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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08012000 - C76 FHS#b + $ter•. !:�r t TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - ."' " CONTRA ,.� COSTA FROM: Family S Human Services Committee COUNTY DATE: August 1, 2004 SUBJECT: Report on Homeless Program and Homeless Continuum of Care Board Priorities SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATION(S) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECO MENDS IQU(S): I. ACCEPT the attached report from the Homeless Continuum of Care Board on priorities and accomplishments. 2. ACCEPT the attached report from the Homeless Ombudsperson/Liaison on the scope of homelessness in Contra Costa County. PACKGROUND/REASON(S) FOR RECOMMENDATIONiS On July 24, 2000, the Family and Human Services Committee heard a report from Wendel Brunner, Public Health Director, and Ginger Marsh, Chair of the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board, on board priorities and accomplishments (see attached report). As detailed in the report, the Continuum of Care Board is focusing on four major areas this coming year: development of a five year pian; submittal of the annual HU© grant application (NOFA); building relationships; and creating strategies for program financial sustainability. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: .. RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR—RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE —APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE( JO CANCIAMILLA JOHN NL GlOtA ACTIONOFOVARDON A ,3g� st 1'2MQ APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED U OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A )Z—UNANIMOUS{ASSENT - - - - - - - ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ASSENT: ABSTAIN: ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact:Sara Hoffman,338--1090 cc: CAO Wendel Brunner,Public Heft ATTESTED 1, 2_ O tiler Marsh(*Public Health) PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF Duane Chapman,Public Health THE B ARD OF SUPERVISORS AND NTY ADMINISTRATOR BYI AbIt_ DEPUTY BACKt3R4UNDIREASON(S.) Ft)R RECOMMENDATIQNS tcont'dl: In addition, Duane Chapman, Homeless Ombudsperson/Liaison, gave his report on the "State of the Homeless in Contra Costa County." He noted that the elderly are the fastest growing sector of the homeless population. In response to a question by Supervisor Joe Canciamilla, Mr. Chapman stated that many of the homeless families have working parents, who, even if they have a Section 8 housing voucher, are unable to find landlords willing to accept the vouchers. Dr. Brunner also stated that the population in homeless shelters is more of the "hard to serve" population. With regard to financial issues affecting the homeless population, Dr. Brunner stated that they would be reporting to the Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors on August 7, 2000. 2 Wti.L1 i7H SESE WALKER, t D. CONTRA COSTA HEARviyiCE5 DIRECTOR WENbEL BRUNNER, M.D. PUBLIC HEALTH PUDUC HEALTH DIRECTOR "a �...�r"'�—s`""`�• 537 Canter Avenue, Suite 200 CONTRA COSTA Martinez, California3 �'y �` 4455.3 HEALTH SERVICE J Fax {425)313-6712 Fax(425)313-6721 E-MAIL ADDRESS wbrunnerGhsd.co.contra-costa.ca.us TO: Family and Human Services Committee of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors FROM:Wendel Brunner,M. D. RE: Homeless Continuum of Care Board Priorities: 2040-01 DATE: July 17, 2400 In September, 1999,the Family and Human Services Committee heard a report from the Homeless Program and from Ginger Marsh,Chair of the Homeless Continuum of Care Advisory Board,regarding priority areas of the Board for fiscal year 2000-01 with identified actions that were taken towards addressing each of these priorities: 1) Advocacy at the federal and state policy levels on housing and homeless issues. 2) Expansion of family transitional housing programs 3) Development of affordable housing 4) Stabilized funding for emergency shelters PRIOR1T1ES OF COCB FOR FISCAL YEAR 2400-01 For fiscal year 2000-01,the Continuum of Care Board has identified four major areas of activity. The major priority areas with objectives are as follows: 1) Building relationships between the Board and the community in order to address homelessness in Contra Costa County. The Board will seek to accomplish this by educating and involving all sectors of the community regarding the issues facing the homeless population. In addition,the Board is currently developing a strategy for expansion of the membership to include other sectors of the County currently not represented,or under-represented,particularly with the goal of building a public-private partnership. The Board's overall vision is to create a membership as diverse as the various cities and communities throughout the County,since the issue of homelessness must be addressed through a collaborative,county-wide planning process. In addition to expanding the membership of the Board,there is a commitment to diversify the funding sources for the provision of homeless services, which can only be accomplished through bringing new financial resources and support to the Board. 2) Strategizing for Sustainability. The Continuum of Care.Board is revising its organizational structure to a more intensive facilitated process of planning and development for this fiscal year. The identified tasks for this priority are: defining the components of the planning process and who is to be involved; identifying a process for including members of the community not currently participating;defining annual goals and objectives for the Board and its outcomes; identifying new funding sources including state, federal and private resources; reaching out to the community- at-large and providing education and information on homeless issues in a language • Contra Costa Community Substance Abuse Services • Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services • Contra costa Environmental Health • Contra Costa Health Plan • Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Programs •contra Costa Mental Health • contra costa Public Health • Contra costa Regional Medical Center • Contra Costa Health Centers support services for families,the goal is to also provide a similar program in West County,and sites are currently being explored. Additional funding will be deeded to operate both facilities,once completed. 4) Expansion of emergency shelter beds for families-the Board and the County Homeless Program have identified the need for increased shelter beds for families, Currently,the two emergency shelters provide assistance to homeless individuals, while the demand for shelter for families goes unmet. 5) Expansion of homeless information and referral services–with the future expansion of the emergency shelters for homeless individuals,and anticipated development of an emergency shelter for families,the need for increased referral services will be crucial to the success of the service system. Accessibility to services upon demand is the key element in getting and keeping people off of the streets. 6) Expansion of multiservice centers-with the needs of homeless individuals becoming more complex,there is a need to have comprehensive services available that are easily accessible and well-coordinated—"one-stop"shopping--to address the severity of the issues that homeless individuals experience while also increasing the likelihood of their using services that are accessible. In order to accomplish this with limited funding,the Board will work with service providers towards greater collaboration in coordinating services within these centers. 7) Provision of services to homeless and runaway youth the County Homeless Program and Board are committed to serving this population,and the Board has defined services as a medium priority for this subgroup. Funding sources are currently being identified by the Homeless Program and a grant was recently submitted for a program of emergency shelter and support services to youth ages 14- 21 in West County. In order to meet the above recommendations,the challenge will be in developing a plan that will sustain the current programs within the Continuum of Cam while seeking new funding for the future proposed and committed projects`. In Contra Costa County,as in most other counties,the HUD NOFA funding has reached its maximum level and is incapable of even sustaining all that is currently funded. This year the required match for supportive services has also posed new obstacles for service providers to satisfy the leveraging requirements. The future must be a commitment from all sectors of the County towards addressing the issue of homelessness and identifying new resources that will help us be successful in achieving our goals,even with the current decline in available funding. Proposed • Contra Costa County Continuum of Care Integrated Activity Teams Planning Year Calendar Activity on Four Major Areas to Develop a Five Year Plan, Submit the NOF'A, and Build Base of Stip port Five Year Planning Activity Annum HUD NOFA Development Convening People&Planning the Convening People &Planning the Process Process Assembling and Analyzing Information Assembling and Analyzing Information Prioritizing Continuum Efforts Prioritizing Recommendations Showing HUD What We've Done Assessing Community Concern Pulling It All Together Seek Plan Adoption&Implementation Building Relationships StrategIzing for Sustainsibility x. Who do We Need? i. Convening People&Planning the z. Creating Spaces for People Process 3. B ' Them In z. Assembling Information 4. Trac ' Progress 3. The Big Picture 5. Coordinating the Processes 4� Reac ' Out 5. Pullin All Together July 2000 Continuum of Care Board Planning Session#1 (90 minutes) Review calendar and four activity areas • Outreach for planning activity 1-year co-chairs Set initial meeting dates Plan Administration & Coordination Team Lay out roles and responsibilities ' Review last year's workplan action steps and priorities Set guiding principles and review workplan for the 5 year plan document Brainstorm broad-based group of people to work on planning process Define the job and specify outcomes HomeBase/Legal and Technical Services Supporting Shared Prosperity July 19,2000 1 Prop used Data Team Review last year's gaps analysis and process for compiling the numbers Set strategy for compiling the new gaps analysis Begin compiling information on homeless population, delivery systems, homeless service agencies, mainstream agencies Finance Team Present information on resources now utilized by Continuum October 2000 Plan Administration & Coordination Team Notice all meetings'and make contacts into different sectors of the community Data Team Collect data for determining the gaps in the system Continue compiling necessary information Finance Team Present information on other resources available to be utilized by the Continuum Public Information and Education Team Begin meeting monthly with community groups and focus groups November 2000 Continuum of Care Board Planning Session#3(90 minutes) + Report back from Activity Teams Plan Administration & Coordination Team Ensure that all continue to be engaged and interested Data Team Present rough compilation of gaps analysis, and gather input or additional information Pull together information on homeless population, delivery systems, homeless service agencies, mainstream agencies in appropriate format HomeBase/Legal and Technical Services supporting Shared Prosperity July 19,2000 3 Proposed Finance Team Finalize recommendations, and for each, draft budget, potential funding sources, outcomes, political feasibility, and a responsible agency Present information on the,system needs, what it accomplishes, and the effects of shortfall February 2001 Plan Administration & Coordination Team Finalize priorities, considering potential renewal projects Define ranking process,criteria,schedule, and set up committee Establish who will administer recommendations For each recommendation,finalize budget, potential funding sources, outcomes, political feasibility, and a responsible agency 5 Review final rough draft of plan and receive input Data Team ' Status on what information is still needed for Exhibit One ' Establish what Exhibit Two information or draft is needed when Finance Team Track mainstreaming and leveraging information Begin compiling components of the annual report March 2001 Continuum of Care Board Planning Session#5 (90 minutes) • Report Back from all Activity Teams Plan Administration & Coordination Team Communicate ranking criteria to potential applicants ' Develop ranking parameters Decide on format of and schedule Exhibit Two technical assistance Review final S year plan, submit, and adopt Data Team Review rough draft of Exhibit One, and collect additional needed information HomeBaselt,egal and Technical Services Supporting Shared Prosperity July 19,2000 5 WILLIAM B. WALKER, M. D. CONTRA COSTA H GALTH S:lrtyices DINIty01t WENDEL BRUNNER. M.D. l UELIC HEALTH Purilc HtALrm DiitmoR ..,, �r71M ""y-.. HOMELESS CONTINUUM CONTRA COSTA OF CARE ADVISORY BOARD HEALTH SERVICES 5+37 Center Avenue, Suite n Martinis, California 94553 Ph (925)313.6124 Fax(925)313.6761 TO: Supervisor Joe Canciarnila, Chair Date: 7-20-00 Supervisor John Gioia,Member Family and Human Services Committee of the Board of Supervisors FROM: Duane C- Chapman Homeless Ombudspersona iaison Subject: How do we rewnd to the cry of the homckss in our midst in Contra Costa QQMDW In the midst of an unprecedented"economic boom"far to many of our sisters and brothers are homelm and live in poverty. Although increased funding has become available for to-work initiatives and child care programs and many people have been helped to find jobs,low wages leave merry families unable to afford rent, groceries, shoes, medicine, and bus face. 'While the gross national product of the United States grew by almost 25%between the years of the 1980 and 1995,the number of people living in poverty fi=va3ed by seven nnUon. The d k l�gime In the last year I have noticed that the elderly are the fastest growing sector of the homeless population. Under a freeway overpass, I assist a 60-year-old homeless woman and her 65- year-old husband to beds down for the night. (Both shelter are Rill)I watch as they first arrange a piece of cardboard on the ground. Thea,they slowly lower their arthritic frames for a good night sleep.Before I leave and they close their eyes,we pray together that they will be safe for the night. The number one difficulty of seniors out on the streets is their physical vulnerability. Homeless seniors realize that they cannot protect themselves by fending off others or by ruining. This couple has some fear they will be assaulted or robbed in our shelters, so they choose to find this out-of-the-way place for protection from the elements. r • Contra Costa Cammuniry Substance Abuse Ser rim • Contra Costa Emergence Meft SLS • Contra Costa Emaronntwttal Health • Contra Costa Health Plan • Contra Costa Hasanim Materials Ptogranm •Contra Costa Mental Health • Canna Corte Public Health • Contra Costa Regioni Madkai Center • Corrtra Costa Health Censers Many of the seniors I have come in contact with have become isolated w a form of protection. Other factors that lead to isolation are deaths ofkmily and friends. Because few seniors go to our shelters, the number of homeless seniors is way under- reported. Humeri F'amUiec Dousing is typically the largest single expense in the household budget. I have noticed that the Federal, State and local housing programs frequently lin-At the rent that low- income households pay to no more than 30%of their gross income. Many low-income households are not fortunate enough to benefit from these programs. Poor households frequently spend 50 to 75 %of their incomes on housing alone--often,a crisis hits and these households weigh the choice of paying the landlord or buying food and other essential for the family. Homelessness is a devastating experience for f tmilies. It disrupts virtually every aspect of family life,damaging the physical and emotional health offun ly members,interfering with children's education and development,and frequently resulting in the separation of family members. From my day-to-day experience and listening to Homeless providers,homelessness among families is increasing.Request for emergency shelter by families with children in Contra Costa County is mi ' g.Request for shelter&motel vouchers services are being denied for lack of resources and or funding. Here is a list of Homeless People requesting services for a 24-hour period,here are the results: Client I.D. Female Male #of children Disposition head of fam head of tam. 9455 X 2 Children U.T.P. 5825 X 3 children U.T.P. 4904 X 2 children U.T.P. 6347 X X 3 children Motel 2 nights 1235 X 4 children To S.F. 8995 X 1 child Motel l night 1962 X 2 children U.T.P. 7847 X 0 children U.T.P. 8440 x 4 children U.T.P. 2169 x 6 children U.T.P. 2122 X 1 child Marin Shelter 6827 X 2 children U.T.P. 3336 X 0 children B.A.R. M. 0672/5286 XX 1 child' U.T.P. 3419 X 1 child Church S motel Homelessness of fhmilies occurs 365 clays a year-not only during the four(4)months we currently are willing to provide shelter services Yehtcular 1Yorrsed�+Cexides tial d� 9vmehm Encans rats There are curresrtly hundreds of`homeless' people who live in their vehicles, community parks, under bridges and along our creeks throughout Contra Costa County. While these vehicular and other who are homeless have found a way to stay off the street, they continuously are faced with displacement and potential loss of what they can home due to the enforcement of an assortment of laws,and through the dissatisfaction of nearby merchants and housed neighbors. The health risks for people living on the streets, in their car,and in homeless encampments is continuously compromised due to the ongoing relocation from one area to another,and-to the facet that our county operated shelters and private run shelters are remaining at fish capacity. We also must remember that the challenge is to find ways to address people concerns about public space while helping homeless people become self-sufficient rather than penall2ing them for being poor and homeless. We all agree that Federal and State policy maker have cut funding to homeless programs. However, I believe that the Health Services Department(Homeless Programs)& Employment&Human Services Department need to work C=losely toged=and pool resources to help the homeless. The Health Service Department (Homeless Programs) &Public Works Department (Flood Control&Maintenance)need to work together and establish new policies for Homeless Encampment&Vehicular Housed Encampments. The Homeless program needs to be able to provide a greater number of motel vouchers all year round, we also need to provide crisis case management services in meatal health and sub-stance abuse to our Contra.Costa County Homeless residents. Thank you. Cc: William B. Walker,M.D Wendel Brunner,M.A. Tnmd r��