Lake County says it received $1.5 million in Continuum of Care funds; supervisors weighing safe-parking and outreach

Supervisor Svante said Lake County has received $1,500,000 in Continuum of Care (CoC) funding and officials are discussing using the money for safe-parking and related outreach to move people into shelters and housing.

The funding “is $1,500,000,” Supervisor Svante said. “We are looking at, safe parking as well as some other ideas within the concept of safe parking. Again, trying to engage folks in a less intrusive way to try to get them to build trust and relationships with us so we can get them into our shelters and then through the housing continuum. Those conversations continue. We hope to have a budget soon. And, the state wants us to start spending the money soon.”

Why it matters: Continuum of Care funds are typically awarded to local homeless-service systems to support shelter, rapid rehousing and supportive services. Board members framed safe parking as a less intrusive first step to build trust with people living in vehicles so they can enter shelters or other housing programs.

What was said and what comes next: Supervisors described ongoing internal discussions and collaboration between board leadership; Vice Chair Rasmussen was named as involved in planning though specific budget allocations were not provided. Supervisors said a budget for spending the award is being developed and that the state has indicated a desire for prompt use of the funds.

Details and limits: The board did not adopt a spending plan at the meeting, and no formal motion or vote on allocation occurred. The amount received, $1,500,000, and the general interest in safe-parking and outreach were stated on the record by Supervisor Svante. No timelines, specific service providers, or line-item budgets were specified.

Next steps: Supervisors said a proposed budget will be presented to the board in a future meeting for formal consideration and potential approval.