City Seeks Aid for Chronically Homeless

In 18 months, 250 police contacts with seven chronically homeless individuals cost the city more than $100,000.

The incident-driven approach has proved costly. In hopes of creating a more cost-effective system and effecting permanent change, the South San Francisco City Council Wednesday unanimously agreed to apply for funds to establish transitional housing and a homeless outreach team.

The Shelter Network will send the application to the County of San Mateo Continuum of Care for the grant for more than $215,000.

“You could call it a tough love approach to dealing with chronic homelessness,” said network development director Chris Canter.

The grant will assist those who face long-term or chronic homelessness, specifically in downtown South San Francisco.

The grant application will be sent along with a letter of support from the City of South San Francisco committing to provide the program with an 18-bedroom facility for participants.

Canter said effecting change in chronic homelessness requires housing as a first step.

“It is the economically smart thing to do,” Canter said.

Police Chief Mike Massoni gave a short presentation detailing city expenses when dealing with chronic homeless.

According to Massoni, a study conducted by the police department identified seven chronically homeless individuals in the downtown area.

In an 18-month period, he said, police had approximately 250 contacts with the seven individuals ranging from public drunkenness to medical issues.

“Each time we have a contact with them it comes at a cost,” Massoni said.

Massoni, who referred to the seven people as “frequent customers." said that each call costs approximately $3,000.

Canter said he believes there is an 80 percent chance the Shelter Network will receive the grant.

The new facilities will allow an opportunity for the formerly homeless to transition to permanent housing and job prospects, he said.

“We want to take tax takers and turn them into taxpayers,” Canter said.