title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing December 21, 2024, as National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Solano County (Supervisor Vasquez)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing December 21, 2024, as National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Solano County.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
For more than three decades, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council have designated the winter solstice, typically the twenty-first day of December of each year, as National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. Hunger and homelessness continue to present serious challenges for public agencies and community groups, in Solano County, and across the nation, who seek to address the problem. An ongoing housing crisis also contributes to the potential for more people to live and die without shelter.
According to the January 31, 2024 Solano County Homeless Census and Survey (point-in-time count), it is estimated that 1,725 people were either living in shelters (289 people) or on the streets (1,436 people) of Solano County. This is an increase of 546 people (46.3%) from the last full Unsheltered PIT count conducted in 2022. While the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness has increased in the 2024 count, the report notes that this may be reflective of more people experiencing homelessness, but also may be at least partially attributed to how the count was conducted. Overall, in 2024 there were 216 registered volunteers to assist with the count, up from 130 registered volunteers in 2022-a 66% increase. This leads to a more thorough canvassing of count areas and ideally a more accurate count.
According to the Solano County Sheriff’s Office, 46 homeless deaths have been reported and/or investigated by the Sheriff/Coroner’s Office in 2024 (figure as of Nov. 18, 2024). By joining together as a community to remember those who have died without shelter over the past year, we can honor their lives by working to provide solutions to end homelessness in our county.
Multiple events will be held in Solano County to remember, honor, and give attention to the unhoused community and those that have passed away unhoused in 2024. A homeless persons’ memorial will be held at 5 p.m. on Wednesday Dec. 18 at the Fairfield Community Center, 1000 Kentucky Street in Fairfield. The following day, a homeless persons’ memorial will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19 at Orchard Avenue Baptist Church, 301 N. Orchard Avenue in Vacaville.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the District 4 FY2024/25 Working Budget. The costs associated with the preparation and purchase of the resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution, however, that is not recommended as this is an opportunity to raise awareness of the risk factors associated with homelessness, including greater susceptibility to injury, illness, and death, and remember those who have died homeless.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION