A. Purpose. This section provides location, development, and permitting standards for low barrier navigation centers in compliance with Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Zone-Specific Development Standards) and Cal. Gov’t Code § 65660.
B. Definitions. As used in this Section, the following words and phrases are defined as follows.
1. Coordinated Entry System. A centralized or coordinated assessment system developed pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations as specified in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65662, and any related requirements, designed to coordinate program participant intake, assessment, and referrals.
2. Low Barrier. Best practices to reduce barriers to entry, and may include, but is not limited to, the following:
a. 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;
b. Pets;
c. The storage of possessions; or
d. Privacy, such as partitions around beds in a dormitory setting or in larger rooms containing more than two beds, or private rooms.
3. Low Barrier Navigation Center. 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.
C. Development and Operational Standards. All low barrier navigation centers shall comply with the following requirements:
1. Connected Services. The low barrier navigation center shall offer services to connect people to permanent housing through a services plan that identifies services staffing.
2. Coordinated Entry System. The low barrier navigation center shall be 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.
3. Code Compliant. The low barrier navigation center shall comply with Chapter 6.5 (commencing with § 8255) of Division 8 of the Cal. Welfare and Institutions Code.
4. Homeless Management Information System. The low barrier navigation center shall have 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 § 578.3 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
D. Permit Requirements. Low barrier navigation centers are allowed in all mixed use zones per Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Zone-Specific Development Standards) subject to the requirements of this Section and all restrictions of the applicable zoning district. An Administrative Site Plan review is required prior to establishment of any low-barrier navigation center project. Within 30 days of receipt of an application for a low-barrier navigation center development, the City shall notify the developer whether the application is complete pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 65943. Within 60 days of receipt of a completed application for a low-barrier navigation center development, the City shall act upon its review of the application.
(Ord. No. 2024-006)