Item B: Update on Homeless Initiative Action Plan

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SUMMARY The charge of the Blue Ribbon Committee to Finance Housing and Homeless Programs (BRC) was to examine the local impact of homelessness, identify strategies and make recommendations to the City Council related to new funding and finance options. Through monthly meetings and tours, the committee examined existing services, program gaps and impacts of homelessness. They heard and discussed testimony and learned of the challenges faced by those who are homeless or at risk. The committee considered the impacts on public safety, public education and a variety of public and private institutions and businesses. The BRC examined an array of financing options and learned that local revenue sources are severely restricted by statewide limitations. The committee was unable to identify a viable long- term and sustainable source that could be realistically implemented in the near future. Instead, the committee opted to recommend a three step approach to address the housing and homelessness problems that are proving to be very costly to the community. 1.Immediate Action: a. Request funding to develop a comprehensive community analysis that would identify a specific set of goals, strategies and actions to address low-income housing needs and homelessness and provide a roadmap for a community education effort prior to a vote for revenue. b. Request that the City of Eugene continue existing interim funding for homeless prevention, extended day shelter services (at First Place Family Center and the Eugene Service Station), and transportation assistance. 2.Short Term Action: a. Based on the recommendations resulting from the comprehensive community analysis (described above in “1.a”) the local jurisdictions should pursue the recommended short term funding options which will presumably include a five-year serial levy dedicating funding to affordable housing, transitional housing, homeless prevention and homeless services. The committee recommends that Eugene, Springfield and Lane County each consider this levy, in recognition that housing and homelessness are regional problems. If Lane County is able to enact such a levy it could be an alternative to Eugene and Springfield’s measures. b. Urge each local government to initiate an examination of existing codes and policies that may directly or indirectly contribute to the local housing affordability crisis and to consider these impacts as new codes and policies are proposed. c. Recommend that local jurisdictions, through the “United Front”, advocate for both rule changes and increased federal funding to address low-income housing and homelessness. 3.Reconvene the BRC, or another committee, two to three years after a serial levy takes effect to review options for a permanent funding source. The serial levy’s results may 3 Blue Ribbon Committee on Homelessness, Recommendation April 2, 2008 -- Page