Item B: Homeless Strategy Issue - Laserfiche WebLink

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ATTACHMENT A Strategic Priority Issue Develop a Strategy to Help the Homeless in Eugene Action Plan 3. Externally-Focused Action Items: a) Invite all local stakeholders to help identify current service levels and service delivery gaps. This group could include current and former service providers, community members, business owners, neighborhood leaders, City and County staff, and local elected officials. These key stakeholders will help the City determine the most effective and cost-efficient ways to help. We expect that this group will continue to meet to discuss resources issues and needs. Costs will include City Stafftime for meetings, and material costs for facilitation. If the stakeholders continue to meet after the initial evaluation period, as this group recommends, ongoing sustainability costs should be minimal. b) Invite the homeless/at risk community members to participate in the process of defining the problems and identifying potential solutions. These participants will be a part of the "collaborative base" of key stakeholders. Costs will include City staff time for meetings, and material costs for facilitation. If the stakeholders continue to meet after the initial evaluation period, as this group recommends, ongoing sustainability costs should be minimal. c) Have the stakeholders research best practices in other jurisdictions and incorporate the ones that will work for Eugene into the strategic priority options recommended to the Mayor and City Council. The following outcomes occur in Phase 2 (3 to 5 years and beyond): Once options have been reviewed and approved by the Mayor and City Council, identify resources and assign appropriate City staff to facilitate the action steps. Resource needs and staff expense will largely depend on the number and scope of the options selected. Based on the results of similar plans in other localities, the following long-term options may be recommended for consideration once our evaluation process is completed: a) Develop permanent and transitional housing units for people who are homeless. b) Develop an expanded %helter system," particularly on cold nights, until adequate housing is available. c) Prevent further homelessness by assisting people, particularly families, who are at risk of becoming homeless due to eviction, foreclosure or utility shut-off. d) Strategically expand supportive services, including medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment, to help homeless residents secure and maintain housing and otherwise achieve stability. e) Enhance public safety by expanding homeless outreach efforts that help people access services and leave the streets. f) Increase access to education, training and employment opportunities in order to break the cycle of homelessness. g) Increase community awareness regarding the size and scope of homelessness, the costs, who's affected, and what individuals and communities can do to help. h) Improve emergency shelter and housing capacity by updating zoning, urban design and land use regulations. Page 5 of 5 7/6/2005