Item B: Homeless Strategy Issue - Laserfiche WebLink

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ATTACHMENT B City of Eugene Chronological History of Homeless Efforts & Actions 1947 to Present 1990 Housing Policy Board (HPB) formed, by intergovernmental agreement, between Lane County, Eugene, Springfield, and HACSA. This public-private partnership prioritizes permanent housing over emergency housing and sets a goal of adding 100 new rental housing units per year. Status: As of June 2005, 1,526 subsidized rental housing units' have either been added, or are in the pipeline for completion. Many are rented to formerly home/ess households or those at risk of homelessness. 1990 Interfaith Emergency Shelter Program began when the Opportunity Shelter closed due to both funding shortfalls and recognition that this model was not successful. Following a public protest, the City provided seed money for the Interfaith Emergency Shelter Program rather than implementing the proposal by the community members which would have allowed camping at the site of the former Jefferson Pool. Status: This program continues to operate. (St. Vincent dePau0 1990 Family Access Center established. (now called First Place Family Center) Status: This program began when the Opportunity Shelter closed due to both funding shortfalls and recognition that this model was not successful. This was a critical companion program to the Inte~aith Shelter. This program continues to operate at 1990 Amazon. (St. Vincent dePaul) 1991 Special cold weather/snow emergency shelter opened at Whiteaker School during winter vacation. Status: This was a one-time compassionate response. It did result in what may have been the most accurate local homeless census ever 599 people at various shelters on Christmas Eve. 1992 Department of Public Safety camping policy revised. Status: Pofice enforcement actions became more complaint-oriented, rather than proactive. 1993 Centennial Car Camp created (following a Human Rights Commission recommendation). It operated during three winter seasons ending in June 1995. Status: Eugene became, perhaps, the first city since post World War H to try a homeless camp. It focused attention on this community problem and provided a legal alternative to illegal camping on the streets'. It also helped the State of Oregon close an illegal homeless camp at Armitage Park; the reasons included eroding intergovernmental financial support, management challenges, and siting concerns. The camp was envisioned to be used by adults, but households' with children rived there as well. 1993 Shelter Work Group looked for a permanent campground and other solutions. Status: No solution identified, but the outcome was a great deal of education about the extraordinary challenges of siting and operating an urban campground for homeless people. 1993 New Roads School and Youth Access Center opened in December. Status: This program still operates (Looking G/ass). Page 2 of 2 7/6/2005