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01-02-2019 Homelessness Task Force 1 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 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 10 Report of Task Force--Findings October 2018—Pac Hwy & S. 304th near Steel Lake 11 Report of Task Force--Findings December 2018—S. 312th and First Avenue 12 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 13 Report of Task Force--Findings Panther Lake (Recent) 14 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 15 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 16 Report of Task Force--Findings From Business in Kitts Corner Neighborhood 17 Report of Task Force--Findings Community Impacts of Homelessness Mistrust “Them and us” atmosphere Opposition to any attempts to provide services No-win cycle 18 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 19 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 20 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 21 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 22 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 23 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 24 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 25 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 26 Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions William J Wood Veterans House 27 Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions Other Examples of Affordable Housing in Federal Way 28 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 29 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 30 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 31 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 32 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) 33 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 34 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 35 Report of Task Force--Strategic Plan for Proposed Solutions Example Signs 36 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 37 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 38 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 39 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 40 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 41 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. 42 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 43 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 44