Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Funding Agreement with Valeo Vocation for the Operations at Plum Street Village
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution authorizing a funding agreement with Valeo Vocation for the operations of Plum Street Village.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a funding agreement with Valeo Vocation for the operations of Plum Street Village.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Kim Kondrat, Homeless Response Coordinator, 360.742.6448
Presenter(s):
None - Consent Calendar Item.
Background and Analysis:
In 2018, the City created Plum Street Village to offer transitional housing for unhoused residents in the community. The 29 units, community space, and hygiene facilities, have been operated by the Low-Income Housing Institute (LIHI) since the site's inception and has served as a typical low-barrier site for the past few years supporting adults experiencing homelessness.
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In the summer of 2023, the Washington State Department of Commerce partnered with City staff to review additional needs in the State's Rights of Way initiative. Plum Street Village was identified as a site that could pivot the scope and offer workforce development support for residents exiting encampments along the right-of-way. Valeo Vocation was chosen as the site operator by the City of Olympia to start this program at Plum Street Village after a transition period for staff and residents. Valeo had previously been actively present in the City of Olympia for the year prior, implementing their Journey2Jobs program which supports unhoused people entering the workforce. They currently operate shelters in Tacoma, WA and are excited to tie their employment program with secured housing and a path to sobriety, a model yet to be seen throughout the state.
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The attached...
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