FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Supervisor John Gioia
(510) 374-3231

Cynthia Belon – County Homeless Program Director
(925) 313-6736

Angela Jones – Richmond Public Information Officer
(510) 621-1230

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 1, 2002

COUNTY EMERGENCY HOMELESS SHELTER OPENS 25 NEW BEDS

Beds to be reserved for homeless adults in Richmond

North Richmond, Calif., February 1, 2002… Contra Costa County and the City of Richmond announced today the opening of 25 new beds at the West Contra Costa County Emergency Housing Center in North Richmond, increasing the total number of emergency homeless beds at the shelter to 100.  The beds are reserved specifically for homeless adults in Richmond.

Talks between the City and County for additional beds began this past fall when Richmond officials looked at encampment issues near Costco.  As a result from those discussions, Richmond agreed to pay the County $80,000 to operate and maintain the 25 beds at the County shelter for 6 months.  City Manager Isiah Turner vowed to continue funding from the City. “This is one of a number of initiatives that the City is bringing forward to demonstrate that our elected officials are sensitive to the plight of the homeless in our community.”

Under the terms of the new City/County joint agreement, 10 of the 25 beds will be reserved for Richmond Homeless adults, 15 will be set aside for adults living in homeless encampments.  This plan fast-tracks homeless individuals from Richmond to access emergency beds who would otherwise be on the shelter’s waiting list.

“The County has always looked at ways to address homeless issues,” said Supervisor John Gioia. “I’m glad that we’ve been able to work together to continue to address the issue of homelessness in community.”

According to Contra Costa County’s Homeless Program, nearly 90% of all adults in the county’s homeless emergency shelter in North Richmond are from Richmond.  More than 50% of those on the shelter’s waiting list are Richmond residents.

The additional beds come at a time when the Bay Area is experiencing colder than usual seasonal weather and county resources are stretched to the limit.  Traditionally, there’s a greater demand on shelter resources during the Winter season.   In the past, the County has offered motel vouchers to families and individuals when County shelters are at maximum capacity. This year, the county did not receive state funding for the vouchers (approximately $20,000).

Contra Costa County operates emergency shelters in Concord and North Richmond.

Homeless advocates together with Supervisor Gioia and Contra Costa County’s Homeless Program are currently planning for a Homeless Summit for this Spring.