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City Council Meeting Minutes October 4, 2021 <br />Mr. Stapp provided the staff recommendations to develop high level vision for <br />a draft model in partnership with the Local Homeless Coalition and bring back <br />to Council a resolution of support. He stated given the current circumstances <br />found in the community, staff believes a model resembling the Built for Zero <br />campaign could be successful in San Marcos. Staff recommends we consider <br />waiting until after the needs assessment is complete before allocating the $400k <br />in funding. <br />Council Member Garza spoke about broken support systems and the <br />importance of partnerships including government entities. She asked how <br />would success be measured with other entities? Council Member Garza <br />expressed concern with the rating from the Texas Housers organization and <br />how San Marcos is one of the least successful in rental assistance programs. <br />She would like to know how San Marcos is filling gaps to support other entities <br />regarding programs funded through pandemic relief funds. Mr. Stapp stated <br />we have partnerships with Hays County and the challenges include the level of <br />homelessness and they are different in smaller cities. He stated in terms of <br />programs in place to prevent homelessness during the pandemic, there was a <br />partnership with the County, BR3T organization and rental assistance <br />programs and the money has been depleted which means the money is being <br />used in the community. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Derrick noted that while Camp Esperanza is a relatively new <br />program, they are enthusiastic and working very hard and are working toward <br />success. We would need to find the super -advocate in order to make this work. <br />Council Member Baker expressed concern with settling with one model when <br />other models can provide different benefits. Mr. Baker stated some of the <br />challenges for homeless individuals. He stated it is hard for the unhoused to <br />apply for programs and get an identification because they do not have a <br />mailing address. He mentioned organizations receiving funds should allow <br />homeless people to use a mailing address. He asked Police Chief Standridge <br />about the Built for Zero campaign and the differences in population from <br />Abilene to San Marcos. Chief Standridge stated they thought homeless people <br />came to Abilene because of the program but the findings, through the needs <br />assessments, was that most were city residents and mostly were women in <br />domestic abuse situations. He stated they had a little luck involving the County <br />but the city worked with local non-profit organizations to accomplish Built for <br />Zero. He stated they began with the veteran population and then with families <br />which was consistent with the Built for Zero paradigm. Chief stated Abilene <br />City of San Marcos Page 4 <br />