Homelessness Prevention and Reduction Plan, 2011 update

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Final 4.15.11 26 Important Takeaways for the BOCC and Committee: 1. Except for Habitat for Humanity houses #9 and #11, all of the programs we funded in the past two years (HEARTH, RIETH, NOVA, HPRP, 24/7 Hotline) are viewed as important programs for a system of services that is comprehensive and meets the needs of the homeless community. At least one of those programs, HEARTH, has had their funding expire. This was the only program in the county that actively recruits and assists convicted felons newly released from incarceration. HPRP, NOVA, and RIETH funding is set to expire in 2011. 2. There is a lack of clarity about what services and resources each program and each agency provides. We need to work with the agencies to develop some method for educating the provider community about what services are available at each agency. The organization of a network would help this effort. 3. Progress was made over the past two years raising the level of awareness about homelessness in this county. More work is needed. The Committee would like to see the homelessness viewed as a community issue, not an agency issue. Recommendation: Our first rounds of funding have helped address some the issues identified in the original survey we did prior to writing our plan. However, a close inspection of the most recent survey information indicates that most of the gaps/needs identified by agencies in 2010 were those identified on the original survey in 2008. So, while we have made some progress, there is a long way to go in terms of getting our funding to the most important areas of need. If Kittitas County is going to see substantial progress in closing the gaps and meeting the homeless needs identified in this survey, we must provide coordinated services as a homeless network. This structure would prevent duplication of services, a more efficient use of our resources, and a more effective strategy to address homelessness in our county. Additionally, we need someone whose responsibility is to provide oversight of this network and ensure communication across the system. 2011 Funding Priorities for 2163 and 2160 Funds 1. Emergency and/or transitional housing for single males and females with or without families who either can not qualify for housing through other agencies or cannot get housing from other agencies because it is not available. 2. Discuss with BOCC and advocate to fund a paid position to advance the following projects and address the needs highlighted in this survey.