Link to the 9/29/2020  Brentwood Unsheltered: Virtual Town Hall

LOSING YOUR HOUSING?
CALL 211 or Text "HOPE" to 20121
FREE CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE AVAILABLE 24/7
Callers will be matched and referred to appropriate county programs.
https://cchealth.org/h3/coc/help.php 

According to the 2020 Contra Costa County Annual Point in Time Report taken in January 2020 (https://cchealth.org/h3/coc/pdf/PIT-report-2020.pdf), there are 80 unsheltered adults in Brentwood. This count was based on new federal methodology that included estimates based on certain sleep settings. For example, of the 80 counted in Brentwood, County staff confirmed half were counted from more than 20 vehicles (cars, vans, RV’s) that appeared to be serving unsheltered residents, some of whom reside here during the night and then go to work during the day. This would be the “technical” count according to federal methodologies. Another count mentioned publically is the “practical” count of those who are seen and heard regularly of approximately 35 individuals according to the Brentwood Police Department. Both counts are valid and represent different segments of the unsheltered in Brentwood, those seen and unseen.

The City has taken a strategic and collaborative approach to address these concerns.  In addition to a coordinated effort by the City's Police Department, Community Enrichment team, and Public Works Department to address issues related to homelessness, the City is working with regional partners, including Contra Costa County C.O.R.E. team (Coordinated Outreach Referral & Engagement), 211.org, and the Contra Costa County Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET). 

The Police Department responds and continues to monitor incidents, while respecting the rights of unsheltered individuals and ensuring public safety. When an officer encounters or is referred to someone who may need assistance, is willing to accept help, and/or fits certain criteria, a MHET officer will pair up with a Mental Health Clinician to link the individual to applicable services and provide follow-up checks. 
•  If you’re looking for resources, you may contact Det. Nunemaker at (925) 809-7761.
•  To report non-emergency criminal behavior, please call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (925) 809-7911. 

•  Concerns such as abandoned shopping carts, debris on private property, encampments, and other issues related to quality of life inside city limits can be quickly and easily be reported via Brentwood Connect 24/7, the mobile app and online work order platform that sends your request directly to City staff.

Brentwood Connect 24/7

Additionally, we've provided some useful phone numbers:

•  Outside city limits, requests for service in county areas can be submitted via Contra Costa County Mobile Citizen App.

To read the Brentwood Municipal Code(s) applicable to some of the recent topics of interest, click the link(s) below: 

*Unlawful camping. However:
In Martin V. City of Boise, the Ninth Circuit Court ruled that such laws violate the constitution when there is no shelter available. That being said, the City can still issue citations and make arrests for activities other than sleeping on public property that violate law.
We consider whether the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment bars a City from prosecuting people criminally for sleeping outside on public property when those people have no home or other shelter to which they can go. We conclude that it does.