April 20, 2011 Meeting Minutes
1. Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM by Chair
2. Attendance: Phedra Elliott – Chair, Sarah VanCleve – Secretary, Sally Santana – Member at Large, Walt LeCouteur, Sheila Gilliam, Betsi Kuker, Shannon Bauman, Greg Fontenette, Jim Stowers, Clara Ann Ness, Ruth Westergaard, Siri Kushner, Diana Gilman, Imari Stone, Linda Kerkes, Sharon Gourley, Leif Bentsen, Raelenea Rodriguez, Tamee Cyphers, Terry Schroeder, Leann Weaver, Jerry Butler, Denise Agee, Elizabeth Wagner, Darin Gemmer, Shayna McKinnon, Ruth Gibbs, Jackie Brown, Linda Joyce, Beverly Kincaid
3. Introductions were made around the table.
4. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the agenda.
Minutes: March Meeting minutes – Sally Santana made an addition to the minutes. Under Jennifer Laslovich’s presentation about the Housing Stabilization Program, Jennifer said, “As people lose income (TANF for example), the amount of their subsidy increases. This decreases the number of people that they can assist with subsidies.” Walt LeCouteur moved to approve, Leif Bentsen seconded and they were approved as corrected.
YWCA – Home Plus Program – Linda Joyce: In the summer of 2009, the YWCA was looking at another option for the families they serve – a Housing First model. Linda and others went to Portland to look at their Home Free program. It was felt that this type of program gave families an opportunity to move beyond domestic violence and maintain permanent housing. One of the first things they needed was to get buy-in from private landlords in order to have access to permanent housing. Wrap around services, sometimes long-term are also needed. The services will be provided to the families “on their turf” instead of them having to come into the YWCA; survivor-driven services. With this program, the YWCA can provide rent, utility assistance and other resources, such as moving expenses and household items that are needed to maintain their home or get into a permanent home. Even financial help with activities for the family can be received as they want to get the family rooted in the community. In their first year, 18 families applied for the Home Plus program and 15 remain in permanent housing. The YWCA is finding that for most families, once they get a couple of months of rental assistance, they don’t need it any longer. The Case Managers connect with the families on a weekly basis. Some families use emergency shelter initially, but others are able to move directly into permanent housing. YWCA staff meet periodically with the Gates Foundation, the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the other four grantees in Washington State. They have received a lot of community support, primarily in getting discounts on services, etc.
Veterans and Human Services Funding – Leif Bentsen: Last month, Bill Block talked about King County’s Veterans and Human Services Levy. Our County Commissioners are willing to listen to a similar proposal for Kitsap County. There is also another option of a 1/10 of 1% sales tax. This is limited to mental health, substance abuse and therapeutic courts and is used to provide new or expanded programs/services. A portion can be used to supplant existing funding on a decreasing scale. A statewide poll was taken of over 400 households statewide, with 20 from Kitsap County, regarding whether they would support increased taxes of $5 to $10 per month to support homeless veterans. The poll was overwhelmingly positive. In order for the Commissioner to propose a levy, they need a community-based proposal that would demonstrate the need and identify how the money would be used. Bev Kincaid offered to assist with putting together this information for the commissioners.
Quarterly Indicators of Homelessness – Siri Kushner: A copy of the spreadsheet with the most current quarterly indicators (1st quarter 2011) was passed out. Siri went over the numbers. One of the concerns is that the numbers are not always kept in the same way, so may not indicate the same thing. Suggestions were made on ways to improve the spreadsheet. Sally Santana and Jackie Brown offered to be on a committee to look at ways to improve the information.
CoCC Bylaws – Phedra Elliott: The newly revised bylaws were sent out with the Thursday Journal last week and will be included again this week. Please review and be prepared to vote on them at the May meeting.
Funding Priorities – Terry Schroeder: Terry passed out the Housing Funding Leadership Group’s draft recommendation for the Grant Program Funding Priorities that will be sent to the KRCC Board on May 24. If anyone has any comments, they can happen in one of two ways: 1) The CoCC as a whole can write a letter to be attached to the recommendations and/or 2) Individual agencies can write letters of public comment and submit them to Kirsten Jewell. No comments were received.
AGENCY UPDATES:
YWCA – Jackie Brown: They currently have two single beds available.
Housing Kitsap – Shayna McKinnon: As of July 25, 2011, they will be moving to the Norm Dicks Government Center. They are in the process of updating their application with the new address.
Westsound Youth for Christ – Darin Gemmer: Youth for Christ is working on mentoring youth and he wants to connect with services that are available to youth and the organizations involved in the CoCC.
Agape – Diana Gilman: They currently have three single female homeless beds available. They must be in recovery for 30 days or more.
Kitsap Parent-Child Assistance Program – Clara Ann Ness: They currently have six openings for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth and were using drugs/alcohol during their pregnancy. They can work with them for a three-year period. The goal is for these women to not have any additional FAS children.
Community Development Block Grant – Shannon Bauman: The Combined Funding application has been posted on the city, county and KRCC websites. The public comment period is open. Please check out the application and make any comments. The mandatory Technical Assistance session is Thursday May 26, 2011 at the Norm Dicks Government Center. Information on Public Service grant requests will be from 9 am to 11 am and information on Capital grant requests will be from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Kitsap Recovery Center – Linda Kerkes: The Guest House is full right now.
Westsound Treatment Center: The O’hana House has three beds available for women. The list is full for their Forward Bound program; they are just waiting for the project-based vouchers so they can begin placing persons. The Lighthouse has one bed available for a single man and the possibility of another at the first of May.
Bremerton Housing Authority – Sarah VanCleve: They have nine $10,000 grants for housing providers to be used for housing or housing services. All that is required to apply is a short blurb as to what you will use the money for. The deadline for submitting an application is June 1.
Kitsap Mental Health Services – Sheila Gilliam: Burwell Place received their Certificate of Occupancy from the Fire Marshal. They are fully filled.
DSHS – Bremerton CSO – Sharon Gourley: As of May 1, they are reducing cash grants for families with more than six in the household. A grant for a 6 person household will go from about $900 to $762. In WorkFirst, a parent with a child under the age of 6 will only need to participate for a minimum of 20 hours/week.
St. Vincent de Paul – Denise Agee: Their 17-bed shelter is full right now.
North Kitsap Fishline – Rae Rodriguez: They have rent assistance, up to $300, for North Kitsap area residents. They also can provide motel vouchers for up to a week for any homeless person who is being case managed. For the motel vouchers, they provide them only for those who are very vulnerable.
Georgia’s House – Leann Weaver: They had their dedication on Monday, April 18. They have passed their inspection and are open. They have 14 beds available for single women and women with children. KCR is doing the referrals and case management. They can take animals.
Bremerton Rescue Mission – Walt LeCouteur: On May 5, they will have their annual banquet. They have opened two discipleship houses for single men. Currently they have five men housed. This is clean and sober housing. They have space for two guys.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah VanCleve, Secretary
Scridb filter
Thanks, Dave. I will definitely add you!