Homeless Strategic Plan Officially Launched

Concord has officially launched its strategic planning effort to help guide the City in its response to addressing homelessness and its impacts.

Following the Council appointment of nine individuals to the project's Working Group, the group held its first meeting on March 22. The Working Group, which will provide guidance to staff and the project consultant throughout the development of the plan, is scheduled to meet again on Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center (2727 Parkside Cir.).

The City Council has affirmed its commitment to addressing homelessness in the community and

has set aside $5.4 million to fund priorities established in the forthcoming plan.

Diverse stakeholder groups of residents, businesses, individuals with lived experience, service providers, faith-based groups, and others, will be invited to share their input as part of a broad community engagement component.

The plan will include a background report, an assessment of unmet needs, an overview of opportunities for funding and partnership, and the development of a vision, goals, and objectives with measurable performance targets.

The final plan will offer a comprehensive collection of strategies that the City can prioritize and implement to align with regional and state initiatives for collective impact on homelessness.

Learn more and subscribe to our Homeless Response email list.

CORE Team Success

Concord's full-time Coordinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement (CORE) team - contracted through Contra Costa County - continues to make a positive impact in the community.

In February, CORE was able to assist six individuals in finding stable exits from the streets, and made four referrals to Concord's Rapid Rehousing program.

In one case, a 54-year-old man, who is wheelchair bound, an amputee, and partially blind, was placed into medical respite after being homeless for more than 15 years. CORE is currently working on finding him permanent housing.

In another case, a 72-year old unsheltered woman, who in 2021 was living in an RV with her husband who passed away and whose RV broke down and was subsequently towed, has been placed into respite care.

Additionally, a 53-year-old woman who has been homeless since 2013, and experienced many tragedies, including being the victim of assault in 2021, is currently in respite care and getting ready to move into a shelter.

To learn more about how Concord is investing in services to assist the unsheltered, please visit our Homeless Services web page.

Get Earthquake-Ready

Did you know that April is Earthquake Preparedness Month in California? Earthquakes are a fact of life in California but that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared. There are three basic steps you can take to be more prepared for an earthquake:

• Sign up for alerts. Alerts received at the right time can save lives. Here in Contra Costa County, you can sign up to receive alerts. The Community Warning System (CWS) alerts you through phone calls, text messages, email, sirens, the CWS website, and social media when a potentially life or health-threatening hazard requires you to take action. You can also be one step ahead of an earthquake by downloading the MyShakeApp to your mobile device. The system sends a warning to your mobile phone that shaking is about to occur. Learn more.

• Know your risks so that you can prepare. You can find out about risks in your local area on the City of Concord’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan map. Simply enter your address in the upper right search bar and select which layers to view including Earthquake, Ground Liquefaction, and Dam Failure.

• Create your own emergency preparedness plan. You can download how-to guides on disaster preparedness in several languages.

Plant Trees for Arbor Day

Join the City of Concord, Concord Rotary, and Wells Fargo for our annual Arbor Day celebration!

Volunteers will gather on Saturday, April 8 to plant trees and spread mulch. Instructions and tools will be provided. No need to register -- just show up ready to plant!

• 9 a.m. at Concord Community Park, 3501 Cowell Rd., sponsored by Concord Rotary
• 11 a.m. at Todos Santos Park, Grant St. & Willow Pass Rd., sponsored by Wells Fargo

Arbor Day is an annual celebration of the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees, which are so critical to sustaining a healthy environment and climate. 

Music & Market Returns June 1

Concord's beloved Music & Market concert series is returning to Todos Santos Plaza on June 1, and will run weekly each Thursday night through September 28. 

The shows will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and close out at 8 p.m.; and the farmers' market will run 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with farm-fresh produce, delicious snacks, and hot food vendors. In addition to Music & Market, Tuesday Night Blues is returning with shows scheduled for July 11, 18 and 25. 

Music & Market is a Concord tradition enjoyed by thousands of people who come from all over the East Bay to experience live music by local bands and a chill summer vibe.

Check out the 2023 band lineup.

The City of Concord thanks its generous sponsors: Ashby Lumber, Pacific Service Credit Union, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery, Marathon Renewables, Concord Police Officers Association, Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association, and brand new sponsors, CoCo Farms and John Muir Health!

Additionally, The Makers Boulevard will again be partnering with the City to feature local artisans and small businesses who will be showcasing their products at select markets throughout the season. Stay tuned for more details!

Summer Activity Guide is Here; Register for Summer Fun!

The Summer 2023 City News and Activity Guide is here! Get caught up on all the latest community news and developments in the City News section, and browse the expansive listing of day camps, classes, trips, swim lessons, and so much more.

Ready to start planning your summer? Begin by flipping through the interactive digital version of the Summer Guide. Just click on the class # to go directly to ConcordReg.org to complete your online registration. Registration for all summer programs is now open!

The printed guide will soon hit mailboxes, and will be available after April 12 for pick up in City office lobbies and all recreation facilities, as well as the Concord Library, Visit Concord Visitor Center, and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. 

Leer las noticias de la ciudad en español aquí.

Talent Show Coming to Senior Center

Concord's Got Talent tickets are on sale now. Join us on Saturday, May 20 at 5 p.m. at the Concord Senior Center (2727 Parkside Cir.) for a funny, clever, and musical talent show that is sure to entertain people of all ages. Tickets are only $5!

All proceeds from the show will go toward needed recreational and transportation scholarships for the Concord senior community.

Purchase your ticket today!

The City of Concord's upcoming public meetings include:

• Wednesday, April 5: Planning Commission - CANCELLED
• Tuesday, April 11: City Council
• Wednesday, April 12: Community Services Commission - CANCELLED
• Wednesday, April 12: Zoning Administrator
• Thursday, April 13: Design Review Board
• Thursday, April 13: Concord/Pleasant Hill Health Care District Grant Committee - Special Meeting

See the full calendar.

To receive email or text notifications when the meeting agendas are posted, please subscribe to alerts using the "Notify Me" tool on the City's website.

City Council and Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on Concord TV (Astound/Wave 29 and 1026, Comcast 28, U-verse 99) and streamed through the City's website as well as rebroadcast at later times.