TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Mayor Chuck Bennett
SUBJECT:
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Mid-Willamette Homeless Initiative Presentation
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Information Only.
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The Mid-Willamette Homeless Initiative was created in January 2016 by four jurisdictions: the cities of Keizer and Salem and Marion and Polk counties. The initiative’s purpose is “to identify and launch proven strategies that will reduce homelessness in the Marion-Polk County region, encompassing the cities of Keizer and Salem.” The initiative convened a 20-person regional task force appointed by the four jurisdictions with leaders representing local governments, social services, housing, public safety, business, and elected officials. Through monthly task force presentations and in-depth discussions in eight subcommittees, the task force adopted a strategic plan on February 7, 2017.
According to the 2015 Point-in-Time Count conducted by the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency, an estimated 1,660 people experiencing homelessness live in Marion and Polk counties, with a large, visible concentration in the Salem area.
Homelessness is a complex issue. The task force recognized the need for a diverse array of recommendations to address the wide scope of related issues. Presentations focused on regional issues, such as lack of affordable housing, best practices to address chronic homelessness, service gaps, impacts on public safety and business, data collection and coordinating assessments and assistance. In addition to the unique challenges to special populations, contributing factors such as mental illness, addiction, lack of education and transportation, financial barriers and limited affordable housing supply were considered throughout the process of creating the strategic plan.
The task force is now moving into the implementation phase. The task force chairs are reviewing options to provide organizational focus and regional cooperation on moving the strategic plan forward. Ongoing oversight from stakeholders will be a critical component.
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Attachments:
1. Presentation slides