Austin Homeless Veterans Initiative Meeting
Minutes
Monday, March 7, 2016
10AM-12PM
Attendance: Earl Jones (HACA); Dylan Shubitz (HACA); Amanda Lokey (VA); Bree Williams; Becky Casey; Kristin Zakoor; Niki Paul; Preston Petty; Casey Cork; Katie Rose (ECHO Staff); Tu Giang (Front Steps); Taryn Davis (Goodwill); Bonny Lowe (Front Steps); Bo Buell (A New Entry); David Ray (The Salvation Army); Justine Ealy (Front Steps); Hilary Katz (Goodwill); Catherine Williams (VA); Erin Clever (VA); David Gomez (ATCIC); Andrew Miller (VA); Megan Podowski (Caritas); Greg McCormack (Front Steps);
10:00-10:05AM Welcome and Introductions
10:05-10:10AM General Community Announcements
· Oak Creek Successes and Updates
o 14 veterans moved in on Wed. and 1 more veteran moved in on Friday
o Next move-in’s planned for 3/11, 3/16, and 3/22
o Courtesy office slated to move in on 3/22-officer to serve as more of a presence rather than to arrest clients
10:10-10:40AM Progress On Ending Veteran Homelessness
· Community Goals-Need to create a consistent community message for clients not yet housed due to program restrictions, etc.-need to give clients an answer on who to communicate with to change these restrictions and create more housing
o Review February Data
§ Reached functional zero in February-does not include Oak Creek move-ins
§ 145 HH’s still homeless and waiting for housing-down by 39
§ HUD VASH-17 housed
§ FS SSVF-14 housed
§ Caritas SSVF-9 housed
§ Family Eldercare-1
§ 4 veterans self-resolved
§ 29 chronically homeless veterans still waiting for PSH for benchmark A
§ Need to focus on making data entry as real-time as possible to track how many veterans are being housed each day
o Concern with veterans falling back into homelessness-need to learn why? (Employment, substance abuse, etc.) Where are the gaps in our community?
o March USICH Austin Goals
o Project Challenges
· SSVF/VASH/GPD/Transitional/Other Program Updates
10:40-10:50AM Housing Stability Updates
· Furniture Program Update
o 16 individual pickups last Saturday
o Replenished warehouse
o Need volunteer recruitment
· Employment Opportunities:
o Need to diversify and broaden employment opportunities
o Goodwill has financial training; clients can take two classes on employment (creating resumes, how to dress, etc.) prior to applying for a job
o Foundation Communities-1 on 1 financial coaching
o Teaching clients how to cook/eat nutritionally is a need-Capital Area Food Bank working on putting together nutrition program for clients
o Need to create committee focused on spearheading employment
· FFS program-anyone with a voucher can get assistance with sustainability
· Downtown Austin Alliance-wanting to turn one floor of sobriety center into detox center-possibly beneficial partnership
11:00AM-12:00PM VETERAN HOUSING PLACEMENT STAFFING
· Review List of Chronic Homeless Veterans
o Eligible for Oak Creek Apartments-Master List
· Review VETERAN LIST-Weekly Referrals/SSVF/VASH List/Macro/GPD
Next Meetings:
STAFFING:
Monday, March 14th, 2016
10:00AM-12:00PM, HACA
COMMUNITY & STAFFING:
Monday, March 21, 2016
10AM-12PM, Palm Square Conference Room