Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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(Housing First model) and bypass emergency shelter. The long-term success rate for this type of transitional housing is near 90%. Because of the expense and the belief that the Housing First model is more effective, the majority of committee members did not recommend a new emergency group shelter based on the information available at this time. An additional consideration of shelters may be considered in the as an element of the recommended comprehensive community analysis Proposed Funding: $350,000 Expand existing shelter capacity, including services and case management to serve 10 households per night. Funds could also support emergency motel vouchers. b. Day programs Day programs such as First Place Family Center, New Roads, and Eugene Service Station offer guidance, hope, support, and critical services for homeless residents. They provide a safe place for respite and an alternative to streets and parks. At First Place, affordable licensed childcare is a significant service. Current funding is not keeping up with inflation and demand and is augmented by temporary Eugene funding. Proposed Funding: $170,000 Serve 200 people per day by retaining and improving existing day programs and improve long-term outcomes through expanded case management and training programs. c. Transportation assistance Many lower income and homeless people face a significant barrier as they struggle to get their children to school or to show up for critical medical or service appointments. They do not have cars and cannot afford the cost of public transportation. With temporary funding, Eugene currently supports a program that enables social service providers to purchase bus tokens at a deep discount. They provide the tokens to their clients. The Committee recommends this program be continued and expanded. Proposed Funding: $80,000 Provide transportation assistance for 300,000 trips annually. d. Emergency response, sobering and detoxification services A paradox is that people who need treatment for alcohol or drug dependencies often must detox and be sober in order to participate. The Buckley House sobering station and detoxification programs are critical to the community’s public safety system. Its ongoing funding is tenuous and there is demand for increased services. Nationally there is growing evidence that the Housing First model, which can provide “wet,” housing for people who are alcohol or drug dependent, works successfully. This results in long- term positive outcomes that are both better for the person and much less expensive for the community. Because people will not cure their addictions while homeless, they must have affordable housing – preferably with support services. 19 Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness, Recommendation April 2, 2008 -- Page