Background: The homelessness crisis in Stockton has been regarded as the most pressing policy issue facing the city. Stockton City Council, in conjunction with City Staff, held a Homeless Study Session to discuss first-step solutions to begin addressing the need for new shelter innovations.

The people of Stockton have long asked for a seat at the table and a voice in the decisionmaking process. To provide the public with this opportunity, a survey was created to capture public sentiments of specific policies and initiatives. This feedback will be utilized as an informational component by the Office of the Mayor in their potential homeless response. All responses were confidential.

The information below serves as a summarization of the data collected

Demographic Information

What council district do you reside in?

• District 1 - Jobrack: 8.6%
• District 2 - Wright: 6.2%
• District 3 - Canepa: 8.6%
• District 4 - Lenz: 10.8%
• District 5 - Fugazi: 10.9%
• District 6 - Warmsley: 6.2%

695 total responses

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

POLICY OPTION 1: Safe Camping and Parking Sites

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is 'very unlikely', 10 is 'very likely', and 5 is in the middle, how likely are you to support safe camping and parking sites as a homeless solution?

Safe camping and parking programs involve transitioning an unused part of city or general land into a homeless center. Centers provide important amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, phone charging, and more. These camping and parking sites will be monitored to protect against vandalism, theft, and to protect those using them.

In respect to safe camping, this program would provide a central location for homeless individuals to set up camp, providing an alternative to the encampments spread throughout the city. If done successfully, wrap-around services will also be provided at these locations.

In respect to safe parking, the program allows those who are living in their cars to park safely for a period of time and if done successfully, wrap-around services will also be provided at these locations.

• 64.5% demonstrate some level of support for safe camping and parking sites (aggregate from respondents denoting 6 through 10)
• 23.7% demonstrate some level of not supporting safe camping and parking sites (aggregate from respondents denoting 0 through 4)
• 11.8% demonstrate neutrality

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

POLICY OPTION 2: First Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is 'very unlikely', 10 is 'very likely', and 5 is in the middle, how likely are you to support safe camping and parking sites as a homeless solution?

Down payment assistance (DPA) helps homebuyers with grants or low-interest loans that reduce the amount they need to save for a down payment. This assistance makes it easier for first time homebuyers to purchase a property.

This policy would work towards creating a DPA to support and stimulate first-time homebuyers with greater ease. The city would create and provide this program.

• 61.2% demonstrate some level of support for a first-time homebuyer down payment assistance program (aggregate from respondents denoting 6 through 10)
• 28.1% demonstrate some level of not supporting a first time homebuyer down payment assistance program (aggregate from respondents denoting 0 through 4)
• 10.8% demonstrate neutrality

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

POLICY OPTION 3: First and Last Month's Rental Assistance

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is 'very unlikely', 10 is 'very likely', and 5 is in the middle, how likely are you to support safe camping and parking sites as a homeless solution?

First and last month's rental assistance programs would provide greater support for individuals being eligible to enter into rental agreements. Often, landlords require deposits and first and last month's rent upfront as a precondition for moving into a property. This acts a barrier to those who do not have the savings or resources to put forth towards those requirements.

This policy would work towards providing those who do not have the ability to pay this lumpsum amount with financial assistance, thereby increasing the probability an individual will be able to rent a property.

• 64.3% demonstrate some level of support for a First and Last Month's Rental Assistance program (aggregate from respondents denoting 6 through 10)
• 23.8% demonstrate some level of not supporting a First and Last Month's Rental Assistance program (aggregate from respondents denoting 0 through 4)
• 11.8% demonstrate neutrality

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

POLICY OPTION 4: Low to No Barrier Emergency Shelter Beds

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is 'very unlikely', 10 is 'very likely', and 5 is in the middle, how likely are you to support safe camping and parking sites as a homeless solution?

Low to no barrier shelters are facilities that allow easy entry for individuals. Some barriers that exist at medium to high barrier shelters include the ability to bring pets, possessions, and/or partners into a shelter, as well as requirements such as background checks, sobriety tests, and treatment participation. Low to no barrier shelters remove barriers like these, and others. If done successfully, treatment, resources, and wrap-around services would be available including but not limited to case management, behavioral health services, rehabilitative services, and employment assistance.

This policy would work towards increasing low to no barrier emergency shelter beds for the homeless population to utilize.

• 70.2% demonstrate some level of support for expanding Low to No Barrier Emergency Shelter Beds (aggregate from respondents denoting 6 through 10)
• 17% demonstrate some level of not supporting expanding Low to No Barrier Emergency Shelter Beds (aggregate from respondents denoting 0 through 4)
• 12.7% demonstrate neutrality

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

POLICY OPTION 5: Coordinated Entry/Navigation System

On a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 is 'very unlikely', 10 is 'very likely', and 5 is in the middle, how likely are you to support safe camping and parking sites as a homeless solution?

A Coordinated Entry/Navigation System is a process designed to efficiently match people experiencing homelessness to available housing, shelter, and services. It serves an initial intake point where staff can assess the needs of the homeless individual to diagnose and provide the necessary services and general assistance more efficiently.

The policy would work towards creating and scaling a coordinated entry/navigation system. This person-centered approach prioritizes those who are most in need of assistance based upon an intake assessment.

• 78.9% demonstrate some level of support for Coordinated Entry/Navigation Systems (aggregate from respondents denoting 6 through 10)
• 10.6% demonstrate some level of not supporting Coordinated Entry/Navigation Systems (aggregate from respondents denoting 0 through 4)
• 10.5% demonstrate neutrality

Note: When adding the percentages, some will not equate to 100%. This is due to normal rounding error.

Interview or Events Requests

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