Concord, California – The Concord City Council is set to discuss expanding the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) homeless outreach team from half-time to full-time, and the creation of a new Mental Health Evaluation Team to work full-time within Concord.

Contra Costa County’s CORE teams connect with homeless people to provide or arrange basic need services and secure permanent housing.

Since early 2017, Concord and Walnut Creek have shared a CORE team. Concord now is considering its own full-time unit.

For about two years, Concord has been part of a Mental Health evaluation Team Program operated by Contra Costa Health Services. That team provides provides connections to appropriate outpatient mental health services. It provides support, referrals and safety planning to family members as deemed appropriate.

The estimated cost of expanding the CORE team in Concord is about $100,000; the anticipated cost for the Mental Health Evaluation Team program for Concord is between $400,000 to $450,000.

Funding sources haven’t been identified for either program.

Tonight’s council meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be held via Zoom.