Title
Housing and Homeless Response Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on the Housing and Homeless Response program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on the Housing and Homeless Response program.
Staff Contact:
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Presenter(s):
Darian Lightfoot, Director of Housing and Homeless Response, 360.280.8951
Meg Martin, Executive Director of Interfaith Works
Background and Analysis:
The Housing and Homelessness Response Program has grown and evolved over the past year. The City has been working on a myriad of different programming to support residents and make Olympia a safe and healthy place to live. The cross-departmental and cross-jurisdictional partnerships have allowed the City to strengthen relationships and funding sources to improve the programs overall performance and outcomes.
Addressing homelessness and the housing crisis requires governments to work on the issue at each stage simultaneously; urgent need, temporary shelter, low-income housing, affordable housing, policy and developing new partnerships for creative problem solving. This presentation will provide a brief update on the status of the City’s work regarding all the outlined approaches.
Following this update, Meg Martin with Interfaith Works will provide an overview of the new Sergio’s day center. An open house was held on January 23rd to invite members of the public including neighboring residents and businesses to tour the site and learn about the services being offered at the new location. Official launch of the day center will be on January 25th during the Thurston Council Point in Time Count with consistent operating hours starting in mid-February.
Climate Analysis:
The housing and homeless response program is partnering very closely with the climate program on upcoming projects. The newly integrated programs include weatherization, efficiency incentives, and supporting electrifying all new housing development. The creation of the new day center was an increase in greenhouse gasses however will offer residents a centralized spot for do laundry, dispose of trash, use hygiene facilities, etc. All having a long-term reduction in greenhouse gasses as services and the access to basic needs are streamlined. Staff will continue to work with Interfaith works to find creative ways to potentially solarize the building or support more energy efficiency opportunities in the future.
Equity Analysis:
The information being shared at this Council meeting is pertaining to vulnerable members of the community. The presentation will highlight how the city is investing in homelessness response and how the day center will offer care and respite for people living unsheltered. To ensure the impact is most beneficial, people searching for these services should have access to this information and council meetings are not typically attended by the unhoused community. Staff will be reaching out to service providers to encourage they attend the meeting and share the information with community members in their programs.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Housing and Homelessness is of concern to the entire community.
Options:
1. Receive the briefing.
2. Do not receive the briefing.
3. Receive the briefing at another time.
Financial Impact:
The City has invested heavily in housing and homeless response over the years. This presentation will cover city programming specifically and how those investments have impacted housing issues and offer more opportunities for expansion and regional partnerships.
Attachments:
Sergio’s Event Flyer