Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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CITY COUNCIL PRIORITY ISSUE STATUS REPORT Develop a Strategy to Help the Homeless in Eugene Contact: Sarah Medary, Assistant City Manager 682-5336 Richie Weinman, Staff Lead, 682-5533 DESCRIPTION Reporting period: July – September 2008 Eight strategic issues were identified at the February 2005 retreat for the City of Eugene’s Mayor, City Council, and Executive Managers. One strategic issue was to “Develop a strategy to help the homeless in Eugene.” Council wanted to determine the City’s future role in addressing this complex, international issue. The inter-departmental Homelessness Action Planning Team worked to develop a three- to five-year action plan and was then expanded to include Lane County Human Services Commission staff and representation from the Human Rights Commission. Mayor Piercy frequently attended the meetings. Council reviewed this plan on two occasions in 2005 (July 13 and November 30) and approved the work plan. Council has since reaffirmed this goal each year. On May 17, 2006, Council reviewed options to address homelessness, recommended to the Budget Committee a series of “one-time” appropriations and provided direction on the next steps for stable, sustainable funding. Most of these funding allocations have been renewed annually. Additionally, Council authorized the Mayor to appoint a committee to recommend a future funding source. In 2007 the Council’s Homeless Initiative was expanded to “Continue to work with our community partners to end chronic homelessness in 10 years.” Focus includes Project Homeless Connect, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee to Finance Homelessness and Housing Programs, and addressing the specific needs of women, youth and children. Because homelessness has the potential to touch every resident and area within the City, the scope of this goal was expanded by Council to include community members who are at risk of becoming homeless because they cannot afford food and shelter. The action plan includes identifying gaps in current services, promoting public awareness, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, and proposing appropriate actions. Homelessness is a broad community issue that is not isolated to Eugene. The City relies on assistance from Lane County, the State of Oregon, and the Federal Government. The following goals and actions were undertaken by City staff and community partners. OUTCOMES 1. Examined ways to more efficiently deliver services with existing resources based on the evaluation of City service delivery to homeless/at risk populations. Page 1 of 8