Join
Contra Costa Council on Homelessness Recruitment FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (in PDF)
What is the Council on Homelessness?
The Council on Homelessness works to improve the local response to homelessness in Contra Costa County. Councilmembers support and govern the Contra Costa Continuum of Care (CoC).
The Council on Homelessness encourages all members of the community to apply for a seat. The Council aims to include members with a broad representation of abilities, ages, sexual and gender identities, immigration statuses, and racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, as well as geographical representation within the County. Individuals with lived experience of homelessness and/or the justice system are encouraged to apply.
*Read this Recruitment FAQ document before applying to the Council on Homelessness. This document explains the role of Councilmembers and the application process.
Who Does the Continuum of Care (CoC) Serve?
The Contra Costa Continuum of Care serves individuals and families experiencing homelessness by providing services that are needed to help these individuals and families move into permanent housing, with the goal of long-term stability. For data on the populations served within the CoC during the 2022 calendar year, see bottom of the page.
What do Councilmembers do?
Members of the Council on Homelessness:
-
Attend required monthly meetings, participate in subcommittees, and attend quarterly General Membership meetings
-
Provide advice and input on homeless service operations and development
-
Review and prioritize project applications for some funding sources
-
Gather and analyze information to determine local needs
-
Educate the community and policy makers on issues relating to homelessness
-
Measure system performance in addressing homelessness
-
Provide guidance on the development and implementation of long-range planning and policy development related to housing and homelessness
Councilmembers will participate in an extensive orientation process and have access to regular trainings, technical assistance, and the Contra Costa Health, Housing & Homeless (H3) services staff support to help them carry out their responsibilities.
Who Can Apply?
All Council members must reside or be employed in Contra Costa County and be willing to sign and abide by the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest policy upon being seated as a Council member and annually thereafter.
What qualities is the Council seeking in an applicant?
The Council is comprised of 19 seats designated by area of expertise. Applicants must fit the description of the vacant seat they select during the application process (Please see "What seats are open?" below for more information about seats that are currently vacant). Applicants for the Council must also be able to abide by the Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct policies.
The Council prefers applicants with:
-
Specific skills, relationships, or resources related to a vacant seat during the application cycle (Please see “What seats are open?” below for more information about seats that are currently vacant).
-
Prior board/volunteer or leadership experience in the homelessness or homeless-adjust fields
-
Current or past lived experience of homelessness
-
Affiliations with organizations or agencies that serve various homeless sub-populations (such as chronic substance use challenges, individuals with serious mental illness, individuals experiencing chronic homelessness persons with HIV/AIDs, veterans, families with children, unaccompanied youth, seniors, and victims of domestic violence (including dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking)
-
Connections with government and community-based organizations that are not currently connected to the Council on Homelessness
-
Demonstrated knowledge and critical thinking on how to address homelessness in Contra Costa
-
Unique expertise, opinions, and viewpoints on homelessness issues
-
Past active participation in systems meetings (including Council on Homelessness, Continuum of Care, or Youth Advisory Board meetings) and ability to generate recommendations or thoughts as a result of meeting participation
-
Ability to be an active participation of Council on Homelessness meetings
-
Commitment to the Council on Homelessness Guiding Principles and the Housing First approach:
-
Council on Homelessness Guiding Principle = Homelessness is first a housing issue, and necessary supports and services are critical to help people remain housed. Our system must be nimble and flexible enough to respond through the shared responsibility, accountability, and transparency of the community.
-
Housing First = A model of housing assistance that prioritizes rapid placement and stabilization in permanent housing that does not have service participation requirements or preconditions for entry (such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold).
How long would I serve?
Council on Homelessness members serve for a two-year term, which may be renewed.
What is the time commitment?
Council on Homelessness meetings take place the first Thursday of the month from 1 pm – 3pm in Martinez. Members of the Council are also expected to participate in at least one committee or workgroup, which typically meet on a monthly basis in Concord.
All Councilmembers are expected to attend meetings in person and can only attend virtually twice per calendar year under very narrow circumstances. Additionally, Councilmembers may miss up to two Council meetings per calendar year.
If you need support to travel to meetings, transportation accommodations may be arranged for you.
Which seats are open?
There are currently no open seats on the Council on Homelessness.
How do I apply?
There are currently no open seats on the Council on Homelessness.
How long are applications being accepted?
There are currently no open seats on the Council on Homelessness.
Whom do I contact if I have questions?
Email: cchomelesscouncil@cchealth.org
Phone: 925-464-0152
Windows Media Player
Word Viewer
Excel Viewer
PowerPoint Viewer
