Title
Discussion of a Coordinated Response to Homelessness
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Provide guidance on the proposed scope of work with ACR Business Consulting to provide homelessness planning services.
Report
Issue:
Whether to contract with ACR Business Consulting to provide homelessness planning services as a possible next step in the Downtown Strategy process.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
Aaron Rodriguez Managing Director ACR Business Consulting
Background and Analysis:
The City is engaged in the development of a Downtown Strategy. One of the issues that has been repeatedly identified as a concern for the health of downtown is the effect of people living on the streets and alleys of downtown. There are many dedicated and talented people working to respond to homelessness in our community, however, these efforts are not always well coordinated and aligned to maximize the effectiveness of our limited resources. Cities such as Everett that have experience the impacts of homelessness on their downtown have taken proactive steps to encourage greater coordination of resources, communication and a more strategic approach to responding to the challenges of homelessness.
Mr. Rodriguez is supporting the County’s process to update the Thurston County 10 Year Housing Plan commonly referred to as the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. This experience makes Mr. Rodriguez well positioned to assist the City in efforts to enhance the effectiveness of efforts to manage homelessness and its effects on downtown. The 10 Year Plan has a county-wide focus and staff recommends that the City engage Mr. Rodriguez to refine this effort to focus on Olympia and provide a framework to effectively responds to homelessness in downtown and its impacts on the downtown business and cultural environment.
Mr. Rodriguez’s proposal (See Attachment ) is broken down into three distinct tasks.
1. Designing a survey instrument and methodology to help to document the number and characteristics of the homeless population in downtown.
2. Review and summarize the existing reports and information related to homelessness in downtown.
3. Develop the scope of work to create an Action Plan process that would lead to a more coordinated response to homelessness in downtown.
As part of the Downtown Strategy process, City Staff and the consultant team has met with a number of homeless service providers located in downtown. This group agreed that there was a need for greater coordination of services in downtown. The notes from the meeting with service providers is included as an Attachment.
Included as additional background information is a letter to Mr. Rodriguez from Keith Stahley that outlines the issues and desired outcomes from this process. Mr. Rodriguez’s proposal is in response to this letter. Mr. Stahley’s letter is included as an Attachment .
Neighborhood/Community Interests:
Homelessness and the impacts of homelessness are a concern for the Downtown Neighborhood, Olympia and the region.
Options:
Provide feedback and direction on the proposed scope of work and whether to advance this to City Council for their consideration.
Financial Impact:
Mr. Rodriguez’s proposal details $26,563 work broken down as follows:
1. Survey Design: $6,375
2. Date Review $4,250
3. 3. Action Plan Planning $15,938
Funding for this work would come from the 2015 Carryover Funds that were set aside for implementation of the Downtown Strategy.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Homeless Planning Services Proposal
Attachment 2 - Homeless Service Provider Meeting Notes
Attachment 3 - Letter from Keith Stahley Soliciting a Proposal from ACR