Item B: City Council Goal – Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

Home Browse Search

ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: City Council Goal - Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan Meeting Date: June 25, 2007 Agenda Item Number: B Department: City Manager’s Office Staff Contact: Angel Jones www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5336 ISSUE STATEMENT In February 2005, the City Council adopted a priority initiative to “Help the homeless in Eugene.” This goal was continued in 2006. In 2007, this Council Goal was renewed with an emphasis on working with community partners to end chronic homelessness in 10 years, particularly among youth, women and children. The council, in May 2006, acknowledged the need for a stable, sustainable funding source to address this problem. The council is reviewing progress toward the goal. BACKGROUND This is the third year that the council selected “assisting the homeless as an annual goal.” During the first two years, a staff team aided by professionals from the Lane County Human Services Commission, local service providers, members of the City of Eugene Human Rights Commission, and community stakeholders (including the homeless themselves) identified numerous options to either assist the homeless population or address the local impact of homelessness. The City Council, in previous reviews of this goal, learned that a) homelessness may be the most acute symptom of poverty and 95% of the local homeless population is rooted in the area, b) homelessness is a solvable problem that destroys families and deeply hurts individuals, resulting in long-term consequences, and c) homelessness is financially and socially very costly to City government and the community. Through the budget process, the council approved interim funding to address prevention needs and assistance services during each of the last two years. Eugene collaborated with Lane County to adopt a 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in November 2006. The City was also an organizer and sponsor of the first annual Project Homeless Connect, which engaged over 350 volunteers and 100 service providers to assist more than 1,000 homeless people on February 8, 2007. Information about this event, including a slideshow, can be accessed at www.homelessconnect.org. Action Plan: 2007/08 There are two significant action areas for the current period: 1. Work with intergovernmental and community partners to stage a second Project Homeless Connect. The second event is planned for February 7, 2008. The 2007 event has proven to be a catalyst for community education and additional community involvement both for the event and for assisting our homeless neighbors. 2. Stable Funding In May 2006, the council directed the Mayor to appoint a committee to examine the local impact of homelessness, identify strategies, and make recommendations to the City Council for addressing new sustainable funding and financing. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070625\S070625B.DOC