The pandemic has forced the folding of the homeless emergency warming tent more than one week ahead of schedule.

Assistant City Manager Lisa Blackmon noted a volunteer shortage triggered by the shelter in place order by Gov. Gavin Newsom made it difficult for Inner City Action to obtain adequate volunteers to keep the warming operations center open.

The City Council had declared a local emergency in order to allow the tent to be pitched in the parking lot of the former Qualex building at 555 Industrial Park Drive. The city had approached Inner City Action in early December to see if they were interested in helping the city by putting the tent in pace and running an emergency warming center through March 31. A year ago Inner City had a tent at the same location as a resource center for the homeless that did not include an overnight emergency drop-in shelter.

Blackmon said city staff had intended to bring an item before the council last week regarding putting out a request for proposals for organizations interested in operating a temporary drop-in shelter until such time as a more permanent solution is in place. A car struck a power pole and took out a transformer that created technical difficulties for the public to use cable TV and livestreaming to view the council meeting that was closed to the public due to social distancing concerns. The meeting was cut short for that reason and a number of items including the homeless issue were not heard.

Blackmon said staff is working toward having a possible meeting next Tuesday to address a temporary homeless operation and other pressing concerns.

Blackmon noted the council will also be asked to pay bills that have yet to be covered from when the tent was operating.

Blackmon said the city was unable to secure a local group to step in and take over for Inner City after April 1.

For now the homeless living in encampments are being advised not to have 10 or more people living in tents or makeshift shelters.

Blackmon said city representatives are participating in a virtual meeting this week with the county homeless task force. Among the city’s objectives is to try and secure funds to help with a temporary shelter as well as plans for a permanent drop-in shelter and navigation center for the homeless.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com