housing opportunities action council march 22, 2017...

Housing Opportunities Action Council March 22, 2017

Housing Opportunities Action Council

Documents Shared at HOAC Governing Board Meeting, March 22, 2017

1. HOAC Program Manager Summary Report Page 2-3

2. White Paper on Transitional Housing & Addenda Page 4-34

3. Presentation slides Page 35-42

4. Local Strategies to End Homelessness Framework Page 43

5. Draft Goals and Strategies Page 44-55

6. Current and Draft Strategies Alignment Page 56-58


Lead Administrator Summary Report: March 2017 Housing Opportunities Action Council Page 1 of 2

Housing Opportunities Action Council Lead Administrator: Summary Report

Benton County and the City of Corvallis have contracted with United Way of Benton & Lincoln Counties to serve as the backbone organization, and host the position of Lead Administrator (aka, Program Manager) for HOAC from November 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. Shawn Collins began serving in this role November 1, 2016.

Following is a summary report of the activities of the Program Manager February 2017-March 2017.

Community Engagement and Project Updates

The pace of meetings related to the Mid-Point Update process has slowed significantly, as the Health Department team shifts from data gathering to synthesis, analysis and reporting of the results of their work. While fewer in number, these conversations continue to reveal significant insights into the issues we face as a community, and how those challenges unfold for different portions of the community. The need for stronger partnership and connection across the network of service providers in Corvallis and Benton County continues to emerge as a focal point in these conversations, as does the need for stronger outreach to ensure that those who may be eligible for benefits which might help retain housing, or move them out of homelessness, are aware and accessing those resources effectively. This is a particularly clear need in relation to veterans and their families, but is not exclusive to that group.

Beginning with the February Governing Board meeting, the Mid-Point Update to the Ten-Year Plan is moving into a new phase, sharing data in both the Governing Board and March Leadership Committee meetings, and outlining a new framework of goals and strategies beginning with the March Governing Board meeting. To execute on a revised timeline for what has come to be called a “re-plan” effort, the HOAC Leadership Committee meetings for March and April have been opened to all Governing Board members, and extended to 2 hours. Materials from those meetings will be made available on the bentonhoac.com website. With the shift from sharing data, to discussing goals and strategies, we will increasingly be focused on prioritizing strategies, and setting out specific goals, metrics and project plans.

In addition to Mid-Point Update work, the March Leadership Committee meeting also included a good discussion of the direction HOAC might take going forward with regard to advocacy, and how that direction might be connected to pursuit of grant opportunities. As questions about the future of federal funding for affordable housing projects continue to develop, there also continue to be opportunities for funding through organizations and private donations. As HOAC marches forward with the “re-plan,” we also need to be mindful of the future development of the group, and address questions about how we might begin to leverage HOAC as an organization to lend weight to grant applications which support shared goals. Cross-agency collaborations, in pursuit of goals which have broad community support and endorsement through HOAC, are likely to receive better review from funders, who will increasingly be seeking ways to stretch limited dollars to deliver high impact. Look for further discussion of this issue in future meetings.

Research into best practices, and innovation which may be fruitful to pursue locally, included a field trip to Eugene with partners from the Health Department Sara Hartstein and Chris Gray. Our visit spanned a variety of solutions, across a range of needs from those needing a safe camping environment, to those in permanent supported housing with mental health needs or needs related to traumatic brain injury, to low-income families needing safe, stable and affordable housing. The core take away from this trip is that local innovation is very possible, but for this innovation to provide a true platform for progress to stable housing, interconnection with services is key.

Based on what is shown by experience in other communities, a systems-level approach, linking together each step on the path to housing with required community supports and services, can make a real difference, and make the condition of homelessness brief and rare. This is particularly important to bear in mind as HOAC begins review of the “transitional housing” white paper to be shared in the March Governing Board meeting. If any of the proposals coming out of that paper are to be successful, they must fit into a better integrated network of services, with a strong commitment to outreach and case management to support transition from homelessness to successfully and


Lead Administrator Summary Report: March 2017 Housing Opportunities Action Council Page 2 of 2

sustainably housed status.

The future location of the Men’s Cold Weather Shelter continues to be a focus. As reported recently to a City Council Work Session, efforts to identify an appropriate existing structure continue, but remain extremely challenged. The Shelter workgroup is now exploring alternative approaches, including placement of a modular structures on an appropriate piece of public or private land. While this approach has some appeal, it changes both the cost structure, and the lead time required for setup, with a modular building estimated at 3 months from lease/purchase to opening the doors for operation, assuming a ready site. In the recent City Council Work Session, Council was asked to provide input on their preferences to an approach to Shelter, as well as suggested locations. Council did not immediately provide input, but did ask for monthly updates from HOAC, so this issue remains on their agenda.

Adult Services Team

My experience with the Adult Services Team continues to be both educational and inspiring. The group has taken up the question of “how can we change to become more effective” in earnest, and continues to build a track record of success. While successful resolution of cases in AST is not guaranteed, the model of bringing together representatives from across the service network, to actively engage with motivated clients to identify goals, remove obstacles, and connect them with resources shows how collaborative, sustained efforts can change outcomes for those who want and are willing to work toward needed change. I appreciate the efforts of Jennifer Chen McDermand and Jeffrey Burns to transition facilitation of this group smoothly, and the willingness of all to explore more effective ways to work together. This group can serve as a model to build upon going forward, if HOAC adopts increased outreach and case management as a strategy, and I look forward to continued involvement with this team.

Perspective

In the past month, my conversations have ranged from meeting with homeless individuals challenged to understand where the most promising path lies to get help, to citizens wanting to help but not knowing what might be most productive, to those in service agencies who may have resources available to help, but need help getting connected with those who need help and are eligible to receive it. While there are certainly areas where we are sorely in need of resources, I suspect that as a community, our larger challenge is not one of resources, but rather one of collective vision, direction, and the will to act to effect needed change. I’m reminded often of the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking just days before his death:

“There is nothing new about poverty. What is new is that we now have the techniques and the resources to get rid of poverty. The real question is whether we have the will.”

As an organization, and as a community, this is the question we face now: What are we willing to do, to change the conditions of those who are homeless, to secure the future for those at risk, and to build a path to stable, secure, and affordable housing for all in our community?

Future engagement plans

Research into best practices in our region will continue to be on my agenda going forward, leveraging connections with United Way and other organizations in the Pacific Northwest. The experiences of Portland, Salem, Bend and communities in the Puget Sound region are all of interest, and visits or conference calls with leaders in those areas are in planning. I will also continue to speak to local groups, with a visit to the Lions club scheduled for April 5th. As noted earlier, I will be seeking time to update City Council on progress on a monthly basis, and will be reporting progress to the Benton County Board of Commissioners on March 28.

For anyone interested in discussing affordable housing and homelessness, and approaches we might take going forward, I can be reached at [email protected], 541-757-7717, or through [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

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White Paper on Transitional Housing Options for Corvallis’ Homeless Citizens Prepared for the HOAC by the Ad Hoc Committee on Camping, March 15, 20171.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For the last several years, Oregon, along with other western states, have experienced increasing numbers of unsheltered individuals, exceeding the rates nationally. The homeless population in Benton County, Oregon has also grown over this period and currently exceeds the capacity of available transitional housing as well as seasonal and long-term shelter facilities. Some individuals choose the homeless lifestyle, but the vast majority have no permanent shelter due to economics, including low-paying jobs or being unemployed. The reasons vary and are beyond the scope of this white paper, but the reality is most can’t afford shelter. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “homelessness and poverty are inextricably linked. Poor people are frequently unable to pay for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education. Difficult choices must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income that must be dropped. If you are poor, you are essentially an illness, an accident, or a paycheck away from living on the streets.”2.

Several factors have contributed to the increase in homelessness locally. The economic downturn in 2008 resulted in job losses, loss of health care insurance and homes being repossessed. Community members who had historically been sheltered were now homeless or at risk of being homeless. Rapid growth in the enrollment of Oregon State University over the last several years has also placed a high demand on apartments and smaller single-family homes that have historically housed low-income individuals and families. In some cases, the properties were renovated and the rents were raised beyond the means of the former occupants. Despite a significant surge in apartment construction over the last few years, mostly multi-bedroom tailored for university students, housing options are very limited and are priced well beyond the budget of most individuals who are unemployed or in low paying jobs. A recent survey (February, 2017) by the Oregon State University student newspaper, “The 1 Bob Bernhard, Ed Epley, Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Peggy McGuire, Kevin Schultz, Jim Swinyard

2. http://nationalhomeless.org/about-homelessness/ accessed 3/3/2017

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Daily Barometer”, listed the average cost of an apartment/townhouse bedroom more than one mile from campus at $596.36 per month and that did not include application fee, security deposits or utilities.3. It is reported that Benton County residents currently can’t use 50% of the available Section-8 housing vouchers because the cost of rental housing is too expensive. Successful models for addressing homelessness feature a continuum of options to move individuals from living “rough” on the streets, which includes sleeping in doorways and alleys, camping on private or public property, or sleeping in their cars, into stable supported housing. This white paper proposes three short-term, low cost, entry-level, transitional shelter strategies that could be successful in Corvallis. 1. Legal car/tent camping 2. Legal group tent camp 3. A Tiny House village These proposals are based on the assumption that a legal, stable protected shelter location for individuals who are awaiting placement in more permanent facilities will improve their physical and mental health as well as facilitate their transition to supported housing. It will also reduce the number of negative interactions between homeless individuals, parks department staff and law enforcement that result from illegal camping. Additionally, it will reduce the practice of criminalizing homelessness, which is a direct result of poverty. NUMBERS OF HOMELESS The number of individuals in Benton County currently living in emergency shelters, sleeping cars, camping, “couch surfing” or living on the streets is thought to be in excess of 1000.4. The exact number is very elusive because the various state and local agencies that interact with the homeless population collect data that is unique to their mission and there is currently no way to determine if there is duplication in the counts. The only semi-comprehensive count of individuals experiencing homelessness is the Point-in-Time (PIT) count. The PIT is an annual census that attempts to count all individuals experiencing homelessness at one point in time, one night in January. It follows a standard methodology defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The PIT was taken in Corvallis on January 25, 2017. Sixty-six surveys were done at the Corvallis Day-Drop-in Center. Forty-two men and twenty-four women were surveyed. 3.Oregon State University Dailey Barometer 2017 Renters Guide, Bennies Beginnings, 02/20/2017. 4. Kari Whitacre, Executive Director of Community Outreach Inc. in an interview with Jamie Chin, Reporter with Oregon State University Dailey Barometer Addressing Homelessness 02/27/2017.

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Thirty-four individuals reported to be unsheltered and sleeping in their car, on the street, or camping.

January 25, 2017 PIT Survey Results for Corvallis Day-Drop-in Center

Surveys were also accomplished at several other locations including emergency shelters and Stone Soup. The results of those surveys will be added to the report when available. Oregon Department of Human Services SNAP food stamp program records for 2016 listed 1451 individuals as homeless for some portion of the calendar year in Benton County. 1244 were adults and 195 were children. There was no duplication in the count because each client has a unique identifier number. YEAR-AROUND SHELTER OPTIONS Over the course of the last 17-years, the community’s capacity to provide shelter has grown dramatically. Year-around and seasonal shelter beds have expanded from 15 for men only, to over 140 to serve men, women and families. Community Outreach Inc, Jackson Street Youth Shelter, and Corvallis Housing First currently provide year-around shelter services to individuals in Benton County/Corvallis who are experiencing homelessness. Additionally, three Oxford Houses have been established in Corvallis to provide a clean and sober living environment for 28 individuals recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. All of the facilities listed above operate at or near capacity throughout the year. Community Outreach Inc. Community Outreach Inc. (COI) has served the Corvallis homeless community for over 45 years providing shelter, food, medical clinics and case management. In 2000, COI moved to a new facility that greatly expanded their ability to meet the needs of the community’s homeless. (In the old facility they could house only 15 men; shelter for women and families was not available.) COI provides transitional shelter beds for clients who are participating in treatment programs and case management.

Living Location Number Sleeping on Street 18 Sleeping in Car 4 Camping 12 Emergency Shelter 16 Doubled-Up 13 Transitional Housing 2 Rental 1 TOTAL 66

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Currently, COI priorities for service include children and families, young adults (18-24) and veterans. Current COI shelter capacity: up to 100, plus emergency shelter guests.

• Men: 18 beds • Women: 12 beds • Families: 11 rooms – up to six people per unit with private bath. • Respite: 2 rooms; one could house a couple or adult and child. • Emergency shelter: 12-20 sleeping on the floor on the first floor during periods of

severe weather. Jackson Street Youth Services Founded in 2001, Jackson Street provides shelter and outreach services to youth ages 10-24 in their programs to address the issues of health, education, juvenile justice, life skills, and job-readiness. Their goal is to reduce homelessness, runaway behavior, substance abuse, delinquency, family dysfunction, child abuse, delayed education, and unemployment.

• 22 beds across two counties. Corvallis House holds 12 beds: 6 male, 4 female, and 2 flexible (used for transgendered, age differences, and overflow). Albany House holds 10 beds: 5 male, 4 female, and 1 flexible.

Corvallis Housing First Corvallis Housing First (CHF) operates supported housing in an apartment building for up to 18 chronic and disabled homeless men and women. Dedicated in 2011, Partner’s Place features 14 rooms (two singles and 12 doubles).

• Two double rooms and two single rooms on the ground floor can be used for individuals with mobility issues.

Corvallis Housing First recently purchased a former sorority house that will be used as a boarding house for low/no income individuals. The facility has nineteen rooms; two of the rooms can accommodate couples. SEASONAL SHELTER OPTIONS Corvallis Housing First Inc. CHF operates seasonal (Nov 1-Mar 31) cold weather shelters for both men and women. The future of the men’s shelter is in question due to lack of a facility beyond March 31, 2017. Men’s Cold Weather Shelter Currently located on S 4th Street in Corvallis MEN: 40 beds 31 average occupancy 2016/17 Women’s Cold Weather Shelter Currently located at the Corvallis 1st United Methodist Church.

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Women: 15 beds 13 average occupancy 2016/17 Family Cold Weather Shelter There is no seasonal cold weather shelter for families. COI provides shelter for a limited number of men, women and families for short periods of severe weather. THE CHALLENGE Community emergency cold-weather shelters currently house up to 55 homeless persons per night during the period November 1 – March 31. Through the first four months of 2016/17 shelter season, 224 unique individuals have used those services. When the cold weather shelters close on April 1, the occupants will join an undetermined number of homeless campers who do not use the shelters because they don't want to be separated from their partners or animals. Historically, many homeless persons have resorted to sleeping on the streets, in cars, or illegal camping on private or public property. These actions are illegal and have resulted in negative interactions with property owners and neighbors. Illegal camping has occurred in Corvallis city parks, and on Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) right-of-away, railroad property and undeveloped land within the city boundaries. CORVALLIS MUNICIPAL CODE Corvallis Municipal Code (the Code) prohibits camping on City property (including parks) or in a public place without a permit. Persons doing so may be cited/ticketed. Although Administrative Policy has undergone some revisions since its adoption in 2005, it has not significantly changed the practices of removing people who are homeless from camping on public property. (AP 2005) When camping occurs on private property, it is subject to criminal trespass unless the camper has permission from the property owner and possesses a permit from the City of Corvallis. Railroad property is considered private property. The Code provides discretion to the City Manager to issue permits for camping, sleeping or lodging in a vehicle or in places not intended for that purpose on City property, public property and private property. See Addendum I. The temporary lodging must meet a demonstrated community need and may not be located in a residential area. The City Manager may issue the permit subject to reasonable conditions. The City Manager may issue the permit for no more than 30 days. The City Council may extend the permit an additional 60 days. The permit is revocable if any of the conditions are not met or if the City Manager determines it is necessary to revoke the permit for the peace, safety, health, or welfare of the City5 The application for a permit must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee (currently $15.00).

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Historically, property owners, including public agencies, such as the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Corvallis Parks Department have routinely removed the illegal camping sites as they are detected. The process includes posting a notice and then after a period of time (24 hours) the property owner cleans up and removes the occupant’s personal property from the site. The Corvallis Police Department is often called upon to provide a standby presence for the cleanup efforts. Citing illegal camping activities and removing the campsites consumes private and public resources including municipal court time. In the past, it has also resulted in the camper losing personal property such as prescription medications, photos, identification, and financial records. In the end, the person is still homeless and has the added burden of having a criminal record. HISTORY OF ATTEMPTS TO FIND A SOLUTION Finding a solution to homelessness is not a new problem for our community. There have been numerous efforts over the last twenty years to bring issues of sheltering the homeless to the attention of city council. A summary of those efforts is included in Addendum II of this white paper. The Corvallis 2020 Vision Statement included a statement …”Those without shelter are offered interim housing and linked with employment, food, medical and counseling services that help get them back on their feet.” With three years to go until 2020, there is much work to be done in order to meet that goal. Historically, the City of Corvallis has provided funding for social services agencies to address the needs of the homeless. There has however been little progress in altering the Municipal Code to allow temporary shelter options for the homeless. OTHER COMMUNITIES’ INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS: Communities throughout the nation are experimenting with various housing options and land use arrangements in an effort to provide a continuum of short-term transitional shelter options to their homeless citizens. 5. Corvallis Municipal Code 5.03.080.080.04 - Permits.

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Conestoga Hut built by Community Supported Shelters in Eugene, Oregon See Addendum IV

120 sq/ft tiny houses cost $2,200 to build in Seattle, WA. Some of the encampments are located on publicly owned sites; others are located on donated property or on property owned by religious organizations. Some of the encampments are made entirely of tents pitched on platforms; some have a mixture of tents and tiny houses or sleeping sheds. It is common for encampments to begin with tents alone and

subsequently obtain donations of tiny houses or sleeping sheds from local benefactors. Communities have also provided car camping as a legal alternative for temporary shelter. See Addendum III for more information.

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PERSONAL STORIES: The following personal stories provide a snapshot of the lives of four Corvallis citizens who are currently homeless. Bonnie’s Story – car camping 8-10-16 “I’m a middle-aged woman who has lived in Corvallis since 1989, now homeless for the last 18 months and using my small sedan as a shelter. I left my full-time job, held for many years, due to some unexpected problems and am now self-employed part-time which allows me the time and energy needed to be working through some personal issues. I’m so grateful for all of the services and support offered through CDDC, COI and CSC, for meals by Stone Soup, fare-less bus rides, our city parks, our wonderful library, our exceptional city police who have been so kind and helpful, all of the actions already taken by our city officials to ease homelessness, and for each Corvallis resident who is concerned and is taking steps to make a difference. “To me, the hardest part of homeless is not having a legal place to sleep and no stable home base. I have to move my car twice a day and it is disruptive to be always relocating and always concerned about offending someone somehow and the possibility of getting into trouble for sleeping in my car (I know it is an option to park in a church parking lot for 1-3 months but that would not be enough time for me, or for many people). “I often wonder what would become of me if something happened to my car and I had to camp outside somewhere, probably in one of the parks. With the constant worry about my personal safety, no sense of privacy, room to carry only the bare necessities, and the constant sense of impermanence, I could easily end up so consumed by day-to-day and hour-to-hour that I would never be able to resolve my personal issues and move forward. It is a sobering thought. “It weighs on me to be a member of a community full of generous, well-meaning people which has not yet made adequate provision for its citizens who, for any of a large number of possible reasons, find themselves in reduced circumstances. Some of the victimized, the weak, the injured, the misfortunate and the limited among us are still relegated to an illegal camp out on the fringes. How disheartening and demoralizing it must be. “I’ve talked with many homeless people who feel that one big thing that would help get them back on their feet is a legal campsite with a porta-potty, fire pit, and water faucet. I’ve seen online that many cities across the US have established encampments that are safe, effective, therapeutic and relatively low-cost. Not everyone needs permanent supportive housing and there’s nothing undignified about living in a tent; people have been using tents as homes for thousands of years. I think it could make a huge difference for our homeless folks if they felt validated and included in the community by the provision of a well-run encampment. It would be such a shame if the prosperity of most of our citizens insulated them so much to the real hardships and miseries of our homeless people that this humble

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means of empowering people to make positive changes in their lives would never be implemented as part of our multi-pronged solution to homelessness. “This is my perspective as a long-term Corvallis resident who has been both housed and homeless.” B. Thompson Shawn's Story...he has been homeless for a long time and stayed at the shelter off and on for several years. He is physically disabled but SSI/SSDI has not been awarded. A fundamental church worked with him for a while, and he was very proud to be part of their ministry. Since his mentor moved...I have not heard much more about his relationship to that faith community. He almost left to go to the Midwest to help his aging folks...but that didn't pan out. He recently was posted to leave the abandoned cabin he had found to be a pretty good shelter this winter. Staying in the shelter was not a good fit for him.6.

Dave's Story...he has been camping for many years. Fondly known as Pirate because he kind of sounds like that...he seems to have quite a few friends while maintaining autonomy in his camping life. His brother showed up about a year ago and wanted to help Dave. Dave was glad to reconnect with his brother and his brother's wife but did not want to add to their burdens. His brother was experiencing cancer and would be living in Salem to receive treatment. Letters to Dave continued to urge him to leave his camp...but to no avail. Then the letter came from his brother's wife ... his brother was failing quickly. Although we tried to locate Dave...we couldn't find him in time. After a time of mourning, Dave is coming around more often. He is also wanting to find housing...as he recognizes he is not getting any younger.7. Women's Camp...demonstrates that there is safety in numbers. Over time, the mix of ladies that have found safety by camping together varies. Sometimes, everyone seems to be getting along well and then at other times...well you can imagine that camping stress can take a toll. Currently, the women's camp has become integrated and some guys have joined the group. Actually it is quite a caring community and pretty functional through the challenging winter that they have encountered.8.

6. Story contributed by Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Corvallis Daytime drop in Center (CDDC) President, Fall 2016. 7. Story contributed by Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Corvallis Daytime drop in Center (CDDC) President, Fall 2016. 8. Story contributed by Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Corvallis Daytime drop in Center (CDDC) President, Fall 2016.

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One other example I would share is a young man I encountered this summer when the TV news lady from Eugene came to interview campers. We found him by the railroad camps near Pioneer Park. His message was this..."I don't want to break the law, but I have no where to live."9.

WHAT WOULD TEMPORARY TRANSITIONAL HOUSING OPTIONS LOOK LIKE HERE IN CORVALLIS? Permanent supported housing is the ultimate goal for individuals experiencing homelessness. But while folks wait for this best practice, there must be a continuum of temporary options available to support, protect and stabilize them while they are awaiting permanent housing. The following options are logically part of that continuum and we therefore propose that the Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) and the city council seriously consider each of the three options to address the lack of entry–level affordable housing in the community. Scattered Car/Tent Camping: Amend the Code to allow legal car and tent camping on public or private property. Like Bonnie in the story above, a number of homeless individuals have vehicles but do not have a place to legally park them for overnight shelter. The City has partnered with Love Inc. in the past to operate a car camping option at local churches but the faith groups have been tentative because of liability concerns. A public property option should also be explored. Like car camping, scattered legal tent camping could be implemented as an option for temporary shelter. This option can be possible under the current provisions of the Code. Providing shelter for the homeless clearly meets provision in the Code that the temporary lodging must meet a demonstrated community need. In the case of organizations (such as social service agencies and faith groups) that are providing temporary shelter to homeless individuals, we recommend allowing up to three parking spots or three camping sites per location for vehicles/tents and a permit period of 30 days. Note: the code allows the City Council to extend the permit period to 60 days. The Code currently does not allow the camping in a residential area; an amendment could remove the restriction in the case of social service agencies and faith groups that are providing legal camping options for the homeless. The conditions of a permit should include

1. 24-hour access to restrooms 2. Garbage and recycling containers sufficient to accommodate a 1-week accumulation

of garbage and recycling. 3. Access to a potable water supply

9. Story contributed by Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Corvallis Daytime drop in Center (CDDC) President, Fall 2016.

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The advantage of this option is that it distributes the homeless campsites throughout the community rather than concentrating them in one location. Some sites could be gender specific and others could be for families. Group Tent Camping: Another option that should be considered is to provide a legal group tent camping area on one or more public or private property sites. These people are already in our community. They are camping illegally in public areas, under bridges and in the back edges of our parks. Parks staff and law enforcement regularly direct them to move. They have to move, but where? We believe that the lives of the homeless and community livability would benefit by providing a legal place for a group camp. Homeless individuals could then work toward stability in a more productive way rather than moving from blackberry bush to blackberry bush. Properties within the City of Corvallis and the adjacent county should be evaluated for suitability as a camp location. In April 2016, an operational camping plan “A First Camp for Corvallis” was developed by a credible group of community voices working closely with individuals who were residing in camp situations. The plan outlined how a legal camp option might operate and included descriptions of governance and camp structures and collaborations with community agencies. If Corvallis is to have a legal group camp it needs to fit our community. A group of homeless and formerly homeless persons have met several times to exchange ideas and talk about how it might be organized in Corvallis. They have chosen to call the project "First Camp". They have drafted their own a code of conduct based on the best practices of successful camps in other communities. Their code is an outline of how the day-to-day life of the camp would be structured. The following is a summary of their proposal: The Camp Begin the Corvallis First Camp experiment as a 6-month pilot project to proof test the concept. The expenses of the trial period would be covered by private organizations and individual donations. If the pilot project is successful, there may be a need for more than one site. Variations on the model could include a camp for families. The proposal includes:

1. Limit the size of the camp to no more than 20 tents or sleeping huts. 2. The camp would be enclosed by a 6-foot high fence to protect the personal property

of the campers, and to control access/egress of the area 3. Make chemical toilets and garbage service available on the site 4. Provide a storage container to secure personal property 5. Allow companion animals. 6. The city would not be asked to participate in funding the pilot project. 7. Residents would be expected to take care of day-to-day operation of the camp.

The Advisory Support Team A small group of supportive citizens would be formed to meet with and mentor the camp leadership team in seeking solutions to practical problems, including:

1. Finding a camp location and coordinating with the landowner

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2. Preparing a budget 3. Coordinating permit request with the City of Corvallis 4. Coordinating utilities, chemical toilets and garbage service 5. Identifying individuals or organizations to assist with operational expenses. 6. Serving as advisors to facilitate camp governance 7. Establishing collaboration with the city’s police and emergency responders. 8. Identifying methods for handling community complaints or concerns as it relates to

the camp or camp occupants. Tent camping is permitted under the Code for a period of up to 60 days (by the City Council) as long as it is not in a residential area. The City of Corvallis owns and operates over 2000 acres of parks and natural-areas; it is inconceivable to think that two-three acres of that ground could not be used as a legal campsite to test this concept. Past efforts to educate the community about their neighbors who are homeless have not been adequate. Educational opportunities to reduce fear and stereotyping are needed. Positive framing of the issues of homelessness by the media is essential to reducing community fears and embracing a proactive attitude toward addressing the needs of the poor in our midst. Tiny Houses Several communities throughout the nation have made provisions for construction of “Tiny Houses” to shelter the homeless. The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) in Seattle, Washington provides a range of services to individuals seeking shelter. Tiny houses serve an important role in their efforts to transition individuals and families from sleeping rough to permanent, transitional and permanent supportive housing. There are now 50 tiny houses located in Ballard, the Central Area and the Othello neighborhood of Rainier Valley. Homeless families are now able to stay short term in tiny houses while LIHI case managers work intensively with them to secure permanent housing, employment, and other services.10. The houses are 10’x12’ and cost approximately $2,200 to construct. Arranged in courtyard clusters of 8-10, the Tiny Houses provide shelter from the elements as well as community and security for the occupants. The courtyard clusters are connected by a pedestrian street to a community building that includes social services. The challenge with this option would be finding an appropriate sized affordable parcel of land that was suitably zoned for a tiny house village. Building codes and zoning may also be an issue, but Seattle was able to work though those obstacles; a copy of the zoning and code language they used is found in Addendum–V.

10. At $2,200 each, tiny houses can shelter the homeless, Seattle Times; originally published February 27, 2017 at 4:16 pm

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A pair of bills now under consideration in the Oregon Legislature House Committee on Business and Labor would establish new standards for tiny houses, which are not defined or regulated under existing rules. House Bill 2737 would allow narrow ladders or stairways for lofts and eliminate minimum ceiling height and room size in dwellings 250 square feet or less, and the small homes would not be required to have electrical service or a water supply. House Bill 2165 would apply standards for recreational vehicles to tiny homes that are not permanently sited.11.

Tiny houses provide a warm, dry secure environment with a door that locks; that security and privacy is not possible in a tent. Tiny houses are clearly a viable alternative in the continuum of options to consider in moving the homeless to permanent supported housing. COMMUNITY SUPPORT TEAM Regardless of which short-term transitional housing option is used to shelter the homeless, the successful transition to permanent supported housing will depend heavily upon local social services agencies joining together to conduct regular occurring, coordinated, outreach efforts to visit camps and provide wrap-around services to meet the particular needs of each individual. Under the leadership of the HOAC, a Community Support Team should be formed to work with individual campers to meet their personal needs such as job training and referral, health care, addiction treatment, housing assistance and what ever else would help them move toward a healthy and self sufficient life style. THE COSTS OF NON-SOLUTIONS: The cost of non-solutions brings a human cost to the equation. The human cost is partially captured in a statement by one young man in an April 2016 Eugene TV interview. He stated that he did not want to be a criminal but he had no place to live. The effects of criminalizing homelessness spirals the negative self esteem of someone experiencing poverty.12. Criminalizing homelessness results in a financial impact on city departments. Parks Department staff and police officers are involved in posting and cleanup of campsites and occasionally municipal court is involved. 11. Don’t over-regulate tiny houses, Medford Mail Tribune, March 1, 2017 12. Story contributed by Aleita Hass-Holcombe, Corvallis Daytime drop in Center (CDDC) President, Fall 2016.

14

Hyper-vigilant policing “does more to criminalizing poverty than to address the social factors contributing to the problem. It also doesn’t work.…forcing the homeless to move, in that they will still be homeless in their new location.”13.

Our community presently has the capacity to legally shelter approximately 230 of our homeless neighbors. Our best estimate of the homeless population suggests that the actual number is four to five times our current capacity. We must, and we can do better. Corvallis is a community of means; home to smart people who have a reputation of being able to solve problems. The only thing lacking seems to be a coordinated commitment to address the homeless issue with adequate resources and the resolve to follow through. 13.. Hyperpolicing to Housing, The University of Chicago Urban Network June 18, 2014

15

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOAC ACTION

1. Immediately form a Community Support Team to provided coordinated, outreach effortsto visit homeless camps and provide wrap-around services to meet the particular needs of each individual. Collaborate with city parks personnel and police to link illegal campers to resources in an effort to reduce illegal camping and the loss of personal property during camp cleanup operations.

2. Establish an ad hoc committee to collaborate with city and county planning staff inidentifying the necessary zoning and building code changes that would be necessary to allow the following:

a) Scattered site car and tent campingb) One or more group campsc) One or more tiny house villages.d) The use of Conestoga Huts in options a) through c) above.

3. Make a formal request to the City Council to begin the process of amending theMunicipal Code as necessary to allow the sheltering options listed in recommendation paragraph 2, above. A similar request should be made to the Benton County commissioners if viable sites are identified in the county.

4. Establish an ad hoc committee to begin a two-year initiative to provide legal year-around shelter to an additional 200 homeless individuals using a continuum of alternatives ranging from tent/car camping, to permanent supported housing.

6. Explore the possibility of establishing additional Oxford Houses in the community toprovide transitional shelter for those seeking a clean and sober living environment. While this may not apply to individuals that are currently residing in the emergency shelters, it could prevent individuals who are currently in treatment programs from becoming homeless.

White Paper on Homeless Shelter Options for Corvallis

Attachments – Table of Contents

Addendum 1 – Corvallis Municipal Code Related to Camping

Addendum 2 – History of Attempts to Find a Solution

Addendum 3 – Encampments as a Temporary Response to Homelessness

Addendum 4 – Community Supported Shelters

Addendum 5 – Zoning and Code Changes to Allow Tiny Houses

CORVALLIS MUNICIPAL CODE

ADDENDUM – I 3/17/17 1

Corvallis Municipal Code prohibits camping on City property without a permit. Persons doing so may be cited/ticketed. Although Administrative Policy has undergone some revisions since its adoption in 2005, it has not significantly changed the practices of removing people who are homeless from camping on public property. (AP 2005) As it relates to city parks, the Corvallis Municipal Code states the following: Section 5.01.130 - Hours of use; sleeping and camping. 1) No person shall sleep in any park between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, except as provided in subsection 3). 2) No person shall use any tent, shelter-half, motor home, vehicle, camper, or trailer as a shelter for housing or sleeping in any park area, except as provided in subsection 3). 3) The City Manager may, in his or her reasonable discretion, issue permits or designate areas for the use of tents, shelter-half, motor homes, vehicles, campers, or trailers as shelters for housing or sleeping in parks for any overnight sleeping in parks between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. (Ord. 82-78 § 5, 1982; Ord. 81-35 § 5, 1981; Ord. 72-27 § 14, 1972)

5.03.080.080.01 - Definitions. For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply: 1) Lodge. To provide with a temporary place of residence, whether or not any such lodging incorporates the use of any tent, lean-to, or any other structure, or any vehicle or part thereof. To lodge includes the use or maintaining of a stove or fire. 2) Vehicle. Any device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway and includes vehicles that are propelled or powered by any means. (Ord. 82-77 § 107.08, 1982)

5.03.080.080.02 - Sleeping or lodging in prohibited public places. No person shall sleep or lodge in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, public right-of-way, park, or any property owned by the City of Corvallis, or under any bridge, except as provided in Section 5.03.080.080.04 below, or Chapter 5.01, as amended. 2) A violation of this section is a Class C Misdemeanor.

5.03.080.080.03 - Sleeping or lodging on private property without consent. 1) No person shall sleep or lodge on private property in a vehicle or in places not intended for that purpose, without permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession thereof and without a permit as provided in Section 5.03.080.080.04. 2) A violation of this section is a Class C Misdemeanor. (Ord. 83-72 § 1, 1983; Ord. 82-77 § 107.07, 1982)

5.03.080.080.04 - Permits. 1) The City Manager is authorized to issue permits to groups or organizations for the use of a designated area, for the parking and use of vehicles for lodging on a temporary basis, provided the group or organization has the written permission of the owner of the property or person in charge of the property where the vehicles will be located. The application for the permit shall be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee as designated in the Fees Chapter (8.03). The permit shall be issued for no more than 7 days. The permit is revocable if any of the conditions are not met or if it is necessary for the peace, safety, health, or welfare of the City. 2) To reasonably accommodate cases of personal hardship related to the treatment of a serious medical condition at a medical facility, the City Manager is authorized to issue a permit to the property owner of a medical facility for the use of up to 3 off-street parking spaces for use by recreational vehicles for lodging of patients undergoing medical treatment. The permit may be issued to the property owner for up to 1 year, and may be renewed upon request by the property owner.

https://www.municode.com/library/or/corvallis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT5OF_CH5.03OF_5.03.080.080.04PE


https://www.municode.com/library/or/corvallis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT5OF_CH5.01CIPARE


CORVALLIS MUNICIPAL CODE

ADDENDUM – I 3/17/17 2

Any property owner granted a permit under this provision shall not be entitled to any other permit pursuant to this section of the Corvallis Municipal Code. 3) For those cases involving recreational vehicles on private residential property under review bythe Building Official and without an official resolution as of September 1, 2001, and to reasonably accommodate cases of personal hardship related to the treatment of a serious medical condition, the City Manager is authorized to issue a permit to the property owner of residential property to allow for the lodging of a medical care giver, in a recreational vehicle parked in the driveway of the owner's residential property. For a person to be eligible for the permit: (a) the medical care giver must be a member of the property owner's immediate family; (b) the person who requires treatment of a serious medical condition must be a member of the property owner's immediate family; and (c) the recreational vehicle must meet Building Official requirements for sanitary sewer, water, and any other utility connections. The permit may be issued to the property owner for up to one year, and may be renewed upon request of the property owner, so long as the person with the serious medical condition lives on the residential property. Any property owner granted a permit under this provision shall not be entitled to any other permit pursuant to this section of the Corvallis Municipal Code. 4) The City Manager is authorized to issue permits to groups or organizations for the use of adesignated area for temporary lodging, provided the group or organization has the written permission of the owner of the property or the person in charge of the property. The temporary lodging must meet a demonstrated community need and may not be located in a residential area. The City Manager may issue the permit subject to reasonable conditions. The City Manager may issue the permit for no more than 30 days. The City Council may extend the permit an additional 60 days. The permit is revocable if any of the conditions are not met or if the City Manager determines it is necessary to revoke the permit for the peace, safety, health, or welfare of the City. (Ord. 2008-13 § 1, 08/18/2008; Ord. 2001-14 § 1, 09/17/2001; Ord. 95-32 § 1, 1995; Ord. 82-77 § 107.08, 1982)

Application fee: The fee for a permit for use of recreational vehicles for overnight camping on private property [Section 5.03.080] shall be $15.00.

https://www.municode.com/library/or/corvallis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT5OF_CH5.03OF_S5.03.080AR5.03.080PRAC

HISTORY OF ATTEMPTS TO FIND A SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IN CORVALLIS

ADDENDUM – II 3/17/17 1

Finding a solution to homelessness is not a new problem for our community. There have been numerous efforts over the last twenty years to bring issues of temporary camping as a transitional housing option to the attention of city council.

June 1997 Corvallis 2020 Vision Statement: ...”Those without shelter are offered interim housing and linked with employment, food, medical and counseling services that help them get back on their feet.” Approved by City Council , June 9, 1997

September 2, 2005 Adopted December 10, 2007 Revised City of Corvallis Administrative Policy Manual Removal of Homeless Persons Camping on Public Property Describes procedures for posting, removal of property and notification to social services agencies for outreach workers to visit the site.

July 2, 2007 Adopted October 20, 2008 Revised City of Corvallis Council Policy Manual Code of Conduct for Patrons at Parks and Recreation Facilities, Events and Programs. Intention of lessening “threatening” behaviors but has implications for illegal campers.

February 2009 Citizen Offer To Help: Regarding concern for lack of legal camping areas, Margaret Calcott suggested to city council that two camping areas be designated as legitimate and offered to donate cost of dumpsters and port-a-potties.

February 2009 State Ordinance researched by Amy Rose Simpson, Americorp*Vista, from CSC affirmed that a municipality may approve the establishment of a campground inside an urban growth boundary to be used for providing transitional housing accommodations.

March 2009 Petitions to City Regarding Camping: LoErna Simpson for 130 members and friends of 3 Corvallis faith groups (First United Methodist Church, United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist Fellowship) presented petitions calling on the city to care for people who are homeless by providing a secure place to sleep each night.

March 16, 2009 Citizens’ Proposition: Proposition presented to City Council regarding the designation of municipal property for use by homeless residents seeking shelter.



April 2, 2009 Homeless Camp Direction: Memorandum from Jon Nelson, City Manager began by saying that the City’s commitment to homelessness was greater than all comparator cities (7). Suggested a timeframe for a work session on the issue and provided three homeless site options and their implications.

April 6, 2009 City Council rejects the selection of a municipal site for legal camping and posed the question of whether volunteers of the Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition had the capacity to administer a camping resource.

April 20, 2009 City Allocation to Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center from General Funds to provide outreach position ($15,000) and chronic homeless need opportunity fund ($10,000).

May 17, 2009 Fish Bowl Forum: Community organized discussion with representatives from volunteer groups providing services to address homelessness raised concern that volunteer efforts were not enough to adequately meet the challenge and that local government interventions to support volunteer efforts were needed. (A transcript of the discussion is available)

June 8, 2009 Input to City Council Aleita Hass-Holcombe provided written input to the council summarizing efforts of volunteer groups to address the issues of homelessness in Corvallis and urging the city to be more proactive in meeting the challenges of sheltering the poor in this community.

June 8, 2009 City Council Work Session Minutes reveal a range of councilor values on who to serve, with what resources and whether the city is responsible.

February 24, 2015 Simple Shelter Group A grass roots group of individuals who are homeless filed 10 requests with Mayor Traber. Requests from this “Simple Shelter” group focused on the need for legal camping options and expanded public services.



March 30, 2015 Memorandum to Human Services Committee. Responses to the 10 requests from “Simple Shelter” were provided by acting City Manager, Nancy Brewer to the three members of the Human Services Committee who met with the Simple Shelter Group. Responses gave rationale for why the city could not meet their requests.

March 16, 2016 A citizen group made a request to the city regarding a mechanism that would enable the establishment of a legal camping area (First Camp) to serve homeless persons for a six months pilot project. No funds were requested.

April 9, 2016 First Camp pilot project Presentation to residents of South Corvallis regarding the possibility of a six month pilot project for a legal camp overseen by an elected council of 5 camp residents was met with vitriolic community response.

April 18, 2016 Legal camping issue becomes the work of an AD Hoc Committee of the county’s Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC). The Ad Hoc Committee reports to the HOAC’s SMART Team.

May 2, 2016 Staff recommends Council, by motion, state that prior to January 1, 2017, the Council will not take up consideration of Municipal Code and Land Development Code language changes that would support an authorized homeless tent camp in the City. Motion was defeated 6-2.

July 2016 Court Case Smith v. Corvallis The City was sued in federal court for damages arising out of the City’s repeated, continuous and ongoing acts, policy, practice and custom of improperly confiscating and destroying the property of homeless people who reside in camps. A jury verdict found in favor of the City.

Encampments as a Temporary Response to Homelessness Summary of research by Peggy McGuire

Director of Housing and Energy Services, Community Services Consortium

ADDENDUM – III 3/17/17 1

In response to the burgeoning problem of homelessness, “tent cities” are being formed in many communities throughout the United States. In the West alone, there are encampments in Oregon (Portland), Washington (Seattle and Olympia), and California (Sacramento, Fresno, Ontario, and Ventura). The type of housing options and the land use arrangements vary from site to site.

Some of the encampments are located on publicly-owned sites; others are located on donated property or on property owned by religious organizations. Some of the encampments are made entirely of tents pitched on platforms; some have a mixture of tents and tiny houses or sleeping sheds. It is common for encampments to begin with tents alone and subsequently obtain donations of tiny houses or sleeping sheds from local benefactors. Sites range in size; most vary from 20-75 platforms.

All of the camps have communal kitchens, bathrooms, shower facilities, and refuse disposal bins. Some also incorporate storage areas and/or other amenities such as a covered meeting area. The method of supporting the communal services varies as well. Most of the encampments charge residents a small monthly fee to cover removal of refuse, utility costs, and maintenance of the port-a-potties. The amount of the fee varies by the type of amenities provided and what type of subsidies are available from local supporters. The tent cities are generally self-governed, using democratic processes. Some have a “management agent” which is usually a local community-based organization and others have a host entity (e.g. a municipality, a religious organization, the property owner, etc.). In this arrangement, the management agent or host is responsible for the operational logistics of the site, while the governing body is responsible to manage the behavior of the residents and to serve as the “voice” of the residents in policymaking and public relations.

These communities are universally reported to be a platform for services, information, and linkages to additional resources. Safety and cleanliness of the sites is a paramount concern of all involved and many of the resident governing bodies have developed criteria to restrict sex offenders, as well as to remove individuals who do not abide by the agreed-upon codes of conduct.

There are reports available online about tent cities (from the National Coalition for the Homeless and other organizations) and a number of the organizational sponsors of some of these communities also publish information and specific client outcomes online. One such report comes from the Low Income Housing Institute, in Seattle. They currently operate three encampments with a total of 131 residents. Last year, they reported of the 131 residents living in their camps, 57 moved to transitional or permanent housing, 30 moved to other shelter options, 40 became employed, and three were reunited with their families in other locations.

Encampments as a Temporary Response to Homelessness Summary of research by Peggy McGuire

Director of Housing and Energy Services, Community Services Consortium

ADDENDUM – III 3/17/17 2

Absolutely no one believes this option is preferable to permanent housing, however, tent cities can be a temporary option to help move individuals along the continuum to safer and more stable housing.

Building Permits

In constructing Tiny Houses, we found that we were able to build them as an exception to the Seattle Building Code as long as they stayed a particular size. The Seattle Building Code states that a building permit is not required for one-story detached accessory buildings if they are under 120 square feet. We were able to advise all the groups who built the houses to stay under this threshold, ideally to create a structure that was 8 feet by 12 feet (96 square feet) to be an exception to the code:

From http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cs/groups/pan/@pan/documents/web_informational/s047860.pdf (the Chapter 1, Administration section of the Seattle Building Code found here: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/codes/building/default.htm)

106.2 Work exempt from permit. A building permit is not required for the work listed below. Exemption from the permit requirements of this code does not authorize any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws and ordinances of the City.

3. One-story detached accessory buildings used for greenhouse, tool or storage shed, playhouse, orsimilar uses, if:

3.1 The projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet; and 3.2 The building is not placed on a concrete foundation other than a slab on grade.

However, in the case of the Tiny House Village at 22nd and Union, we had electrical wiring for the houses and the toilet pavilion, and we also had plumbing on site as well. These required electrical and plumbing inspections and permitting, under the typical codes. We had to ensure that every step of the electrical connection from installing the pole and panel, to wiring the houses, to then connecting them back to the panel were inspected and approved.

Land Use Permits

Type I Master Use permits are required of us at the Interbay encampment, Ballard encampment, and at Othello Village (from the Land Use Code):

23.42.056 - Transitional encampment as an interim use

A Type I Master Use Permit may be issued for a transitional encampment interim use according to the requirements of this Section 23.42.056.

A. The Director, in consultation with the Human Services Director, shall adopt a rule according to subsection 23.88.010.A that includes but is not limited to establishing:

1. Community outreach requirements that include:a. Community outreach standards that the encampment operator shall comply with before

filing a transitional encampment interim use permit application, whether for a newtransitional encampment or relocation of an existing transitional encampment. At a

ADDENDUM V

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/cs/groups/pan/@pan/documents/web_informational/s047860.pdf

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/codes/building/default.htm

minimum, outreach standards shall contain a requirement that the encampment operator convene at least one public meeting in the neighborhood where the transitional encampment interim use is proposed to be established, at least 14 days prior to applying for a permit;

b. A requirement that the proposed encampment operator establish a Community AdvisoryCommittee that would provide advisory input on proposed encampment operationsincluding identifying methods for handling community complaints or concerns as it relatesto the facility or facility clients. The committee shall include one individual identified byeach stakeholder group in the geographic area where the proposed encampment would belocated as best suited to represent their interests. The committee shall consist of no morethan seven members. Encampment operator representatives shall attend committeemeetings to answer questions and shall provide regular reports to the committeeconcerning encampment operations. City staff may attend the meetings; and

2. Operations standards that the encampment operator is required to implement while anencampment is operating.

B. Location. The transitional encampment interim use shall be located on property meeting the following requirements:

1. The property is:a. Zoned Industrial, Downtown, SM, NC2, NC3, C1, or C2; except if the property is in a

residential zone as defined in Section 23.84A.048 or is in a special review districtestablished by Chapter 23.66; or

b. Within a Major Institution Overlay district.2. The property is at least 25 feet from any residentially-zoned lot.3. A property may be less than 25 feet from a residentially-zoned lot and used as an encampment

site if:a. All encampment facilities, improvements, activities, and uses are located at least 25 feet

from any residentially-zoned lot. Access to the encampment site may be located within the25-foot setback area; and

b. Screening is installed and maintained along each encampment boundary, exceptboundaries fronting on an opened public street. The screening shall consist of existing orinstalled vegetation that is sufficiently dense to obscure viewing the encampment site, or a6-foot high view-obscuring fence or wall.

4. The property is owned by the City of Seattle, a private party, or an Educational MajorInstitution.

5. The property is within 1/2 mile of a transit stop. This distance shall be the walking distancemeasured from the nearest transit stop to the lot line of the lot containing the encampment site.

6. The property is, as measured by a straight line, at least 1 mile from any other legally-establishedtransitional encampment interim use including encampments accessory to a religious facility oraccessory to other principal uses on property owned or controlled by a religious organization.This subsection 23.42.056.A.6 shall not apply to encampments on sites owned or controlled byreligious organizations, or to any legally-established transitional encampment interim use thatprovides shelter for fewer than ten persons.

7. The property is 5,000 square feet or larger and provides a minimum of 100 square feet of landarea for each occupant that is permitted to occupy the encampment site.

8. The property does not contain a wetland, wetland buffer, known and potential landslidedesignations, steep slope, steep slope buffer, or fish and wildlife habitat conservation areadefined and regulated by Chapter 25.09, Regulations for Environmentally Critical Areas, unlessall encampment facilities, improvements, activities, and uses are located outside any critical areaand required buffer as provided for in Chapter 25.09.

9. The encampment site is not used by an existing legally-permitted use for code or permit-requiredpurposes including but not limited to parking or setbacks.

10. The property is not an unopened public right of way; or designated as a park, playground,viewpoint, or multi-use trail by the City or King County.

C. Operation. The transitional encampment interim use shall meet the following requirements: 1. The encampment may be operated by a private party that shall prepare an Encampment

Operations Plan that shall address: site management, site maintenance, provision of human andsocial services, referrals to service providers that are able to provide services to individualsunder the age of 18 who arrive at an encampment unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian,and public health and safety standards. The operations plan shall be filed with the transitionalencampment interim use permit application.

2. The operator shall be included in the qualified encampment roster prepared by the HumanServices Director. The transitional encampment interim use permit applicant shall includedocumentation as part of the permit application demonstrating that the encampment operator ison the qualified encampment operator roster.

D. Additional requirements. The transitional encampment interim use shall meet the following requirements:

1. The requirements for transitional encampment accessory uses in subsections 23.42.054.B and23.42.054.C.

2. The operator of a transitional encampment interim use located on City-owned property shallobtain prior to permit issuance and maintain in full force and effect, at its own expense, liabilityinsurance naming the City as an additional insured in an amount sufficient to protect the City asdetermined by the City Risk Manager from:

a. All potential claims and risks of loss from perils in connection with any activity that mayarise from or be related to the operator's activity upon or the use or occupation of the Cityproperty allowed by the permit; and

b. All potential claims and risks in connection with activities performed by the operator byvirtue of the permission granted by the permit.

3. The operator of a transitional encampment interim use located on City-owned property shall, ona form approved by the Director, agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the City ofSeattle, its officials, officers, employees, and agents from and against:

a. Any liability, claims, actions, suits, loss, costs, expense judgments, attorneys' fees, ordamages of every kind and description resulting directly or indirectly from any act oromission of the operator of a transitional encampment interim use located on City-ownedproperty, its subcontractors, anyone directly or indirectly employed by them, and anyonefor whose acts or omissions they may be liable, arising out of the operator's use oroccupancy of the City property; and

b. All loss by the failure of the operator of a transitional encampment interim use located onCity-owned property to perform all requirements or obligations under the transitionalencampment interim use permit, or federal, state, or City codes or rules.

4. A transitional encampment interim use located on City-owned property shall allow serviceproviders to access the site according to the approved operations plan required by subsection23.42.056.B.1.

E. Duration and timing. The transitional encampment interim use shall meet the following requirements: 1. A permit for a transitional encampment interim use under this Section 23.42.056 may be

authorized for up to one year from the date of permit issuance. A permit for a transitionalencampment may be renewed one time for up to one year by the Director as a Type I decisionsubject to the following:

https://www.municode.com/library/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?searchRequest=%7B%22searchText%22%3A%22encampment%22%2C%22pageNum%22%3A1%2C%22resultsPerPage%22%3A25%2C%22booleanSearch%22%3Afalse%2C%22stemming%22%3Atrue%2C%22fuzzy%22%3Afalse%2C%22synonym%22%3Afalse%2C%22contentTypes%22%3A%5B%22CODES%22%5D%2C%22productIds%22%3A%5B%5D%7D&nodeId=TIT23LAUSCO_SUBTITLE_IIILAUSRE_DIV2AUUSDEST_CH23.42GEUSPR_23.42.056TRENINUS

a. The operator shall provide notice of a request to extend the use in a manner determined bya Director's Rule. The notice shall be given to the Citizen's Advisory Committee andpersons who provided the operator with an address for notice;

b. The encampment is in compliance with the requirements of Section 23.42.056; andc. The operator shall provide with the permit renewal application an Encampment Operations

Plan that shall be in effect during the permit renewal period and consistent with subsection23.42.056.A.

2. At least 12 months shall elapse before an encampment use may be located on any portion of aproperty where a transitional encampment interim use was previously located.

F. Limit on the number of encampments. No more than three transitional encampment interim use encampments shall be permitted and operating at any one time, and each encampment shall not have more than 100 occupants. This limit shall not include transitional encampments accessory to a religious facility.

For Othello Village, because the encampment square footage is greater than 12,000 square feet, we also had to undergo SEPA Review (State Environmental Policy Act) to ensure that our encampment would not have any negative impacts on the surrounding environment.

(Page on SEPA: http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/permits/permittypes/landusesepa/default.htm)

A different ordinance applies to our Tiny House Village because it is on religious property and is not a City of Seattle sanctioned encampment. Under the ordinance governing transitional encampments accessory to a religious facility we were not required to file for a land use permit:

23.42.054 - Transitional encampments accessory to religious facilities or to other principal uses located

on property owned or controlled by a religious organization Modified

A. Transitional encampment accessory use. A transitional encampment is allowed as an accessory use on a site in any zone, if the established principal use of the site is as a religious facility or the principal use is on property owned or controlled by a religious organization, subject to the provisions of subsection 23.42.054.B. A religious facility site includes property developed with legally-established parking that is accessory to the religious facility. Parking accessory to a religious facility or located on property owned or controlled by a religious organization that is displaced by the encampment does not need to be replaced.

B. The encampment operator or applicant shall comply with the following provisions: 1. Allow no more than 100 persons to occupy the encampment site as residents of the encampment.2. Comply with the following fire safety and health standards:

a. Properly space, hang, and maintain fire extinguishers within the encampment as requiredby the Fire Department;

b. Provide and maintain a 100-person first-aid kit;c. Establish and maintain free of all obstructions access aisles as required by the Fire

Department;d. Install appropriate power protection devices at any location where power is provided;e. Designate a smoking area;

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/permits/permittypes/landusesepa/default.htm

f. Keep the site free of litter and garbage; g. Observe all health-related requirements made by the Public Health Department of Seattle

& King County; and h. Post and distribute to encampment residents, copies of health or safety information

provided by the City of Seattle, King County, or any other public agency. i. Prohibit any open flames except an outdoor heat source approved by the Fire Department.

3. Provide toilets, running water, and garbage collection according to the following standards: a. Provide and maintain chemical toilets as recommended by the portable toilet service

provider or provide access to toilets in an indoor location; b. Provide running water in an indoor location or alternatively, continuously maintain

outdoor running water and discharge the water to a location approved by the City; and c. Remove garbage frequently enough to prevent overflow.

4. Cooking facilities, if they are provided, may be located in either an indoor location or outdoors according to the following standards:

a. Provide a sink with running water in an indoor location or alternatively, continuously maintain outdoor running water and discharge the water to a location approved by the City;

b. Provide a nonabsorbent and easily-cleanable food preparation counter; c. Provide a means to keep perishable food cold; and d. Provide all products necessary to maintain the cooking facilities in a clean condition.

5. Allow officials of the Public Health Department of Seattle & King County, the Seattle Fire Department, and the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections to inspect areas of the encampment that are located outdoors and plainly visible without prior notice to determine compliance with these standards.

6. Individuals under the age of 18 years that are not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian shall not be permitted in an encampment.

7. File a site plan with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections showing the arrangement of the encampment, including numbers of tents or similar sleeping shelters, all facilities that are separate from the sleeping shelters, and all existing structures on the property, if any. The site plan is for informational purposes and is not subject to City review or permitting requirements.

C. A site inspection of the encampment by a Department inspector is required prior to commencing encampment operations.

D. Parking is not required for a transitional encampment allowed under this Section 23.42.054. (Ord. 124919, § 132, 2015; Ord. 124747, § 1, 2015; Ord. 123729, § 1, 2011.)

Benton County Ten-Year Plan to Address Homelessness

Mid-Point Update Planning &Community Engagement Process

Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC)

March 22, 2017

“The problems that face us are linked. It’s not a set of problems. It’s a system of problems. Now it’s time to look for a

system of solutions.”

Janine Benyus

2

Work Session Recap

What do we know about the problem?– Data Snapshot

• Part 1 (Community level)• Part 2 (Organizational level)

– 2016 “Scanning the Landscape Survey” (SWOT)

– Special Populations Input• Part 1 (Adults, Veterans)• Part 2 (Garfield School Neighborhood, Latino/English Language

Learners, Veterans, youth and young adults)

– Community Map – Gaps and Assets

– Key Informant Interview Results

4

Today’s Work Session Goals

What new interventions are required?

• Talk through proposed goals and strategies.

• Focus on local strategies that could be implemented regardless of state and federal changes.

• Tools:

– DRAFT Goals &Strategies

– Current & DRAFT Strategies Alignment

5

What’s Next - April

What are our priorities and action steps?• Determine priority setting process for remaining two

years of the plan.• Monitor state and federal policy and funding

decisions.

How will we achieve outcomes and evaluate our progress? • Develop detailed work plans for recommended

priority goals and strategies, including metrics.• Finalize the mid-point update action plan, and

determine implementation model.

6

“Achieving a community where everyone lives in affordable, healthy housing will require…”

8

3. Primary Prevention Interventions that help address problems that contribute to homelessness and housing instability. Examples:

-Eviction prevention

-Rental assistance

-Rental subsidies

-Inclusionary zoning

-Rent payment assurance

-Discharge planning

-Income stabilization

-Ending violence

Secondary Prevention Interventions that help address problems at an early stage which includes strategies that target people who are clearly at risk of, or have recently become homeless. Examples:

- Systems prevention

- Institutional discharge

- Early interventions to help retain housing

-Case management

- Rent banks, etc.

- Home repairs / maintenance services

4. Street Outreach

& Rapid Response Providing safe, accessible, and

well-resourced crisis response

while someone is homeless.

5. Emergency Response Providing emergency supports like food and day programs, while someone is homeless.

Local Strategies to End Homelessness Framework

Addressing the root causes of homelessness by aligning systems to assure safe, healthy, and affordable housing for all Benton County residents.

1. Community and Organizational Systems & Policy Changes

9. Community Integration

& Neighborhood Belonging Full participation in community life and

the feeling of attachment to the

neighborhood. Examples that facilitate

integration and belonging:

- Addiction Support - Treatment - Belonging Centers

- Education

- Primary Care

- Faith Groups

- Counseling

- Employment - Public Health

- Community Health

- Recreation

- Peer Support - Family

- Housing type

- Livable neighborhoods 6

. Ca

se M

an

ag

emen

t/C

are

Co

ord

ina

tio

n

Equity and Trauma Informed Care

Populations to Consider veterans, single men, single women, families, youth, young adults, college students, LGBTQ, persons with disabilities, rural residents, seniors, persons with active addictions, persons involved with the justice system,

persons with mental health diagnosis, immigrants, English language learners, persons of color, persons experiencing domestic violence, persons with pets/service animals

Adapted from Yeo, S., Ratnam, C., Paradis, E., Oudshoorn, A., Nessa, B., Mosher, J.,…Aguila, K. (2015, August). A framework for ending women’s and girl’s homelessness. Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

7. Temporary Housing Provision of temporary housing and ongoing supports to move someone out of homelessness. Examples:

-Residential Rehab

-Medical Respite

-Transitional Housing

-Emergency Shelter

-VAW Shelter

-Vehicle Camping

8. Permanent Housing Provision of permanent housing and

ongoing supports to move someone out of

homelessness. Examples:

-Permanent Supportive Housing

-Housing First

-Wet Residential

-Addiction Supportive Housing

-Supports

- Case management - Rent supplements - Education/employment training - Income supports - Health Care - Addiction services - mental health assistance - Life Skills - Social supports

-Affordable Housing

-Market Housing

-Self-sufficiency

-Home repair / maintenance services

2. Data Management, Common Assessment, Central Hub Data management, assessment tools, and centralized services that avoid redundancies while also rapidly accessing desired supports.

-Public education

-Political activism

-Affordable health care

- Livable neighborhoods

- Early childhood supports

- Poverty reduction strategies

- Anti-discrimination strategies

DRAFT Ten Year Plan Goals & Strategies – HOAC 2

March 22, 2017

Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) Mid-Point Update to the Ten Year Plan to Address Homelessness

DRAFT GOALS & STRATEGIES – March 22, 2017 1. COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS AND POLICY CHANGE Overarching Goal: Mobilize Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) and community to advocate for policies and programs that increase the availability of healthy, affordable housing for all. Problem: Growing crisis of homelessness and housing affordability combined with significant reductions in funding; no shared community vision about strategies for addressing the problem; new policy tools (e.g. voluntary inclusionary zoning, etc.) are available but will require public engagement to fully implement; insufficient coordination with policy opportunities in other sectors (transportation, economic development, health/behavioral health care, education, etc.) Strategies: 1. Systematically track local, state and federal policy opportunities with high potential to impact

housing access and affordability.

Activities:

2. Work to advance the Corvallis Housing Development Task Force’s (HDTF) priority policy recommendations and others identified through Benton County’s 2040 Thriving Communities Initiative (e.g. ADUs in rural areas, inclusionary zoning outside of Corvallis). Activities:

3. Educate HOAC and community on critical needs and priorities for affordable housing advocacy, coordinated with Intervention Area 2, Coordinated Data & Evaluation Systems. Activities:

4. Build capacity of HOAC and community to mobilize residents, including persons experiencing

homelessness or housing instability, and other public and private sector leaders to advance policy

opportunities.

Activities:

CURRENT: 4.2.C. Embrace and engage members of the homeless population as part of the success

of the plan.

5. Align advocacy efforts with other key sectors (i.e., employment, economic development,

transportation, health care, public health, education, law enforcement, etc.) to maximize

coordination and impact.

Activities:


March 22, 2017

2. COORDINATED DATA & EVALUATION SYSTEMS AND COMMON INTAKE

Overarching Goal: Better coordinate data sharing across agencies and systems to improve understanding of unmet community needs and scope and size of impacted populations.

Problem: Fragmented data systems make it difficult to understand the need and complexity of the affordable housing crisis; annual point in time count does not adequately capture size and scope of the homeless population; comprehensive analysis of current demographic and population level data not centralized for universal access by community; limited capacity to maintain and update data.

Strategies:

1. Establish centralized, comprehensive data system to better determine size, scope, and needs of populations experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Activities:

CURRENT: 5.1.A. Adopt a local system which will collect same basic demographics from those accessing shelters and social services.

2. Research and replicate successful models implemented in other communities (e.g. 25 Cities Initiative). Activities:

3. Incorporate data into ongoing updates of the Benton County Community Health Assessment (CHA) to assure data is maintained and updated, and to inform advocacy, systems and policy change activities. Activities:

Overarching Goal: Better coordinate data sharing across agencies and systems to improve care coordination, service quality, and positive outcomes for clients.

Problem: No single point of coordinated entry/universal intake and assessment system to access services; clients often interface with multiple care coordinators as they navigate a complex, confusing service system; provision of population specific housing supports (i.e. vets, single women with children, persons with disabilities, etc.), without addressing gaps in the whole system.

Strategies:

1. Explore feasibility of establishing a universal intake and assessment system for anyone needing access to homeless/affordable housing services to maximize full access to a comprehensive care coordination system. Activities:

CURRENT: 1.2.A. Ensure those in need are referred to the most appropriate services.

2. Pilot coordinated intake, assessment, and application process and tools and evaluate for expansion across the care coordination system. Explore opportunities for coordinating activities with Community Health Center (CHC) primary care medical home infrastructure. Activities:


March 22, 2017

3. Align with regional care coordination transformation efforts, including Linn-Benton-Lincoln Community Health Worker Training Hub (Benton County Health Services, InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization, Early Learning Hub, and 211 Info.). Activities:


March 22, 2017

3. PREVENTION

Overarching Goal: Advance prevention efforts that help residents maintain healthy, affordable housing or prevent residents from experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Problem: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and other subsidized housing has long waiting lists; difficulty finding rental units that will accept Section 8 vouchers; renters are fearful to report grievances about landlords; new Corvallis Livability Code has the potential to displace renters; dilapidated, poorly maintained housing, especially in rural areas; no comprehensive Healthy Homes Program in Benton County similar to Multnomah County. Strategies: 1. Assure eviction prevention and emergency financial resources to prevent residents from

experiencing homelessness. Activities: a. Inventory currently available eviction prevention and emergency financial resource funds (i.e.

flexible private donations, Emergency Solutions grant, WeCare, etc.) and identify gaps in funding.

CURRENT: 1.1.A. Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports). CURRENT: 3.4.A. Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

2. Strengthen City of Corvallis Livability Code and Benton County Housing Code Enforcement

Programs. Activities: a. Evaluate and review City of Corvallis Livability Code data to determine whether system

improvements are necessary (i.e. Rental Licensing & Inspection Program, system for providing temporary housing for displaced tenants, connections to home rehab programs, etc.).

b. Link displaced tenants with care coordinators/health navigators to mitigate further disruption

and facilitate transition to alternative housing.

c. Inventory homeowner and landlord rental rehab programs and identify gaps.

d. Connect landlords with available resources and services to help make repairs (CSC weatherization and homeowner rehab, future Healthy Homes Program, Corvallis Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) Rental Rehab Program for homeowners and landlords, etc.).

e. Strengthen Benton County Environmental Health and Benton County Mental Health partnership

to provide services and referral linkages during Benton County Housing Code Enforcement, when appropriate.

3. Improve capacity to engage both residents and landlords in addressing renter grievances.

Activities:


March 22, 2017

a. Develop and disseminate educational materials in other languages and facilitate connection with care coordinators/health navigators and/or Corvallis Housing & Neighborhoods Coordinator.

b. Provide training for care coordinators/health navigators on resources for renter rights to

facilitate referrals and support renters in advocating for their needs.

c. Provide training for landlords and property management firms on how to communicate with non-English speaking tenants to minimize language and cultural barriers.

d. Encourage landlords and property management firms to provide services and rental documents

in other languages through hiring bilingual staff, interpretation services, or connecting with care

coordinators/health navigators to help address language and cultural barriers among residents.

4. Implement a comprehensive Healthy Homes Program in Benton County. Activities: a. Convene all partners conducting some component of a healthy homes program to assess

potential for coordination, program integration and resource and funding alignment.

b. Access training and technical assistance from state and national partners on developing a comprehensive healthy homes program in Benton County.

c. Identify private and public funding sources, or innovative staffing models using existing

resources, to implement and evaluate the program.


March 22, 2017

4. STREET OUTREACH AND RAPID RESPONSE Overarching Goal: Provide safe and accessible crisis response while someone is experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Problem: Street outreach worker capacity has not increased over the last decade, despite growing crisis of homelessness; lack of universal intake and assessment system results inconsistent referrals into emergency services; increasing need for bilingual services; missed opportunities for city and county departments to coordinate efforts to address homelessness in public spaces (e.g. library, city and county parks and open spaces, etc.). Strategies: 1. Expand qualified, culturally and linguistically competent street outreach worker/health navigation

capacity, in both the City of Corvallis and rural Benton County. Activities:

CURRENT: 3.1.A. Create trial position for a street outreach worker with experience in mental health.

2. Inventory public spaces to assess need and opportunity for placement or co-location of outreach

workers. Activities:

3. Investigate need and resources for establishing a downtown location for supportive services

(coordinated with assessment of need for new outreach worker sites). Activities:

4. Coordinate outreach and engagement activities to ensure all people experiencing unsheltered

homelessness are referred to the new universal intake and assessment system, known by name, regularly contacted, and understand the services and housing opportunities available to them. Activities:

CURRENT: 4.1.B. Street-level outreach to bring people off the streets and initiate the continuum of care.

5. Formalize collaborations with Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department to mitigate and address

issues with illegal camping sites on City owned property. Activities:


March 22, 2017

5. EMERGENCY RESPONSE Overarching Goal: Provide emergency supports while someone is experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Problem: Social services/safety net resources are strained and beyond capacity; key emergency response programs still do not have permanent locations; law enforcement is often the first point of intervention with homeless; lack of universal intake and assessment system for services contributes to coordination challenges among providers; ongoing source of funding to address one-time, emergency needs is variable, and limited available is insufficient to address level of need. Strategies: 1. Establish permanent site for Corvallis Day Time Drop-in Center and Stone Soup (with expanded hours). Activities:

CURRENT: 3.3.A. Establish permanent site for CDDC.

2. Assure some basic level of one-time flex funds to respond to individual emergency requests (e.g. WeCare, etc.).

Activities:

CURRENT: 3.4.A. Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

3. Continue to strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure mental/behavioral health and other support needs of persons experiencing homelessness are appropriately addressed.

Activities:


March 22, 2017

6. COMPREHENSIVE CARE COORDINATION Overarching Goal: Inform a new system of care coordination where every person at high risk for or experiencing homelessness in Benton County has universal access to case management services and are supported in setting and achieving goals, maintaining or finding permanent housing, and accessing other community resources. Problem: Fragmented, inconsistently coordinated service delivery system; homeless have complicated needs requiring involvement of multiple service providers; major gaps in outreach and services targeted to certain populations; clients forced to navigate complex, confusing systems with multiple care coordinators. Strategies: 1. Inventory all agencies providing care coordination/case management/navigation services (informed

by the Update to the Ten Year Plan Community Map and Organizational Key Informant Interviews). Activities:

2. Coordinate with 211 information system to ensure information is routinely updated and accurate and disseminate updated agency information to provider system. Activities:


CURRENT: 4.2.A. Centralize the available information and referral guides into a site that is easy to

access and update.

3. Map current system of referral pathways and gaps in care coordination (informed by Ten Year Plan Organizational Key Informant Interviews, Data Snap Shot – Part 2 (Organizations), and Special Populations Input). Activities:


4. Implement and evaluate pilot project at Benton County Health Services (BCHS) to conduct Social Determinants of Health (SDH) screening in conjunction with every new mental health intake enrolled in Benton County Health Services (BCHS) primary care medical home.* Activities:

5. Use pilot project results to inform development of universal intake and assessment system and common intake tools as identified in Intervention Area 2, Coordinated Data Systems and Common Intake. Activities:

6. Align with regional care coordination transformation efforts and Linn-Benton-Lincoln Community Health Worker Training Hub (Benton County Health Services, InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization, Early Learning Hub, and 211 Info.). Activities:


March 22, 2017

7. TEMPORARY HOUSING Overarching Goal: Increase the availability of short term temporary housing, within a broader, comprehensive system of care coordination, with a focus on transitioning homeless persons into long term permanent housing. Problem: Shelter system is strained and beyond capacity; no permanent location for the men or women’s shelters, and current operations are not year round; closing of winter shelters drives homeless into public spaces which exasperates issues of illegal camping; lack of affordable housing options, and access to supportive services, make it difficult to transition homeless into alternative options; neighborhoods and businesses most impacted by issues associated with homeless are concerned and engaged in preventing placement of shelters in proximity to their homes and establishments. Strategies: 1. Establish permanent location(s) for a year-round shelter for men and women and other scattered

site shelter options until permanent housing options are available. Activities:

CURRENT: 2.1.D. Establish new shelter systems for individuals that can’t be served in treatment oriented settings.

2. Establish other temporary housing strategies (i.e. legal camping sites, vehicle camping, Conestoga Huts, etc.) until permanent housing options are available. Activities: a. Pilot a legal camping site on City or County owned property or alternative private scattered site

properties.

3. Expand capacity of current system to conduct transition/discharge planning (e.g. prison/jail, foster care, hospitals/nursing homes, etc.) and move persons from temporary to permanent housing. Activities:

CURRENT: 3.5.D. Support existing/develop transitional housing/support services for people moving from hospital, jail, detox, etc. and needing short stay in community-based settings.


March 22, 2017

8. PERMANENT HOUSING COORDINATED WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Overarching Goal: Expand the availability of affordable permanent housing and other supports that increase resident’s success in transitioning into or maintaining their housing. Problem: Extremely low vacancy rates in Corvallis; high property values and rental costs; expansion of OSU student housing reduces availability of housing for low and moderate income households; urban growth boundaries limited growth; current annexation policy requires public vote to approve; zoning and land use and building codes discourage high density multi-level housing in residential neighborhoods; construction costs/building codes can be prohibitive for developers; no financial incentive for developers/landlords to provide lower cost housing to make up the gap in what they can procure at market rates; current mental and behavioral health system is inadequate to assure supportive housing services to everyone who needs them; initial promising opportunities to use Medicaid for housing related supportive services at risk due to uncertainty of Affordable Care Act (ACA) and impact on Oregon health care transformation.

Strategies: Note: Policy strategies to address many of the above problems are included in Intervention Area 1, Community and Organizational Systems and Policy Change. 1. Develop new and convert existing units to project-based Section 8 housing to better meet the

needs of eligible recipients. Activities: a. Inventory County and City owned land or properties with high potential for development of

project-based Section 8 housing.

b. Identify existing properties for development into project-based Section 8 housing.

CURRENT: 1.1.B. Identify and prioritize preservation properties such as existing rent-assisted housing as well as preserve rental subsidies.

CURRENT: 1.1.D. Identify and apply for funds to provide project-based rental subsidies to serve homeless individuals and families with little or no income.

2. Improve capacity of current Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to better meet the needs of eligible residents. Activities: a. Provide care coordination/navigation services for persons on Section 8 waiting list.

b. Provide other rental assistance for person on Section 8 waiting lists (IHN-CCO, Women’s Rental

Assistance Program, etc.).

CURRENT: 1.1.A. Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports).


March 22, 2017

3. Secure more permanent supported housing for special populations, aligned with supportive services (case management, mental/behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, health care, employment support, etc.). Activities: a. Use population level and other available data to assist affordable housing developers in

prioritizing and building permanent supported housing that reflects community and priority population needs (Intervention Area 1, Community and Organizational Systems and Policy Change).

CURRENT: 2.1.E. Develop additional units of permanent supportive housing. Families (50), Domestic Violence (10), Alcohol & Drug (10), Mentally ill (50), Veterans (35)

b. Strengthen inter-agency coordination between affordable housing developers and Benton

County Health Services and IHN-CCO.

c. Align pilot project and other strategies identified in Intervention Area 6, Comprehensive Care Coordination).

4. Facilitate entry into permanent housing among those experiencing unsheltered or sheltered

homelessness or living in temporary housing. Activities: a. Coordinate with other organizations, policymakers and landlords to create flexible financial

assistance funds or negotiate waivers for rental application fees, deposits and move-in costs.

CURRENT: 1.1.A. Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports).

CURRENT: 3.4.A. Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

b. Provide additional Second Chance rental assistance classes for people with poor credit histories

and/or criminal backgrounds to qualify for housing.

c. Increase access to private rental market by reducing screening barriers (e.g. credit check, background check, social security number or driver’s license requirements, income verification requirements, etc.).

d. Encourage landlords and property managers to provide bi-lingual services and application documents through provision of bilingual staff, interpretation services, or connecting with care coordinators/health navigators to help address language and cultural barriers.


March 22, 2017

9. COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD BELONGING

Overall Goal: Foster a community in which everyone has opportunities to fully participate in their neighborhoods and feel valued and supported by the broader community. Problem: Corvallis has the highest income disparities in the state of Oregon, and the faces of poverty are often hidden in the community; despite increased visibility of homeless, broader community doesn't always have a good understanding of the complexity of the problem; lack of common language and definition of homelessness; conflicting values between environmental and affordable housing stakeholders; sentiments of “NIMBYism/not in my neighborhood” and community tension as homelessness grows and the public perceives that solutions are not being identified. Strategies: 1. Develop profiles of the faces of poverty and homelessness/housing instability in Benton County,

informed by HOAC Update Comprehensive Data Snap Shot, special population needs assessments, and key informant interviews. Activities:

2. Inventory common agendas and available resources across existing equity groups, coalitions and

the faith community to foster a more coordinated strategy to address health and economic disparities, poverty, and racism and discrimination. Activities:

3. Implement a social marketing campaign to educate the broader community about the faces of

poverty in Benton County and the complexity of homelessness/housing instability. Activities:

4. Sponsor training and capacity building activities, through existing equity groups, coalitions and faith community, to increase HOAC and broader community’s capacity to understand, mobilize, and engage in advocacy to address homelessness and housing affordability in Benton County (coordinated through Intervention Area 1, Community and Organizational Systems and Policy Change). Activities:

Current and Draft Strategies Alignment – HOAC 1 March 22, 2017

Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC)

Mid-Point Update to the Ten Year Plan to Address Homelessness

CURRENT AND DRAFT STRATEGIES ALIGNMENT – March 22, 2017

Mid-Point Update to the Ten Year Plan to Address Homelessness - (DRAFT March 22, 2017)

A Ten Year Plan to Address Issues Surrounding Housing and Homelessness in Benton County - (2009 - 2019)

1. COMMUNITY AND ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS AND POLICY CHANGE

Goal: Mobilize Housing Opportunities Action Council (HOAC) and community to advocate for policies and programs that increase the availability of healthy, affordable housing for all.

1. Systematically track local, state and federal policy opportunities with high potential to impact housing access and affordability.

2. Work to advance the Corvallis Housing Development Task Force’s (HDTF) priority policy recommendations and others identified through Benton County’s 2040 Thriving Communities Initiative.

3. Educate HOAC and community on critical needs and priorities for affordable housing advocacy.

4. Build capacity of HOAC and community to mobilize residents, including persons experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and other public and private sector leaders to advance policy opportunities.

4.2.C: Embrace and engage members of the homeless population as part of the success of the plan.

5. Align advocacy efforts with other key sectors to maximize coordination and impact.

2. COORDINATED DATA & EVALUATION SYSTEMS AND COMMON INTAKE

Goal: Better coordinate data sharing across agencies and systems to improve understanding of unmet community needs and scope and size of impacted populations.

1. Establish centralized, comprehensive data system to better determine size, scope, and needs of populations experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

5.1.A: Adopt a local system which will collect same basic demographics from those accessing shelters and social services.

2. Research and replicate successful models implemented in other communities.

3. Incorporate data into ongoing updates of the Benton County Community Health Assessment (CHA) to assure data is maintained and updated, and to inform advocacy, systems and policy change activities.

Goal: Better coordinate data sharing across agencies and systems to improve care coordination, service quality, and positive outcomes for clients.

1. Explore feasibility of establishing a universal intake and assessment system for anyone needing access to homeless/affordable housing services to maximize full access to a comprehensive care coordination system.

1.2.A: Ensure those in need are referred to the most appropriate services.

2. Pilot coordinated intake, assessment, and application process and tools and evaluate for expansion across the care coordination system. Explore opportunities for coordinating activities with Community Health Center (CHC) primary care medical home infrastructure.

3. Align with regional care coordination transformation efforts, including Linn-Benton-Lincoln Community Health Worker Training Hub.

3. PREVENTION Goal: Advance prevention efforts that help residents maintain healthy, affordable housing or prevent residents from experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

1. Assure eviction prevention and emergency financial resources to prevent residents from experiencing homelessness.

1.1.A: Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports). 3.4.A: Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

2. Strengthen City of Corvallis Livability Code and Benton County Housing Code Enforcement Programs.

3. Improve capacity to engage both residents and landlords in addressing renter grievances.


4. Implement a comprehensive Healthy Homes Program in Benton County.

4. STREET OUTREACH AND RAPID RESPONSE

Goal: Provide safe and accessible crisis response while someone is experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

1. Expand qualified, culturally and linguistically competent street outreach worker/health navigation capacity, in both the City of Corvallis and rural Benton County.

3.1.A: Create trial position for a street outreach worker with experience in mental health.

2. Inventory public spaces to assess need and opportunity for placement or co-location of outreach workers.

3. Investigate need and resources for establishing a downtown location for supportive services (coordinated with assessment of need for new outreach worker sites).

4. Coordinate outreach and engagement activities to ensure all people experiencing unsheltered homelessness are referred to the new universal intake and assessment system, known by name, regularly contacted, and understand the services and housing opportunities available to them.

4.1.B: Street-level outreach to bring people off the streets and initiate the continuum of care.

5. Formalize collaborations with Corvallis Parks & Recreation Department to mitigate and address issues with illegal camping sites on City owned property.

5. EMERGENCY RESPONSE Goal: Provide emergency supports while someone is experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

1. Establish permanent site for Corvallis Day Time Drop-in Center and Stone Soup (with expanded hours).

3.3.A: Establish permanent site for CDDC.

2. Assure some basic level of one-time flex funds to respond to individual emergency requests (e.g. WeCare, etc.). 3.4.A: Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

3. Continue to strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure mental/behavioral health and other support needs of persons experiencing homelessness are appropriately addressed.

6. COMPREHENSIVE CARE COORDINATION

Goal: Inform a new system of care coordination where every person at high risk for or experiencing homelessness in Benton County has universal access to case management services and are supported in setting and achieving goals, maintaining or finding permanent housing, and accessing other community resources.

1. Inventory all agencies providing care coordination/case management/navigation services.

2. Coordinate with 211 information system to ensure information is routinely updated and accurate and disseminate updated agency information to provider system.

1.2.A: Ensure those in need are referred to the most appropriate services. 4.2.A: Centralize the available information and referral guides into a site that is easy to access and update.

3. Map current system of referral pathways and gaps in care coordination. 1.2.A: Ensure those in need are referred to the most appropriate services.

4. Implement and evaluate pilot project at Benton County Health Services to conduct Social Determinants of Health screening in conjunction with every new mental health intake enrolled in Benton County Health Services primary care medical home.

5. Use pilot project results to inform development of universal intake and assessment system and common intake tools.

6. Align with regional care coordination transformation efforts and Linn-Benton-Lincoln Community Health Worker Training Hub.

7. TEMPORARY HOUSING Goal: Increase the availability of short term temporary housing, within a broader, comprehensive system of care coordination, with a focus on transitioning homeless persons into long term permanent housing.

1. Establish permanent location(s) for a year-round shelter for men and women and other scattered site shelter options until permanent housing options are available.

2.1.D: Establish new shelter systems for individuals that can’t be served in treatment oriented settings.

2. Establish other temporary housing strategies (i.e. legal camping sites, vehicle camping, Conestoga Huts, etc.) until permanent housing options are available.


3. Expand capacity of current system to conduct transition/discharge planning (e.g. prison/jail, foster care, hospitals/nursing homes, etc.) and move persons from temporary to permanent housing.

3.5.D: Support existing/develop transitional housing/support services for people moving from hospital, jail, detox, etc. and needing short stay in community-based settings.

8. PERMANENT HOUSING COORDINATED WITH SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

Goal: Expand the availability of affordable permanent housing and other supports that increase resident’s success in transitioning into or maintaining their housing.

1. Develop new and convert existing units to Project Based Section 8 housing to better meet the needs of eligible recipients.

1.1.D: Identify and apply for funds to provide project-based rental subsidies to serve homeless individuals and families with little or no income. 1.1.B: Identify and prioritize preservation properties such as existing rent-assisted housing as well as preserve rental subsidies.

2. Improve capacity of current Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to better meet the needs of eligible residents.

1.1.A: Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports).

3. Secure more permanent supported housing for special populations, aligned with supportive services (case management, mental/behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, health care, employment support, etc.).

2.1.E: Develop additional units of permanent supportive housing. Families (50). Domestic Violence (10). Alcohol & Drug (10), Mentally ill (50), Veterans (35)

4. Facilitate entry into permanent housing among those experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness or living in temporary housing.

1.1.A: Expand availability of temporary rent assistance through discretionary funding that bridges the gap between permanent housing availability and the time the tenant secures long term means to pay rent (i.e. Section 8, other assistance and/or self-supports). 3.4.A: Expand on comprehensive discretionary financial assistance programs that include one-time assistance for financial assistance shortfall.

9. COMMUNITY INTEGRATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD BELONGING

Goal: Foster a community in which everyone has opportunities to fully participate in their neighborhoods and feel valued and supported by the broader community.

1. Develop profiles of the faces of poverty and homelessness/housing instability in Benton County, informed by HOAC Update Comprehensive Data Snap Shot, special population needs assessments, and key informant interviews.

2. Inventory common agendas and available resources across existing equity groups, coalitions and the faith community to foster a more coordinated strategy to address health and economic disparities, poverty, and racism and discrimination.

3. Implement a social marketing campaign to educate the broader community about the faces of poverty in Benton County and the complexity of homelessness/housing instability.

4. Sponsor training and capacity building activities, through existing equity groups, coalitions and faith community, to increase HOAC and broader community’s capacity to understand, mobilize, and engage in advocacy to address homelessness and housing affordability in Benton County.