11-16-16 Council Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Executive Summary The plight of poverty and homelessness affects the lives of thousands of individuals and families who live in Lane County. The solutions to this growing problem are as myriad as the causes. Government agencies, nonprofit and civic organizations, schools, and churches all contribute resources through a wide variety of programs and assistance. In an effort to facilitate better-coordinated efforts, the Poverty and Homelessness Board (PHB) was formed in 2014. It is an action-oriented group of elected officials, community stakeholders, and individuals who represent low- PHB’sMission income and homeless people’s concerns in Lane Create innovative partnerships County. and programs that use best practices to reduce poverty and The PHB serves as the administrative board for the Lane County Community Action Agency and as the homelessness in Lane County. oversight board for the Lane County Continuum of The PHB works to generate Care. It provides advice to the regional Human community and legislative Services Commission and the Lane County Board of support and other resources for Commissioners with the goal of reducing and housing and services to achieve preventing poverty and homelessness in Lane its goals. County. The PHB has identified three areas of strategic focus to guide its work to alleviate poverty and homelessness over the next five years: 1.Increase availability and access to coordinated, supportive housing, shelter, and services 2.Prevent homelessness and poverty 3.Inform and enhance public awareness and advocacy efforts To address these concerns and help define a path of coordinated action various agencies and organizations serving Lane County, the PHB has defined a set of five-year goals and supporting strategies. The strategies are built on the assumption that the core human services, supportive housing and healthcare services, supported by the community, will continue to be in place as a foundation to meet basic needs. Together, they will effect a significant improvement in the lives of the most vulnerable, chronically poor and homeless people in our community. Increase Availability and Access to Over the next five years, the PHB partners Coordinated, Supportive Housing, will coordinate with other agencies in Lane Shelter, and Services County to create an additional 600 units of supportive housing for chronically homeless people, including veterans, youth, those who experience mental illness, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and those exiting the criminal justice, foster care and child welfare systems. This effort will include 200 Housing First Page 2 of 9