Item A: Opportunity Eugene Task Force Update

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all contribute to individual suffering and result potentially costly interventions and treatments. Individuals in this category will often become increasingly high impact users of Emergency Rooms, local social service providers, public safety services, and strain the already weakened social safety net. When left unmanaged the cost of caring for these individuals increases dramatically, along with an increase in pain and suffering for the individual. Addressing the crucial area of need is a first step in assisting those that are homeless. Regaining stability in their lives will result in the removal of significant barriers that keep individuals from finding and maintaining housing. 4.Continue and Expand Existing Services to the Homeless Understanding there is a strong social service network within the City of Eugene and Lane County, the task force is careful to suggest that any new initiatives do not result in diverting funding and support from existing homeless and low-income service providers. Rather, new initiatives should work to complement or augment existing services for the low-income and homeless residents of our community. A robust social service sector capable of better meeting the needs of its clientele requires both innovation and increased support of current, proven programs. 5.Improve Laws and Ordinances that Criminalize and Block Homeless Individuals An on-going challenge faced by people with no permanent housing is the fact that many city ordinances, codes and policies have the unintended effect of criminalizing life- sustaining activities. In addition they may serve to make it more difficult for people to the same residence, and prohibitions on property owners allowing individuals to camp on their property. The Opportunity Eugene Task force proposes that the city council empower the city manager to conduct a review of city policies, ordinances, zoning requirements and codes, and propose revisions to those that have the consequence of criminalizing life-sustaining activities as well as those that create undue barriers to accessing permanent housing or shelter. This review should be conducted across city departments particularly police, parks and open space, community development, and planning. In addition to city staff it should involve community members and stakeholders. It is understood that many of these ordinances and codes were created to serve a legitimate public purpose. The intent of this review is not to undermine those positive effects but to recognize and mitigate the negative effects on those unable to secure permanent housing. 6.Create a Commission to Continue to Explore Homelessness Solutions Throughout the duration of the Opportunity Eugene Task Force, it has been