Title
Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to Coordinate the Annual Homeless Connect Event
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to authorize the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to coordinate the annual "2014 Point In Time Homeless Connect Event".
Report
Issue:
Should Olympia work with Thurston County to administer the annual "2014 PIT Homeless Connect Event"?
Staff Contact:
M. Anna Schlecht, Housing Program Manager, 360.753.8183
Presenter(s):
None. Consent calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
The Thurston County Homeless Coordinator has been working with the City of Olympia and other stakeholders to develop plans for the County's "2014 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons". Last year the January 2013 Homeless Census featured a "Homeless Connect Event" as the primary methodology to connect with unsheltered homeless people. This year, the Homeless Coordinator decided to separate the two events in order to maximize the effectiveness of both.
Thurston County is entering year nine (9) of a 10-Year Plan to reduce homelessness in Thurston County by half. This plan started in 2006 and will end in 2015. The Homeless Census Report provides the data that determines the level of progress made in this effort.
The goal is for the County to build upon the success of the past four years' partnerships with the City of Olympia through key direction from the Homeless Coordinator, new ideas from the community and continued administration of the work by the City's Housing Program. The Homeless Coordinator will provide overall guidance to ensure that these two events will support County goals to reduce homelessness through better coordination of resources.
1) Homeless Connect Event
As directed by the Homeless Coordinator, the 2014 Homeless Census will be preceded by the Thurston County "PIT Homeless Connect Event". (Please note: The Interlocal refers to this as the "2014 Homeless Connect Event" when in fact it will be held on December 7, 2013.) This event will serve as a one-day homeless resource fair that will provide services and survival resources for homeless families, unaccompanied youth and single adults in Thurston County. The "PIT Homeless Connect Event" is a community-wide effort that mobilizes non-profit organizations, local governments, faith community volunteers and others to work together to:
1. Offer tangible goods and services to homeless and street dependent people.
2. Provide referrals for services, shelter and housing.
3. Promote the upcoming January 2014 Point-in-Time Census.
The "2014 PIT Homeless Connect Event" will be held on December 7, 2013.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
N/A
Options:
1. Move to authorize the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to coordinate the annual "2014 PIT Homeless Connect Event".
2. Do not move to authorize the Mayor to sign an Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County to coordinate the annual "2014 PIT Homeless Connect Event".
Financial Impact:
1. The $4,000 contract from Thurston County will fund City staff and additional professional service contractors to coordinate the annual Homeless Connect Event.