City to consider declaring homeless shelter crisis
Declaration may allow city to use government facilities to be used as warming centers, shelters
–At last week’s Paso Robles City Council meeting, the council discussed the emergent needs of the homeless population in Paso Robles and the North County region, and directed that a declaration of homeless shelter crisis be scheduled for council’s consideration and action at their next meeting of Feb. 16., according to Assistant City Manager Meg Williamson.
The declaration can be made pursuant to a section of state code which allows local governments to declare a shelter crisis if a significant number of people are not able to obtain shelter and their health and safety may be threatened as a result. The declaration allows jurisdictions to make government facilities available to use as warming centers or shelters, and provides certain liability immunities in doing so.
The council also directed city staff to initiate discussions with other agencies and organizations already serving this population to better define the scope of needs for the homeless and bring options for consideration back to the council at a later date. The council was said they hoped to work cooperatively with other public agencies and private groups to determine how to best leverage resources, and supplement existing successful programs, to resolve the potential threat to human health and safety, according to Williamson.
