MONTEREY COUNTY — County of Monterey, Coalition of Homeless Services Providers, Community Foundation for Monterey County and the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) have partnered to present the first Monterey County Lead Me Home Summit on Homelessness, set for Thursday, July 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The event is virtual and free of charge. Community members can register at bit.ly/2022LeadMeHome to participate, listen online or in listening spaces that will be opened for residents in Salinas, Seaside and Pacific Grove. Spanish and ASL interpretation will be available.
“The only way we can make progress on homelessness is through a coordinated effort,” said Dan Baldwin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. “The Homeless Summit will shed light on how our collective efforts can bring results.”
Data shows that Monterey County’s chronic homeless population, both in cities and in unincorporated areas, is growing. The Summit will bring together community leaders, decision makers and local and regional experts to examine the emerging issues related to homelessness.
Solutions to address the underlying issues surrounding homelessness will take a county and community wide approach, officials say.
“Our region’s response to homelessness is interconnected with the greater housing affordability crisis,” said MBEP President and CEO Tahra Goraya. “An effective response is also reliant on strong public/private partnerships across sectors to ensure all voices are at the table when discussing possible solutions and action plans, leveraging every aspect of our community’s power in addressing these challenges.”
Summit topics include debunking homelessness myths, youth and chronic homelessness, encampment and parking solutions and what state and federal resources are available to local jurisdictions.
Key speakers include Dhakshike Wickrema, deputy secretary of homelessness at the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency; and Graham Knaus, executive director for the California State Association of Counties.
Also being presented at the summit, Monterey County’s 2022 Point-In-Time report and the recently released Lead Me Home Five Year Plan to Reduce Homelessness.
For the community, the summit will be streamed online on the Monterey County Facebook and YouTube pages.
Listening spaces will also be available for the public at the following locations: Monterey County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas; Seaside Council Chambers, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside; and Pacific Grove City Council Chambers, 300 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove.
