Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

Home Browse Search

work. In many cases a skilled case worker can come to an inexpensive solution with either the client or a landlord allowing allocated funds to be stretched even further. b. Provide funding for increased hours at access centers City funds are being used to extend the hours at the First Place Family Center. This allows the center to be open on weekends and during the summer months. They have typically served about 183 people on a weekend, but that number has risen to nearly 300 this fall. During the entire last fiscal year they served 2,510 unduplicated clients during the expanded hours. At the Eugene Service Station, City funds have enabled the building to be open until 7:00 each night. During the entire last fiscal year they served 10,274 unduplicated homeless clients during all hours. The result is that people both receive critical services and are provided an alternative to being on the streets during the day. c. Provide funding for transportation assistance LTD has used carryover funds from the previous City of Eugene allocation to provide reduced price ($.25) bus tokens. Twenty-five different service providers distribute them to homeless clients who need transportation to get to an appointment. 2. Use Project Homeless Connect to provide services and engage and educate the community. Project Homeless Connect combats homelessness in a powerful way by connecting homeless people with services that provide on-going benefits. Additionally, it engages the community in a unique and positive manner. Last year’s event occurred on February 7, 2008, and provided services to 1,158 guests. They were assisted by 602 community volunteers and 281 service providers. The next event is scheduled for March 6, 2009. 3. Support City Council discussions related to the implementation of the Blue Ribbon Committee’s recommendations for funding. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee to Finance Homelessness and Housing Programs was charged with identifying stable, sustainable funding to address homelessness. In February 2007, the Mayor appointed a 21-member committee representing multiple jurisdictions and a broad spectrum of community values and interests. The committee completed its work and issued a report on April 2, 2008. The committee’s recommendations, with respect to funding, are divided into immediate, short term and other actions. Immediate actions include completing a more comprehensive community analysis to determine the best actions and strategies to be funded and continuing the existing City appropriations targeted at helping homeless people. The short term recommendation is for a ballot measure to enact a levy. Other recommendations include involving regional partners in addressing the housing crisis and changing laws and policies that might contribute to the homeless problem. A copy of the final report and recommendations are provided in Attachment B. 4. Provide training opportunities for City staff, particularly around interaction with homeless people. The most recent staff training took place in April 2008. Over 450 City staff have attended related trainings to date. BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE’S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE HOMELESSNESS WORK PLAN The Blue Ribbon Committee proposed immediate, short term and other recommendations which include: Z:\CMO\2009 Council Agendas\M090126\S090126B.doc