Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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Scenario: Targeting Needs and Assistance The following is a scenario of an annual allocation of $5 million to address housing and homeless needs. A program of $5 million per year for five years is not enough to solve homelessness – a problem that has been steadily growing for over 25 years. However, it is enough to demonstrate to the community that there are viable responses that will decrease the number of homeless people, save the community money and improve the quality of life for our relatives and neighbors. The committee acknowledges that specifying an annual financial target is challenging because there are many unmet needs. On one hand, the total local cost to fully address the problem could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. On the other hand, there is a substantial community cost to not addressing the issue. The recommended demonstration period enables systems to be created, pilot projects to be funded, and data to be collected in order to evaluate effectiveness, including money saved over time, as a result of this investment. The committee believes that allocating funds now will have the dual benefits of saving money later and meeting the critical needs of people now. The committee recommends the following as a guideline for the allocation of funds and also recognizes that there may be unknown future opportunities to pursue based on either emerging needs, special federal or state grants or matching funds. I. PREVENTION AND RE-HOUSING MAINTAINING PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN HOMES 25% -35% OF THE TOTAL a. Emergency Assistance Support funding for emergency assistance to prevent evictions caused by a healthcare emergency, temporary job loss, utility bill, automobile breakdown or an acute need for home repair or disability accommodation. Assisting people to remain in their home is the most effective way to fight homelessness because it prevents homelessness from initially occurring. For those with special needs including, youth, domestic violence victims, people exiting treatment programs, and people with disabilities extraordinary support is needed. This includes re-housing, vocational training and case management. It may also include fostering special contracts with landlords to reserve rental housing for targeted populations. Prevention funding may also assist people with disabilities to remain housed while awaiting a determination for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Proposed funding: $500,000 400 households receive emergency payments to prevent evictions and case management to support long-term success. Proposed special- needs funding: $700,000 17 Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness, Recommendation April 2, 2008 -- Page