On Tuesday, the Antioch City Council received a report on its “opportunity village” while staff touted its successes on service to the homeless in the City of Antioch.
Opportunity Village is Antioch’s First Non-Congregate Bridge Housing Program designed to serve Unsheltered Residents which launched last May at the 32-room Executive in on E 18th Street as a form of bridge housing to get people into permanent housing with some wrap around services.
Bay Area Community Services (BACS) also shared they were having an 82% success rate at Opportunity Village while noting Delta Landing in the City of Pittsburg was only at a 74% success rate.
However, no data or criteria was provided during the meeting of how they got to 82%—which later was challenged by Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Lori Ogorchock. The presentation by city staff and BACS also did not provided data or criteria of who, why, and how someone was selected to be entered into Opportunity Village versus Delta Landing and if the criteria and definition of success was the same.
After the meeting, councilmember Mike Barbanica said he agreed that more data should have been included in the presentation and the criteria used should be provided. He said he has already specifically requested the information from the city asking it be made available to the public so they are transparent on the money being spend, funding sources and full accountability.
During its special meeting, Jasmine Ridley, the unhoused resident coordinator, presented the report on unhoused resident services where the goal was to find as many resources as possible for unhoused residents.
She touted the following four programs:
- Laundry Voucher Program – 356 participants with 700 vouchers
- Shower Services Program – 1,059 with 79 participants.
- Motel Voucher Program – 3 utilized this program.
- Unhoused resident Services Resource Fair – 36 people attended w/18 vendors.
“Our focus is on the folks living outside and in need of shelter,” stated Ridley while adding since the opening of opportunity village, the motel voucher program has not been used as much.
Ridley then shared information on the Opportunity Village Program which is bridge housing serving the homeless population aimed to support the transition to permanent housing.
- 88 participants since program opened in May 2023.
- 34 participants receiving services
- 54 participants exited
- 42 positive exits to permanent/stable housing
- 12 discharges/involuntary exits
- There are currently 250 households on the wait list.
Ridley says their contract runs from April 2023 to April 2025 with the funding source being ARPA.
Darrell Olson, program manager of the site, shared the positives of the program which touched 90 lives with projected to hit 130 rooms this year.
“On average, we are hitting an 83% success rate in terms of taking people in, getting them employment and finding them permanent or stable housing,” stated Olson.
According to Gary Tia, associate program director, he shared they use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and follow HUD procedures and guidelines when recording data—race, gender, age, income, disabilities (mental health, substance abuse, physical disability), to give a breakdown of who they are serving and outcomes.
“With 250 people on the wait list and growing, the need has been apparent and we are trying our best to help our unhoused population with the limited resources we are being given,” stated Tia. “We are doing the best we can. We just had the point in time count and we are interested to see how those numbers have been impacted. If they have increased or decreasing.”
Ridley added that on February 1, they will be looking at the states Encampment Resolution Funding which has made $289 million available statewide.
During public comments, Melissa Case called the 80% success rate a “wow factor” and data she had been waiting to see. She wanted more information on what they are doing correctly so they can better duplicate it.
Leslie May wanted to ensure Antioch had feet on the ground with the homeless count because Antioch was cheated out of revenue the past 7-years as they reduced the number of the homeless around during the count.
Andrew Becker speaks during public comments
Andrew Becker wanted to see the HMIS data and questioned if they have the data why it was not presented during the workshop. He questions what is the venue or space where the community would receive the data.
“If 80% of these individuals are transiting into permanent supportive housing, to be honest with you, we just put out the highest number in the state of California, I really want to see the data on that because we just became the most revolutionary program in the state of California. So tomorrow Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe will be receiving a call from Governor Gavin Newsom on how to implement this throughout the state. I would really like to see the data because all I see are the individuals out on the streets that are not in those units.”
Becker also argued when you see 250 households, that is not individuals, that is households—some of these rooms have cohabitants. He urged the council to do more but not a $100k lease on a building that has mold.
“We are going to want to take this 80% and spread it across the State of California because we just solved the States problem,” stated Becker.
Jim Becker, unrelated to Andrew, called it an opportunity to do more and suggested using empty commercial spaces to provide immediate shelter and get people off the street. He also suggested provided a “safety gap” to cover a portion or some of their rent as they transition out—so they build up to rental payments and become self-sustainable. He urged the council to consider and think about future zoning in housing to make it more affordable.
Frank Sterling said he has a lot of friends on the streets of Antioch and was concerned over the mental state as they wait for room at Opportunity Village. He suggested more should and can be done to reduce the backup.
“Do more if you can because I am losing another one of my friends to the streets, it’s a slow painful, agonizing death watching him disintegrate,” stated Sterling. “I had another friend go out to Pittsburg and he is now in permanent housing, he is doing really good.”
Darrell Olson, Gary Tia of BACS discuss Opportunity Village
Council Discussion
Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker called the numbers “impressive” and had concerns of data and funding which was not included in the report or packet. She agreed with Andrew Becker that if they are collecting HMIS data, it would have been nice to see it that could be shareable. She said some of the data should be shared with the public.
Torres-Walker asked about the placement into housing and where they are located.
Olson shared he didn’t have the data on where people were given housing but that it was as far out as the City of Stockton, several in the City of Antioch, City of Brentwood, City of Pittsburg, City of Concord—most of them are in the general area.
Torres-Walker again asked about the HMIS data and if it was available.
Tia said the data was submitted quarterly and the data available could just be emailed to the council.
“It would have been nice to have those reports tonight,” stated Torres-Walker.
Torres-Walker also questioned of what the contributions were of those that exited the program in which Tia responded some include abandonment where some people just disappeared, others include the level of care being greater than they could provide, arson in the room.
“We have such low barriers at BACS, we try and keep everyone as long as we can but the top exclusionary factors include fire, violence, the 12 cases were having to be something serious,” explained Tia. “They just were not using the room or something of that sort.”
Torres-Walker also asked about housing people at Delta Landing and wanted an update.
Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe interjected stating that was the Louie Rocha program and once they opened up the program in Antioch they stopped doing that. The program is discontinued.
Torres-Walker asked if there was any data on that program. Non was provided, but staff said they could create it.
Torres-Walker said she believed the community should have the data and she would like to see the data to see what it did or didn’t do and how many people it served.
Torres-Walker then asked about encampments and if unhoused services is going out to encampments and gathering data.
Ridley said she goes out weekly with code enforcement weekly to hand out information. Staff also added many people don’t want to go come indoors and called it “deep work” and not simple—mostly developing relationships.
Torres-Walker again wanted data of how many encampments were visited with how many opted in and how many declined or who came off the streets, including challenges faced, gaps in programs or services. She called that kind of data would be a balanced and clear report along with knowing the activities.
“It would allow us as councilmembers to know what should be the next steps around these issues,” stated Torres-Walker. “It would have been good to get an overall report.”
Councilmember Lori Ogorchock said nothing has been shared on the medical side and if the medical bus still comes out once a week from the county.
Ridley said they are not partnered with healthcare to the homeless but its something they could look into and set up.
Ogorchock said its something that would not cost the city anything and would help them out.
“I to did not know we were no longer using the Delta Landing so it would be nice when that stopped and how it became stopped. I thought we were still sending individuals over there,” stated Ogorchock.
Hernandez-Thorpe interjected stating individuals still go over there, but its no longer exclusive for Antioch and ended because the county’s desire was to maintain the original terms of the agreement.
Staff said as of two months ago, Antioch had the highest amount of occupants at Delta Landing which allows all residents to the county.
Ogorchock shared she understood that, but that they paid for a block of rooms held.
“Again, I didn’t know anything had come up with the county for us to say no we don’t want to partner with you anymore, yes, we do. It didn’t come back to council. I would like to know where that drop was at,” said Ogorchock.
Hernandez-Thorpe had questions for BACS in terms of success rates of Delta Landing versus the Antioch Opportunity Village.
Tia shared Delta Landing was at 74% success rate and Antioch was at 82% success rate.
“Just know the 82%, the expectation for HUD to permanent housing is 80% but because of the crisis in California in terms of housing prices, in other jurisdictions that number has gone down significantly where most jurisdictions are experiencing 60-70% housing exit rate,” said Tia. “For us to have the 80% success rate, we are on fire or having good landlord engagements and relationships.”
He added the 74% rate at Delta Landing can be skewed because of all the resources flood from the county including mainstream vouchers—without the vouchers, it could drop to the 60% rate.
Thorpe confirmed Antioch was at 82% without vouchers.
Tia added that BACS has put in a lot of their resources into Antioch including a landlord engagement team—including placing people in housing across the country to reunify with family.
“We are in the business of restoring relationships,’ said Tia. “A lot of people think homelessness is caused when you run out of money, but we found in our experience is often times its when you run out of relationships. We do our best to restore relationships.”
Thorpe asked about funding for rent.
Tia said a lot of the money they are using is paying the first months rent and then assistance with furniture so it becomes a home—which is why they request flex money so it can be used on how clients need it from deposits, first months rent, furniture.
Thorpe asked about the waiting list as this had started with frustration out of homeless encampments and got to the idea of bridge housing, he wanted to know the demographics of where people were coming from.
Olson said for many people, its an intersection or near some place admitting its vague in nature.
Tia added the main requirement to get into Opportunity Village is someone is homeless and they follow the HUD definition.
Torres-Walker asked about the money going towards deposits, rents and furniture and if there were expense reports available.
Tia said they sent over their invoices but they have it all tracked—he said they have no problem sharing their data.
Hernandez-Thorpe said these were big investments and big programs.
“I don’t know of any other city, that doesn’t mean there are not hotels run by the county, but I don’t know of any other city in Contra Costa County and in the Bay Area who is using its own money to do this,” said Hernandez-Thorpe. “We have to be accountable for a lot of this.”
He added, “we have a lot riding on this because not a lot of people believed us and thought we were crazy for doing some of these things.”
He also shared that he asked the chief of police about calls for service at the Executive Inn in which it was explained the calls for service before the vouchers were close to 300 calls for service a year, today its in the 50’s.
“We have literally reduced harm and crime specifically at that hotel,” said Hernandez-Thorpe. “Through this investment, we have cleaned up that hotel and we are changing peoples lives. This is very important… it has to be successful.”
Tia reminded the council their contract is to serve 90-people and they are at 88 served in 6-months and they believe they will double the number while helping as many people as they can.
Hernandez-Thorpe said this program is all on “borrowed time” and none of the funding is permanent which doesn’t guarantee a future. He asked about any future funding opportunities.
Tia said he has spoken to Ridley and believe its important they partner with Contra Costa County and the funding streams they have available such as Measure X and HHAP Round 5 funds.
“That is where your funding streams will continue because the Continuum of Care lies with the county and with Contra Costa County, it’s not normal for a county to run the COC and the funding steams while guiding the funding where it should go. That is where we have to facilitate the conversation and be the relationship between city and the county,” explained Tia and bring the full wrap around services to Antioch.
Hernandez-Thorpe admitted the council will have to be making some tough funding decisions at some point in the future while also acknowledging an election coming up with people who ideologically don’t believe in what they are doing.
“It will be interesting,” said Thorpe.
Councilmember Lori Ogorchock added the mayor was right as some didn’t support this program because it was a short-term program for 2-years, but it didn’t mean they didn’t believe in the cause.
She added CalCities was advocating for $3 billion a year and the Governor provided just $1.3 billion for 1-year and he was not willing to put the money in.
Note – Councilwoman Monica Wilson, who is running for State Assembly, offered no comments or opinions during the discussion.
Related
- Aug 21, 2023 – Antioch Set to Award $2.3 Million Homeless Encampment Cleanup Contract
- July 26, 2023 – Antioch to Spend $2.3 Million For On-Call Homeless Encampment Cleanup
- June 28, 2023 – Antioch Mayor Talks Ballot Measure to Fund Crisis Response and Homeless Hotel
- June 14, 2023 – Richmond and Antioch See Largest Gain in Homeless Population in Contra Costa County
- Aug 1, 2022 – Antioch City Council Approves Homeless Hotel Lease and Providing Services
Previous TIMELINES
During the February 2021 City Council Meeting, the City Council agreed to move forward with an RFP for Bridge Housing for Homeless. At that meeting, a report was provided by Jazmin Ridley, unhoused resident coordinator presented the item which outlined a timeline which include:
- October 2018 – Shelter Crisis declared pursuant to CA SB 850
- March 2019 – Council Hosted Homeless Encampment Taskforce Panel
- April 2019 – Homeless Encampment Ad-hoc Committee Formed
- August 2019 – City Council recommends Unhoused Resident Coordinator Position
- September 2019 – Unhoused Resident coordinator Position Classification Created
- February 2020 – Focus Strategies began work as Unhoused Resident Coordinator Consultant
- April 2020 – Transitional Housing Ad-hoc Committee formed
- May 2020 – Project Roomkey Program at Motel 6 opened
- May 2020 – RV Housing Opportunity Program (RP Released/no contract awarded)
- October 2020 – Motel Occupancy Agreement Program to Shelter Unhoused Residents (RFP Released)
- October 2020 – Focus Strategies Study
- November 2020 – CDBG-CV3 Fund Recommendations and Substantial Agreement
- December 2020 – Unhoused Resident Coordinator Hired
12 comments
No data or reports? This has got to be a joke. Andrew Becker was spot on. Also, if Antioch has Opportunity Village but also has residents at Delta Landing, are they picking and choosing who goes where to inflate their success rate while Delta Landing is dealing with more difficult cases? Seems like its not an even playing ground. Just look at the video of Wilbur Road in Antioch, Antioch has made homeless worse, not better
The only thing this council has done at a high rate is fail. Vote for change in 2024.
Doesn’t anybody actually buy this BS? Thorpe Hernandez Gomez and everyone on Antiochs City Council have failed their city and humanity as a whole.
The vagrant crisis in Antioch has never been worse, any thinking person can see this. Last Tuesday I had the opportunity to observe two Brentwood police officers interfacing with a vagrant occupying a bus stop. The bus stop was completely blocked with his crap. They told the person he had to vacate and get this, he was being cited for the STOLEN shopping carts. I posted a picture of this on SeeClickFix even though it was not in Antioch. I can’t believe how quickly it was taken down, the response stated “it had been addressed.” The reason it was addressed so quickly is this city didn’t want Antioch residents to see how our neighbor to the East deals was vagrants in their community. Antioch has FAILED in its attempts to deal with vagrants and it’s the taxpayers that are suffering as a result. Our feckless Council is considering a ballot measure to increase taxes to support more vagrant services. BS! If they want more taxes then consider a ballot measure that is dedicated to funding our suffering Police Department. Crime is up, our streets are DANGEROUS and businesses are leaving our community as a result. Don’t for a moment think our Council won’t bury language in a ballot measure disguised by words like “infrastructure improvements” meant to confuse voters that end up being funds to support more vagrant programs and services. Anytime government says they need more money to solve a problem, be sceptical. NOT ANOTHER PENNY OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO PAY FOR MORE VAGRANT SERVICES!
outstanding news!! Antioch is on the road to recovery oh happy day.
Of corse they don’t have the data available. This is how these organizations do it. They receive money, are not held accountable for how it’s spent and then are given more money. They are doing this all over the Bay Area. Homelessness is big business and the non profits running them are FOR SURE profiting. And how does 88 participants and 42 of those exiting w/permanent housing equal 82% success rate? 42 is less than half of 88….the math ain’t mathin. Where are the receipts? Where is the data. Stop allowing this mess!!! There was an article in the chronicle/examiner last month talking about this in SF Co. Zero accountability and when they finally held them accountable they played lame to the game, continued to spend and bill for unauthorized things, had less than 50% occupancy at some shelters , continued to withhold data and in turn…..have continued to receive funding. The state has spent billions, these larger counties have received hundreds of millions in funding and no one is being held accountable while the community based organizations keep getting paid. Now our city dollars are funding this. Where’s the data?!!!??? Where’s the receipts??? Also, where’s the data of the willfully homeless? How many people refused shelter and services? Note, everyone on the board is questioning this except Wilson n Thorpe.
“Figures lie and liars figure”
Based on the homeless I seen at my nearby gas station and stores, I say the 82% success does not pass the eye test.
An when rain stops and weather warms up?
Will it become evident city offering most free benefits will see an increase in their homeless population?
Highest priority for Antioch should be maximizing number of Police on the streets to get a handle on out of control criminality. Of all crimes reported what is APD solve rate?
Monica has been mute on everything unless she was voting to advance the Thorpe-Walker agenda. Doesn’t seem to have her own mind about anything. Now she’s looking to take her non performance to state office but absolutely won’t get my vote.
I Absolutely Call Bullshit! 80 percent success rate. Prove it. The ” Unhoused Cowardinator ” never called me back.
Did you know the Encampment clean up crews? The ones the city awarded the fat contract too.? Antioch is calling them “The Antioch Outreach Team”.
Because the City informed CORE out reach team, their services were no longer needed. Wtf? Core receives calls from homeless Antioch people every day. They still work out reach in Antioch along with all the other citys in Contra Costa County. Yet to access ANY SERVICES YOU MUST BEGIN BY CALLING 211. They ( The City of Antioch or people Paid by city refused to even donate a case of water to Core ! They Said they didn’t have the money. That’s when they cut ties with 211 and Core.
After the Governor and the Cameras went home Antioch only paid for 2 beds at Delta Landing. No Block of rooms was ever actually paid for! What happened to the 5 Trailers and the empty lot next to Jacks car wash they got to put them on in 2020? Crickets….. thats all you get.
Now TTW and Mayor Thorp want Transparency? NOW THAT IS FLAT OUT FUNNY. Well I know you two are new at this. So I’m gonna help you. You have questions and want transparency ? Bring your lawn chairs cause your not gonna want to stand the whole time. The line starts waaaaayyyyy back there! And NO ONE is gonna let you take cuts!
Lol 😆 Man I Crack myself up!
We are talking about a Obscene about of money people! Antioch hasn’t done what their saying. Just like handing someone a sandwich doesn’t make you a Grant worthy Non- Profit.
Accountability god I hope so. In my opinion No Business Owners, Real Estate owners, Long Established Non-Profit,City or Citizen want to work with Antioch City Government. The environment they have created is toxic.
Obscene amounts of money Obscene!!!
They are throwing good money after bad. Jobs. JOBS that will help with homeless. Hand them a bag and make them clean their own mess! That will save 2.5 Million right there.
VOTE*VOTE*VOTE.
Cause Every VOTE Really Can Make A Difference! It’s are only hope!
How to lie about statistics, yet here there are not even metrics available!?!?!?
Thorpe knows his time is coming to the end:
“Hernandez-Thorpe admitted the council will have to be making some tough funding decisions at some point in the future while also acknowledging an election coming up with people who ideologically don’t believe in what they are doing.”
The 2024 elections can’t come fast enough so that we can knock out all the bad actors on the City Council! From where we sit, ALL OF THEM SHOULD GO!
Comments are closed.