Title
Update on the Thurston County’s Homeless Crisis Response Five-Year Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on the Thurston County’s Homeless Crisis Response Five-Year Plan. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an overview of Thurston County’s Homeless Crisis Response Five-Year Plan.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360-570-5847
Presenter(s):
Keylee Marineau, Homeless Prevention and Affordable Housing Coordinator, Thurston County
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager
Background and Analysis:
Thurston County’s Homeless Crisis Response (five-year) Plan is a framework and action plan for ending homelessness in Thurston County. That end goal and the plan itself are required by the federal and state government in order to receive funding for shelters and other homeless response services.
The current five-year plan was adopted by the Thurston County Commissioners in 2018. Subsequently, the Washington State Department of Commerce released a new set of guidelines (see attached) with the intent that local communities adjust their plans accordingly by end of 2019. The County has been engaging stakeholders throughout the year to update the plan and anticipates adoption by the Commissioners this month.
City and County staff have been working closely together to align Olympia’s Homeless Response Plan and the Five-Year Plan. County staff have participated in several of the City’s homeless response plan engagement events as a way to receive input. Much of what the Olympia community cares about is covered in the Five-Year Plan (e.g., strategies for operating an efficient and effective homeless crisis response system that swiftly moves people into stable, permanent housing.)
The 5-Year Plan is the backbone of homeless response in Thurston County. It is the framework that local social service providers adhere to. It is a framework for a system that works in a coordinated and purposeful way to end (or at least effectively minimize) homelessness. However, there are significant resource gaps that keep the system from actualizing (e.g., need for more affordable housing options across the continuum, outreach and case workers, access to behavioral health services.) No single jurisdiction or organization can fill these gaps alone. A coordinated, systematic and regional approach and partnerships are needed.
The City’s Homeless Response Plan is an extension of the Thurston County Five-Year Plan. It will describe how Olympia can act to support the regional system. It will also include strategies and actions not contained in the Five-Year Plan that are necessary to meet Olympia’s specific needs (e.g., downtown specific programs.)
At the briefing, County and City staff will provide an overview of the Five-Year Plan update and its relationship to Olympia’s plan. County staff can also provide an update to City Council about the cold weather task force.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The response to homelessness is of high interest to the community.
Options:
No action requested; briefing only.
Financial Impact:
N/A
Attachments:
Five-Year Plan Overview