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Final 4.15.11 <br /> 9 <br />which agencies serve what populations. Linkages have been strengthened. <br />However, without a database connecting service delivery and referral processes, there <br />are holes in services. There is still the possibility of individuals accessing different <br />service providers creating fragmented and possibly duplicated services. Individuals <br />not able to access services from one agency may assume they don’t quality for any <br />services which may not be the case. <br />7. Additional case management to homeless populations. Goal was met. The HPRP program, Polaris, RIETH, and HEARTH all included case management services or an expansion of case management to the homeless populations addressed by the various agencies. All of these programs were new programs to the county, thereby easily increasing the amount of case management (without duplication) to the homeless in this county. However, most of these <br />programs were funded for only 1-2 years creating a temporary solution. By 2012, we <br />will again have a gap in case management services if these programs do not have <br />funding. Case management is key to helping the homeless population access <br />appropriate services and work towards self reliance. Without that additional support, <br />recidivism rates increase. <br />8. Prevent homelessness by providing a source of funding to help with rent <br />payments when households lose their primary source of income. Goal was somewhat met. The projects that provided a source of funding to help with rent payments for persons/households who had lost their primary source of income were HPRP, RIETH and Polaris. While the Senior Rent Assistance program through Hopesource received $61,000 in funding from the 2060 funds, these funds addressed a very specific population in the county, most of whom were retired and had a source of income to help with rent and other living expenses. <br /> Comments: While recognizing that many of our original goals were met through funding for 2009-10, it is important to keep in mind that this represents progress, not arrival. We must continue to fund the agencies that helped us meet those goals as well as consider the needs that present themselves for 2011. In this way we can move toward funding a system of services in this county, not just one or two agencies. At the forefront and of most importance to the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Committee (Committee) members is addressing the majority of homelessness population needs within Kittitas County with the limited resources and scarce funding available. The Committee’s funding recommendations are based on the data. Homelessness is an emotionally powered topic and the needs of the community are endless. At the end of the day, the data is all we have to justify difficult funding allocation decisions. When we are faced with the difficult task of informing agencies of our funding allocation decisions, we must have data to support our recommendations.