Lake County supervisors discuss $1.5 million encampment-resolution fund for safe parking

Supervisor 3, a member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors, said the county is exploring how to use an encampment-resolution grant to create safe-parking sites and other services for people experiencing homelessness.

"We are having conversations about using the encampment resolution fund that we receive, approximately $1,500,000 or exactly $1,500,000 and we're looking at, what's possible with safe parking, around the county and seeing what properties are available and how we can coordinate that with that money," Supervisor 3 said.

The money is a four-year grant, Supervisor 3 said, and officials are looking at property availability and coordination with faith-based and Continuum of Care partners. Supervisor 3 added that county staff hope to spend the funds on a range of services but that rising costs reduce what the grant can cover.

The discussion emerged during routine supervisor reports; Supervisor 3 said they planned to contact the faith leadership chair of the Continuum of Care to coordinate next steps.

Supervisor 2, reporting on related matters, said she recently toured Hamilton Haven, an unhoused-shelter site, with the Continuum of Care as part of follow-up work. "Went on a, tour of Hamilton Haven, the unhoused shelter for some follow-up with the COC," Supervisor 2 said.

No formal action or vote on the encampment-resolution fund was recorded in the transcript. The remarks indicate staff and elected officials will pursue coordination with local partners, evaluate property options for safe parking, and consider other uses of the grant as needs and costs evolve.

Next steps described on the record include Supervisor 3 making a phone call to the Continuum of Care faith leadership chair to coordinate uses of the grant and exploring available properties for safe parking and complementary services.