To: Board of Supervisors
From: Family & Human Services Committee
Report Title: Appointment to the Council on Homelessness
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPOINT Yahel Moreno to the Youth Representative seat on the Council on Homelessness with a term expiring on December 31, 2024, as recommended by the Family and Human Services Committee.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa Continuum of Care is governed by the Contra Costa Council on Homelessness (hereinafter referred to as the Council). The Council is appointed by the County Board of Supervisors to assist and provide guidance in the development and implementation of long-range planning and policy formulation of homeless issues in Contra Costa County. The Council is responsible for making data driven, equitable decisions related to federal, state, and local regulations and funding guiding the administration of homelessness crisis response in the County. The Council also provides a forum for communication and coordination of the County's Strategic Plan to End Homelessness and to educate the community on federal, state and local policy issues affecting people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Contra Costa County.
The Council is appointed by the Board of Supervisors and consists of 19 seats representing homeless or formerly-homeless persons, community members, educational/vocational services, health care, housing providers, law enforcement, local government, the faith community, and homeless service providers, including the Veterans Administration. All Council members reside in or are employed in Contra Costa County, demonstrate a professional interest in or personal commitment to addressing and alleviating the impact of homelessness, and be able to contribute unique expertise, opinions and viewpoints on homeless issues. Candidates serve two-year terms.
The Council on Homelessness submits recommended candidates to fill open Council on Homelessness seats every year. These recommendations are reviewed by the Family and Human Services Committee and submitted to the Board of Supervisors for final approval.
There was an extensive recruitment process to solicit applicants for open seats. Council staff received a total of 7 applications for the vacant Youth Representative Seat, however 3 applicants were not eligible (did not have a lived experience of homelessness or did not complete the required County application). A nominating panel, created of non-conflicted Council on Homelessness members, reviewed the County and Supplemental applications for the 4 eligible applicants, and following a strict rubric, made recommendations to the Council. The Council voted, at the March 7, 2024 meeting, to recommend Yahel Moreno for the Youth Representative seat, with a two-year term. The attached “COH 2024 Youth Representative Applicant Roster” document provides information about the applicants for each category, including applicant’s district. The “COH 2024 Youth Representative Applications” document includes the County and Supplemental applications for the applicants. Upon approval of this appointment, there will be no predicted vacancies on the Council on Homelessness for 2024.
At the March 25, 2024 Family and Human Services Meeting, the Committee approved the appointment of Yahel Moreno to the Youth Representative seat on the Council on Homelessness with a term expiring on December 31, 2024.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to reappoint members will reduce public participation in advising policy development.