- The site will initially be used as temporary housing, with a goal of eventually getting the site licensed as an Adult Residential Treatment location. In the past few years, Vermont House has been shared housing for veterans, but the site has been significantly underutilized.
- The program would now prioritize one of the most vulnerable groups of unhoused men and women – persons with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Substance Use Disorder (SUD) whose health and lack of housing often puts them in contact with law enforcement and the justice system.
- Being Involved in the Justice System means:
- Encountering law enforcement officers or other responders through 911 dispatch
- Result in being cited and released or
- Not being cited and instead being connected to other programs and services.
- Having been arrested for failure to appear in Court because a bench warrant was issued.
- Some individuals may be participating in formal Jail Diversion programs with the consent of the DA, Public Defender, and Court.
- Encountering law enforcement officers or other responders through 911 dispatch
- Regardless of how an individual is referred to the program, their involvement with the justice system will not involve serious crimes such as
- Murder or voluntary manslaughter.
- An offense for which a person, if convicted, would be required to register pursuant to this section 290, for the following current charges of violation of Section 314
- Rape
- Lewd or lascivious act on a child under 14 years old
- Assault with intent to commit rape, sodomy, or oral copulation, in violation of Section 220.
- It is important to note that unhoused individuals who are not being held for the most serious crimes are being released anyway because they are not deemed an unreasonable risk to the community.
- First, it’s better for the clients for several reasons
- It is focused on a subgroup already facing more substantial barriers to shelter and housing. By providing dignified temporary shelter coupled with onsite services, the program aims to improve their health and long-term housing outcomes.
- Additionally, the County can more effectively deliver mental health treatment services onsite or through coordinating outpatient teams.
- This approach ensures that clients have access to both supportive housing system and behavioral health system resources, ultimately leading to better outcomes for clients.
- Second, it’s better for the site and the neighborhood.
- All participants will be screened and assessed by BHSD staff as clinically appropriate for the program and will be connected to treatment services.
- All clients voluntarily participate in treatment services and other support services.
- Clients in need of higher levels of care will be given priority for placement in other programs or locations.
- There will be reduced turnover in units as individuals with SMI generally require more time and assistance.
- A successful diversion program for unhoused, justice involved people will mean safer neighborhoods.
- This initiative will benefit the City, our community, and the social safety-net.
- Along with the Monterey/Bernal site, we will increase temporary housing and treatment options for unhoused people with behavioral health needs.
- The City will receive one-time funding and conserve ongoing resources to expand shelter and housing services.
- In addition to reducing and preventing homelessness, this program will help us reduce or prevent unnecessary involvement with law enforcement and the justice system, which disproportionately affects LatinX and African American residents.