Title
City-Owned Emergency Housing Facility Operating Plans and Response to Public Health Emergency Briefing
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Finance Committee referred the topic of proposed city-owned emergency housing facilities to a study session so that Council could further review the plans for responding to this public health emergency.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing and provide feedback and direction on the proposed City-owned emergency housing facility plans and the preliminary response to the public health emergency.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive a briefing on and discuss the proposed city-owned emergency housing facilities and response to public health emergency.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Downtown Programs Manager, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Colin DeForrest, Homeless Response Coordinator, 360.709.2688
Amy Buckler
Keith Stahley, Director Community Planning and Development Department
TJ Larocque, Providence Community Care Center
Meg Martin, Interfaith Works
Phil Owens, Sidewalk
Background and Analysis:
Homelessness is an issue of urgent public concern facing Olympia and the region. The latest Point-in-Time homeless census counted 835 people countywide, including at least 320 unsheltered individuals. In addition to this annual count, City staff conduct predawn doorway counts, routinely finding approximately 130 people sleeping unsheltered within Olympia's downtown.
The City of Olympia is in the process of identifying and implementing solutions to address this increasingly challenging issue of homelessness and its related public health impacts.
On May 15, the City Council passed Resolution M-1942, directing immediate actions to address homelessness. The resolution directs staff to present options for legal camping and a day center(s), as well as work to support the Community Care Center.
In response, at the June 24 City Council meeting, staff presented a concept proposal for two City-owned emergency housi...
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