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Homelessness

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1. What is the City of Napa doing about homelessness?

The City directs its efforts at providing resources to those who are willing to accept help, partnering with regional organizations to address the causes of homelessness and deter unwanted behaviors. We collaborate with partner organizations to provide services and a path to self-sufficiency to those who are currently in need. We start with outreach: face-to-face dialogue to ascertain if an individual is from Napa and might have family nearby. We gather information to determine what services an individual might need and then take the appropriate steps, whether it’s a referral to Abode, a bus ticket to reconnect with family, or something else. We also provide a continual, visible, and physical presence to deter illegal activity.

2. How do we do this?

• Development of a multi-agency, City/County partnership to increase collaboration of service providers to assist the homeless in becoming self-sufficient
• Ongoing personal contact between the homeless outreach program and homeless individuals to increase trust and make referrals to service providers
• Work closely with local outreach organizations to coordinate housing, employment, and medical and mental health services
• Enforcement of law violations (trespassing, public intoxication, aggressive panhandling, etc.)

3. Who is responsible for dealing with homeless?

The Napa Police Department works to build a rapport with clients while introducing them to the many services available in Napa County. The police work as advocates, case managers, and housing counselors to help clients find the services that will lead to long-term stable housing. This effort strengthens the community by giving those in need a hand up while working to reduce non-emergency calls to vital law enforcement and fire services in Napa County. Brandon Gardner, Napa Police Department’s homeless outreach specialist, leads the efforts within the City of Napa.

Additionally, Napa County Health & Human Services contracts with Abode Services to provide emergency shelter and outreach services, as well as manage several housing programs for residents of Napa County experiencing homelessness. Their services include emergency assistance, referral to community support services, and connection to housing interventions and landlord engagement and support. In Napa, Adobe has an outreach team of five, who are regularly out in the community proactively connecting homeless to services. Founded in Alameda County in 1989, Abode Services expanded to serve Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and Napa counties.

Napa Police Department Outreach and Adobe Services are part of a multi-agency continuum-of-care team increasing collaboration among service providers to assist homeless clients en route to self-sufficiency. 

Coming soon: List of partner agencies.

4. Why are there so many homeless people in the City now?

The causes of homelessness are many and complex and include large-scale socioeconomic factors as well as personal risk factors including mental illness, disability, and lack of a family or social network. Every year, during the third week of January, we do a count to determine how many homeless are in our community. Our numbers have not really increased; the homeless population has just moved to more visible areas due to the pressure of gentrification. As the riverfront has been developed, for example, the encampments along the river have had to move. We have also lost most of our short-term, residential housing in recent years. And housing prices have become prohibitive for more and more people.

5. When should I call the police?

Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling and is not a criminal activity. However, when you see someone doing something illegal, you should call the police. Panhandling is not illegal, but if the panhandler is aggressive and you feel threatened, call 9-1-1 and move away from the subject. You should always call 9-1-1 if you need emergency assistance from police or fire or there is a medical emergency or an immediate threat to public safety. Additionally, the Napa Police Department will take action for theft, public consumption of alcohol, trespassing, or other disruptive behavior. These offenses are typically classified as misdemeanors.

6. What if someone is endangering another person or appears to be in immediate danger or suffering a mental health crisis (seems very disoriented, is screaming, is destroying things)?

Call 9-1-1.

7. What if someone is harassing people walking by or obstructing entrance to a storefront?

Call PD dispatch at 707-257-9223.

8. What if I am concerned about a homeless encampment?

Contact PD Outreach at 707-257-9479.

9. What is the best way to help the homeless?

The City encourages residents to respond to panhandlers with a respectful but firm “No.” All of our partner organizations as well as law enforcement concur that giving money to panhandlers does more harm than good and may support illegal activity, including drug use, while also encouraging more panhandling. Responsible options for generosity include volunteering with or donating to any of the local organizations that work to solve homelessness in our community. The best way to help is to connect individuals with resources in the community. If you see someone who is homeless and you want to help, refer them to Abode Services at 707-271-7818 – don’t call 9-1-1.

10. What if someone is in need of clothing or shoes?

Contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

11. What if someone is hungry and asking for food or in need of a meal?

 The Salvation Army of Napa, located at 590 Franklin St., offers the Neighborhood Table program, which serves a free hot lunch Monday-Friday, 11:30 am -12:30 pm and The Table, located at 1333 Third St., provides a daily nutritious meal to anyone who is hungry Monday-Friday from 3 to 4:45 pm. At other times, contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

12. What if someone is homeless and in need of housing?

Contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

13. What if someone needs resources to stay in their current housing (security deposit, furniture, car repair funds, etc.)?

Contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

14. What if someone needs non-emergency medical attention?

Ole Health, located at 1141 Pear Tree Lane, accepts walk-ins Monday-Saturday; however, patients must call ahead to 707-254-1770. Queen of the Valley Medical Center Prompt Care, located at 1621 West Imola Ave in the River Park Shopping Center, accepts walk-ins from 10 am-8 pm daily: 707-251-4280. The CARE Network at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center provides no-cost help for low-income chronically ill: 707-251-2000.

15. What if someone is in need of mental health support?

If it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, refer to Napa County Mental Health crisis line: 707-253-4711. For other concerns, contact PD Outreach at 707-257-9479.

16. What if someone is living on the street or in an encampment and needs general help?

Contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

17. What if a homeless person in not in the City of Napa, but elsewhere in Napa County?

Contact Abode Services at 707-271-7818.

18. What if a homeless person is a minor?

Call PD dispatch at 707-257-9223. If you are a transitional-age youth in need of services, call V.O.I.C.E.S. 707-251-9432

19. Who do I call if I see a someone being abused?

If it’s an emergency situation, call 9-1-1. If the individual is not in immediate danger, you call contact PD dispatch at 707-257-9223 or refer the individual to NEWS 24-hour domestic violence and sexual abuse help line at 707-255-6397  

20. What success have we seen in Napa?

Napa’s collaborative model has resulted in over 100 homeless individuals, including women and children, finding long-term, supportive housing and a life off the street each year, and another 70 individuals being diverted into support programs. 

• When possible, we try to reunify families; we have helped many clients with bus tickets to reconnect with family members
• Several clients and volunteers have had employment assistance and found jobs
• Many clients have entered recovery programs and have had success dealing with addiction
• We have increased arrests of criminal elements within the homeless community that undermine efforts to provide responsible compassion