April 18, 2012 Meeting Minutes
1. Meeting called to order at 2:00 PM by Chair Rochelle Doan.
2. Attendance: Rochelle Doan – Chair, Darlene Cook – Vice-Chair, Sarah VanCleve – Secretary, Shannon Prasch, Terry Schroeder, Clara Ann Ness, Jim Stowers, Walt LeCouteur, Kirsten Jewel, Diana Gilman, Sheryl Piercy, Julie Graves, Barry Johnson, Ann E. Garner, Denise Agee, Rachael Myers, Ruth Westergaard, Monica Bernhard, Jackie Brown
3. Introductions were made around the table.
4. Agenda Review: No changes were made to the agenda.
Minutes: Darlene Cook made a motion and Walt LeCouteur seconded to approve the March meeting minutes as presented.
Priorities for AHFA and HHGP – Kirsten Jewel: Last month, a brainstorm meeting was held to determine the priorities for the Affordable Housing and Homeless Housing Grant Programs. The list of priorities that was developed through that process was taken to the Housing Funding Leadership Group (HFLG). They determined priorities, in rank order for the Affordable Housing Grant Program and developed three focus areas, of equal priority for the Homeless Housing Grant Program.
For the Affordable Housing Grant Program, the priorities were the same as last year as the guidelines are specifically defined by legislation:
1) Operation and maintenance costs
2) Acquisition, construction and rehabilitation
3) Rental assistance/gap subsidy funding (similar to Section 8 rental assistance)
4) Operation costs of emergency shelter or licensed overnight youth shelter
For the Homeless Housing Grant Program, the recommendations were similar to what was done last year. It is challenging to prioritize one activity over another so they put them into broad focus areas, with equal priority. The focus areas are:
· Prevention
· Crisis
· Stabilization
The Grant Recommendation Committee will be looking for the strongest applications ~ those that make the best case for why their agency should receive funding. The focus areas include the ideas from the brainstorm session that was done by the CoCC stakeholders last month. An additional Priority is Coordination/Organization/System Efficiency, which is supported through the two Set-Asides: CoCC Coordinator and the Housing Solutions Center at the levels presented by the CoCC. The Housing Funding Leadership Group also discussed case management and the possibility of defining levels of case management. This is something that perhaps can be worked on this coming year. It is felt that this would provide us with a better idea of what is meant when talking about case management.
The HFLG was very supportive of both set asides. The Housing Advisory Team was very supportive of the HSC, but had some questions about the set aside for the CoCC Coordinator as to what it is and why it is important.
If anyone has any questions about any of these priorities, feel free to contact Kirsten Jewell, KRCC. Anyone wishing to put in written comment to the KRCC should do so by May 15. Oral public comment will be taken at the KRCC Board meeting on Tuesday May 22. There was no recommendation for additional comments from the CoCC.
The CoCC needs to recommend/nominate four people to serve on the Grant Recommendation Committee (GRC), two for the services applications and two for the capital applications. The two people who served on the committee for services last year have agreed to do so again. There were two names suggested for the Capital GRC – Lori Oberlander and Bill Reddy.
Kirsten also has the preliminary go ahead to do an update to the Homeless Housing Plan. Anyone who is interested in participating on the committee to revise/update the HHP should contact Kirsten. At this time, her plan is to have a couple of meetings to plan what will be done and then distribute the duties.
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance – Rachael Myers: Rachael introduced herself as the Executive Director of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA) for the past four years. Her prior work experience included working with homelessness. She spent 6.5 years at Real Change as well as working with homeless youth/young adults for the City of Seattle on homeless youth employment. She has also done some advocacy work previously. She started by saying that it is truly amazing that we have been able to keep homelessness from skyrocketing due to the economic issues.
WLIHA is a statewide organization, based in Seattle, with seven staff. Late last year, they brought on a network of homeless providers through the merger with the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless (WSCH). This ensures a statewide voice for the homeless by maintaining the structure of the WSCH. There is a Homeless Advisory Committee, with the Chairperson of that committee, as well as two other members, serving on the Board of the WLIHA. Jon Morgan was hired as the Statewide Outreach and Homeless Coordinator.
Their Advocacy Team consists of:
· Michelle Thomas – Director of Policy and Advocacy
· Moque Krappe – Mobilization Coordinator
· Ben Miksch – Operations and Special Projects Coordinator (Board Advocacy)
· Alouise Urness – Federal Policy Coordinator
Their advocacy took a bigger interest in homelessness issues this year, due to the merger. In previous years, WLIHA left the majority of advocacy for homelessness to the WSCH. This year we were able to have positive outcomes in funding for:
· Housing Trust Fund – $67.1 million
· Document recording fees – extends the sunset provision and adds $10.
· Fair Tenant Screening Act – Landlords provide information about what is in the Adverse Action Report and make available to the prospective renter what they are screening for.
· Preserved the HEN (Housing and Essential Needs) Program
· Allowing local jurisdictions to waive impact fees in developing low-income housing
· Require the legislature to make changes to TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
· Allow current participants in the Foster Care to 21 Program (state funded only) to remain if they choose. New foster children would participate in the Extended Foster Care program (federal funding).
· Prevented deeper cuts to our Safety Net.
Rachael also gave information about the county dues to WLIHA. These are basically the same as those that were paid to WSCH. In the merger, neither agency wanted to lose any of the resources that were available through WSCH. With the change from ESAP (Emergency Shelter Assistance Program) to CHG (Combined Housing Grant), they asked counties to donate .5% of their CHG funds, as was done with WSCH and the ESAP funds.
Rachael invited anyone who is interested to sign up to be on their advisory list. Here is the link to their website: WLIHA On the right hand side is a box to sign up for their email list. Rachael invited persons to bring up any issues of concern. There was some discussion about military personnel returning from duty in the Middle East and a big downsizing of the military. Many who won’t have completed their tour of duty and/or those who were wanting to make it a career will be let go. They won’t have employment or housing (due to living on base while in the military). This could be a big impact on Kitsap County and we need to be thinking about how we will serve these people as far as housing.
AGENCY UPDATES
Kitsap County Public Health District – Ruth Westergaard: There was some confusion over the Breast/Cervical Health Screening Flyer. Applicants will be screened to determine if they meet the income eligibility criteria for the program. Terry will put the flyer in the TJ with information that there is an income screening to be eligible for this program.
North Kitsap Fishline – Shannon Prasch: They still have funding available for homeless persons in the North Kitsap area.
Kitsap Community Resources – Jim Stowers: Sally’s Camp will close on May 7th. KCR does have some eviction prevention money available. Energy Assistance is still available. They must call the Energy Line or come in if they have a shut off notice.
Kitsap Rescue Mission – Walt LeCouteur: Their permit for the Kitsap Community Shelter has been approved. They are set to open on October 1. Since this shelter will be open every night, there will not be a need for a severe weather shelter.
Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council – Kirsten Jewell: There will be an HMIS training in Kitsap on May 26. The next one held in Kitsap will be on July 26. Email Kirsten Jewel if you are interested in attending.
YWCA Alive – Jackie Brown: On April 24, they will have their Women of Achievement Luncheon, honoring the fabulous women who have contributed to our community. As of this morning, they have one bed available.
Housing Kitsap – Julie Graves: Julie reported that after talking about Real Change possibly being interesting in coming to Kitsap County if there were an agency that was interested/willing to be a Distribution Center, Bremerton Foodline has expressed an interest.
Goodwill – Ann E. Garner: Their next Retail & Customer Service class begins May 21. This class is only offered at their Silverdale site. They have a 70-80% placement rate.
St. Vincent de Paul – Denise Agee: They will have some funds for water bills, starting next week. This is only available to persons living in the Bremerton/Silverdale area.
Foodbank Coalition – Denise Agee: May 12 is the Postal Carrier Food Drive. Put food out so that postal carriers can pick it up. Hygiene items, diapers, and toilet paper are highly needed items. Bremerton Foodline sorts and distributes the food for the three foodbanks in Bremerton and they need volunteers that day to assist. If you are interested in helping, just show up at the food bank that day; the afternoon is typically busier than the morning.
Parent Child Assistance Program – Clara Ann Ness: PCAP still has room for women who are pregnant or have just given birth and have used drugs/alcohol during pregnancy. They can work with these women for 3 years to help them become effective parents.
Housing Solutions Center – Monica Bernhard: They are working on getting the following pieces started as a part of the Center: Landlord Liaison, Transportation Vouchers, and extended hours.
The meeting adjourned at 4:00 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sarah VanCleve, Secretary
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