The council adopted a comprehensive homeless strategy to reduce homelessness based on nationwide proven outcomes, including supporting a regional response that more efficiently utilizes existing resources. In November 2020, Vice-Mayor Rick Vaccaro requested that staff assess the viability for the emergency shelter, SHELTER Solano, Inc. located at 310 Beck Avenue in Fairfield, California, to be converted to a homeless Navigation Center to better utilize the existing shelter and meet current needs.
As the state of homelessness continues to grow throughout California and the nation, the City of Fairfield has become more proactive in identifying solutions that produce long term and permanent results. Recently, the cities of Vacaville and Suisun City expressed interest and enthusiasm in working collaboratively with the City of Fairfield and other stake holders as necessary to achieve common goals and coordinate a more comprehensive approach to permanently reducing homelessness. While staff from these cities and the County of Solano have been working closely for several years, various members of the elected body for these jurisdictions have also expressed interest in collaborating on regional solutions. Therefore, staff is asking council to discuss and consider the formation of a Subcommittee, and to appoint two Fairfield elected representatives to work with Suisun City, Vacaville, and Solano County to address homelessness.
The selected Subcommittee would consider options and opportunities to work collaboratively in creating and implementing a regional response to homelessness – the first being the establishment of the North County Navigation Center, SHELTER, Solano, Inc., located at 310 Beck Avenue. Upon the formation of the Subcommittee, the council will appoint two councilmembers to represent Fairfield. It is this type of partnership, utilizing existing City and community resources, that will ensure a permanent reduction in homelessness in Solano County.