No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAbout4385RESOLUTION NO. 4385 A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE GOALS OF "A ROOF OVER EVERY BED IN KING COUNTY: OUR COMMUNITY'S TEN-YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS" AND STATING THE INTENT OF THE CITY OF AUBURN TO WORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PLAN WHEREAS, it is estimated that there are over 8,300 people who experience homelessness in this region on any given night; and WHEREAS, new collaborative efforts and a new focus are needed to achieve measurable results in reducing the number of homeless adults, families and youth/young adults in the region; and WHEREAS, the community, including local governments, government officials, private foundations and funders, the faith community, the business community, and non-profit organizations have worked over the last several years to develop a plan that seeks to end homelessness, not simply manage homelessness, by pursuing new efforts to address homelessness; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, IN A REGULAR MEETING DULY ASSEMBLED, HEREWITH RESOLVES THAT: Section 1. The City of Auburn endorses the goals of "A Roof Over Every Bed in King County: Our Community's Ten-Year Plan to End Resolution No. 4385 July 22, 2008 Page 1 of 3 Homelessness." Section 2. The City pledges to work with government and community partners, faith and civic groups, philanthropies, the business community, non- profit housing and service providers, and others to implement this plan over the next ten years. Section 3. The City Council approves the efforts outlined in the Overview regarding the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County attached hereto as Exhibit "A". Section 4. The Mayor is hereby authorized to implement such administrative procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation. Section S. This Resolution shall take effect and be in full force upon passage and signature hereon. J% DATED and SIGNED this `,? day of C , 2008. CITY OF A BURN PETER B. LEWIS MAYOR Resolution No. 4385 July 22, 2008 Page 2 of 3 ATTEST: Danielle E. Daskam City Clerk APPROVED AS= FORM: 15-.-fniel B. Heid City Attorney Resolution No. 4385 July 22, 2008 Page 3 of 3 Exhibit A, Resolution No. 4385 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness Overview More than 8,000 people experience homelessness on any given night in the suburban cities, urban centers, and rural towns of King County according to our local One Night Count. It is recognized that many other members of our community experience homelessness but are not included in this point in time count. Our Community's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness is an expression of our collective commitment to actively seek long-term and sustainable solutions to the issue, rather than continuing to simply manage episodes of homelessness as they occur. It is a commitment to ensure that there is an appropriate, affordable roof over the bed of everyone living in King County- whether young or old, living alone or with families, sick or well. Eight organizations, coalitions, and local governments came together in 2002 to form the Committee to End Homelessness in King County, a unified effort to provide the vision and leadership required to develop and implement a plan to end homelessness in King County, Washington. Homeless or formerly homeless youth and adults, faith communities, philanthropy, businesses, local governments, non-profit human service providers, non- profit housing developers, advocates, and other stakeholders from throughout the county were involved in the planning process. Ending a complex problem like homelessness requires a commitment from all members of our community-government officials, philanthropies, faith and civic groups, communities of color and their institutions and organizations, businesses including small business owners, housing and service providers, and concerned individuals. It requires a willingness to examine the assumptions under which we have approached this issue in the past, to assess honestly and critically our activities and initiatives, and, ultimately, to do business differently through changing systems, redirecting existing resources, and securing commitments for additional funding. Although the focus of this plan is to end homelessness within ten years through strategies that emphasize permanent housing alternatives and supportive services, the Committee to End Homelessness in King County recognizes that people experiencing homelessness are at immediate personal risk and have a basic right to safety, as do all members of our community. Interim survival mechanisms-services focused on keeping people alive- that respect the rights of all community members and neighborhoods are necessary until such time that affordable permanent housing is available to all. Through endorsing this plan, communities throughout the county are joining forces to end homelessness. It is a housing and human services undertaking of unprecedented proportions, and one that will require a decade to complete. Our success requires the wholehearted participation of individuals, civic and faith organizations, communities of color and their institutions and organizations businesses including small business owners, charitable institutions, and government entities in every sector. As a community, we can-and we will-end homelessness. Together we will: • End homelessness, not manage it • Create a new leadership structure that facilitates discussion and collaboration among funders, government agencies, housing and service providers, homeless persons, advocates, and community volunteers to help assure a unified and targeted approach to ending homelessness in King County • Implement practices that research has shown to be particularly effective and promising • Focus resources on preventing homelessness and immediately housing those who do experience homelessness, prioritizing a "housing first" approach that removes barriers to housing and provides on-site services that engage and support individuals to maintain their health and housing stability • Ensure a fully coordinated countywide response at both the client and system level through networking enhanced community-based service sites that offer local access throughout the county to comprehensive assessment, referral, and a range of culturally competent services • Increase significantly the housing options that are affordable, available, and appropriate to meet the needs of homeless individuals, families, and youth • Transform the myriad of publicly funded programs that provide services, housing, and income supports to poor people to make them more accessible, relevant, and appropriate for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness • Bolster the capacity and responsibility of these service systems for collaborative planning, financing, and delivery of housing and support services for clients reentering the community from public institutions • Establish clear measures to identify needs and assure accountability for outcomes and reward providers who effectively serve those individuals and families with high levels of need Activities and Anticipated Outcomes over the Next Decade Our Community's Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness is not just about creating housing units-although nearly 4,500 new units will be needed. It also calls for implementing a range of prevention and service-delivery strategies that have been demonstrated to be more effective and efficient than our current practices. The significant focus of this plan is on investing our precious local resources in a manner that better serves homeless people and, in so doing, using our resources more effectively. Our approach will be to: • Develop detailed action plans for prevention, outreach, service delivery, and housing • Improve system-wide efficiencies and outcomes using existing housing stock, funding and resources • Refine our long-range targets based on increasing levels of knowledge and sophistication • Seek additional funding from local, state, federal, and philanthropic sources, as needed.