State Homeless Coordinating Committee Board Meeting

November 12, 2008

Capitol East Conference Room – 2:00 pm

Members Present:

Palmer DePaulisJoAnn Seghini

Jeff WebsterMarie Christman

Lloyd PendletonDwight Peterson

Michael GallegosKerry Steadman

Kathy BrayJane Shock

Kerry BateJohn Brereton

Craig BurrReAnne Hart

Michelle FlynnMatt Minkevitch

Kreig KelleyJames Whitaker

Christine NguyenJeff Webster

Robert SnarrBill Crim

Vaughn McDonaldRon Humphries

Bill NighswongerRobert Snarr

Mitzy StewartJames Sullivan

Excused: Dr. David Sundwall, Don Ketcham, Lieutenant Governor Herbert, Gordon Walker, Lloyd Pendleton, Jonathan Hardy, Pauline Zvonkovic, Kerry Steadman, Michelle Flynn, Pamela Atkinson

Guests:

Mike GlennJon Pierpont

Anne BurkholderEileen Dwyer

Marka TurnerReanne Hart

Dale WrightDavid Hart

Louenda DownsClayton Fulton

Eileen DwyerBeth Eirhardt

Tiia LibinMonte Hanks

Sharon McCreeryLeslie Russell

Karla ArroyoRyan Konold

Kristine WinnShawn Tiegen

Katherine Smith

Staff: Sharon Young, Kirsten Stewart, Sheryl Featherstone, Pema Chagzoetsang

I. Welcome and Introductions: Palmer DePaulis welcomed everyone and discussed the first order of business.

Palmer DePaulis asked for a motion on the minutes dated September 10, 2008. Marie Christman stated there was a correction on previous minutes, she was excused.

James Whitaker moved to approve the minutes of September 10, 2008. Christine Nguyen seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with corrections as stated.

ACTION ITEMS

II.Homeless Report–UHMIS is working with the CoC’s to maintain at minimum an 85% data quality for all participating agencies. UHMIS is also training all agencies on the universal data elements that will be utilized in a number of reports. Examples of the reports to be provided to the LHCC’s have been included in the packet. This is basic information that will be provided on a monthly basis to the LHCC leaders. The hope is this will encourage agencies to keep up on their data entry so that their agency is accurately represented to their local LHCC, the Continua, and the State.

UHMIS has developed a new training method that will help ensure all users are aware of the data quality standards and how to track the necessary data elements that are reported.

One of the main reports to the state is the Annual Homeless Assessment Report otherwise known as the AHAR. This report was developed by HUD for congress to depict the condition of the nation’s homeless. This is one of the reasons HMIS was implemented.

We are working with a contractor to help assess what outcomes the MetSYS user agencies want to track and develop tools allowing agencies to reconcile the reported numbers of services and individuals served. These tools will also help agencies easily pull accurate Annual Progress Reports (APR) for their HUD funding. UHMIS monthly data reports includes:

  • Monthly Report: To the State Homeless Coordinating Committee.
  • HMIS Summary –By LHCC: Provided to each LHCC leader and committee members. This will report on the services provided and to whom.
  • Quality 1:Submitted to LHCC Leaders and Agency administrators so they know where they’re at on gather data, and it’s quality overall on an LHCC level.
  1. Continuum of Care NOFA – Eileen Dwyer reported the three Continuum of Care submitted grants that were due on Oct 23rd.

SL County new projects:

  • Permanent Supportive Housing
  • Rapid Re-housing
  • Shelter Plus Care Funds
  • Four renewals
  • Three Shelter Plus Care renewals
  • Rapid Re-housing demonstration project
  • New funding 2.4 M
  • Renewals 2.3 M
  • 4.7 M SL Co total

Balance of state – Two new projects for permanent supportive housing, one rapid re-housing amount and 12 renewals,

  • Balance of state $608,000
  • Renewals $877,000 for total $1.4M
  • Mountainland had two projects for$453,000 and six renewalsat $753,000 three shelter plus care plus rapid re-housing for$450,000
  • Requested$3.5 M renewals plus$3.9 for total of$7.4 M

IV. SaltLakeCounty Ten – Year Plan Update – Palmer DePaulis reported thatSaltLakeCounty is now funded to help in this roleto develop thisplan.

  • Housing
  • Sunrise Metro – Bill Nighswonger reported on efforts focused on now providing employment to peopleliving at Sunrisewith the exception of those with a bad history (credit problems). This was not anticipatedfor those transferring out of Sunrise and are voucher ready.Many still have bad credit history and don’t have the eligibility to move into apartments. We are trying to get these people ready and their records cleared up (primary focus this fall). We just bought two new duplexes for those to transition out of Sunrise. Wewill buy more of this type of housing in the future to give them a real head start.
  • Grace Mary Manor – Doing well
  • Palmer Court – just over 50% completion, fire sprinkling system, electrical, added community bldg, two separate addresses one on state and one on main, two projects within one, one side exclusively singles, the other side families and single women, hoping to be finished by March, total completion late May, early June.
  • Funding requests for additional housing
  • Pilot Project – The Road Home
  • Pilot project housing youth again out of foster care
  • Access to Mainstream Services
  • Eligibility for SSI/SSDI DWS
  • Central Region of DWS continues to outsource staff to areas where the homeless gather – Road Home, St. Vincent DePaul & YWCA
  • Employment Counselor hired by Central Region ofDWS
  • Prevention
  • Social Services Block Grant targeted for homeless prevention services
  • Infrastructure
  • Point in Time Count for 2008
  • Training of Case Mgrs
  • HARP (Homeless Assistance Rental Projgramn was evaluated by University of Utah
  • SaltLakeCounty received funding for AmeriCorps Program
  • Grant submitted to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA)

V. Homeless Summit – Palmer DePaulis asked for feedback on the 2008 Homeless Summit. A link to the evaluation web site will be furnished to the committee. The following issues were discussed:

  • Press Conference – Housing Works
  • Overall Summit
  • Philip Mangano speech was very good and positive feedback
  • Comments on accommodations
  • Parking was an issue (area was closed off)
  • Room – backdrop curtain, not wall space, kitchen folks were loud in background – check on that for next year
  • Renovations – new rooms next year
  • Well attended

VI. Affordable Housing Planning – Mike Glennreported onmoderate income housing plans and the implications it will have on the homeless population.Clayton Fulton continued with a presentation on affordable housing. People can type in income, etc. and see housing developments in the county. Those items defined in the presentation were:

  • Local Housing Plans
  • Comprehensive – look at all populations including currently homeless
  • Study Presentation:
  • Purpose of Study – Assess condition of housing plans per state code, identify cities in need of technical assistance, identify means to improve local planning efforts, opportunities for integrated planning efforts
  • Definition of “Moderate Income Housing”
  • “Moderate Income Housing Plan”
  • Supply of housing
  • Minimum requirements for local housing plans
  • Local Perspective
  • Area Consolidated Plans – HUD
  • Coordinate with your Community (efforts trying to work with communities to update their 10-year plan for housing)

There is not a system in place yet to audit their system. Mike Glenn stated the hope is these local homeless coordinating committees will see the need to upgrade their affordable housing plans and ensure there is a plan for the needs of the homeless population.

The law requires the cities to have a plan that does include the rural and unincorporated areas. There is nothing in place to encourage the issue of affordable housing.

Palmer DePaulis stated our interim committee frequently asked us to make presentations on issues that need legislature attention and now with Clayton’s study in place and real data, we can go back to the committeefor recommendations on the issues and really request these communities to upgrade their plans.

Jane Shock stated those who don’t want to comply think the plan is going to be slums. There needs to be a program in place to educate the communities.You can meet your goals without creating slums. When people see the product, the attitude changes. The stigmas are there because of those projects that did not work. Is there some kind of strategy to show this will work? Education is the key to overcome this stigma.

VII.Media Around Homeless Summit – Kirsten Stewart

  • Goal: New Website - enroll support and funding for the 10-year plan by re-messaging homelessness as a serious and costly problem that can be solved by moving people from the streets and from institutions of custodial care into permanent affordable housing with supports.
  • Strategy 1 – Branding – create a name, logo and tagline to drive the overall tone
  • Strategy 2 – Communications – look for opportunities to tell the story. Two main newspapers have agreed to donate a series of half-page ads to supplement media relations efforts. Key messages are:
  • Combating stereotypes
  • Conveying the costs of homelessness
  • Stories of healing and hope
  • What can you do?
  • Thanks for your help – recognizing friendly landlords and HousingWorks employers.
  • Outcomes – Measurements for success – in coming months there will be more coverage for the 10-year plan.
  • SOAR coverage
  • For more information see the following link:

VIII.Committee Reports

  1. Discharge Planning Committees–

Marie Christmanreported on meeting withLloyd and decided to formulate this committee focusing on improving internally and youth transitioning out of foster care, individuals transitioning into mainstream, individuals discharged from psychiatric hospitals and disabled clients. The strategy shows there needs to be an active partner, where case management data is provided supporting and facilitating new resources.

  • There are 50 vouchers assigned to family services in SaltLake – 11 utilized the time they had with this opportunity.We are pleased to report 47 are filled. Kudos to Bill Nighswonger and his staff who worked on this project. Twenty fiveare on the waiting list. New resources continue on funding.An important resource not used now is the housing resource directory.
  • Another item is DCFS whichhas expanded with its agencies, 47 (dcfs) youth transitioned out of foster carewhich includes people with disabilities.In January, we will have a better idea as we look at the numbers.The data base will continue toshow those receiving health treatment.
  • Under these vouchers, it also means youth in housing living on their own, or they have significant other and get defined as family reuniting with family. Sometimes family doesn’t have adequate housing.

The focus is on the Wasatch Front especially in SaltLakeknowingthe huge need when discharging youth with very few options. Christine Nguyen put together a summit in the six county area involving local officials and the community that came together to address housing needs. Six County does not have a housing authority. Bill Crim has agreed to offer technical assistance to build housing assistance in SixCounty.

Robert Snarr is focusing on the San Juan area and those individuals discharging out of state hospitals. Mike Glenn has also made a difference. There is a lot of small progress. One of the things people arenot aware of is what resources there are. There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding on policies and resources. Work is being done on organizing a summit involving the local governments etc. bringing them together and asking HUD and others to come in and do problem solving.

Ron Humphries stated the LDSChurchmight be able to help with furnishings, clothing etc. for the affordable housing units. Deseret Industries will come to the committee. These furnishings link to entities that are being worked with. Doug Roberts is the contact we are working with on this committee.

  1. Supportive Services, James Whitakerreported on two areas today;1) people concerned with the change in our economic conditions, what they are seeing and 2) the demand on what they are funding.Social service needs are going in a different direction. Needs and changing conditions are what we are focusing on now. One of the things we considered was the issue of homeless youth.

Matthew Minkevitchreported on meeting withKathy Bray and Bill Crim. A student of theUniversity of Utahwill be doing research on services available throughout the west. There is a growing need for homeless youth and the needs are unique. The youth do not turn to shelter as a resourcebecause if they areunder 18 andit is prohibited by law for them to stay overnight; therefore, we cannot shelter them. This law and the extent of this issue is currently being worked on.

Better data on this issue will be obtainedto coordinate with the Discharge Committee. Robert Snarr is available to share ideas and transition across boundaries and to look at possible alternative models to serve this group. The idea is to protect children from predators.

One of the main funds we use for the SOAR program is the general systems fund.

The overall pressure on housing is to stretch the housing dollar. We need to get together with the Department of Community and Culture, TheRoad Home as funds are tight. We need to figure out the best way to stretch the money.

The goal is to comeup with enough Taniff monies for needy families andto house the refugee families being evicted.

IX.Other Issues:

The next Committee Board meeting will beJanuary 14, 2008 at 2:00 pm at the Capitol Board Room 240.

Homeless Memorial - December 22, 2008 – Governor Huntsman speaker 5:30 pm,PioneerPark

Point in Time – January 28, 2009

Refugee Conference – Friday – December 14-15, 2008 - University Marriott Hotel

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

Submitted by:

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Sheryl Featherstone

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