Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to Produce the 2013 Homeless Census Report
Body
Issue:
Should Olympia administer the annual "Point in Time Count" of homeless persons, as we have for the past three years?
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to authorize the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to produce the County's 2013 Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons.
Staff Contact:
M. Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager, 360.753.8183
Presenter(s):
None. Consent calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
The new County Homeless Coordinator is working with numerous stakeholders to develop plans for the County's 2013 "Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons". The goal is for the County to build upon the success of the past three years with key direction from the Coordinator, new ideas from the community and the continued administration of the work by the City's Housing Program. Thurston County has indicated it wants to continue building upon the success of the previous "Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons" and contract with the City to conduct the 2013 homeless census. The new Homeless Coordinator will provide direction to ensure that the 2013 census supports County goals to reduce homelessness through better coordination of resources.
Each January, the County mobilizes citizens, non-profit staffers, government staffers, elected officials and others to help count the homeless. The results of this census are compiled into the County's annual "Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons Report," often referred to as the annual "Homeless Census Report". This report serves to:
1. Provide the most accurate census of homeless people, the causes of their homelessness and other demographic information;
2. Quantifies needs based on numbers of homeless people, which in turn brings in Federal and State dollars to provide a homeless shelter, transitional housing and other services;
3. Provides an accurate assessment of current available resources; and
4. Allows for the analysis of needs and resources to serve as the basis for local strategic responses to homelessness.
This Interlocal Agreement authorizes the City to accept funds for staff to administer the County's annual "Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons." Administering the census and the creation of the report will allow the City to look for new ways to match homeless needs with local resources and to examine barriers to accessing those resources. Working with the County's Housing Program on this Interlocal presents an opportunity to deepen the collaborative relationship between the two programs for the benefit of both jurisdictions.
The 2010, 2011 and 2012 Homeless census reports were well-received by the HOME Consortium and is heavily used by social service agencies and other local bodies of government seeking State and Federal funding.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Approve the interlocal agreement.
2. Do not approve the agreement
Financial Impact:
The $25,000 contract from Thurston County will fund City staff and additional professional service contractors to conduct the 2013 Point in Time Census and to produce the County's "Point in Time Count of Homeless Persons" report.