Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing a Funding Agreement with Valeo Vocations for the Operations of 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 Vocations for the operations of Plum Street Village.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution authorizing a funding agreement with Valeo Vocations for the operations of Plum Street Village.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
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 couple of years supporting adults exiting homelessness.
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. Shortly after, the City issued a Request for Proposals and upon review chose Valeo Vocations as the new site operator. Valeo has been working in the City of Olympia for the past year 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, a model yet to be seen throughout the state.
The attached contract is a funding agreement for Valeo Vocations to operate the site beginning January 1, 2024 for the full calendar year with options to renew if the program is su...
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