Title
Briefing on the Homeless Response Plan Process
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not Referred to a Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the Homeless Response Plan Process. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Receive a briefing on the Homeless Response Plan Process, including timeline, milestones, the various roles, and how stakeholders will be engaged to provide input and develop long-term strategies and actions.
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Downtown Programs Manager, Community Planning & Development, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Amy Buckler, Downtown Programs Manager, Community Planning & Development
Background and Analysis:
Rising homelessness is the most significant and urgent public concern facing our city. In July 2018, the Olympia City Council declared a state of public health emergency related to homelessness; the Thurston County Commissioners also declared a state of emergency last year. Although homelessness is most visible within the urban hub of downtown Olympia, this issue affects all of Thurston County
During 2019, the Olympia City Council is convening a broad, community-driven process to identify strategies and actions to respond to homelessness and its impacts on the city. The approach is based on a framework and methodologies called Participatory Leadership: a community-based approach to addressing complex issues that emphasizes learning, dialogue, equity, and inclusiveness.
Purpose, People and Roles
See attached Overview.
A community work group made up of 8-10 members with a diverse set of perspectives and experiences will help host the process, inviting a broad cross-section of the regional community to identify and carry out long-term strategies and actions. This work will be informed by and build upon the County's Five-Year Homeless and Housing Plan and Olympia's Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Strategy.
The City of Olympia cannot effectively address this issue on its own. We ...
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