REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 05/17/2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: City Manager’s Office
SUBJECT:
Title
NAMING THE HARRISON HOMELESS SHELTER/NAVIGATION CENTER
End
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This staff report asks the City Council to review community input on shelter name options and select the name of the Harrison Shelter/Navigation Center.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council select a name for the Harrison Shelter/Navigation Center.
Body
BACKGROUND & HISTORY:
On June 17, 2020, City Council adopted the Homeless Strategic Plan (Plan). The Plan is a comprehensive, five-year roadmap that will be implemented in phases over time. The plan is designed to support the implementation of a flexible and scalable system of services that can respond to changing needs, issues, and opportunities.
The Plan also outlines goals and strategies to develop a complete homeless system of services. Further, Goal 2 of the Plan calls for the development of a low-barrier emergency shelter/navigation center system. In support of that goal, City Council approved the allocation of $3 million in funding to renovate a city-owned facility located at 420 Harrison Street in Corona as a new emergency shelter/navigation center. Phase I and Phase II renovations have transformed the city-owned facility into a pet friendly center with large storage lockers for shelter guests, space for an on-site clinic that will provide medical, behavioral health, and oral care services, space for post hospital recuperative care, as well as shelter beds for single adult males and single adult females.
On December 7, 2022, City Council approved a $3.9 million Homeless System of Services agreement with Mercy House Living Centers. The agreement provides funding for the operation of the Harrison Shelter/Navigation Center, the 5th Street Permanent Supportive Housing Units, a pilot Transportation/Meal Services Program, a Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program, and Post Hospital Recuperative Care.
ANALYSIS:
The Homeless Strategic Plan was developed through an inclusive community engagement process that involved many stakeholders, including residents, businesses, faith-based partners, community-based partners, County Agencies, and neighboring cities. In support of our inclusive community engagement process, Homeless Solutions worked with our Communications Office to invite community members to suggest names for the Harrison Shelter/Navigation Center. An online survey was launched through all communication channels, including Corona’s Inner Circle News, Social Media Channels, and the City’s Newsletter.
A total of 77 responses to the shelter naming survey were received. Many of the responses were duplicative or similar in theme. Homeless Solutions reviewed the list of names with Mercy House Living Centers to develop a “top-five” list of names that best capture the purpose and nature of the City’s shelter/navigation center. The following names are submitted for City Council review and consideration:
1. Harrison Hope Center
2. Circle City House of Hope
3. Circle City Renewal Center
4. Corona Restoration Center
5. Circle City New Beginnings Center
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This proposed item does not have a fiscal impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
This action is exempt pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the Guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which states that a project is exempt from CEQA if the activity is covered by the common sense exemption that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. This action approves the name of a homeless shelter. Further, operation of the homeless shelter will not have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, no environmental analysis is required.
PREPARED BY: KAREN ROPER, HOMELESS SOLUTIONS MANAGER
REVIEWED BY: JACOB ELLIS, CITY MANAGER