10-23-17 City Council Agenda Packet

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Some programs are seeing an increase in the number of people in the area who are suffering from methamphetamine (meth) addiction. While the programs have succeeded in working with some individuals struggling with addiction, these residents often struggle in the program and pose unique challenges for the operators. The concentration of the programs along with other homeless services in one area of the city has created some anxiety among residents or a sentiment that these neighborhoods are bearing the weight of the homelessness problem. Meeting the needs of people who have serious medical problems is also a challenge for these programs. Conclusion The rest stops and Opportunity Village continue to demonstrate success in the numbers served, stabilized, and housed through these programs. Anecdotal information also indicates the significant value of these programs to people who need them and can abide by their rules and structure. While there are a number of applicants who struggle and may not be able to conform to the requirements of the programs, and while some remain homeless upon departure, there are many who have greatly benefited from the stability, support, connections and self -growth these communities offer, and who attribute their success in achieving permanent housing and significant life improvement to the programs. Thanks to the individuals who operate and manage Community Supported Shelters, Nightingale Health Sanctuary, and Opportunity Village Eugene, these programs continue to grow and evolve in ways that increase their ability to effectively serve their residents, take care of basic needs, and provide options and support for exiting homelessness. Although operators face challenges in creating stable and predictable funding mechanisms, serving high needs populations, and prioritizing a variety of needs, they have nonetheless developed positive reputations and important partnerships in the community that help their residents transition to more stable housing while minimizing impacts on the surrounding neighbors. City Council and staff have recently taken important steps to increase support and community awareness for these programs. In 2017, City Council eliminated the sunset date for the rest stop program, allocated funds for the first time to the program, and directed the City Manager to promote further education and outreach and to work with interested neighborhood groups on exploring opportunities for program expansion into new areas of the city. City staff have been working to implement these directives, most recently developing an Outreach Handbook to assist interested neighborhood groups and community members in searching for viable sites and conducting outreach to their neighbors. The rest stop program and OVE have been largely community -driven undertakings, and expansion of these programs will require continued and increased community support in order to build on that momentum.