CITY OF REDDING/COUNTY OF SHASTA
HOMELESS CONTINUUM OF CARE
COMMUNITY MEETING
MINUTES OF
March 12, 2008
Participants in Attendance:
Melinda Brown, People of Progress
Lydia Buckley, City of Redding Housing Division
Robin Glasco, Shasta Community Health Center
Liza Goza, Shasta County Independent Living Program
Mark Key, Loaves & Fishes - Community Observer
Richard Kuhns, Shasta County Housing Authority
Don Meek, Redding/Shasta County Homeless Continuum of Care
Bill Price, Police and Corrections Team (PACT)
Ryan Sabalow, Redding Record Searchlight
Bobbi Sawtelle, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service
Robert Scott, FaithWorks
Steve Ware, Redding Police Department
Laurel Kessler, IWJP Interfaith Witness for Justice & Peace
Abu Bakr Salahuddin, IWJP Interfaith Witness for Justice & Peace
Cyndi Hoag, Good News Rescue Mission
Micoa Furr, Good News Rescue Mission
Mark Barns, Good News Rescue Mission
David Honey, Good News Rescue Mission
DeAnna Ward
Sylvia Yzaguirre, Shasta County Public Health
Manua Meza, Shasta County Public Health
Noemi Flores, Shasta County Public Health
Laura McDuffey, Shasta County Public Health
Mike Behling, Shasta County Social Services
Linda L. McCrea, Women’s Health Specialists
Bill Price, Community Re-entry Services
Dan Belknap, Retired
Angela Jones, Shasta Women’s Refuge
Jennie Neal, Independent Living Services of Northern California
Melinda Brown, People of Progress
Eddie McAllister, Shasta County Public Health
Tamara “Tammy” Cleveland, Tozer Seminary
Dawn Fisher-Smith, Shasta County Child Abuse Prevention
Bill Thurman, Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance
Linda Wright, First 5 Shasta
Shelly Godfroy, Humanist Peace Society
Mark Cram, The Engineering Company
Elin Klaseen, Parkview Neighborhood Association
Bill Ulch, Parkview Neighborhood Association
Momo Kurosaka, HOPE - Shasta Community Health Center
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Amber Asaro, Shasta County Housing
Jon Poletski, Redding Police Department
Steve Ware, Redding Police Department
Ed Ochoa, Northern Valley Catholic Social Service
Rob Young, HOPE - Shasta Community Health Center
Mark Bradshaw, HOPE - Shasta Community Health Center
Danyett Cloward, Living Hope Compassion Ministries
Sarah Anden, Good News Rescue Mission - homeless
Blindy Mel Libby, Homeless
Shirleen Cardoza, NorCal Center on Deafness
Robin Glasco, Shasta Community Health Center
Mark Key, Loaves & Fishes - Community Observer
George & Elsie Wilkins, Interfaith Witness for Justice & Peace
Chris Adams, Shasta Union High School District
Kevin Marshall, EDD - Veterans
Darryll Alvey, Legal Services of Northern California
Debbie Gilbertson, Citizen in my care
Jarrod Elshafie, Dept. Of Veterans Affairs
Frank Garavido, Citizen
Danny Hart, Homeless
Opening Remarks
• The meeting was called to order at10:01 a.m. by Don Meek who gave a brief overview of the Community Meeting process and the agenda outline. Introductions by members present were made.
Faces of Homelessness (DVD)
$ A ten minutes DVD was played showing various homeless persons and families with personal comments.
Community Presentation – Homelessness in Shasta County
The presentation focused on four primary parts: (1) A history and description of the Homeless Continuum of Care Council; (2) myths and facts about homelessness; (3) the annual and point-in-time survey process including Shasta County homeless statistics; and (4) a brief description of homeless services including community assets, gaps and barriers, and future goals.
$ The City of Redding and Shasta County Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) Council was formalized in 2000 to provide a more systematic organization to address the complex and multiple needs of the homeless. The local CoC is a representative organization that draws from public safety agencies, faith-based organizations, social service providers, public schools and colleges, private citizens, city and county departments, churches, and other community members interested in ending the tragedy of homelessness. The CoC Council meets throughout the year on the third Monday of each month. The CoC in an active collaboration that helps create and coordinate better services and linkages for homeless persons.
$ Many of the common myths about homelessness were discussed. They include beliefs that the homeless choose to be that way; they are dangerous; most are heavy drug and alcohol users; they don’t want to work; and many other beliefs that support the notion that it is a problem that cannot be fixed. A fact sheet about homelessness was also available to all participants.
$ It was noted that People of Progress oversees the annual and point-in-time surveys. The data collection system provides an unduplicated annual count along with profile information. Key homeless statistics were shared:
-3,316 individuals representing 1,986 unduplicated households were homeless at some point during the twelve month period of the survey.
-1,092 of the 3,316 homeless people identified were children (33%).
-58% of the homeless lived in emergency shelters, the street, camping or in vehicles.
-Primary causes of homelessness: 24% loss of income or job, 14% domestic violence, 13% eviction, 11% from jail or prison, and 8% from medical or health problems.
$ Services and activities available from CoC partner organizations include Healthy Outreach for People Everywhere (HOPE), emergency shelter services, Shasta Housing Intervention for Transition (SHIFT), Forensic Multi-Disciplinary Team (FMDT), Police and Correction Team (PACT), and Promoting Liveable Accommodation for CalWorks Eligible (PLACE) Families program. Although the local CoC has a strong array of community assets, there are gaps and barriers that keep us from doing a better job such as inflated housing costs, low wages in our region, a significant shortage of affordable housing for the extremely low income population, and transportation barriers. Future goals for the coming year include (1) development of a drop-in resource center for the homeless and at-risk populations with a full-spectrum of day-time services and (2) expansion of community education and public presentations to service clubs and the general public to promote better understanding about homelessness.
$ During the question and answer period, one participant asked why the City was citing homeless campers and forcing them to pay fines. It was also noted that it shouldn’t be illegal for the homeless to camp since they had no other place to stay. A few homeless outreach workers and others pointed out that the police do the best they can to respond to complaints involving private and public property incursions. Notices are usually posted to inform illegal campers to move on with ample time to do so (i.e., sometimes up to 2 weeks). Homeless outreach teams are also dispatched on Wednesdays to engage the campers and help them link up to services. For those small minority of campers who refuse to move, citations will be given. Darryll Alvey of Legal Services of Northern California also pointed out that the police are now compliant with the law by storing any valuables found for a 90-day period rather than throwing them out when clean-up crews remove camp trash and debris.
$ Another person stated that the local homeless shelter should not require clients to engage in prayer or other religious services in order to receive food or other services. Dave Honey of the Good News Rescue Mission (GNRM) stated that the shelter does not require a person to pray or engage in other religious practices in order to receive food, shelter and other services. The only sermon is before dinner, not before breakfast or lunch. Although the mission does offer free services, Dave pointed out that GNRM is a Christian organization and receives no public funding. They retain their right and obligation to share the gospel and message of salvation. Several homeless shelter persons shared very positive experiences with the GNRM in helping them.
$ During this process several other homeless needs were identified. They were voted on to document interest, but not discussed in depth: Drop-in center (35), Single point of contact (20), Case management (18), Re-entry services (16), Affordable housing (15), Bus passes (13), Hassle-free parking/camping (12), Deposit guarantee program (10), Transitional housing (7), Youth education (5), and Hospital discharge planning (1). It was noted that two priorities established from last year’s Community Meeting had made substantial progress — pre-development activities associated with the Drop-in Center at Living Hope and establishment of a draft inclement weather plan through the Shasta County Department of Public Health.
Prioritize Homeless Housing Needs in the Community
• Lydia Buckley explained how to obtain federal dollars though the Continuum of Care funding process. There is approximately $270,000 of housing money available in 2008 for our community. She also provided two information sheets that stated HUD’s chronic homeless definition and linked providers with a website listing for people to access and review HUD’s 2008 SuperNOFA and understand the various activities – Supportive Housing Program (SHP), Shelter Plus Care (S+C), and Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy (SRO). One page focused on the eligibility requirements associated with filing a grant application.
$ Northern Valley Catholic Social Service has submitted and been successful in the SHP funding process over the past three years. Although it might be assumed that this type of project represents the most viable funding opportunity for Shasta County, all providers were encouraged to apply for funding.
Application Submission Process
$ Although the Exhibit 2 ( funding application) process was only briefly described, potential applicants are encouraged to seek information at HUD’s website: www.hud.gov.offices/cdp/homeless/programs.
Public Comment
$ There was no further public comment.
Adjourn
There being no further business, the community meeting was adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
C:\Documents and Settings\Don Meek\My Documents\Corel User Files\CoC Files\Minutes\March 12, 2008 Community Meeting Minutes.wpd
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