On Wednesday, the Martinez City Council received its quarterly presentation regarding CORE outreach to the homeless.
The data was presented for the third quarter which included January, February and March in which they offered no recommendations at this time.
Vice Mayor Debbie McKillop thanked CORE team for the 244 calls diverted away from the police services while ensuring police services are directed to those necessary—she called it an added benefit of the CORE team.
“I appreciate 244 calls for services because that is a lot of man hours that police could utilize somewhere more needed,” said McKillop while also working with the homeless who need the services.
Meanwhile, Chief Andrew White cautioned to the council that ARPA funds do end in June for this program and they would be going back to a part-time CORE team while sharing with Pleasant Hill. They also may seek Measure X funding as a possibility. They also could seek out encampment resolution funding.
Fadi Elhayak, CORE Program Director, shared they had diverted 244 calls from Martinez Police Department to the CORE Team—freeing up police to handle police calls. The CORE team provided 1,280 services from health coordination to housing readiness. Also, had 420 warming center placements (Concord & Richmond).
The Martinez CORE team says it provided services to 96 unique (unduplicated) individuals and made 555 contacts during the third quarter. Of those served, 38 individuals reported they lost their housing in Martinez and 77 reported they have roots in Martinez (grew up in Martinez, have family, friends, etc.).
The top three self-reported causes of homelessness of those contacted by the CORE Martinez team are:
- low-income 49 percent (47individuals),
- thrown out 42 percent (40 individuals),
- (3) loss of job 38 percent (37 individuals).
Demographics of the individuals and families served by the Martinez CORE team include:
- 95% (91 individuals) reported having a disabling condition
- 67% (64 individuals) reported having a mental health disability
- 42% (40 individuals) reported chronic health conditions
- 19% (18 individuals) reported developmental disabilities
- 32% (31 individuals) reported having a physical disability
- 55% (53 individuals) reported they have been unhoused for over five years
- 85% (82 individuals) reported that this instance of homelessness was not their first time
- 19% (18 individuals) reported being survivors of domestic violence
- 70% (67 individuals) report having zero income
Elhayak highlighted its impatient/outpatient treatment placements and referrals where they had 6 placements who existed while actively, they have 3 coordination’s, 8 referrals and 6 placements.
CORE’s impact in Martinez is highlighted in the exit outcome measures below. Of the six (6) who exited, 83% (5 individuals) went to the following stable housing destinations:
- 20% (1 individuals) moved in with friends or family
- 20% (1 individuals) moved into rental with an ongoing housing subsidy
- 20% (1 individuals) moved into shelter
- 40% (2 individuals) went into substance abuse program
Of the additional 86 individuals served by other CORE teams, 19 individuals exited from CORE and 87% (14 individuals) went to the following stable housing destinations:
- 47% (9 individuals) exited to a shelter
- 21% (4 individuals) moved into a substance abuse treatment facility or detox
- 5% (1 individuals) moved into permanent housing with ongoing subsidy
On July 1, 2023, the program was expanded to a full-time team of two workers providing 40 hours per week of services in Martinez. The cost of the program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 is $269,729, with $130,000 funded by a one-time allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund.
Staff Report: click here
Full Report: Click here
Previous
- Feb 5, 2024 – Martinez to Get Update on Homeless Outreach and Services
- Nov 7, 2023 – Martinez City Council Grills Core Team on Homeless Response
