Item A: Opportunity Eugene Task Force Update

Home Browse Search

Opportunity Eugene: A Community Task Force on Homelessness Final Report and Recommendations INTRODUCTION Occupy Eugene catalyzed public concern regarding homelessness. Building on this momentum, on December 14, 2011, the City Council formed the Opportunity Eugene Community Task Force on Homeless Solutions to research this issue and develop recommendations th The 58 members of the Task Force appointed by the Mayor included the Mayor, City Councilors, members of the Eugene Police Department, community members, representatives from Occupy Eugene, members of non-profit human services agencies, neighborhood associations, businesspeople, the health care community, the Human Rights Commission and a significant number of un-housed persons. The Task Force met January 4th, January 24th, February 7th, February 23rd, March 6th, and March 30th of 2012. In addition, there were many subcommittee meetings. All meetings were open to the public. Many other interested community members attended meetings and spoke during the Public Forums held at each meeting, adding their experiences and insights to the process. The Task Force meetings were videotaped by volunteers. Recommendations: The Task Force recommends the following actions: 1.Identify & Establish Potential Sites Direct city staff to work with community members to identify potential sites in order to establish a safe and secure place to be, opened by October 1, 2012, independently financed with oversight by a not-for-profit organization or agency. There was no consensus among group members regarding a long term plan or vision for the site(s). However, one vision that emerged by some members of the Task Force is as follows: Certain Homeless Task Force members stressed that in addition to shelter, food and medical care, most homeless individuals had an intense need and the desire to have dignity through being self-sufficient. This matched nicely with the current lack of funding. They want to contribute to constructing these shelters. Materials needed. Labor and guidance are plentiful.