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Soledad council restates shelter crisis declaration to support interim homelessness actions
Summary
The council unanimously restated a prior shelter‑crisis declaration (Resolution No. 6198), citing worsening local and county homeless conditions and to preserve statutory tools and exemptions available under state law for shelter projects and streamlined approvals.
The Soledad City Council on Feb. 19 restated its earlier declaration of a shelter crisis and extended the city’s commitment to pursue sheltering options for people experiencing homelessness by adopting Resolution No. 6198.
City Attorney (reported in open session) explained the state‑level statutory procedure adopted in 2018 authorizes cities with a shelter‑crisis declaration to adopt standards and design guidelines that can accelerate shelter development and, in certain instances, rely on statutory exemptions intended to facilitate shelter construction.
The attorney told the council that the city previously adopted a shelter‑crisis declaration in 2019 and that local and county homelessness conditions have not improved; restating the declaration is a housekeeping step that will allow the city to use the statutory tools should it pursue interim shelters, navigation centers or related projects. The attorney also noted the declaration can be used to streamline design review for shelter projects and to take advantage of state programmatic exemptions where applicable.
Council members expressed support for continuing the city’s efforts to secure interim sheltering options and directed staff to continue to pursue funding and coordination with the county and regional partners.
Ending: Council adopted Resolution No. 6198; staff will continue site work and project planning related to interim shelter and navigation services and will report timing and next steps to council.
