LAKE COUNTY>>> In their 2023-24 Civil Grand Jury Report, the organization found that Section 8 Housing in Lake County is limited, that only 2 percent of homeless receive an award for Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV), and that homelessness has increased even though there have been significant funds dedicated to its reduction. Additional findings are that government rules for homelessness relief are too complex, that the loss of housing supply by wildfire means that the housing voucher system doesn’t work, and that once homeless, Lake County residents are unlikely to secure a home.
The report states that there are temporary group shelters available for 10 percent of the 1,000 homeless in Lake County. There are no Section 8 rental housing vouchers available and only 20 people per year are able to receive short-term EHV’s for families with critical housing needs. Local apartment complexes report four-year waitlists for subsidized units. The Grand Jury found that a strong contributor to the dire situation was the loss of 5.5 percent of the Lake County housing stock due to wildfire.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds for low-income families supply Lake County with 224 Housing Choice Vouchers and 15 Veterans Affairs Housing Support vouchers. These vouchers subsidize rent with direct payment to landlords, usually limiting eligible participants to paying 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income on rent and utilities. Lake County has issued 189 vouchers to eligible families, but voucher holders are generally unable to locate housing that meets HUD standard requirements.
The report discusses the many complex causes and factors involved in homelessness including: poverty/economic instability, natural disaster, lack of low-income housing, local and regional economic limitations, resource limits, hopelessness, substance abuse, mental health factors, disabilities, and physical health among them. The report states that: “The criminalization of homelessness, restrictive zoning laws, and lack of affordable housing policies may exacerbate vulnerabilities and barriers to housing stability for marginalized populations.”
Xamatin Haven in Lakeport, operated by Redwood Community Services, provides 35 guests shelter, meals and support in finding more permanent housing. It operates under contract with Lake County Behavioral Health which authorizes $2.2 million in HUD funds and $200,000 in Lake County funds for a 3-year contract. Hope Center, another nonprofit in Clearlake, provides housing and support services for 20 Lake County residents experiencing homelessness. CalWORKS helps eligible families with $5 million in annual cash payments for housing, food and utilities, while CalFRESH helps low-income families with food purchasing. Lake Family Resource Center uses their $4.5 million annual budget to provide housing support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and/or stalking. They offer transitional housing in their 17-bed facility and market rental housing support for up to a year. The Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians described a plan to develop low-income housing on 63 acres near the Twin Pines Casino. The plan proposes some 45 homes, 5 cabins and a 21-space RV park. A Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for Lake County will provide data to policymakers to understand and address the complexities of homelessness and develop effective solutions.
The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors investigate if county-run Housing Agency could be more effective in procuring space for unhoused residents. They advise that the Board use HMIS data to improve oversight of county-wide homeless services, and develop a plan to increase the low-income housing supply in Lake County.
