As Chair of the Delta Protection Commission (DPC), on behalf of the DPC and the Delta Regional Foundation, I had the honor last week of receiving the award for Government Innovation from the American Society for Public Administration, Sacramento Chapter, for our work creating the Delta Leadership Program.
In 2021, we on the Delta Protection Commission saw a fundamental problem on the horizon; many of our most active and vocal Delta leaders were approaching retirement. Along with the Delta Regional Foundation, we developed an intensive program to give Delta champions the opportunity to learn more about the Delta and its complex issues; the Delta Leadership Program. Over five day-long workshops over four months, they studied issues affecting the Delta as wide-ranging as legislation, State policy, water, public safety, boating and recreation, the Delta environment, the Delta National Heritage Area and the regional economy.
Over the past two years, 22 people have completed the Delta Leadership Program, and our next initiative will begin a Junior Ranger program so that youth can learn more about the Delta as well.
The next Delta Protection Commission meeting is on our own backyard, this Thursday, May 18 at 4 pm at the Big Break Regional Park Visitor Center.
Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study
This week, my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors received an updated report on the Marsh Creek Corridor Multi-Use Trail Feasibility Study and directed staff to continue their planning work and begin finding potential funding sources. The proposed trail sections would run alongside Marsh Creek Road and provide various forms of non-motorized travel, including pedestrian, equestrian and bicycle users.
This plan is a visionary and ambitious way to connect the Delta and Far East County to Clayton and Mt. Diablo. Trails take decades to quilt together, and the easier and less expensive sections will usually get done earlier than the more difficult ones. It’s going to take decades for this project to be completed, but we can start now to develop the plans and track down funding opportunities.
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Annual Count Shows Homelessness Remains Consistent in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County’s annual survey to document people experiencing homelessness showed a four percent increase overall in 2023 compared to 2020, according to a report released by Contra Costa Health’s Health, Housing and Homeless Services team (H3).
H3 and its community partners, including more than 200 volunteers, canvassed across the county to count the number of people living in emergency shelters or outdoors on Jan. 25, 2023 and released preliminary findings of the 2023 Point in Time count (PIT) this week.
The PIT provides a one-day snapshot of homelessness in Contra Costa. It impacts funding, includes important data and demographics, and helps inform how Contra Costa Health (CCH) can most effectively provide services to people experiencing homelessness.
The preliminary findings show that 2,372 people were without housing during that 24-hour period, including 1,653 people who were unsheltered. That is a 4% increase from the 2020 PIT, which counted 2,277 people experiencing homelessness.
“There’s no one reason why people lose their housing,” said John Gioia, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors. “We are working hard on many fronts to create more housing opportunities with supportive services, including investing $12 million per year in a newly established Housing Trust Fund. Contra Costa County is also working with other counties statewide to reform the homeless system of care in California to link funding with accountability for outcomes.”
Since 2020, bed capacity in the county increased by over 560 beds and CCH opened Delta Landing thanks to the state’s Homekey program, which added critically needed services in East County.
“This year’s PIT count shows that homelessness rates in the county are relatively stable and similar to pre-pandemic numbers,” said H3 director Christy Saxton. “This is a testament to the services we work to provide to people who are experiencing homelessness in our communities, but there is more work to be done.”
The full PIT report, expected to be completed in June, will include additional geographic and demographic data.
Supervisor Diane Burgis
3361 Walnut Boulevard, Suite 140
Brentwood, CA 94513
925-655-2330
