Agenda Packet 5-13-19 Joint Work Session

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implementing a collaborative multi-jurisdictional affordable housing action plan; identifying and implementing programs for supportive housing, short-term transitional housing, and long-term and permanent solutions to address homelessness; increasing access to prevention and treatment services and developing programs; and for developing policy focused on behavioral health, community health, and youth. D. Financial and/or Resource Considerations Lane County along with its City partners in the Human Services Commission will need to continue to identify, fund, perform resource development for grants and advocate for resources to continue to fund shelter and supportive housing development, operations and services. The Steering Committee’s recommendations will outline options for use of resources needed to address housing and service needs of homeless populations in Lane County. E. Health Implications Poor health can contribute to being homeless, and being homeless can lead to poor health. Limited access to health care can make it worse. That is why the health of people experiencing homelessness is worse than that of the general population. Common health problems include: • Problems caused by being outdoors • Bronchitis and pneumonia • Wound and skin infections • Mental health problems • Substance abuse problems Many women experiencing homelessness are victims of domestic or sexual abuse. Homeless children have high rates of emotional and behavioral problems, often from having witnessed abuse and the trauma of experiencing homelessness. For many, the daily struggle for food, shelter, clothing, and safety relegates health to a distant priority which, in turn, exacerbates disease, complicates treatment, and drives excess mortality. F. Analysis On any given night, more than 1,642 Lane County residents are homeless and 1,135 are without shelter. Many have been homeless for more than one year. The number of unsheltered persons has become acute. School districts in Lane County report that 2,544 of their students were homeless during the last school year. Annual figures show that 15,454 individuals who sought services from local human services programs were homeless at some point during the year (2018). The framework and recommendations presented today will provide a roadmap to the development of a system that will transform the current homeless services and housing system and reduce the number of homeless Lane County residents. May 13, 2019, Joint Work Session – Item 1