AgdaPkt 2020-06-08 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.H. - Page 9 of 16 Diane Howard, Mayor Shelly Masur, Vice Mayor Alicia C. Aguirre, Council Member Ian Bain, Council Member Janet Borgens, Council Member Giselle Hale, Council Member Diana Reddy, Council Member June 8, 2020 The Honorable Philip Ting California State Assembly, District 19 State Capitol Room 4139 Sacramento, CA 95814 RE: AB 2553 (Ting) Shelter Crisis Programs Dear Assemblymember Ting: Redwood CityCalifornia i Fowded 1861 1 1017 Middlefield Road Redwood City, CA 94063 (650) 780-7301 Fax(650)780-7225 The City of Redwood City is proud to support your Assembly Bill (AB) 2553, which would expand the current shelter crisis pilot program statewide. In addition, we appreciate your willingness to amend the bill to expand the definition of a "homeless shelter" to cover locations designated as safe parking lots as well as adding provisions to allow local governments with safe parking programs for recreational vehicles to be exempt from the Recreational Vehicle Park Occupancy Laws. As you know San Mateo County has been one of the most impacted regions for COVID-19. In Redwood City, we have over 100 RV/Motorhomes residents living on streets. While they may be considered to be "sheltered" with the ability to stay home, they are living in a situation with limited or no access to normal RV hook-ups such as water, sewer, and electricity; the threat and the spread of the COVID-19 Virus for this population is still very high. RV/Motorhome Residents are faced with the same challenges as unsheltered residents — particularly with regards to following safe and healthy practices to prevent exposure and spread of COVID-19. In particular, as gyms, community centers, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, and places where our RV/Motorhome and unsheltered residents normally go to for bathrooms and shower facilities have closed, many of the residents find themselves with few options for basic hygiene. Creating a "Safe Parking Location" with basic services like bathrooms and showers while maintaining social distancing practices would not only protect the health and safety of our RV/Motorhome Residents, but also lead towards the long term goal beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis to help these households transition into permanent housing solutions. As it stands, Redwood City nor San Mateo County is listed in Section 8698.4, therefore we are not allowed to create a 24-hour safe parking site under the provisions set forth under the program. Having AB_2553 expand the pilot program established by your AB 932 (2017) to become statewide �_i City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcitV.org 318