Resolution No. 4834 Exhibit - Laserfiche WebLink

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had at/east fou~ episodes o~ bome!ess~ess in th pa~t thre years; !n orde~ to be co~sidered chronically home!e ss; a ~rson mu ha we bee~ s!eeping ina p!ace not meant fo~ human habitatio~ (e g; living en the Stre ets)and/o~ ina emerge ncy homeless shelter. A disabling COnditiOn iS defined as a diagnoseb!e substaooeuse diSerder,~erioUS menta~illne~si de ve!opmenta! dis ability, O~ Chronic physical illn ess or disability ~nc!Uding th e co~OC~UrrenCeo~ two O( more O~ these COnditionS A diSab!ing CO~ditiOn limits en individual s ability tO work O~ Perform one or ~Ore activitie~ C~da~ly!iving; Homelessness Discussion of Priority Needs The priority needs were developed from the data contained in the needs assessment that includes information from the HSC planning process that developed a gaps analysis and Continuum of Care framework. The HSC approved this framework in June 2003 as a way to encourage local communities to develop comprehensive, longer-term approaches to homelessness. The gaps analysis pointed to a series of needs among various sub-groups of the homeless that can be categorized as follows: · Homeless Single Population - includes singles with special needs and/or chronic mental illness, and youth. · Homeless Families - includes teen parents and other families with children. Obstacles to Meeting Under-Served Needs of the Homeless Many obstacles stand in the way of meeting the critical needs of the homeless population. Obstacles are a part of the gaps analysis of the Continuum of Care Plan as well as the citizen input received during the planning for the Consolidated Plan. VVhile some of the obstacles to meeting the under-served needs of these populations can be affected by action on the part of the two jurisdictions, many obstacles cannot be overcome at the local level. Homelessness results from a complex set of circumstances that require people to choose between food, shelter, health care, and other basic needs. Finding solutions to homelessness requires concerted effort on a number of fronts including living wages, adequate support for those who cannot work, affordable housing, and access to health care. Following are the major obstacles to meeting the under served needs of the homeless. Limited Federal, State, and Local Government Resources. The Federal government has reduced its role in human services, placing more emphasis on local responses. Changes in Federal policies that relate to the Federal budget, welfare reform, Food Stamps, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will increase demands for local services in the future. The State government shift from mental health services to managed care will increasingly place burdens on cities and counties. These jurisdictions are hampered by a severe lack of funding to provide for adequate resources for these groups. Local governments have not been able to assist in filling the gaps created by the Federal and State government and this situation is expected to continue in the future. Voters in Oregon have passed measures that make it extremely difficult to raise new revenue through taxes. 56