Title
Homeless Response Plan Community Workgroup Discussion
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive the draft Homeless Response Plan from the Community Work Group and discuss the Work Group’s experience with the process. Briefing only; No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive the draft Homeless Response Plan from the Community Work Group
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Senior Planner, Office of Performance & Innovation, 360.753.8046
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, CPD, 360.570.5847
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Senior Planner, Office of Performance & Innovation
Amy Buckler, Strategic Projects Manager, Community Planning & Development
Kim Adney, Community Work Group Member
Grace Burkhart, Community Work Group Member
Elspeth (Eli) Charno, Community Work Group Member
Scott Clifthorne, Community Work Group Member
Robert Coit, Community Work Group Member
Jennifer Davis, Community Work Group Member
Amy Evans, Community Work Group Member
Derek Harris, Community Work Group Member
Meg Martin, Community Work Group Member
Selena Rodocker, Community Work Group Member
Ally Upton, Community Work Group Member
Background and Analysis:
January 2019, staff proposed a Participatory Leadership approach to developing a Homeless Response Plan. This approach was designed to identify community-based solutions to homelessness through intentional learning together, constructive dialogue, and fostering trust. City Council agreed that this was the right approach to engage the whole community in the response, cultivate stronger regional partnerships, and build overall community resiliency.
In March 2019, the City began the process with a goal to identify long-term strategies, actions, measures and partnerships to respond to the homelessness crisis. This included planning for the needs of residents, visitors, business owners and individuals experiencing homelessness. In keeping with a Participatory Leadership approach, this process was hosted and shepherded by a Community Work Group (Work Group) made up of 11 community members who brought a diverse set of perspectives and experiences. Visit Engage Olympia to learn more about the Work Group members (See Attachment).
Over the course of three distinct phases, the Work Group heard from more than 700 community members and key stakeholders through 20 different workshops, focus groups, listening sessions, community conversations, and more than 640 online survey participants. Attached is a summary of the outreach and engagement process.
At this stage, the Work Group has fulfilled their role, and is ready to formally hand-off the draft Homeless Response Plan (Plan) to City Council (See Attachment). In January, staff provided City Council with a high-level overview of the process and the resulting draft plan at their annual retreat; however, this is an opportunity for Councilmembers to hear directly from the Community Work Group about their role, what they learned through this experience, and how the community’s voice is reflected in the Plan.
At the meeting, staff will provide an overview of the process used to develop the Plan and highlight significant elements of the Plan. This will be followed by a facilitated panel discussion with Community Work Group members, and time for Councilmembers and Community Work Group members to ask questions and discuss the process and Plan.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The public has a high degree of interest in the City’s response to homelessness. An overview of the process, and summaries of community input received throughout the process are available on EngageOlympia.com.
Options:
Information only. No action requested.
Financial Impact:
This process is being completed by City staff using base department budgets. In addition, the City Council directed $30,000 of Council goal money to support the public engagement process.
Attachments:
Engage Olympia Website
Process and Outreach Summary
Draft Homeless Response Plan