TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Williams
MEETING DATE: November 19, 2019
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Williams
PHONE:
463-4221
ITEM TYPE: Regular Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: 30 Mins
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction for Health and Human Services to Author a Jobs for Homeless Initiative Plan with Supervisor Williams Targeted at Offering Employment Opportunities to Homeless Persons in Collaboration with Government Agencies and Private Industry; and Returning to Board of Supervisors for Approval
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Direct Health and Human Services to author a Jobs for Homeless Initiative plan with Supervisor Williams targeted at offering employment opportunities to homeless persons in collaboration with government agencies and private industry; and return to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
A key goal of any homeless program is lifting people toward self-sufficiency. Providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness is an approach backed by research, but equally important for some is the dignity that comes from hard work. Not every homeless person is positioned for employment today, but for some it is an appropriate path forward. The goal of this initiative is to give people an opportunity to earn an equitable daily wage, connecting individuals with supportive services, and providing homeless citizens an opportunity for employment instead of panhandling. This is a missing component of the spectrum of services we need to provide for folks dealing with homelessness. Homeless citizens face steep obstacles in securing employment. Whether hired on the spot to clear brush for government or facilitated to work a regular schedule under a public-private partnership with industry, hard work can be a pathway leading away from street living and of...
Click here for full text