- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
City of Lakeport to study homeless navigation center
At its Nov. 7 meeting, the Lakeport City Council approved a professional services agreement with Vanir for the study, which will be funded by the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program.
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Nick Walker’s written report explained that navigation centers “are emerging as a promising approach to addressing homelessness in many communities,” offering temporary shelter, social services, and support designed to help individuals transition from homelessness to more stable and permanent housing situations.
“By providing a safe and welcoming environment, Navigation Centers aim to bridge the gap between homelessness and permanent housing, offering a path to stability and self-sufficiency,” he wrote.
Walker told the council at the meeting, “We’ve been discussing homelessness and how complicated and complex that issue is, not just in the city of Lakeport, but statewide, nationwide.”
He said the city’s plan for awhile has been to start with developing a navigation center. That process begins with a request for proposals to develop the center, Walker said.
He said they received two proposals for the work, noting it’s a relatively new industry.
The grant’s five-year plan includes a feasibility study and predevelopment costs that will be fully covered by Permanent Local Housing Allocation funding, according to Walker, who reported that the city has so far received $369,896 for the first three years of the program. He said they plan to apply for additional funds.
Key aspects of the study include assessing need, identifying potential sites, engaging stakeholders, conducting a financial analysis, developing a program plan, assessing potential impacts and providing recommendations.
“I think it’s important to discuss why we’re recommending a much higher consulting cost than the low bid or low proposal,” said Walker.
Walker said it was clear to the review committee that the level of service that was being offered by the second firm wasn’t comparable to Vanir. He added that it wasn’t easy to recommend something that’s five times the price.
However, Walker said city staff believe that in the long run they will be able to go from this study straight to implementation of a project.
City Manager Kevin Ingram said the selection committee took the matter of the higher cost very seriously, noting Vanir can get them closer to shovel ready.
Councilmember Kim Costa said the proposal makes sense.
“This is a huge project,” she said, noting the city is rolling up its sleeves and getting to work.
Mayor Pro Tem Michael Froio agreed, adding that cities up and down California are trying to find ways to address homelessness.
He said Lakeport’s leadership isn’t just trying to get a navigation center project done in the city but doing it in a way that fits the small and unique community.
District 4 Supervisor Michael Green also voiced his support for the study.
The council voted 5-0 to approve the selection of Vanir to conduct the navigation study.
During the Nov. 7 meeting, the council held a public hearing to discuss a proposed zoning ordinance amendment regarding the time limit for planned development combining district and set a second reading for Nov. 21; approved a $28,740 bid from CR Fence Co. Inc. dba Humboldt Fence Co. for the Xabatin Park fencing; and approved an agreement for a grant with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
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