Los Altos Municipal Code Art. 2 Low-Barrier Navigation Center

The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards for low-barrier navigation centers and to ensure this use is constructed and operated in a manner that is consistent with the requirements and allowances of state law, specifically Article 12 of Chapter 3 of Division 1 of Planning and Zoning Law commencing with Government Code Section 65660.

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)

"Low-barrier navigation center" means a housing-first, low-barrier, service-enriched shelter focused on moving people into permanent housing that provides temporary living facilities while case managers connect individuals experiencing homelessness to income, public benefits, health services, shelter, and housing. "Low barrier" means best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:

The presence of partners if it is not a population-specific site, such as for survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, women, or youth.

Pets.

The storage of possessions.

Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms.

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all low-barrier navigation center projects.

The permit shall be a ministerial action without discretionary review or a hearing. The city will notify a developer whether the developer's application is complete within thirty (30) days, pursuant to Government Code section 65943. Action shall be taken within sixty (60) days of a complete application being filed.

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)

A planning permit is required prior to the establishment of any low-barrier navigation center project meeting the following criteria:

It offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.

It is linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. "Coordinated entry system" means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to Section 576.400(d) or Section 578.7(a)(8), as applicable, of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those sections read on January 1, 2020, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.

It complies with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

It has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local Homeless Management Information System as defined by Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)

The districts established by this section shall allow low-barrier navigation centers and are designated as follows:

Commercial Downtown/Multiple-Family District (CD/R3)

Commercial Neighborhood District (CN)

Commercial Downtown District (CD)

Commercial Retail Sales District (CRS)

Commercial Thoroughfare District (CT)

Commercial Retail Sales/Office District (CRS/OAD)

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)

All low-barrier navigation center development shall meet the following requirements:

A.

Connected Services. It offers services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.

B.

Coordinated Entry System. It is linked to a coordinated entry system, so that staff in the interim facility or staff who co-locate in the facility may conduct assessments and provide services to connect people to permanent housing. "Coordinated entry system" means a centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to Section 576.400(d) or Section 578.7(a)(8), as applicable, of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as those sections read on January 1, 2020, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.

C.

Code Compliant. It complies with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 8255) of Division 8 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

D.

Homeless Management Information System. It has a system for entering information regarding client stays, client demographics, client income, and exit destination through the local Homeless Management Information System, as defined by Section 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

(Ord. No. 2023-497, § 1(App. A), 9-12-2023; Ord. No. 2023-503, § 4(App. D), 11-28-2023)