*199 Days to End Veteran Homelessness*
Austin Homeless Veterans Initiative Meeting
Agenda
Monday, June 15, 2015
10:00AM-12:00PM
Palm Square Conference Room
Attendance: Dylan Shubitz (HACA); Preston Petty; Niki Paul; Becky Casey; Casey Cork; Bree Williams (ECHO Staff); Eugene Edwards (Goodwill); Megan Podowski (Caritas); Tu Giang (Front Steps); Greg McCormack (Front Steps); David Ray (Salvation Army); Earl Jones (Mayor’s Office); David Gomez (ATCIC); Abby Tatkow (Caritas); Andrew Miller (VA); Lindsey Martinez (Caritas); Jason Stewart (Goodwill); Julian Huerta (Foundation Communities); Amanda Lokey (VA); Kim Jackson (Goodwill)
10AM-10:10AM WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS & STAFF UPDATES
10:10AM-10:50 COMMUNITY PLANNING
· Review Community Plan-Need to submit revision to VA by end of June
o New Question-Our target for the length of time of homelessness
o How long are we going to commit to state for an individual to remain homeless until we can provide them with the necessary services?
§ Goal is 30 days – Is this realistic in our community? Maybe 45 days?
§ How many people are currently waiting for services?
§ Each agency needs to look at their own numbers/data and brainstorm length of time
· Discussion: How can we expedite our processes to help increase housing placements?
o Current barriers preventing housing:
§ Eviction-can we get a contact at collection agencies- W-9 records with credit agencies
§ Availability-less flexible property owners
§ Potential earned income-immediate referrals to Goodwill; clients should be matched with a landlord specialist and an employment specialist upon enrollment
§ Goodwill to follow up with inviting TVC to table
· May-Coordinated Assessment Veteran Report
o 243 HH’s with a self-reported Veteran assessed YTD
o 200 (up from 167) homeless veteran HH’s requiring program assistance
o 120 HH currently being targeted for services-19 of whom have moved in
o 47 homeless veteran HH’s waiting for housing assistance
· OneKeyATX Update – Bree and Becky
· Communication Strategy
o OneKeyATX-Keep spreading the word!
o Mayor’s Office-Letter Campaign
§ Earl J. has around 1,000 apartment communities/property owners; waiting on letter from Houston
o HACA will have 70 units opening in September-Dylan S. to send Bree W. details about property
· Employment Connection
o Eugene sent out doodle poll
· Fundraising Need & Opportunities
o Austin Chronicle-article about disproportionate barriers for African Americans accessing services – Focus on solutions (Megan P. and Tu G.)
o Bree W. to talk to Gridmates about energy efficiency and our clients
· Program Updates:
o Any staffing updates?
o Kim W. now doing intakes for SSVF at Front Steps
o David G. – concerns from City about new campsites in parks and neighborhoods caused by rain/floods – West Campus and 38th & ½ underpass
o Salvation Army hiring 2 CA staff members
o Landlord
o 22 SRO units – Foundation Communities property on South Lamar & Bluebonnet – 15 months out; focus on homelessness; people can start getting on an interest list – applications accepted in August
10:50-11:00AM BREAK, if needed
11AM-12PM VETERAN HOUSING PLACEMENT STAFFING
· STAFF VETERAN LIST-Weekly Referrals/SSVF and VASH List/Macro
Next Meeting:
June 22, 2015
10:00AM-12:00PM, Palm Square