly as possible. of financial resources and programs. 11 FORMATION OF NEW WORKING GROUPS TO DRIVE ACTIONS AND PROGRESS The execution of this Action Plan will be supported through the formation of five (5) Working Groups charged with implementing specific Activities, and with developing plans for additional Activities. Each is aligned with priorities identified by stakeholders and partners during the development of this plan. Some of these Working Groups may be relatively time-limited, while others may be sustained for longer terms or on an ongoing basis. The efforts of the first Working Groups to be formed (Working Groups 1, 2, and 3) will span across all Action Areas. The others (Working Groups 4 and 5) will focus on driving further progress in efforts most connected to Action Areas 1 and 5, respectively. These Working Groups will actively involve external stakeholders and partners alongside State staff, either in advisory roles or as official members of the Working Groups. During the 4th Quarter of FY 20-21, HCFC staff will develop plans and processes for the formation of the first Working Groups and processes for recruiting and engaging external stakeholders with relevant areas of expertise, including people with expertise from lived experiences of homelessness. The information provided below identifies HCFC member departments who are expected to be represented on the Working Groups. Representatives will also be recruited from other relevant departments who are not currently on the Council. Each Working Group will be charged with addressing racial inequities and with tailoring solutions and strategies for different populations of people experiencing homelessness – such as youth and young adults, families with children, adults, older adults, women, people who identify as LGBTQ+ or gender-non-conforming, Veterans, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, people transitioning out of corrections settings, and other people. The Working Groups will develop priorities, implementation plans, and measures to guide their actions, and will assess the implementation and impacts of their efforts. Working Groups will regularly report back on their efforts and progress through the quarterly Council meetings. The following five (5) Working Groups will be formed during FY 21-22 and FY 22-23. State Youth & Racial Re-entry / Funding & Young Employment Equity Transitions Programs Adults Working Group 1 Working Group 2 Working Group 3 Working Group 4 Working Group 5 12 1. Maximizing Impact of State capacity to the Working Group, which will be comprised of State staff. Funding and Programs on Working Group Expected to Be Formed By Homelessness Working Group 1st Quarter of FY 21-22 State Funding and Programs Working Group Comprised of State staff only, but informed by 2. Racial Equity in Responses to external stakeholders, and charged with: Homelessness and Housing identifying opportunities for streamlining Instability Working Group deployment of State funding; improving access to funding and programs for Racial Equity Working Group organizations deeply engaged with historically marginalized communities, Including both State staff and external including Tribal communities; documenting stakeholders, and charged with: expanding and projecting the cumulative impact of the range of strategies and activities being State funding, programs, and initiatives on the implemented by State agencies; analyzing creation or provision of housing opportunities data and reporting across State programs to for people exiting homelessness; creating assess equity in access, housing interventions, clearer standards for the housing and services services, and outcomes for Black, Indigenous, interventions to be supported by State and people of color; refining procurement funding and programs; collecting and processes to ensure more equitable analyzing data on current state funding, distribution of funds and reach into historically programs, and initiatives and assessing and marginalized communities, including Tribal strengthening their equity impacts; providing communities; engaging with State agencies’ guidance regarding best uses of Federal, offices of equity and the Department of Fair State, and local funding and regarding Employment and Housing more fully; targeting and prioritization of people for providing guidance to support communities access to housing opportunities; exploring in not implementing inequitable policies and feasibility of joint procurements that align practices, including criminalization measures essential housing and services resources; and enforcement activities; and other assessing and addressing challenges that strategies and activities to address inequities smaller communities face in securing and in homelessness and housing instability implementing State funding; and identifying determined by the Working Group of State mechanisms for increasing access, and staff and external stakeholders. removing barriers to access, for people Participating Departments exiting homelessness to State-funded housing units and programs; and other priorities All HCFC Member Departments determined by the Working Group. External Stakeholders and Partners Participating Departments Stakeholders with expertise regarding HCFC, HCD, DSS, DHCS, CalOES, CDCR, CCC, addressing racial equity within efforts to Caltrans, and other Council departments with prevent and end homelessness and to relevant funding programs address housing instability will be recruited to serve on the Working Group, alongside State External Stakeholders and Partners staff. Stakeholders with expertise regarding Working Group Expected to Be Formed By financing homelessness and housing programs will be recruited to serve in advisory 2nd Quarter of FY 21-22 13 3. Tailoring Strategies for Preventing 4. Strengthening Employment and Ending Homelessness for Youth Opportunities and Outcomes for and Young Adults People with Experiences of Youth and Young Adults Working Group Homelessness Working Group Employment Working Group Including both State staff and external stakeholders, and charged with: Including both State staff and external complementing youth-focused efforts across stakeholders, and charged with: identifying the other Working Groups with a focus on: strong and promising practices, including assessing the impact of State homelessness services, training, and social enterprise and housing programs in creating models, and opportunities for more formal opportunities for youth and young adults; evaluation activities; supporting stronger identifying and removing barriers to access to focus on employment and income within State-funded programs for youth-serving homelessness response systems; exploring organizations; providing guidance regarding opportunities to better serve vulnerable and assessment processes, tools, and prioritization underserved populations under the policies that appropriately address safety and Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act other needs of youth and young adults regulations and programs; identifying appropriately; identifying strategies for strategies to address education and preventing homelessness among youth with employment goals of youth experiencing connections to child welfare, juvenile justice, homelessness; increasing focus on creating and other systems; developing strategies to employment opportunities through State address the COVID-19 impacts on homeless programs and funding; gathering information and at-risk youth and young adults; and other from local, state, and national partners that priorities determined by the Working Group of can support asset and wealth building; and State staff and external stakeholders. other priorities determined by the Working Participating Departments Group of State staff and external stakeholders. HCFC, CalOES, DSS, CCC, CDE, HCD, DHCS, CDCR Participating Departments External Stakeholders and Partners DSS, HCD, CalOES, CDCR, Caltrans, CCC, and other State departments with relevant Stakeholders with expertise regarding programs preventing and ending youth and young adult homelessness will be recruited to serve External Stakeholders and Partners on the Working Group, alongside State staff. Stakeholders with expertise regarding Working Group Expected to Be Formed By employment strategies for people experiencing homelessness and with barriers 3rd Quarter of FY 21-22 to employment will be recruited to serve on the Working Group, alongside State staff. Working Group Expected to Be Formed By 4th Quarter of FY 21-22 14 5. Preventing Homelessness Among People Transitioning Back into Communities from Corrections Settings Working Group Transitions/Re-Entry Working Group Including both State staff and external stakeholders, and charged with: strengthening efforts to prevent entries into homelessness for both youth and adults, including identifying opportunities to scale up successful approaches identified through the Returning Home Well initiative; addressing the housing navigation needs of people exiting corrections settings; creating clearer expectations for discharge planning to support exits to stable living arrangements; strengthening coordinated handoffs from corrections and juvenile justice settings to transition services; reducing barriers to housing for people on parole/probation; analyzing data drawn from HDIS and other state, federal, and local data sources to better define barriers, inclusive or urban, suburban, and rural areas of state; and other priorities determined by the Working Group of State staff and external stakeholders. Participating Departments HCFC, CDCR, DSS, DHCS External Stakeholders and Partners Stakeholders with expertise regarding effectively supporting people to transition out of corrections settings will be recruited to serve on the Working Group, alongside State staff. Working Group Expected to Be Formed By 1st Quarter of FY 22-23 15 HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA The most recent estimates are that, on any Homelessness in California reflects stark racial given night, more than 161,000 people are inequities and the impacts of systemic racism. experiencing homelessness in California, Predating our current crisis, the representing more than one-quarter of all disproportionate negative impacts of system people experiencing homelessness in the involvement in the criminal legal system, lack United States, and including: of quality and affordable health care, housing discrimination and the continued impacts of • Nearly 136,000 adult individuals redlining policies, and a host of other socially- • Nearly 26,000 people in families with determined factors have had catastrophic children impacts on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) in California. Black Californians • More than 12,000 unaccompanied youth make up about 7% of the state’s population • More than 11,000 Veterans yet represent nearly one-third (31%) of the • And nearly 49,000 chronically homeless more than 161,000 people experiencing individuals (people with disabilities with homelessness across the state. long-term and repeated patterns of homelessness) The persistence of these racial inequities has been perpetuated by public policies that Among California’s homeless population, have actively worked to the disadvantage of approximately 70% are unsheltered and 30% BIPOC communities and require thorough are sheltered. Unaccompanied youth have a analysis and urgent, innovative, and sustained higher rate of unsheltered homelessness than actions to address, reduce, and eventually other populations, with about 8 in 10 of the eliminate these disparities and achieve racial more than 12,000 homeless youth not having equity. Through this Action Plan, and through shelter on any given night across California. the formation of a new interagency, cross- These staggering figures predate the current sector Working Group described below, the global economic and public health disasters Council and staff at HCFC are committed to which will deepen the crises experienced centering a focus on racial equity and justice across the state. within data analyses, within training and technical assistance efforts, and within the implementation of State programs. 2020 Point-in-Time Counts Source: The 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 16 DEFINING AND MEASURING PROGRESS As detailed below, this first-ever Action Plan for The number of Californians experiencing HCFC includes a strong commitment to sheltered and unsheltered homelessness at a accountability and performance measures, point in time, including Veterans, people inclusive of Process Measures, Output experiencing chronic homelessness, families Measures, and, when possible, Outcome with children, adults, and unaccompanied Measures. youth. The number of Continuums of Care in Simultaneous to the development of this California reporting increases versus Action Plan, HCFC staff have been decreases in the number of people developing the State’s Homeless Data experiencing sheltered and unsheltered Integration System (HDIS) to securely collect, homelessness within annual Point-in-Time match, and de-duplicate records from local counts. Homeless Management Information Systems. HDIS will allow the State of California to access The number of people spending time in and compile standardized homelessness data emergency shelter and transitional housing in collected by individual Continuums of Care California annually, including Veterans, (CoCs) in order to make data-driven policy people experiencing chronic homelessness, decisions aimed at preventing and ending families with children, adults, and homelessness in California. Specifically, it will unaccompanied youth. increase the State’s ability to identify patterns The number of Californians experiencing of service usage across regions, specific sub- homelessness for the first time each year. populations, and support broader efforts to identify racial and other inequalities among The number of Californians successfully exiting people experiencing homelessness. homelessness each year. The number of Californians returning to HCFC will use data from HDIS, from the U.S. homelessness each year. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and from the California The number of children and youth Department of Education, to regularly experiencing homelessness at some point analyze, review, report upon, and publicly during the school year in California, including share key measures (see next column) students in families and unaccompanied regarding homelessness in California, in order students. to assess the impact of Federal, State, and local efforts; document and analyze racial Comparison of California’s performance inequities; and refine this Plan’s Objectives across these measures and data points to and Activities. national and regional trends. 17 DEVELOPMENT OF THIS ACTION PLAN Under the guidance and direction of the Council, and deeply informed by planning conversations with State staff and input discussions with external stakeholders, the development of this Action Plan has been led by HCFC staff and consultant Matthew Doherty, and the HCFC Council meetings have been used as critical milestones and decision points in its development. The planning process was initiated in July 2020, including surveying conversations with HCFC Council Members and the initiation of extensive external input conversations. A special Council meeting was held in September 2020, focused on discussion of the Plan’s Action Areas, in order to inform the development of the Plan’s Objectives and Activities. The Plan’s draft Objectives were adopted at the Council’s October 2020 meeting, and the Council’s December meeting focused on discussion of current and planned Activities across State agencies that are driving or will drive progress toward Plan Objectives, as well as potential priorities for additional State activities based on external stakeholder conversations and discussion with staff from State departments. A draft of the Action Plan was discussed at a special meeting of the Council in February 2021, and revisions based upon that discussion, and based upon follow-up meetings with department staff, were incorporated into a final draft of the Action Plan. The Action Plan was adopted by the Council at its March 2021 meeting. A list of organizations that have been represented within external stakeholder input conversations is included as Appendix Exhibit B, with regrets for any accidental omissions of organizations who participated in input discussions. 18 OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, TIMEFRAMES, AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES Driving progress on preventing and ending homelessness, and toward racial equity, requires multi-pronged, multi-year strategies across sectors and systems, supported by data analyses, performance measures, and metrics to assess, refine, and revise those strategies. The development and adoption of this Action Plan is a significant step forward for HCFC and for the State of California. This Plan represents a commitment to action-oriented coordination across State agencies and programs and to deeper collaboration with public and private partners in communities, in pursuit of a future in which homelessness in California is a rare experience, prevented whenever possible, and is a brief and one-time experience when it cannot be prevented. The tables on the following pages document this Action Plan’s Objectives, planned Activities, Timeframes, and Performance Measures that will be used to assess the implementation of the Activities. Further, the departments with lead responsibility for implementing the Activities, their collaborating HCFC member departments, and other State departments that might be engaged into the Activities are clearly identified. 19 Action Plan Action Area 1. Strengthening Our Systems to Better Prevent and End Homelessness in California Objectives, Action Area 2. Equitably Addressing the Health, Safety, and Services Needs of Californians Experiencing Activities, Unsheltered Homelessness Timeframes, & Action Area 3. Expanding Communities’ Capacity to Provide Safe and Effective Sheltering and Interim Housing Performance Action Area 4. Expanding and Ensuring Equitable Access Measures to Permanent Housing in Our Communities Action Area 5. Preventing Californians from Experiencing the Crisis of Homelessness 20  Objective 1 Strengthen racial equity-focused responses, strategies, and activities of State agencies and of local agencies and organizations receiving State funding for any homelessness services and housing activities.  Objective 2 Ensure that State and local planning and decision-making processes are deeply informed and guided by recommendations from people with lived expertise from experiences of homelessness. Action Area 1. Strengthening Our Systems to Better  Objective 3 Prevent and End Homelessness in California Incentivize interjurisdictional and regional planning, decision-making, and accountability, and support capacity for such coordination through “mapping” and local gaps analysis activities focused on needs, Activities focused on pursuing racial equity in demographics and inequities, and service delivery capacities. response to homelessness and housing instability; engagement and partnership with people with lived  Objective 4 expertise from experiences of homelessness; Enhance partnerships between homelessness services systems and services and systems which can support asset building and wealth supporting interjurisdictional and regional planning; building, including improving access to educational opportunities and partnerships to strengthen outcomes related to employment services and employment for people experiencing and education, employment, income, and assets; exiting homelessness. disaster preparedness and response; and communications and public awareness.  Objective 5 Support California communities to develop disaster preparedness plans that are more inclusive of the needs of people experiencing homelessness.  Objective 6 Expand State communications efforts to create public awareness of the State’s homelessness strategies, successes, challenges, and the importance of Housing First approaches. 21 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 1: Strengthen racial equity-focused responses, strategies, and activities of State agencies and of local agencies and organizations receiving State funding for any homelessness services and housing activities. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Provide and coordinate technical HCFC HCD, DSS, and TA initiated by Q4 of FY Process Measure: Initiation of TA in timely assistance focused on racial equity to will also 20-21 manner. support equitable access and outcomes engage with Output Measure: Number of communities SGC within State-funded programs, and to receiving formal TA. strengthen coordinated entry systems, Outcome Measures: Specific outcome prioritization policies, and targeting measures will be developed and tracked for strategies in order to address disparities in each TA engagement. access to services and resources. 2. Incorporate a focus on racial equity data, HCFC, via State HCD, DSS, Incorporated into Process Measure: Annual documentation of analysis, and planned activities within Funding and CalOES, DHCS, funding applications homelessness and housing funding programs applications for State homelessness and Programs CDCR beginning Q2 of FY 20- that have included focus on racial equity Working Group 21. data, analysis, and planned activities. housing-focused funding (HHAP, ESG-CV, others), and analyze the data and Analysis of initial data Process Measure: Timely analysis of data and information gathered in response. and information by Q1 information gathered, provided to relevant of FY 21-22. Working Groups to inform planned strategies and activities. Outcome Measure: Increase the number of State programs that are including a focus on racial equity data and strategies. 22 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 1: Strengthen racial equity-focused responses, strategies, and activities of State agencies and of local agencies and organizations receiving State funding for any homelessness services and housing activities. 3. Provide guidance and education HCD DFEH, CalHFA Revised technical Output Measure: 47 Housing Elements to be regarding requirements of AB 686: guide to be issued by reviewed during FY 20-21, 217 during FY 21-22, Housing discrimination: affirmatively Q4 of FY 20-21 and 128 during FY 22-23. further fair housing, and perform reviews Output Measure: 80% of jurisdictions of local governments’ Housing Elements contacted and provided with technical with a focus on addressing racial guide. inequities and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing. 4. Provide technical assistance and training HCD, DSS All HCFC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of updated opportunities, and adapt program Member FYs 20-21, 21-22, and program guidelines and NOFAs to reflect guidelines and guidance, to enhance Departments 22-23. tribal access. Tribal Organizations’ access to State Adapt program Output Measures: Number of tribal homelessness and housing programs and guidelines and engagement and outreach efforts, and resources. guidance in alignment number of Tribal applications for funding. with funding processes Outcome Measure: Number of Tribes through FY 21-22. receiving awards of State homelessness and housing program funding. 5. Utilize the newly developed Homeless HCFC All HCFC Public Dashboard to be Process Measure: Timely implementation of Data Integration System to support both Member launched by Q3 of FY HDIS, performance of analyses, and creation Statewide and local analyses of data, Departments 20-21. of dashboard. focused on documenting and Utilization of data Process Measure: Documentation of how understanding racial inequities in ongoing throughout FYs data regarding racial inequities are being experiences of homelessness and 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23. used to inform State planning and activities. provision of services, including the creation of a public dashboard documenting analyses. 23 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 1: Strengthen racial equity-focused responses, strategies, and activities of State agencies and of local agencies and organizations receiving State funding for any homelessness services and housing activities. 6. Expand efforts to ensure that HCD CDLAC, TCAC Review of recently Process Measure: Timely completion of developments funded through the adopted regulation guidelines. Multifamily Housing Program and other changes at both CDLAC and TCAC for State funding sources are also being opportunities to align developed in high-resource communities. Multifamily Housing Program guidelines and leverage valuable State resources completed by Q3 of FY- 20-21. Draft guidelines to be issued in Q4 of FY 20-21. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 7. Provide relevant training and skill- HCFC All HCFC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of training building opportunities, such as Member FYs 20-21, 21-22, and activities across HCFC member agencies and California’s Capitol Collaborative on Departments 22-23 departments. and will also Race and Equity training, to State agency Outcome Measures: Determine if outcomes engage with staff to enable staff to provide more measuring the impact of training SGC expert advice and guidance to partners opportunities can be documented. and communities. 24 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 2: Ensure that State and local planning and decision-making processes are deeply informed and guided by recommendations from people with lived expertise from experiences of homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement a Lived Experience Advisory HCFC All HCFC Board meets by Q1 of Process Measure: Implementation of Board in Board to inform the considerations and Member FY 21-22 timely manner and number of meetings held. decisions of the Homeless Coordinating Departments and Financing Council and member departments. 2. Proactively engage local boards and HCFC N/A Input discussions held Process Measure: Documentation of input committees of people with lived during Q2 and Q3 of FY sessions held. experience and expertise to provide 20-21 input on the development of the HCFC Action Plan. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 3. Provide guidance to local grantees HCFC, via State DSS, HCD, Report back to Council Process Measure: Timely convening of regarding the eligible uses of State funds Funding and CalOES, DHCS, by Q2 of FY 21-22 Working Group with focus on this Activity. for costs associated with engaging Programs others TBD Process Measure: Documentation of Working Group people with lived experience and guidance and trainings/support provided to expertise into planning and decision- local grantees. making processes, and also encourage local grantees to hire people with lived expertise into regular staff positions. 25 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 2: Ensure that State and local planning and decision-making processes are deeply informed and guided by recommendations from people with lived expertise from experiences of homelessness. 4. Incorporate questions regarding the HCFC, via State DSS, HCD, Incorporated into Output Measure: Annual documentation of involvement of people with lived Funding and CalOES, DHCS, funding applications homelessness and housing funding programs experience and expertise into local Programs others TBD beginning Q2 of FY 20- that have included focus on involvement of Working Group 21. people with lived experience and expertise planning and decision-making processes into local planning and decision-making within applications for State homelessness Analysis of initial data processes. and housing-focused funding (e.g., HHAP, and information by Q1 ESG-CV, HSP) and analyze the of FY 21-22. Process Measure: Timely analysis of data and information gathered in response. information gathered in response and provided to relevant Working Groups to inform strategies and activities. 5. Identify and profile strong local HCFC HCD, DSS, Disseminate guidance Process measure: Timely implementation of examples, provide guidance to local CalOES, DHCS on a rolling basis, Lived Experience Advisory Board to support organizations on: how to establish and commencing Q2 of FY development of this guidance. 21-22 manage effective processes; how to Process Measure: Timely dissemination of support knowledge and skill information gathered. development of people participating in such processes; and effective surveying and input processes that complement formal structures. 26 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 3: Incentivize interjurisdictional and regional planning, decision-making, and accountability, and support capacity for such coordination through “mapping” and local gaps analysis activities focused on needs, demographics and inequities, and service delivery capacities. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Support and strengthen expectation of HCFC, via State HCD, DSS, HCFC review HHAP Process Measure: Timely convening and joint CoC-county-city planning and Funding and DHCS, Caltrans, Round 2 applications to reporting of Working Group with focus on this coordination in awards and Programs others TBD ensure meaningful Activity. Working Group coordination, by Q4 of implementation of State homelessness Process Measure: Documentation of FY 20-21. funding. guidance and support provided to local Funding and Programs communities. Working Group to report back on efforts to Council by Q2 FY 21- 22. 2. Provide technical assistance and HCFC DSS, HCD HCFC TA to commence Process Measure: Initiation of TA in timely guidance to grantees and partners in Q1 of FY 21-22 manner. support of regional planning and Output Measure: Number of communities strengthening of regional approaches to receiving TA. preventing and ending homelessness. Outcome Measures: Specific outcome measures will be developed and tracked for each TA engagement. 3. Utilize the Homeless Data Integration HCFC DSS, HCD Public Dashboard to be Process Measure: Timely implementation of System to conduct analysis to support launched by Q3 of FY HDIS, performance of analyses, and creation regional and cross-jurisdictional analyses, 20-21. of dashboard. planning discussions, and decision- Utilization of data Output Measure: Number of regions making. ongoing throughout FYs supported through provision of HDIS analyses. 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23. 27 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 3: Incentivize interjurisdictional and regional planning, decision-making, and accountability, and support capacity for such coordination through “mapping” and local gaps analysis activities focused on needs, demographics and inequities, and service delivery capacities. 4. Leverage HCD's role in reviewing and HCD HCFC, DSS, Review of Housing Output Measure: 47 Housing Elements to be regulating Housing Elements, with HCFC's CalVet, DHCS, Elements ongoing reviewed during FY 20-21, 217 during FY 21-22, interagency scope, to deliver a new level CDCR, CalOES throughout FYs 20-20- and 128 during FY 22-23. 21, 21-22, and 22-23. of technical assistance on homelessness Process Measure: Timely development and to cities and counties, and, in Interagency guide to issuance of interagency guide. collaboration with other State be developed during departments, develop an interagency Q2 of FY 21-22. guide on actions city governments can take to address homelessness. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 5. Provide grants resources that support HCD Ongoing throughout Output Measure: Number of grants awarded local and regional planning and FYs 20-21, 21-22, and by end of FY 22-23, with target of initiatives through SB 2 Planning Grants, 22-23 approximately 1,027 grants. Local Early Action Planning Grants, and Regional Early Action Planning Grants. 6. Collaborate with the U.S. Department of CalVet HCFC To commence Outcome Measure: Tracking various veteran Veterans Affairs to strengthen the planning in Q1 of FY 21- homelessness recovery and recidivism metrics. cohesion among California’s Veterans 22 Process Measure: Develop regional processes Affairs Healthcare Systems’ homeless and procedures for locating all veterans programs and State and local experiencing homelessness and connecting homelessness systems. them to safe housing and wealth building opportunities. 28 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 4: Enhance partnerships between homelessness services systems and services and systems which can support asset building and wealth building, including improving access to educational opportunities and employment services and employment for people experiencing and exiting homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Strengthen the tracking and reporting of HCFC, via HCFC, DSS, Employment Working Process Measure: Timely convening and employment outcomes across State- Employment HCD, Caltrans Group to report back reporting of Working Group with focus on this funded homelessness and housing Working Group to Council by Q2 of FY Activity. 22-23 programs. Outcome Measure: To be determined by Working Group. 2. Provide technical assistance to enhance CDE Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documenting TA offering capacity of local educational agencies FYs 20-21, 21-22, and provided. (LEAs) to provide services and supports 22-23 Output Measure: Number of LEAs for students experiencing homelessness participating in TA opportunities. and housing instability to foster Outcome Measure: Increased number of LEAs educational achievement and receiving TA. progression. 3. Assess the impact of employment Caltrans HCFC, CalVet, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Document processes opportunities provided through Caltrans’ and in FYs 20-21, 21-22, and implemented to recruit and hire people Service Assistance Maintenance positions coordination 22-23 experiencing homelessness into positions. with CalHR on hiring of people experiencing Output Measure: Number of people homelessness and access to promotional experiencing homelessness hired into opportunities and career ladders. positions. 29 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 4: Enhance partnerships between homelessness services systems and services and systems which can support asset building and wealth building, including improving access to educational opportunities and employment services and employment for people experiencing and exiting homelessness. 4. Collaborate with local educational CDE HCFC Materials and webinars Process Measure: Documentation of materials agencies (LEAs), state level educational developed and developed and webinars implemented. partners, youth organizations and across implemented throughout FY 20-21 divisions within the CDE to identify needs and may extend into FY of students experiencing homelessness 21-22 depending upon related to distance learning and develop needs strategies, resources, and tools to address those needs. 5. Communicate and disseminate guidance CDE HCFC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of to county offices of education (COEs), FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance materials created/provided. local educational agencies (LEAs), and 22-23 partnering agencies to strengthen support for students experiencing homelessness. 6. Implement and evaluate the Homeless CCC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of data and Housing Insecurity Pilot (HHIP) FYs 20-21, 21-22, and collection regarding student homelessness Program, which provides housing services 22-23. and housing insecurity. and support to homeless and housing Colleges submit HHIP Process Measure: Submission of an annual insecure students. reports to Chancellor’s legislative report about the HHIP Program, Office at least annually. including scalability recommendations. Output Measure: Number of homeless or housing insecure students that received services and supports. Outcome Measures: Decrease barriers to academic success. 30 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 4: Enhance partnerships between homelessness services systems and services and systems which can support asset building and wealth building, including improving access to educational opportunities and employment services and employment for people experiencing and exiting homelessness. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 7. Implement the Returning Home Well CDCR DSS, and in Ongoing throughout Outcome Measures: Being developed and initiative in partnership with philanthropic coordination FYs 20-21 and 21-22, reported upon in partnership with MDRC. organizations, addressing the with CWDB and and activities expected DOR to be sustained into employment needs of people future FYs transitioning from corrections settings, including through the provision of stipends to support people’s participation in employment services and through the leveraging of local workforce services and partnerships. 8. Monitor local educational agencies’ CDE HCFC Implemented on an Process Measure: Monitoring of all LEAs via (LEAs’) implementation of the McKinney– annual basis FYs 20-21, Consolidated Application and Reporting Vento Homeless Assistance Act. 21-22, and 22-23 System and documentation of other monitoring processes with prioritized LEAs. Process Measure: Review and analysis of high school graduation rates. 9. Participate in California Higher Education CCC HCFC Ongoing in alignment Process Measure: Documentation of Basic Needs Alliance intersegmental with the legislative engagement with stakeholders to review workgroup with CSU and UC systems to cycle regulations, policies, and practices. advance basic needs security including Output Measure: Guidance to basic needs addressing homelessness and housing programs in higher education including insecurity for students to increase their professional development; and success. recommendations for regulation, policy, and procedural change. 31 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 5: Support California communities to develop disaster preparedness plans that are more inclusive of the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Produce and disseminate the Listos CalOES BCSH, HCFC, Released in Q2 of FY Process Measure: Documentation of California Disaster Guide for People DSS 20-21 dissemination strategies. Experiencing Homelessness. 2. Assess and document strong local- and HCFC HCD, DSS, Planning work initiated Process Measure: Document any guidance state-level examples of disaster CalOES, by Q2 of FY 21-22 provided to date by end of Q4 of FY 21-22 preparedness and responses to recent Caltrans and by end of FY 22-23. emergencies, in order to develop stronger guidance and expectations regarding services and supports for people experiencing homelessness in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. 3. Identify opportunities to further embed a HCFC HCD, DSS, Planning work initiated Process Measure: Document any changes in focus on people experiencing CalOES by Q2 of FY 21-22 plans and/or implementation by end of Q4 of homelessness into emergency and FY 21-22 and by end of FY 22-23. disaster response efforts. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 4. Explore models and feasibility of HCD HCFC, CalOES, Recommendations Process Measure: Timely implementation of providing enhanced case management DSS prepared by Q1 of FY collaborative processes with other State services of longer duration focused on 22-23 departments and timely development of recommendations. post-disaster housing needs (i.e., "Regional Centers" model.) 32 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 5: Support California communities to develop disaster preparedness plans that are more inclusive of the needs of people experiencing homelessness. 5. Incorporate focus on eligibility of people HCFC HCD, DSS, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Document any efforts and experiencing homelessness for FEMA- CalOES FYs 20-21, 21-22, and outcomes by end of Q4 of FY 21-22 and by funded assistance into federal advocacy 22-23 end of FY 22-23. efforts. 33 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 6: Expand State communications efforts to create public awareness of the State’s homelessness strategies, successes, challenges, and the importance of Housing First approaches. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Continue implementation of the Housing BCSH HCFC, HCD, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of is Key campaign, providing materials and DFEH FYs 20-21, 21-22, and homelessness-focused messaging and efforts resources to help Californians stay in their 22-23 implemented through the Housing is Key campaign. homes, understand their housing options during COVID-19 and beyond, and to educate the public regarding the causes of homelessness, effective solutions, and State strategies and programs. 2. Provide homelessness-focused HCFC All HCFC Ongoing throughout Output Measure: Annual compilation of communications to local partners, Member FYs 20-21, 21-22, and communications activities implementation including webinars, videos, tools, Departments 22-23 focused on these topics. guidance, and other resources and materials, focused on Housing First implementation, strategic use of funding sources, and effective programs and practices. 3. Prepare public-facing materials and HCFC HCD, DSS Utilize ongoing reports Output Measure: Annual compilation of articles based upon data and information and dashboards as public-facing materials developed focused drawn from the Homeless Data source throughout FYs on these topics. 20-21, 21-22, and 22-23 Integration System warehouse, to educate the public on challenges, activities, and implementation of programs and resources. 34 ACTION AREA 1 STRENGTHENING OUR SYSTEMS TO BETTER PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN CALIFORNIA OBJECTIVE 6: Expand State communications efforts to create public awareness of the State’s homelessness strategies, successes, challenges, and the importance of Housing First approaches. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 4. Proactively analyze and develop HCFC HCD, DSS, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Development of materials educational materials that interpret and DHCS FYs 20-21, 21-22, and and dissemination plan; incorporate communicate key findings of national 22-23 information into analysis and guidance. reports focused on homelessness and Output Measure: Annual compilation of featuring California data, such as HUD’s educational materials developed focused on Point-in-Time count data and reporting. these topics. 35           Action Area 2. Equitably Addressing the Health,  Objective 7 Continue to support California communities to implement multi-agency, Safety, and Services Needs of Californians multi-jurisdictional outreach and protective measures addressing the Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness health and safety needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Activities focused on addressing health and safety needs and increasing access to State-supported  Objective 8 Improve access, and address racial inequities within such access, to services and programs for people who are essential State-supported services appropriate for the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including through Medi-Cal and behavioral health care reforms. 36 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 7: Continue to support California communities to implement multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional outreach and protective measures addressing the health and safety needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Create, disseminate, and support HCFC Caltrans Ongoing, beginning in Process Measure: Documentation of implementation of clear and effective Q1 of FY 21-22 and guidance materials, training activities. policies and procedures for addressing continuing through FYs 21-22 and 22-23 the needs of people currently staying in encampments, including on State-owned land. 2. Continue to support COVID-19 focused DHCS Adaptations were Process Measure: COVID-19 Alternative adaptations to Whole Person Care retroactively approved Budget option for pilots to divert funds to WPC programs and services to better address starting January 1, 2020 COVID-19 activities, including housing service expansions. the needs of unsheltered people during the pandemic and beyond. Output Measure: Expand outreach and engagement, housing navigation, and shelter-in-place services to homeless and COVID-19 target population. Report number of individuals in the COVID-19 target population and utilization of COVID-19 related services (includes housing services). 37 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 7: Continue to support California communities to implement multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional outreach and protective measures addressing the health and safety needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. 3. Create, disseminate, and support HCFC DSS, HCD, and Ongoing, beginning in Process Measure: Documentation of implementation of resources related to also engaging Q3 of FY 20-21 guidance materials, training activities. vaccination efforts for people with CDPH experiencing unsheltered homelessness and outreach staff, including promoting eligible uses of State funding for such efforts. 4. Promote strong practices for identifying HCFC, via HCFC, CalOES, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Timely convening and and engaging unsheltered young people Youth and DSS, HCD, FYs 20-21, 21-22, and reporting of Working Group with focus on this into available services and supports. Young Adults CCC, CDE 22-23. Activity. Working Group Youth and Young Adults Working Group to report back to Council by end of Q4 of FY 21-22. 5. Work with community partners to HCFC, via HCFC, CalOES, Youth and Young Process Measure: Timely convening and document and assess the unique risks Youth and DSS, HCD, Adults Working Group reporting of Working Group with focus on this and vulnerabilities of unsheltered young Young Adults CCC, CDE to report back to Activity. Working Group Council by end of Q4 adults and provide guidance on of FY 21-22 implications for assessments and coordinated entry systems. 38 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 7: Continue to support California communities to implement multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional outreach and protective measures addressing the health and safety needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 6. Provide guidance and support for the HCFC HCD, DSS, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of utilization of State funding to effectively DHCS FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance materials, training activities. address the health and safety needs of 22-23 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including guidance regarding State funds that can be used for basic needs and protective measures, e.g., showers, hygiene supplies, and sanitation services. 7. Promote the eligible uses of State funding HCFC HCD, DSS, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of for employing specialized peer positions DHCS FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance materials, training activities. to better reach and engage people 22-23 experiencing unsheltered homelessness into available services and supports. 39 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 8: Improve access, and address racial inequities within such access, to essential State-supported services appropriate for the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including through Medi-Cal and behavioral health care reforms. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Utilize new Homeless Data Integration HCFC To be To commence Process Measure: Initiation of planning System to begin Phase 2 of the system, determined planning in Q1 of FY 21- process in a timely manner. featuring data-matching to other during 22 planning phase statewide data systems, with the intent to analyze the participation and access to benefits and services of people who are unsheltered within key State programs. 2. Implement CalAIM proposals seeking to DHCS Implementation of ECM Process Measure: DHCS receives Federal extend statewide the service options begins on January 1, approval to provide ECM and ILOS services available under Whole Person Care and 2022 in counties statewide for all target populations. currently providing Health Homes Program through the Process Measure: Medi-Cal Managed care WPC and HHP. Enhanced Care Management program health plans submission, and DHCS approval, and In Lieu of Services, including ECM will be available in of ECM and ILOS Model of Care and incentive funding, to better address the all counties, and for all additional submitted deliverables for health and behavioral health care needs ECM target populations implementation. by January 1, 2023. of people who are unsheltered. Process Measure: Staged implementation Implementation of ILOS timeline for ECM. ILOS goes live January 1, begins on January 1, 2022 in all counties. Medi-Cal Managed Care 2022. Plan (MCPs) may add new ILOS every 6 months. 40 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 8: Improve access, and address racial inequities within such access, to essential State-supported services appropriate for the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including through Medi-Cal and behavioral health care reforms. Outcome Measures: MCPs transitioning successfully from WPC/HHP January 1, 2022. Statewide implementation of ECM in all counties by July 1, 2022. ECM available for all target populations by January 1, 2023. Document integration of ILOS (type, scope, provider types) and measures to track members’ progression. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 3. Continued operation of Whole Person DHCS HHP and WPC pilots Process Measure: Amend DHCS WPC pilot Care pilots and Health Homes Program continue to serve Medi- contracts to extend another year to allow care coordination and housing services Cal members through continuation of WPC housing activities. December 2021. in 2021 to continue to strengthen access Output Measure: Continuation of tracking to health and behavioral health services In January 2022, Medi- enrollment and utilization of WPC for people who are unsheltered. Cal members in WPC homeless/at-risk of homelessness and HHP will transition beneficiaries. to Enhanced Care Outcome Measures: 1) Percentage of Management and In homeless individuals who are permanently Lieu of Services. housed longer than six (6) consecutive months’ experience of permanently housed. 2) Percentage of homeless who received housing services after being referred for housing services. 3) Percentage of homeless who received supportive housing after being referred for supportive housing. 41 ACTION AREA 2 EQUITABLY ADDRESSING THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND SERVICES NEEDS OF CALIFORNIANS EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 8: Improve access, and address racial inequities within such access, to essential State-supported services appropriate for the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness, including through Medi-Cal and behavioral health care reforms. Process Measure: DHCS continues monitoring access to HHP housing support services for HHP members who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Process Measure: HHP and WPC continue to enroll Medi-Cal members and provide care coordination and housing support services through 2021. 4. Continue operation and enrollment of DHCS CalVet Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Finalize county data Community Services and Supports FYs 20-21, 21-22, and submission standards related to housing status program housing services through 22-23 – June 2021. county-level plans through Mental Health Output Measure: Review and analyze county Services Act resources. Full Service Partnership (FSP) data to determine the number of individuals enrolled in an FSP that are housed. 42           Action Area 3. Expanding Communities’ Capacity to  Objective 9 Partner with communities to implement innovative approaches and Provide Safe and Effective Sheltering and Interim expand the supply of safe, housing-placement focused sheltering and Housing interim housing models for Californians experiencing homelessness. Activities focused on expanding the supply of safe,  Objective 10 housing-placement focused sheltering and interim Expand alignment and engagement of State resources, including Medi- Cal and behavioral health care resources, in efforts to address health housing models and addressing health and services disparities and services needs among Californians temporarily staying needs of people staying within such programs. within sheltering and interim housing options. 43 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 9: Partner with communities to implement innovative approaches and expand the supply of safe, housing- placement focused sheltering and interim housing models for Californians experiencing homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Rapidly mobilize Homekey resources to HCD HCFC Acquisitions using initial Outcome Measure: Expand capacity of local support acquisition of sites by local funding completed by communities to end homelessness through the partners, including sites planned for use Q2 of FY 20-21. creation of 1,300 additional interim housing beds. as interim housing on a temporary or Other timeframes TBD ongoing basis. by Department. 2. Implement a wide array of State and HCD, HCFC, Caltrans Ongoing throughout Process Measure: State Funding and Federal funding that support the provision DSS, CalOES, FYs 20-21, 21-22, and Programs Working Group to determine timing of safe, effective housing-placement CalVet, 22-23. for development of targets. depending on focused sheltering and interim housing Timing determined for Outcome Measures: In future, measure funding source models for people experiencing each funding program. performance against targets. homelessness, with identification of clear State Funding and goals and targets for the number of Programs Working shelter or interim housing opportunities to Group to determine be supported through each program. timing for development of targets. 3. Provide guidance and supports to sustain DSS HCFC, DHCS, Implemented Q3 of FY Outcome Measure: Individuals served and and strengthen the implementation of CDPH 19-20. occupancy data. Project Roomkey non-congregate Ongoing throughout FY sheltering sites to address the health and 20-21. safety needs of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, and identify and share lessons learned. 44 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 9: Partner with communities to implement innovative approaches and expand the supply of safe, housing- placement focused sheltering and interim housing models for Californians experiencing homelessness. 4. Provide and promote guidance and HCD HCFC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of technical assistance regarding FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance and technical assistance activities. modifications of land use, zoning, and 22-23 Outcome Measure: Approximately 68% of other requirements for emergency jurisdictions with commitments to amend shelters, navigation centers, and interim zoning for emergency shelter parking housing programs. requirements, low barrier navigation centers, and by right permanent supportive housing. 5. Implement the Returning Home Well CDCR DSS Ongoing throughout Outcome Measure: Increased community initiative, in partnership with philanthropic FYs 20-21 and 21-22, capacity to provide treatment and interim organizations and local partners, to and activities expected housing options to target population. to be sustained into expand residential treatment and interim future FYs housing options, including recovery housing models and quarantine options during the pandemic, for people transitioning from corrections settings. 6. Provide technical assistance and HCFC All HCFC Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of guidance that will support the continued Member FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance materials, training activities, and application of Housing First practices, Departments 22-23 initiation of TA in timely manner. including lowered barriers and housing- Output Measure: Number of communities focused services and supports, within receiving formal TA. sheltering and interim housing programs. Outcome Measures: Specific outcome measures will be developed and tracked for each formal TA engagement. 45 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 9: Partner with communities to implement innovative approaches and expand the supply of safe, housing- placement focused sheltering and interim housing models for Californians experiencing homelessness. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 7. Coordinate with local partners and HCFC HCD, DSS Initiate work in this area Process Measure: Timely engagement with national organizations to identify effective by Q1 of FY 21-22 national and local partners. practices for providing safe and effective Output Measure: Annual compilation of any sheltering and interim housing options, related materials developed or promoted and promote such practices within the focused on these topics. implementation of State and Federal resources. 8. Provide guidance and coordination for CalVet Initiate work in this area Output Measure: Mapping statewide network VA Grant and Per Diem grantees to by Q1 of FY 21-22 of intervention options for veterans create synergy among veteran experiencing homelessness. transitional housing and permanent supportive or affordable housing. 46 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 10: Expand alignment and engagement of State resources, including Medi-Cal and behavioral health care resources, in efforts to address health disparities and services needs among Californians temporarily staying within sheltering and interim housing options. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Utilize the Homeless Data Integration HCFC To be Utilization of data Process Measure: Timely implementation of System to perform data-matching determined ongoing throughout FYs HDIS and performance of analyses. analyses to document and assess the and updated 21-22, and 22-23 Output Measure: Documentation of any during participation and access to benefits and resulting reports or documents. planning phase services of people staying in shelter and interim housing sites within key State programs. 2. Continued operation and enrollment of DHCS HHP and WPC pilots Process Measure: Amend DHCS WPC pilot Whole Person Care pilots and Health continue to serve Medi- contracts to extend another year to allow Homes Program in 2021 to continue to Cal members through continuation of WPC housing activities. December 2021. strengthen access to health and Output Measure: Continuation of tracking behavioral health services for people In January 2022, Medi- enrollment and utilization of WPC who are staying in shelter and interim Cal members in WPC homeless/at-risk of homelessness housing sites. Enrolled Health Home and and HHP will transition beneficiaries. Whole Person Care members will be to ECM and ILOS. Outcome Measures: 1) Percentage of transitioned to Enhanced Care homeless individuals who are permanently Management and In Lieu of Services care housed longer than six (6) consecutive coordination and housing services, months’ experience of permanently housed. including incentive funding, in 2022. 2) Percentage of homeless who received housing services after being referred for housing services. 3) Percentage of homeless who received supportive housing after being referred for supportive housing. 47 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 10: Expand alignment and engagement of State resources, including Medi-Cal and behavioral health care resources, in efforts to address health disparities and services needs among Californians temporarily staying within sheltering and interim housing options. Process Measure: DHCS continues monitoring access to HHP housing support services for HHP members who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Process Measure: HHP and WPC continue to enroll Medi-Cal members and provide care coordination and housing support services through 2021. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 3. Develop and advance CalAIM proposals DHCS Implementation of ECM Process Measure: DHCS receives Federal seeking to extend statewide the service begins on January 1, approval to provide ECM and ILOS services options available under Whole Person 2022, in counties statewide for all target populations. currently providing Care and Health Homes Program through Process Measure: Medi-Cal Managed Care WPC and HHP. the Enhanced Care Management health plans submission, and DHCS approval, program and In Lieu of Services care ECM will be available in of ECM and ILOS Model of Care and coordination and housing services, all counties, and for all additional submitted deliverables for including incentive funding, to better ECM target populations implementation. by January 1, 2023. address the health care needs of people Process Measure: Staged implementation who are staying in shelter and interim Implementation of ILOS timeline for ECM. ILOS goes live January 1, housing sites. begins on January 1, 2022, in all counties. Medi-Cal Managed Care 2022. Plan (MCPs) may add new ILOS every 6 months. 48 ACTION AREA 3 EXPANDING COMMUNITIES’ CAPACITY TO PROVIDE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE SHELTERING AND INTERIM HOUSING OBJECTIVE 10: Expand alignment and engagement of State resources, including Medi-Cal and behavioral health care resources, in efforts to address health disparities and services needs among Californians temporarily staying within sheltering and interim housing options. Outcome Measures: MCPs transitioning successfully from WPC/HHP January 1, 2022. Statewide implementation of ECM in all counties by July 1, 2022. ECM available for all target populations by January 1, 2023. Document integration of ILOS and measures to track members’ progression. 49           Action Area 4. Expanding and Ensuring Equitable  Objective 11 Mobilize State resources, technical assistance, and guidance to Access to Permanent Housing in Our Communities strengthen implementation of Housing First approaches and other best practices in support of equitably and urgently rehousing people from Activities focused on strengthening Housing First Project Roomkey sites, from other temporary settings, and from approaches and expanding permanent housing unsheltered homelessness. opportunities through development strategies, short-  Objective 12 and long-term rental assistance, and other rehousing Foster the creation of an expanded supply of affordable and supportive activities. housing opportunities, paired with appropriate health and behavioral health care resources, and accessible and culturally responsive to people exiting homelessness, to people at lowest income levels, and to people from historically marginalized communities.  Objective 13 Improve access to short- and longer-term forms of rental assistance to encourage innovations, to support racially equitable and successful exits from homelessness, and to support housing development activities. 50 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 11: Mobilize State resources, technical assistance, and guidance to strengthen implementation of Housing First approaches and other best practices in support of equitably and urgently rehousing people from Project Roomkey sites, from other temporary settings, and from unsheltered homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement Project Roomkey and DSS HCFC, HCD TA launched Q3 of FY Process Measure: Documentation of TA efforts Rehousing Strategy funding and technical 20-21 related to rehousing out of Project Roomkey. assistance to support the rehousing of people staying within Project Roomkey sites into permanent housing opportunities. 2. Implement a wide array of State and HCFC, DSS, Caltrans, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: State Funding and Federal funding programs that support HCD, CalOES, CalVet FYs 20-21, 21-22, and Programs Working Group to determine timing the rehousing of people experiencing CDE, 22-23. for development of targets. depending on homelessness into a diverse range of Timing determined for Outcome Measures: In future, measure funding source housing models, including models each funding program. performance against targets. appropriate for youth and young adults, State Funding and with identification of clear rehousing Programs Working goals and targets for the implementation Group to determine of each program. timing for development of targets. 51 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 11: Mobilize State resources, technical assistance, and guidance to strengthen implementation of Housing First approaches and other best practices in support of equitably and urgently rehousing people from Project Roomkey sites, from other temporary settings, and from unsheltered homelessness. 3. Develop and advance CalAIM proposals DHCS TBD Implementation of ECM Process Measure: DHCS receives Federal seeking to expand CalAIM’s ability to begins on January 1, approval to provide ECM and ILOS services support housing-related services through 2022, in counties statewide for all target populations. currently providing the Enhanced Care Management Process Measure: Medi-Cal Managed care Whole Person Care and program and In Lieu of Services care health plans submission, and DHCS approval, Health Homes Program. management and housing services, of ECM and ILOS Model of Care and including incentive funding, to assist ECM will be available in additional submitted deliverables for people to access and stabilize in housing. all counties, and for all implementation. ECM target populations Process Measure: Staged implementation by January 1, 2023. timeline for ECM. ILOS goes live January 1, Implementation of ILOS 2022, in all counties. Medi-Cal Managed Care begins on January 1, Plan (MCPs) may add new ILOS every 6 2022. months. Outcome Measures: MCPs transitioning successfully from WPC/HHP January 1, 2022. Statewide implementation of ECM in all counties by July 1, 2022. ECM available for all target populations by January 1, 2023. Document integration of ILOS (type, scope, provider types) and measures to track members’ progression. 4. Provide technical assistance, guidance, HCFC DSS, HCD Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of and training opportunities to strengthen FYs 20-21, 21-22, and guidance materials, training activities. the implementation of Housing First 22-23 Output Measure: Number of communities practices and the achievement of receiving formal technical assistance. rehousing outcomes in the Outcome Measures: Specific outcome implementation of State and Federal measures will be developed and tracked for resources. each formal TA engagement. 52 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 11: Mobilize State resources, technical assistance, and guidance to strengthen implementation of Housing First approaches and other best practices in support of equitably and urgently rehousing people from Project Roomkey sites, from other temporary settings, and from unsheltered homelessness. 5. Assess and revise the current Housing First HCFC All HCFC One round completed Process Measure: Documentation of Housing Checklist for State agencies, confirm Member prior to FY 20-21. First checklist and supporting documents alignment with Housing First requirements Departments provided to HCFC member agencies and Next round to departments. of relevant State programs, and provide commence by Q3 of FY guidance, training, and support to State 21-22. Outcome Measure: Document State departments who need to modify departments/programs improving alignment programs and policies to achieve with Housing First expectations. alignment. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 6. Enhance technical assistance for HCD HCFC, CalHFA, Interagency technical Process Measure: Timely implementation of affordable housing providers on fair TCAC, and guide produced by Q1 collaborative processes with other State housing choice, including expanding other of FY 22-23 departments and timely development of departments, recommendations. educational efforts regarding non- and in discrimination based on source of consultation income (SB 329), disability, criminal with DFEH history, and other factors addressed by fair housing requirements. 53 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 12: Foster the creation of an expanded supply of affordable and supportive housing opportunities, paired with appropriate health and behavioral health care resources, and accessible and culturally responsive to people exiting homelessness, to people at lowest income levels, and to people from historically marginalized communities. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement Homekey program to support HCD HCFC, DSS Acquisitions using initial Outcome Measure: Expand capacity of local rapid financing and development of funding completed by communities to end homelessness through the permanent housing units. Q2 of FY 20-21. creation of 2,600 additional permanent supportive housing beds. Other timeframes TBD by Department. 2. Implement a wide array of other State HCD, TCAC, Caltrans Ongoing throughout Process Measure: State Funding and and Federal funding programs that HCFC, DSS, FYs 20-21, 21-22, and Programs Working Group to determine timing support expansion of affordable and CalOES, 22-23. for development of targets. CalVet, supportive housing opportunities, with Timing determined for Outcome Measures: In future, measure depending on identification of clear unit production each funding program. performance against targets. funding source goals and targets for the implementation State Funding and of each program. Programs Working Group to determine timing for development of targets. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 3. Identify and implement efforts to better BCSH CalHFA, TCAC, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of key align policies and practices across State HCD, CDLAC FYs 20-21, 21-22, and policy and practice improvements and housing agencies and programs, while 22-23 changes. retaining significant focus on extremely low-income households and housing for people exiting homelessness. 54 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 12: Foster the creation of an expanded supply of affordable and supportive housing opportunities, paired with appropriate health and behavioral health care resources, and accessible and culturally responsive to people exiting homelessness, to people at lowest income levels, and to people from historically marginalized communities. 4. Accelerate selection of developers to HCD In coordination Ongoing throughout Output Measures: During 2021, release 8-10 create affordable and supportive housing with DGS FYs 20-21, 21-22, and new excess State sites through developer on State-owned land. 22-23 solicitation, select developers for 6 sites released through 2020 solicitations, and 5 Requests for Proposals per calendar year. 55 ACTION AREA 4 EXPANDING AND ENSURING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PERMANENT HOUSING IN OUR COMMUNITIES OBJECTIVE 13: Improve access to short- and longer-term forms of rental assistance to encourage innovations, to support racially equitable and successful exits from homelessness, and to support housing development activities. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement a wide array of State and HCD, CalHFA, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: State Funding and Federal funding programs that support TCAC, HCFC, FYs 20-21, 21-22, and Programs Working Group determines timing provision of various forms of rental CalOES, DSS, 22-23. for development of targets. depending on assistance, with identification of clear Timing determined for Outcome Measures: In future, measure funding source goals and targets for the number of each funding program. performance against targets. households to receive rental assistance State Funding and through each program. Programs Working Group to determine timing for development of targets. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 2. Coordinate with local partners and HCFC HCD, DSS Initiate work in this area Process Measure: Timely engagement with national organizations to identify effective by Q2 of FY 22-23 national and local partners. practices for rapid rehousing and for Output Measure: Annual compilation of any shallow rent subsidies, including in high- related materials developed or promoted cost housing markets, and promote such focused on these topics. practices within the implementation of State and Federal resources. 3. Prioritize increased rental assistance BCSH CalHFA, HCD, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of new resources within State’s federal DSS FYs 20-21, 21-22 federal rental assistance resources that are advocacy. directly aligned with State’s advocacy efforts and priorities. 56           Action Area 5. Preventing Californians from  Objective 14 Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services Experiencing the Crisis of Homelessness from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re- Activities focused on reducing entries into entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to homelessness as people exit and/or receive services the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting through State-funded programs and systems and health care settings and programs. enhancing communities’ capacity to provide  Objective 15 targeted homelessness prevention and diversion Enhance communities’ capacity to provide targeted homelessness services and assistance. prevention interventions and to successfully divert people from entering shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 57 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 14: Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re-entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement the Housing for Healthy HCD DHCS Direct assistance to Process Measure: Report summarizing California program for individuals who tenants expected to program data submitted to legislature by are recipients of or eligible for health care begin by end of FY 20- January 2024. 21, continuing until provided through the Medi-Cal program, Output Measure: Number of people who are funds are exhausted or providing tenant-based rental assistance chronically homeless, or homeless and high end of FY 23-24. with supportive services or capitalized healthcare cost users, served by the program. operating reserve to existing rental Capitalized operating Outcome Measure: Reduction in emergency projects. reserve to be awarded department visits and hospitalizations. to individual projects by end of FY 23-24. Commence collecting program data in June 2021 and analyzing program data June 2022. 2. Implement CalAIM proposals seeking to DHCS CDCR Implement Mandated Process Measure: Publication of All County address needs of people exiting County Inmate Pre- Welfare Directors Letter which provides corrections settings through expedited Release Application guidance to the Counties on policies and Process by January 1, procedures for implementing the Mandated enrollment in Medi-Cal. 2023 County Inmate Pre-Release Application Process. Outcome Measure: Increase the Medi-Cal enrollment of individuals exiting the county jail setting. 58 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 14: Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re-entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs. Process Measure: Publication of Information Notice to provide guidance to Counties on facilitated referral and linkage from incarceration; publication of All Plan Letter to provide guidance to Managed Care Plans on facilitated referral and linkage to behavioral health. 3. Implement CalAIM to provide care DHCS CDCR, in ECM Justice-involved Process Measure: Integration of target coordination and housing services to coordination population population by all Managed Care people exiting corrections settings with CCHCS implemented by Organizations into Population Health January 1, 2023 Management Plans by January 1, 2023. through Enhanced Care Management and In Lieu of Services. Output Measure: ECM enrollment of Medi-Cal members that meet Target Population criteria for Individuals Transitioning from Incarceration to receive ECM services. Outcome Measure: Measure metrics of ILOS utilization for housing services across counties for Members also enrolled in ECM target population for Individuals Transitioning from Incarceration. Reporting timelines to be determined. 4. Implement CalAIM to provide medically DHCS DSS In Lieu of Services Process Measure: Documentation of necessary recuperative care placements implementation date of informational and guidance materials and for unhoused people who are exiting January 1, 2022 training (supportive of Housing First principles) delivered to Managed Care Organizations. acute inpatient facilities and/or were recently hospitalized. 59 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 14: Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re-entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs. Output Measure: Number of managed care organizations adopting Recuperative Care ILOS. Outcome Measure: Measure metrics of ILOS utilization across counties. 5. Implement the Returning Home Well CDCR DSS Ongoing throughout Outcome Measure: Increased community initiative, in partnership with philanthropic FYs 20-21 and 21-22, capacity to provide treatment and interim organizations and local partners, to and activities expected housing options to target population. to be sustained into prevent experiences of homelessness for future FYs people transitioning from corrections settings by expanding residential treatment and interim housing options, including recovery housing models and quarantine options during the pandemic, and by addressing transportation needs to facilitate access to such options. 6. Provide support through the No Place Like HCD Release final NOFA in Process Measure: Timely implementation of Home program for the development of Q2 of FY 21-22 NOFA. permanent supportive housing for Output Measures: Number of funding persons who are in need of mental health awardees and number of permanent services and are experiencing supportive housing units supported. homelessness, chronic homelessness, or who are at risk of chronic homelessness. 60 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 14: Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re-entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 7. Assess recommendations from the CDCR, via HCFC, DSS, Prioritized actions to be Process Measure: Prioritized actions identified Council of State Governments’ Reducing Council on HCD, DHCS, identified during Q4 of and report to Council provided in timely Homelessness for People with Behavioral Criminal Justice and others FY 20-21, activities manner. and Behavioral implemented Health Needs Leaving Prisons and Jails Additional measures to be developed based Health throughout FYs 21-22 report and identify priorities for actions to upon prioritized actions identified. and 22-23. be taken in FYs 21-22 and 22-23. Provide update report to Council regarding activities to be implemented by Q2 of FY 21-22. 8. Utilize the Homeless Data Integration HCFC TBD Commence analysis in Process Measure: Timely implementation of System to conduct analyses regarding Q2 of FY 21-22, ongoing HDIS, performance of analysis, and creation people experiencing homelessness and thereafter of dashboard. their prior engagement with the Output Measure: Documentation of any homelessness response system to identify resulting reports or documents. patterns of engagement and service utilization that can inform prevention and diversion strategies. 61 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 14: Reduce entries into homelessness as people exit and/or receive services from State-funded settings and systems, addressing racial inequities within risks of experiencing homelessness, with initial focus on people re-entering communities from jails and prisons, young adults connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems, and people exiting health care settings and programs. 9. Identify opportunities to assess and HCFC All HCFC To commence Process Measure: Initiation of planning document information regarding housing Member planning in Q4 of FY 21- process in a timely manner, further measures status, housing instability, and Departments 22 to be developed at that time. homelessness among households participating in increased number of State and State-funded programs and systems. 10. Continue to develop a long-term plan DHCS, via DSS Set of Process Measure: Timely development of set and strategy for improving health Foster Care recommendations with recommendations that can be incorporated outcomes and the delivery of fully Model of Care an implementation to improve the quality of services for children Workgroup plan by end of and youth in the foster care system. integrated health care services for youth November 2021 in foster care. 11. Distribute funding and gather outcomes HCD DSS NOFA to be released in Output Measures: Number of people served, of the Housing Navigators Program and Q2 of FY 21-22, funding including those in foster care or probation Transitional Housing Program for County permitting. system, and services provided. Child Welfare Agencies. 62 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 15: Enhance communities’ capacity to provide targeted homelessness prevention interventions and to successfully divert people from entering shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Activities Lead Collaborating Timeframe Performance Measurement Department(s) Department(s) (Type and Measure) HIGHEST-PRIORITY ACTIVITIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 1. Implement the Emergency Rental HCD HCFC, DSS Funding must be Process Measure: Align prioritization of funds Assistance resources administered implemented before as required, prioritizing households at or below through the U.S. Department of the end of Q2 of FY 21-22 50% AMI, and up to 80% AMI or unemployed for 90 or more days. Provide equal or stronger Treasury to provide financial assistance to prioritization by: A) deeper income targeting households facing rental arrears and risks (i.e. 30% AMI and below); B) rent burden; C) of eviction and/or homelessness. qualified census tracts; D) property size (i.e. small landlords); E) other related factors consistent with this intent and need. 2. Implement a wide array of State and HCD, TCAC, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: State Funding and Federal funding programs that support HCFC, CalHFA, FYs 20-21, 21-22, and Programs Working Group determines timing provision of various forms of diversion and CalOES, DSS, 22-23. for development of targets. depending on prevention services, with identification of Timing determined for Outcome Measures: In future, measure funding clear goals and targets for the number of each funding program. performance against targets. program households to receive diversion and State Funding and prevention services through each Programs Working program. Group to determine timing for development of targets. 3. Continue implementation of the Housing BCSH HCFC, HCD, Ongoing throughout Process Measure: Documentation of is Key campaign, providing materials and DFEH FYs 20-21, 21-22, and homelessness prevention-focused messaging resources to help Californians stay in their 22-23 and efforts implemented through the Housing is Key campaign. homes or understand their housing options during COVID-19 and beyond. 63 ACTION AREA 5 PREVENTING CALIFORNIANS FROM EXPERIENCING THE CRISIS OF HOMELESSNESS OBJECTIVE 15: Enhance communities’ capacity to provide targeted homelessness prevention interventions and to successfully divert people from entering shelter or experiencing unsheltered homelessness. 4. Provide guidance to support schools to CDE HCFC Webinar to be offered Process Measure: Documentation of develop community collaborations and Q4 of FY 20-21; TBD for guidance provided. stronger referral systems with public, future FYs private, and faith-based partners that can help address housing instability and homelessness, and other service needs, among students and their families. ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES PRIORITIZED FOR IMPLEMENTATION 5. Identify strategies to serve older adults DSS HCFC, HCD, Ongoing Outcome Measure: Advancement toward and people with disabilities at risk of DHCS, CalVet, housing goals outlined in the Master Plan on experiencing homelessness, including and in Aging. coordination meeting the need for in home supports with CDA and access to licensed adult and senior care facilities. 6. Partner with Federal and national HCFC HCD, DSS, Initiate efforts during Q1 Process Measure: Timely engagement with organizations to identify stronger CalVet of FY 21-22 Federal and national partners. homelessness prevention, diversion, and Output Measure: Annual compilation of any targeting practices, and promote such related materials developed or promoted practices within the implementation of focused on these topics. State and Federal resources. 7. Provide technical assistance to HCFC HCD, DSS Ongoing, beginning no Process Measure: Initiation of TA in timely strengthen and differentiate communities’ later than Q4 of FY 21- manner. homelessness prevention, diversion, and 22 Output Measure: Number of communities eviction prevention plans and practices, receiving formal TA. in order to increase access to such Outcome Measures: Specific outcome services. measures will be developed and tracked for each formal TA engagement. 64 APPENDIX Exhibit A. Statutory Requirements for the California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council HCFC staff have projected activities within this Action Plan that are aligned with and will move its work towards meeting the statutory goals below. Subsequent progress reports regarding this Action Plan will include documentation of the extent of progress toward fulfilling those statutory requirements. Welfare and Institutions Code - WIC DIVISION 8. MISCELLANEOUS [8050 - 8261] ( Division 8 repealed and added by Stats. 1967, Ch. 1667. ) CHAPTER 6.5. Housing First and Coordinating Council [8255 - 8257] ( Chapter 6.5 added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 847, Sec. 2. ) 8255. For purposes of this chapter: (a) “Coordinating council” means the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council established pursuant to Section 8257. (b) “Core components of Housing First” means all of the following: (1) Tenant screening and selection practices that promote accepting applicants regardless of their sobriety or use of substances, completion of treatment, or participation in services. (2) Applicants are not rejected on the basis of poor credit or financial history, poor or lack of rental history, criminal convictions unrelated to tenancy, or behaviors that indicate a lack of “housing readiness.” (3) Acceptance of referrals directly from shelters, street outreach, drop-in centers, and other parts of crisis response systems frequented by vulnerable people experiencing homelessness. (4) Supportive services that emphasize engagement and problem solving over therapeutic goals and service plans that are highly tenant-driven without predetermined goals. (5) Participation in services or program compliance is not a condition of permanent housing tenancy. (6) Tenants have a lease and all the rights and responsibilities of tenancy, as outlined in California’s Civil, Health and Safety, and Government codes. (7) The use of alcohol or drugs in and of itself, without other lease violations, is not a reason for eviction. (8) In communities with coordinated assessment and entry systems, incentives for funding promote tenant selection plans for supportive housing that prioritize eligible tenants based on criteria other than “first-come- first-serve,” including, but not limited to, the duration or chronicity of homelessness, vulnerability to early mortality, or high utilization of crisis services. Prioritization may include triage tools, developed through local data, to identify high-cost, high-need homeless residents. (9) Case managers and service coordinators who are trained in and actively employ evidence-based practices for client engagement, including, but not limited to, motivational interviewing and client-centered counseling. (10) Services are informed by a harm-reduction philosophy that recognizes drug and alcohol use and addiction as a part of tenants’ lives, where tenants are engaged in nonjudgmental communication regarding drug and alcohol use, and where tenants are offered education regarding how to avoid risky behaviors and engage in safer practices, as well as connected to evidence-based treatment if the tenant so chooses. (11) The project and specific apartment may include special physical features that accommodate disabilities, reduce harm, and promote health and community and independence among tenants. (c) “Homeless” has the same definition as that term is defined in Section 91.5 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 65 (d) (1) “Housing First” means the evidence-based model that uses housing as a tool, rather than a reward, for recovery and that centers on providing or connecting homeless people to permanent housing as quickly as possible. Housing First providers offer services as needed and requested on a voluntary basis and that do not make housing contingent on participation in services. (2) (A) “Housing First” includes time-limited rental or services assistance, so long as the housing and service provider assists the recipient in accessing permanent housing and in securing longer-term rental assistance, income assistance, or employment. (B) For time-limited, supportive services programs serving homeless youth, programs should use a positive youth development model and be culturally competent to serve unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age. Providers should work with the youth to engage in family reunification efforts, where appropriate and when in the best interest of the youth. In the event of an eviction, programs shall make every effort, which shall be documented, to link tenants to other stable, safe, decent housing options. Exit to homelessness should be extremely rare, and only after a tenant refuses assistance with housing search, location, and move-in assistance. (e) “State programs” means any programs a California state agency or department funds, implements, or administers for the purpose of providing housing or housing-based services to people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, with the exception of federally funded programs with requirements inconsistent with this chapter or programs that fund emergency shelters. (Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 847, Sec. 2. (SB 1380) Effective January 1, 2017.) 8256. (a) Agencies and departments administering state programs created on or after July 1, 2017, shall collaborate with the coordinating council to adopt guidelines and regulations to incorporate core components of Housing First. (b) By July 1, 2019, except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), agencies and departments administering state programs in existence prior to July 1, 2017, shall collaborate with the coordinating council to revise or adopt guidelines and regulations that incorporate the core components of Housing First, if the existing guidelines and regulations do not already incorporate the core components of Housing First. (c) (1) An agency or department that administers programs that fund recovery housing shall comply with the requirements of subdivision (b) by July 1, 2022. (2) Until July 1, 2022, an agency or department that administers programs that fund recovery housing shall additionally do all of the following: (A) In coordination with the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council, consult with the Legislature, the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and other stakeholders between July 1, 2020, and January 1, 2022, to identify ways to improve the provision of housing to individuals who receive funding from that agency or department, consistent with the applicable requirements of state law. (B) Comply with the core components of Housing First, other than those components described in paragraphs (5) to (7), inclusive, of subdivision (b) of Section 8255. (C) Ensure that recovery housing programs meet the following requirements: (i) A recovery housing program participant shall sign an agreement upon entry that outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the participant and the program administrator to ensure individuals are aware of actions that could result in removal from the recovery housing program. (ii) If a recovery housing program participant chooses to stop living in a housing setting with an abstinence focus, is discharged from the program, or is evicted from housing, the program administrator shall offer assistance in accessing other housing and services options, including options operated with harm-reduction principles. To the extent practicable, this assistance shall include connecting the individual with alternative housing providers, supportive services, and the local coordinated entry system, if applicable. This clause does not apply to an individual who leaves the program without notifying the program administrator. (iii) The recovery housing program administrator shall track and report annually to the program’s state funding source the housing outcome for each program participant who is discharged. 66 (3) For purposes of this subdivision, “recovery housing” means sober living facilities and programs that provide housing in an abstinence-focused and peer-supported community for people recovering from substance use issues. Participation is voluntary, unless that participation is pursuant to a court order or is a condition of release for individuals under the jurisdiction of a county probation department or the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 264, Sec. 28. (AB 107) Effective September 29, 2020.) 8257. (a) The Governor shall create a Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council. (b) The council shall have all of the following goals: (1) To oversee implementation of this chapter. (2) To identify mainstream resources, benefits, and services that can be accessed to prevent and end homelessness in California. (3) To create partnerships among state agencies and departments, local government agencies, participants in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program, federal agencies, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, nonprofit entities working to end homelessness, homeless services providers, and the private sector, for the purpose of arriving at specific strategies to end homelessness. (4) To promote systems integration to increase efficiency and effectiveness while focusing on designing systems to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age. (5) To coordinate existing funding and applications for competitive funding. Any action taken pursuant to this paragraph shall not restructure or change any existing allocations or allocation formulas. (6) To make policy and procedural recommendations to legislators and other governmental entities. (7) To identify and seek funding opportunities for state entities that have programs to end homelessness, including, but not limited to, federal and philanthropic funding opportunities, and to facilitate and coordinate those state entities’ efforts to obtain that funding. (8) To broker agreements between state agencies and departments and between state agencies and departments and local jurisdictions to align and coordinate resources, reduce administrative burdens of accessing existing resources, and foster common applications for services, operating, and capital funding. (9) To serve as a statewide facilitator, coordinator, and policy development resource on ending homelessness in California. (10) To report to the Governor, federal Cabinet members, and the Legislature on homelessness and work to reduce homelessness. (11) To ensure accountability and results in meeting the strategies and goals of the council. (12) To identify and implement strategies to fight homelessness in small communities and rural areas. (13) To create a statewide data system or warehouse that collects local data through Homeless Management Information Systems, with the ultimate goal of matching data on homelessness to programs impacting homeless recipients of state programs, such as Medi-Cal (Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9) and CalWORKs (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11200) of Part 3 of Division 9). (14) Setting goals to prevent and end homelessness among California’s youth. (15) Working to improve the safety, health, and welfare of young people experiencing homelessness in the state. (16) Increasing system integration and coordinating efforts to prevent homelessness among youth who are currently or formerly involved in the child welfare system or the juvenile justice system. (17) Leading efforts to coordinate a spectrum of funding, policy, and practice efforts related to young people experiencing homelessness. (18) Identifying best practices to ensure homeless minors who may have experienced maltreatment, as described in Section 300, are appropriately referred to, or have the ability to self-refer to, the child welfare system. 67 (c) (1) The Governor shall appoint up to 19 members of the council as follows: (A) The Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing, or the secretary’s designee, who shall serve as chair of the council. (B) A representative from the Department of Transportation. (C) A representative from the Department of Housing and Community Development. (D) A representative of the State Department of Social Services. (E) A representative of the California Housing Finance Agency. (F) A representative of the State Department of Health Care Services. (G) A representative of the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H) A representative of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. (I) A representative from the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee in the Treasurer’s office. (J) A representative of the Victim Services Program within the Division of Grants Management within the Office of Emergency Services. (K) A representative from the State Department of Education. (L) A representative of the state public higher education system who shall be from one of the following: (i) The California Community Colleges. (ii) The University of California. (iii) The California State University. (M) A formerly homeless person who lives in California. (N) A formerly homeless youth who lives in California. (O) Two representatives of local agencies or organizations that participate in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care Program. (P) State advocates or other members of the public or state agencies, at the Governor’s discretion. (2) The Senate Committee on Rules and the Speaker of the Assembly shall each appoint one member to the council from two different stakeholder organizations. (3) The council may, at its discretion, invite stakeholders, individuals who have experienced homelessness, members of philanthropic communities, and experts to participate in meetings or provide information to the council. (d) The council shall hold public meetings at least once every quarter. (e) The members of the council shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. (f) Within existing funding, the council may establish working groups, task forces, or other structures from within its membership or with outside members to assist it in its work. Working groups, task forces, or other structures established by the council shall determine their own meeting schedules. (g) The members of the council shall serve without compensation, except that members of the council who are, or have been, homeless may receive reimbursement for travel, per diem, or other expenses. (h) The Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency shall provide staff for the council. (i) The members of the council may enter into memoranda of understanding with other members of the council to achieve the goals set forth in this chapter, as necessary, in order to facilitate communication and cooperation between the entities the members of the council represent. (j) There shall be an executive director of the council under the direction of the Secretary of Business, Consumer Services, and Housing. (k) The council shall be under the direction of the executive director and staffed by employees of the Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. (Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 345, Sec. 1.5. (SB 687) Effective January 1, 2020.) 68 Exhibit B. Organizations Represented within Stakeholder Input Conversations To date, representatives from the following organizations have had the opportunity to participate in at least one input conversation, with regrets for any accidental omissions of organizations: Abt Associates Empower Tehama Alameda County Family Violence Law Center All Home Health Care for the Homeless Program California Coalition for Youth Homebase California Community Colleges Homeless Youth Forum of Los Angeles California Department of Corrections and Housing California Rehabilitation ICF International California Department of Education John Burton Advocates for Youth California Department of Health Care Services Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance California Department of Housing and Community Larkin Street Youth Services Development Lewis Advocacy California Department of Social Services Los Angeles County Supervisor's Office California Department of Transportation Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority California Department of Veterans Affairs Los Angeles Lived Experience Advisory Board California Governor's Office Marjaree Mason Center California Governor's Office of Emergency Services National Alliance to End Homelessness California Health and Human Services Agency National Harm Reduction Coalition California Health Care Foundation Northern California CoCs that Serve Rural Areas California Housing Finance Agency Peer-to-Peer Group California Partnership to End Domestic Violence Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi California State Legislature PATH Ventures City of Berkeley San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless City of Fairfield Police Department San Diego Youth Advisory Board City of Los Angeles San Jose/Santa Clara Lived Experience Advisory City of Oakland Board City of Oxnard Southern California and Neighboring CoCs Alliance City of Riverside Technical Assistance Collaborative City of Sacramento Turning Point of Central California City of San Francisco U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness CityTeam UC Berkeley Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health UC Berkeley Youth Policy Group Corporation for Supportive Housing Ventura County Executive Office Destination: Home Vuja De Strategies 69 Exhibit C. List of Acronyms and Meanings Used Within Action Plan AB ................... Assembly Bill AMI ................. Area Median Income BCSH ............... California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency CalAIM ........... California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal CalHFA ........... California Housing Finance Agency CalHR ............. California Department of Human Resources CalOES ........... California Governor's Office of Emergency Services Caltrans .......... California Department of Transportation CalVet ............ California Department of Veterans Affairs CalWORKS ..... California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids CCC ............... California Community Colleges CCHCS ........... California Correctional Health Care Services CDA ................. California Department of Aging CDCR ............. California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation CDE ................. California Department of Education CDLAC ........... California Debt Limit Allocation Committee CDPH .............. California Department of Public Health CWDB ............. California Workforce Development Board CoC ................ Continuum of Care DFEH ............... California Department of Fair Employment and Housing DGS ................. California Department of General Services DHCS .............. California Department of Health Care Services DOR ................ California Department of Rehabilitation DSS .................. California Department of Social Services ECM ................ Enhanced Care Management ESG-CV ........... Emergency Solutions Grants Program–Coronavirus FEMA ............... Federal Emergency Management Agency FY .................... Fiscal Year HCD ................ California Department of Housing and Community Development HCFC .............. California Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council HDIS ................ Homeless Data Integration System HEAP ............... Homeless Emergency Aid Program HHAP .............. Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program HHP ................. Health Homes Program HSP .................. Housing Support Program HUD ................. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ILOS ................. In Lieu of Services MCP ................ Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan Medi-Cal ........ California’s Medicaid healthcare program NOFA .............. Notice of Funding Availability SB .................... Senate Bill SGC ................ California Strategic Growth Council TA .................... Technical Assistance TCAC .............. California Tax Credit Allocation Committee VA ................... U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs WPC ................ Whole Person Care 70 Page Intentionally Left Blank