Planning and Development Services Department
TO: David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM: Margene K. Swarts, Assistant Director, Development Services
CC: Scott McCullough, Director, Planning and Development Services
DATE: July 26, 2010
RE: Community Commission on Homelessness (CCH) Activities
The CCH was created by Resolution #6608 on August 23, 2005. The appointments were made that fall and the group began meeting after the first of the year in 2006. The purpose of the CCH was “to report to and advise the City on matters relating to its goal of recommendations regarding the implementation of the plan” (Final Plan of the Task Force on Homelessness). Duties included “review the implementation of the Homeless Services Plan, evaluate progress toward stated goals and programs, develop a ten-year plan to end chronic homelessness, and facilitate communication between stakeholders.”
Additionally, the CCH had “the charge of making such recommendations to the City Commission it determines appropriate for the advancement of appropriate services for the homeless” and “shall have the authority to recommend amendments to the Final Report for consideration by the City Commission.”
Initially, the CCH struggled with the nebulous nature of the final plan but then began to move forward with ideas for solutions to the homelessness issues in the community. One such initiative was the “Housing Vision”, which details various types of housing and/or shelter that was viewed as necessary in the community to address the housing needs of not only homeless persons, but all members of the community. The Housing Vision was adopted by the City Commission in June, 2007.
The CCH also studied the issues and made recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Commission regarding the relocation of the Lawrence Community Shelter based on criteria they had previously adopted regarding the location of such a shelter in the community. Additionally, the CCH has discussed issues regarding camping, panhandling, and how mental illness and substance abuse relate to homelessness.
Due to expired appointments and resignations the CCH has been reduced to six (6) of eleven (11) members. Because of the substantial progress made on the Housing Vision, relocation of the shelter, and input on several other homeless issues, there has been discussion of whether this commission has fulfilled its original charge and should be decommissioned. On the other hand, homeless issues are considered by some to be an ongoing matter in the community and such a commission is valuable to vetting out specific issues related to homelessness and making recommendations to the City Commission.
The issue before the City Commission is whether the CCH should continue its work under its original charge or be decommissioned. If the CCH remains, staff recommends filling the vacant positions. Currently, there are three persons sending letters of interest and it is anticipated this will be followed by two or three more. The proposed appointments are from a broad cross section of the community including faith-based, service providers, and business persons and are in keeping with the original intent of a diverse group of appointments to the CCH.
Three upcoming issues that need to be addressed by the CCH are election of a Chair and Vice-Chair, determining the contents for a report to the City Commission detailing recent activities and successes, and review of the original charge of the CCH and a discussion of the future and future activities of the CCH.
Should you have further questions, please let me know.