Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Encampment Outreach And Letter Of Agency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City rolls out postcard, app reporting and a ‘Letter of Agency’ to manage encampments and link people to outreach services
Summary
San Fernando staff described an outreach and education campaign to explain a new anti‑encampment ordinance, how property owners can request trespass enforcement via a 'Letter of Agency', and how residents can request street‑outreach services from North Valley Caring Services.
City staff described a community‑engagement campaign tied to the city’s updated anti‑encampment ordinance and announced an outreach‑first approach that pairs enforcement with street‑outreach and referral to services.
Staff said residents and property owners will receive an informational postcard inserted in March or April water bills and that a QR code will link to frequently asked questions and the city’s homeless‑services webpage. The My San Fernando app will include a reporting option for encampments; reports will be routed to city staff and to the contracted outreach partner, North Valley Caring Services.
Letter of Agency: staff described a pilot “trespass arrest authorization letter of agency” program that gives property owners a formal authorization to help expedite enforcement on private property (warnings, citations or arrests for trespass) and asks owners to post signs and provide contact information. Staff said guidelines for eligible properties and sign templates will be available on the city website and that the program is intended to protect property while ensuring outreach is offered to people living in encampments.
Outreach services and response times: outreach requests can be made to the outreach line (818‑898‑1210), by email to homeless@sfcity.org or through the My San Fernando app. Staff said the outreach partner’s target response time is 24 hours on weekdays and 72 hours on weekends. Outreach teams provide food, hygiene supplies, case management and referrals to housing, health and substance‑use services.
Why this matters: staff emphasized the city’s compliance with legal constraints established in Martin v. City of Boise and other rulings — enforcement will be tied to availability of adequate shelter and to outreach offers. The postcard and app aim to clarify reporting channels, set expectations for response and reduce confusion from misinformation.
Ending: staff said postcards are printed and in distribution to community academies, Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch meetings and that the initial materials will be paid from existing police‑department supply budgets. Council members asked about the timing and the inclusion of the materials in water bills, and staff advised they will return with usage metrics as outreach requests are logged.
