Salinas outlines homelessness strategy as grant funding for programs wanes

City staff on July 25 presented an update to the Salinas City Council on homelessness in the city, outlining program spending, housing acquisitions and recommendations for which services the council should prioritize as one-time grant funding runs out.

The presentation by Community Development Director Yeraline Hernandez said Salinas is home to roughly 50% of Monterey County's homeless population and summarized current programs, costs and gaps. "Our current initiatives are primarily funded through grants with minimal reliance on the general fund," Hernandez said. She listed emergency shelter, prevention, rapid rehousing and outreach programs and said the city has acquired properties to support unsheltered community members.

Hernandez told the council the city currently spends about $20,200,000 on emergency shelter, $15,100,000 on homeless prevention, $3,600,000 on rapid rehousing, $8,900,000 on street outreach, $7,900,000 on housing acquisition and $1,900,000 on administration. She said the city has 222 permanent housing units in its inventory, including motel conversions and four completed single-family homes with two more pending.

Why it matters: Hernandez said many programs are funded with one-time grants that are ending. "With grant funding running out on most of the programs and services, the city will need to determine what programs and services it would like to continue and to identify a funding source," she said. Staff asked the council for direction on which…