City of Lawrence, Kansas

HOMELESS ISSUES ADVISORY COMMITTEE

February 12, 2013 Minutes (Lawrence City Commission Room)

Members present: Brad Cook (Bert Nash Homeless Outreach Team), Michael Brouwer (Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Re-Entry Program), Hubbard Collinsworth (at-large), Trent McKinley (LPD), Cary Strong (Lawrence Business Community), Becky Peters (Family Promise), Laurie Hooker (LDCHA), Kadie Jorgensen (LMH)

Members absent: Lt. Matt McCluer (Salvation Army)

Staff present: Danelle Dresslar, Rhonda Peterson, Margene Swarts

Public present: CJ Brune, Saunny Scott, Dana Ortiz (Family Promise), Amanda Schwegler (Community Cooperation Committee), Paul Podhorn (All Kansas Prairie School), Evan Traylor (KU student)

The meeting was called to order at 8:34 a.m. by Chair Cook.

ITEM NO. 1 Introductions

The members of the HIAC and guests introduced themselves. New committee members Becky Peters and Kadie Jorgensen were welcomed; they replaced Brent Hoffman and Karin Feltman respectively.

ITEM NO. 2 Approval of the Agenda and the December 11, 2012 Minutes.

Motion by Strong to approve the Agenda and the December 11, 2012 meeting minutes of the HIAC; seconded by Collinsworth.

Motion passed unanimously.

The committee also received the notes form the January 8, 2013 meeting as there was not a quorum present that day.

ITEM NO. 3 Receive Bert Nash 2012 Annual Report

Swarts stated that the annual report is available online. Cook added that the narrative summarizes the main points.

ITEM NO. 4 Housing Vision Reports

A. Non-Housing – Point in Time Count Update

Dresslar stated she is currently working on the Housing Inventory Count. It should take two more weeks for data entry, and the analysis should be done by the end of March.

Brouwer commented he completed the survey online for the corrections facility, and it was very easy to do. He added that two years ago 10% of the individuals in the corrections facility were homeless, and the number remains at 10% for the most recent survey.

Dresslar also mentioned the Homeless Summit is being held this year in Pittsburg, KS from April 15-17.

Cook asked if it was a full three days. Dresslar responded the first day is a networking/pre-conference day, with the third day ending at noon.

B. Emergency Shelter/Temporary Housing – LCS Update

Dresslar said Loring Henderson was not able to speak at the meeting today as he was scheduled at the same time to give a presentation elsewhere.

Collinsworth replied he had a few questions he would like answered. Cook responded he would be happy to provide answers to questions as he was able.

Collinsworth said he would like an updated management plan. Cook responded the original document has not changed; any changes must be approved by the City Commission, and LCS sees no need for an update at this time.

Collinsworth inquired what the official start date for the 90 day stay deadline for guests is. Cook replied it was probably set at the day the client moved in, or it could have been reset when the shelter relocated to the new facility. Henderson would have that information and could provide it at the next meeting.

Collinsworth asked if the facility is operating at capacity. Cook responded there were 124 individuals in residence on Saturday, and 117 on Monday. It averages from 120-125 every day; it is very close to capacity but no one has been turned away at this time.

Collinsworth inquired if three meals a day were still being served. Cook replied affirmatively. There have been some complaints about the sparseness of the food offered, but the meals are being served three times each day.

Swarts added Henderson has the agency annual report, and he will be able to present it at the committee meeting in March.

Podhorn introduced himself, and inquired if the family section is full. Cook responded it averages 29-36 people per day, and no family has yet been turned away.

Podhorn asked if there are emergency response teams that go out on cold nights and actively search for homeless people in order to direct them to the shelter.

Cook responded there are not, but that there are occasionally people who go out and search the woods, etc during the day in search of homeless people. Cook added most homeless people are aware of the services provided in Lawrence but may not make use of them for various reasons.

Podhorn said there needs to be direction for those homeless individuals that is less intrusive; he also said that he is very proactive about helping homeless veterans.

Amanda Schwegler responded the Community Cooperation Committee has a list of agencies that are great resources. She will send the list to Dresslar.

Hooker added HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) is a great resource for homeless veterans. It provides veterans with resources for dealing with landlord/tenant relations and legal issues, as well as assisting with finding transitional housing for people that are hard to house.

Dresslar said she will see if the HUD-VASH representative is available to give a presentation at a future meeting.

C. Transitional Housing/Supportive Services – LDCHA Update

Hooker introduced herself and gave a brief synopsis of the Residential Services Office, which is part of LDCHA. Currently, they have 21 individuals with leases, 22 waiting, and 2 with vouchers who are searching for permanent housing. Bert Nash has 21 with leases, 15 waiting and 1 with a voucher actively searching for housing. The office is located at 1600 Haskell, Unit 187. They provide services to support tenants in helping find stabilized housing and through the Moving-to-Work (MTW) program.

Hooker said PJ McKinney oversees the literacy and budgeting assistance programs. The LDCHA offers a homeownership program; LDCHA receives federal funding to prepare housing residents to successfully transition to homeownership. The program’s main purpose is to be a strong motivator to maintain employment and seek upwardly mobile jobs that move families to self-sufficiency so that they can purchase and maintain a home. It assists with knowledge of issues like credit, the banking system, etc.

There is also an employment specialist who assists residents through the MTW program. In order to be eligible for this program, it requires all adults who are not elderly, disabled or in transitional housing to be employed.

An early childhood program is available as well, for those 0-7 years of age. It offers assessments and referrals to other programs. The youth services programs are run through the Huppee Community facility and include programs like a stroller walk group, play groups and parent resources.

Hooker herself works with the elderly, disabled and transitional residents. They provide crisis counseling, referrals to other agencies and assistance with housing issues, such as lease violations. Small funding is available for things like taking the GED; taking a CNA class, which can help the individual move more quickly to be able to afford his or her own housing; or purchasing boots for work-related use. The program does not pay for rent or utilities; however, PJ McKinney’s department does assist with finding resources for residents needing that kind of help.

Saunny Scott asked if these programs are only offered to residents of Edgewood. Hooker replied they are available for everyone in public housing or Section 8 housing. The Huppee facility offers many resources, including two computer labs, internet access, fax, cell phone usage with availability of a private room for conversations, etc.

Brouwer said he visited the facility and was given a tour. He was impressed with the number of resources offered to residents.

Hooker said she had a flier available for anyone wanting additional information.

Podhorn inquired if Lawrence has foreclosure counselors available to assist those who are losing their homes. Swarts responded no, the Housing and Credit Counseling office provides that type of assistance.

D. Permanent Supportive Housing – Salvation Army Project Able PSH

Lieutenant McCluer was not present to discuss this item.

E. Permanent Housing – No Update

Dresslar stated there were no updates currently as Tenants to Homeowners has nothing new to report, and she asked if there were suggestions from any of the committee members for permanent housing topics.

Peters responded that Family Promise has a mentoring program. She will see if the agency is available to make a presentation at the next meeting.

ITEM NO. 5 Miscellaneous/Calendar

In response to some of Podhorn’s comments, Collinsworth stated there has been a lot of progress associated with this committee over the past several years. Several programs have been initiated, and laws have been passed at the recommendation of the committee.

Chair Cook brought up the recently proposed changes to the City’s code regarding occupancy standards for some single-family homes, and how many unrelated people can live in one dwelling. He stated the changes could result in more homelessness if people are forced to move out due to the number of non-related persons allowed to live in one house. Cook asked that committee members think about this topic and whether the committee should endorse it or make other recommendations to the City Commission.

ITEM NO. 6 Public Comment.

There was no additional public comment.

ITEM NO. 7 Adjourn.

Motion by Strong to adjourn the February 12, 2013 meeting of the HIAC; seconded by Cook.

Motion passed unanimously.

Attendance Record

Members

01/13

02/13

03/13

04/13

05/13

06/13

07/13

08/13

09/13

10/13

11/13

12/ 13

Michael Brouwer

Hubbard Collinsworth

Brad Cook

Brent Hoffman

Matt McCluer

Trent McKinley

Cary Strong

Laurie Hooker

Becky Peters

Kadie Jorgensen

X - Meeting Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather

E - Excused Absence

U - Unexcused Absence

() – Last meeting in term.

* - First meeting in term.

^ - Last Meeting