Item B: Council Priority Issue - Homeless Strategy

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ATTACHMENT D Strategic Priority Issue #8 Develop a Strategy to Help the Homeless in Eugene Continuum of Care and Other Stakeholder Gap Issues Below is a preliminary list of gaps identified by homeless/at-risk community members, the Continuum of Care provider group, homeless advocates, the Eugene Human Rights Commission, the Lane County Human Services Commission, the Eugene Housing Policy Board and the Lane County Commission on Children and Families. These are just initial ideas and we need to develop and understand the costs and scope of the gaps further so that they can be prioritized based on greatest need and greatest ability to help the local homeless/at-risk population. We are still in the process of quantifying the gaps and talking to additional interested stakeholders, like the business community and neighborhood groups. This will be an on-going dialogue well beyond the adoption of this plan but we wanted to at least give a “snap-shot” in- time of what are currently being seen as the gaps in service to assist local homeless/at-risk community members. The list below is sorted by which step in the plan the identified gaps would be covered if it was NOTE: THESE ARE prioritized as a high-need by the stakeholders in subsequent meetings ( NOT IN PRIORITY ORDER ): Action Plan Step 15 - At-Risk Youth present a growing problem in the community. City funding for this valuable and effective program will end next year. The City should o strongly consider continuing the funding. Action Plan Step 16 - The Homeless consider access to Library services a high priority. Library service should be equitable and available to local homeless community members o The library is one of the few local areas to get free computer/internet access in this o community and there needs to be greater access given to homeless individuals Action Plan Step 17 - The high cost of utility bills is a factor that impacts homelessness. The Energy Share program currently runs out of money. While EWEB and rate payers o currently donate to this fund, the City’s Waste Water and Storm Water funds do not Expand the Energy Share program to help service providers with energy issues. The increase o in energy costs will require some providers to cut back programs and facility availability. Action Plan Step 18 - The Homeless consider access to public transportation a high priority. Safety at LTD bus stops and the buses o Travel : Barrier to get help because of need to travel from place to place to get various o services, especially single parents with children Need a cheap way to get around town to the different providers, job interviews and other key o support services, especially with higher energy prices Action Plan Step 19 - The Homeless consider Internet access a high priority. Computers and internet access for non-profit program participants at their facilities o Page 1 of 4 11/21/2005