01-02-2019 Homelessness Task Force
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Formation of Task Force
Mayor’s Homeless Mothers and Children Initiative (HMCI) in 2017
February 2018 City Council retreat
Broader Task Force convened in April 2018
Task Force charged with working to better understand homelessness in Federal Way and to develop a Strategic Plan of Action
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Task Force Meetings
Twice per month from April through December (8:30 AM to 10:00 AM)
Earliest meetings (1-5) were thematic informational sessions
Meeting One: Introductory
Meeting Two: State of Homelessness
Meeting Three: Services in Federal Way
Meeting Four: Homelessness and the Community
Meeting Five: Causes of Homelessness
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Task Force Meetings
Middle Meetings (5-13) mostly in Task Groups
Task Group One: State of Homelessness in Federal Way/Root Causes of Homelessness
Task Group Two: Housing and Day Resources and Services
Task Group Three: Effects of Homelessness on the Community
Task Group Four: Other Services
Final Meetings (14-17) mostly reviewing Task Group Reports and formulating final report
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Causes of Homelessness
As varied as individuals experiencing
Thus, “cookie cutter” solutions or narrow/limited programs will not work and may exacerbate problem
Need to look at root causes for each individual to develop tailored, comprehensive solution
Shortage of affordable housing is significant, but increasing supply without addressing root causes for individuals will only temporarily mask problem
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Impacts on those experiencing homelessness
Living in crisis
No place to go
No warm, safe, and dry place to sleep
No guarantee of next meal or even water
Disrupted family life
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Impacts on those experiencing homelessness
Children struggle to do well in school and fit in
Fear, desperation, hopelessness, depression
Indignity fueled by being treated with contempt
Often victims of crime and abuse themselves
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Public Safety and Crime
Majority of those experiencing homelessness are law-abiding citizens
But some do impact the community adversely
Criminal behavior
Panhandling
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Public Safety and Crime
But some do impact the community adversely
Unlawful encampments—dangerous for community and occupants
Violent crime
Litter
Lack of sanitation and adequate healthcare
Used drug paraphernalia, food waste, and human waste
Fires
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Report of Task Force--Findings
October 2018—Pac Hwy & S. 304th near Steel Lake
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Report of Task Force--Findings
December 2018—S. 312th and First Avenue
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Public Safety and Crime
But some do impact the community adversely
Unlawful encampments
Environmental concerns with encampments that pollute watersheds
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Panther Lake (Recent)
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Public Safety and Crime
But some do impact the community adversely
Increasing police and code compliance involvement
105% increase (2016 to 2017) in criminal calls for service involving a person or people experiencing homelessness
Overall Federal Way crime rate down 10 percent in 2017 and another 10 percent in 2018
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Costs to Residents and Businesses
Cleaning up property
Repairing property
Replacing stolen property
Paying security costs
Other direct and indirect expenses
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Report of Task Force--Findings
From Business in Kitts Corner Neighborhood
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Community Impacts of Homelessness
Mistrust
“Them and us” atmosphere
Opposition to any attempts to provide services
No-win cycle
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Available Services
Some are model examples of cooperative efforts
Many are silos that work independently
Difficult to navigate--no cohesive interface
Inadequate Capacity
Inequity in distribution of services in county
Conflicting regulations and policies contribute to ineffective or inconsistent delivery of services
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Report of Task Force--Findings
Available Services
Municipal Court
Unique ability to compel treatment and other services
Some success with community court
More could be done to increase compliance with sentences, reduce jail costs, and assist in community clean up with
Structured community service
Work crew
Pre-trial release program encouraging referrals to treatment and other services
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Report of Task Force—Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 1 – Expand Shelters as Gateways for Progress
Available Year-Round for single adults, families, and youth
Link to Other Services and Programs
Need to identify partners, properties, resources, funding streams
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 2-Create a Community Coordinated Response
Ongoing collaborative group charged with coordinating and maximizing services and positive outcomes for people experiencing homelessness using the continuum of care and progress model
Staffed (if and when funds are available) by new paid staff member
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 3-Develop a Community Coordinated Outreach Program
Extension of Recommendation 2
Ensure that people are engaged with and connected to coordinated services and housing opportunities
Outreach teams would be especially useful when encampments are dismantled
Use peer mentors
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 4 – Create or Expand Online Resource
Easily accessible online resource listing local/regional services available to those in need
Updated regularly
City could
Create such a resource itself;
Cooperate with the county and other nearby municipalities; or
Work in collaboration with 211
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Report of Task Force-- Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 5 – Increase the Availability of Affordable Housing
Complete comprehensive inventory of housing stock, assess need for additional affordable housing, and identify next steps
Seek to increase for people with incomes below 30% of area mean income (AMI)
Improve collaboration with King County Coordinated Entry System
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 5 – Increase the Availability of Affordable Housing
Consider ways to reduce development barriers (e.g. zoning restrictions, parking requirements, impact fees)
Consider incentives for developers to encourage inclusion of affordable units in new development projects
Sign onto Inter-local Agreement of South King Housing and Homelessness Partnership
Create and/or seek additional funding streams for ongoing subsidies and housing voucher programs
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
William J Wood Veterans House
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Other Examples of Affordable Housing in Federal Way
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 6 – Increase the Equitable Delivery of Services
Develop strategy in conjunction with community coordinated response team to address inequitable delivery of services and housing solutions in Federal Way
Including but not limited to mental health treatment, addiction treatment, and shelters
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 7 -- Partner with local agencies to install free public phones
Telephone access is a necessity
Cell phones belonging to people in need are usually pre-paid with available minutes that run out quickly
Could be at transit centers, libraries, other public places
Limited capability to avoid misuse
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
Recommendation 8 -- Hire and Train Peer Navigators
Individuals with “lived experience”
Overcome addiction;
Found stable housing; and/or
Successfully sought treatment for mental health disorder
Have the ability to connect to the homeless community and are more likely to build trust more quickly
Would provide referrals to resources and assist with benefit acquisition
Could work for partnering organization or for City of Federal Way
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 1 – Allow a Safe Parking Program
Largest portion of unsheltered homeless community is living in vehicles (28%), which is a 46% increase over 2017
Allow churches to offer the opportunity for individuals temporarily residing in their vehicles to use parking lots after hours for overnight safe parking
Consider necessary changes to Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) with reasonable restrictions and requirements for a use permit
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Expansion of current work crew program
Jail alternative in Federal Way Municipal Court through contract with DOC
But no work is done in Federal Way
Option 1=Expand contract with DOC ($80,000/year)
Option 2=City of Federal Way runs program (no detailed budget)
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
“Albuquerque”-type program
Pay panhandlers for doing cleanup work around the city
Needs partnering with local non-profit
Participants are also put in touch with services
Trial run would cost approximately $50,000
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Community Service Program
Jail OR fine alternative in Municipal Court
Non-profits could be utilized without substantial investment of City resources.
Post signs in known panhandling locations
Urging people to donate to local non-profit rather than give to panhandlers
Could contain phone number or website
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Example Signs
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Research better garbage can options
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Revisit “Adopt-a-Stop” or “Adopt-a-Highway” program
Local business or group takes responsibility for cleanup at a particular location
Signs are posted advertising the business’s or group’s contribution
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Research what other cities are doing successfully
Example: Requiring clients at shelters to give back by picking up litter
Educate nonprofits and individuals who give unneeded items to people experiencing homelessness
They are abandoned and left for others to clean up
Recommend donations instead to service agency
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Report of Task Force-- Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Encourage businesses not to have donation bins
They end up being a place to leave trash or from which to remove donations
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Report of Task Force-- Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 2 – Create a Group to Coordinate Clean-Up Programs
Start some fun and creative marketing about keeping our city clean with clever, catchy signs urging people not to litter
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Report of Task Force-- Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 3 – Continue Vigilant, Effective, Collaborative, and Mission-Focused Law-Enforcement
Currently, the City of Federal Way Police has an entire team of officers who devote all of their time to homeless issues.
Networking with other cities and regional efforts and sharing successes and new ideas is helpful.
Police should continue with its collaborative citywide efforts, which include all of the resources represented in the Homelessness Task Force.
Lastly and most importantly, police must remain committed to its mission to keep the people they serve safe and secure in their daily life.
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 4 – Better Coordinate with Criminal Justice Programs
Incorporate restorative practices in conjunction with community coordinated response
Defendants seen in court can then interface with existing community programs that can help reduce recidivism
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Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions
Addressing Impacts on the Community
Recommendation 5 – Prevent the Re-establishment of Dismantled Encampments
City must continue monitoring to enforce closure of encampments and to prevent any from getting into an extreme condition
Private landowners should be encouraged to pool resources to hire a security firm
Consider cost analysis/comparison of underbrush clearing, which has been successful preventing reoccupation of cleared encampments but is very expensive to the landowner
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