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Page 5 of 7 <br />City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org <br />psychotic disorder in the same class. A petitioner (family member, close friend, first responder, <br />behavioral health provider, or others) may submit a petition to the CARE Court to create a voluntary <br />CARE agreement or court-ordered CARE plan that may include treatment, housing support, and other <br />services. While this is likely to help only a small portion of those who are homeless, this may be a <br />valuable new resource. (https://www.smchealth.org/care). <br />Hopeful Horizons (Anti-Camping) Ordinance Implementation Begins – The County has begun <br />implementation of the Hopeful Horizons Ordinance focused on encampments in unincorporated San <br />Mateo County, approximately eight encampments with a total of 44 individuals. Focused initially on <br />outreach to encourage acceptance of shelter, the ordinance allows authorities to charge a person <br />living in an encampment on public property with a misdemeanor after receiving at least two written <br />warnings and two offers of shelter that are declined. Anyone cited with a misdemeanor violation <br />under the ordinance would automatically qualify for participation in appropriate diversion programs <br />offered by the San Mateo County Superior Court, thereby avoiding jail time. At this time, the County <br />has not issued any citations. <br />Countywide Homeless Outreach Coordination – While the County has supported Homeless Outreach <br />Teams countywide for many years, the level of involvement from local jurisdictions and other <br />community partners has varied. The County now aims to enhance coordination with cities by dividing <br />the County into four regions, each served by a single homeless outreach provider. These providers <br />will coordinate with local jurisdictions and community partners, work closely with health and <br />behavioral health programs, develop a by-name list to track individuals as they move, and offer after- <br />hours and rapid response services—similar to the Redwood City Outreach Team model. Redwood City <br />is part of the Bayside Region (Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Foster <br />City, and Hillsborough) and is facilitating discussions among these cities to provide feedback to the <br />County. <br />City of Grants Pass v. Johnson - The U.S. Supreme Court in the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson case <br />ruled that the Cruel and Unusual Punishments Clause of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit <br />cities from enforcing public camping laws against unhoused people even if the cities cannot provide <br />alternate shelter and enforcement involves criminal penalties. As a result of this ruling, Redwood City <br />could update and enforce local regulations concerning anti-camping and blocking of sidewalks by <br />persons or structures. <br />State Urges Local Action on Homelessness – State officials recently have urged cities to take prompt <br />action related to homelessness. Redwood City has been a leader in developing and implementing <br />innovative approaches to homelessness that both support housing security and limit community <br />impacts associated with encampments. Staff are actively monitoring the results of the County’s new <br />approaches, and leading efforts to coordinate effectively with the County and other cities. <br />Next Steps <br />In light of the new developments noted above, staff intend to pursue the following steps to ensure that <br />the City’s actions reflect both the urgency of the situation and the need for humane and sustainable <br />solutions. <br />8.A. - Page 5 of 7 <br />135