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Mariposa County keeps emergency proclamation in place to allow Connections shelter to operate
Summary
County leaders and staff told the Board of Supervisors that an emergency proclamation, adopted after the 2018 Martin v. Boise litigation, continues to allow the unpermitted Connections shelter to house most of Mariposa County's counted unhoused residents while county and state funding for a permanent shelter remain unresolved.
Mariposa County’s Board of Supervisors kept a consent-agenda item that continues an emergency proclamation allowing the Connections homeless shelter to operate, county officials said at the Feb. 11 board meeting.
County Administrative Officer Joe Lynch told the board the proclamation dates to 2018 and “allowed for the use of Connections,” a site that was not originally permitted for shelter use. Lynch said the emergency proclamation “eases the zoning and permit laws around shelters” and remains necessary because the county does not have a permanent, permitted shelter in place.
The proclamation’s origin follows litigation referenced by Lynch: Martin v. Boise. Lynch said that case prompted counties to ensure shelter capacity when a shelter did not otherwise exist locally. He described a continuing effort by Health and Human Services to secure a permanent shelter, including temporary housing and supportive housing, but said state funding was pulled at a key moment and blocked earlier options.
Lynch said the county’s most recent point-in-time count recorded about 55 people who were experiencing homelessness and that “a majority of them are housed” at Connections. He warned that if the board rescinded the proclamation, “the connections would close immediately” and estimated roughly 40 people who currently stay there would return to public spaces in the community.
A member of the public who identified himself as Mike criticized the continuing emergency designation and asked, “When does this emergency go away?” Mike pressed the board to explain why the county continues to rely on the emergency proclamation rather than achieving permanent permitting.
Lynch responded that county staff have repeatedly sought grant funding, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) sources and other state programs, to build a permanent site. He said the county has pursued potential properties and partners and that earlier efforts were disrupted when the state “pulled funding,” which delayed permanent permitting and construction.
The consent agenda that included the proclamation was approved without items removed. Supervisor Toso moved to approve the consent agenda; Supervisor Kaiser seconded. The board voted 5-0 to approve the consent agenda.
County staff and board members said they intend to continue pursuing a permanent shelter and to work with partners and grant programs to replace the temporary arrangement. Lynch described the current arrangement as “not the best case scenario” but said it allows people to access services and keep them out of creeks and streets while permanent options are sought.
