HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-26-2019 Minutes C z
CITY OF_ �* HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
y 1. fR V MINUTES
v u WAS HINGTO N August 26, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
The Human Services Committee meeting was called to order by Jason Berry at 4:05 pm
on Monday, August 26, 2019 at 1 East Main Street, Auburn, WA.
Committee Members present: Jason Berry, Barb Derda, Sue Miller, Shawn Parkhurst Paton,JoAnne
Walters
Staff present: Community Services Manager Joy Scott, Human Service Program
Coordinator Kyla Wright
Absent: Lela Brugger, Shanece Dedeaux,Tammy Gourdine
Guest: Miriam Clithero, Mary's Place
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• Member JoAnn Walters moved to accept the July 22nd, 2019 meeting minutes;
Member Sue Miller seconded the motion. All committee members were in favor of
adopting the minutes as amended.
The July 22nd, 2019 meeting minutes were approved.
III. MISCELLANEOUS
• Miriam Clithero came to speak at the Human Services Committee meeting to give an
overview about the programming at Mary's Place.
Joy gave a brief introduction to mention that Mary's Place is a newly funded by the
City of Auburn and that although Mary's Place is not located in Auburn, there are
many Auburn residents who access services.
Miriam is the Housing Director of Diversion Outreach and Stability team and she
stated that as of last week all of the Auburn dollars have been utilized for diversion.
An average of$1000 went to 10 families and to date, all of those families have found
permanent housing.
As background, Miriam stated that there is one diversion manager and eight housing
specialists on staff serving all of King County. When the Diversion program began in
April 2017, Miriam was the only staff person with one intake line in King County. The
program has grown in response to community need over the past two years.
The goal of the program is to find creative solutions to housing instability. The
Diversion program is designed to be "light touch". The program serves those who
may have a past due eviction payment, credit issue, lack of fund for first/last month
deposit, etc. find a housing solution within 60 days. Some housing solutions may be
to move into a shared space with roommates or family, however roughly 75% of
participants locate independent housing. The program is not the best fit for everyone
as there are no case management services available and funds are limited for high
barrier solutions.
Miriam went on to explain that Diversion takes a mobile approach and meets folks in
hospitals, libraries, or wherever might be most convenient to access services.
Miriam opened up her presentation for questions from the Committee.
Jason asked how Mary's Place defined families and if that was limited to a nuclear
family of parents with children. Miriam said the Mary's Place uses a broad definition
of family and that generally speaking is interpreted as a caregiver and someone
under the age of 18. This can include an adult on a path of unification, pregnant
women, extended families, etc. However, this does not include single adults.
Jason asked what the trends are after housing placement. Miriam said that the data
could be stronger for post-placement outcomes and that they are working to
strengthen the communication with clients after placement to someday have a check
at 3, 6, and 12 months after housing placement. Her best guess was that after six
months, 80% of clients were housed and 20% were experiencing housing instability
again.
JoAnn asked what type of housing was found for folks. Miriam stated that placement
into month-to-month rentals is avoided and that most rentals have a six to twelve
month lease. In situations where clients are moving in with family members, a lease
is established.
Jason asked what are the most common types of barriers seen. Miriam replied that
most clients have a previous housing debt which needs to be resolved- the average
debt is approximately$2000, gas money for relocation, application/holding fees,
occasionally storage fees, and rarely there might be a plane ticket or other fare to
relocate to a more stable environment. In those situation there is usually cost sharing
with the client.
Sue asked what the relationship was with Mary's Place and HUD funding. Miriam
said that they do some Coordinated Entry through the county and that there is some
use of Section 8 vouchers, however there is a fair amount of discrimination for client
who attempt to use Section 8 and options are limited for Section 8 usage.
Sue asked if Mary's Place has any programming to assist with addiction and mental
health treatment and if there is any special funding dedicated for those areas. Miriam
responded that Mary's Place subscribes to a Housing First philosophy and the
understanding is that homelessness is its own trauma that exacerbates addiction and
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amount in the future based on the Consumer Price Index and would not increase to
more than 3% of the City budget. The recommendation is going to Council in August.
IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS
• Committee Member Dana Riel tendered her resignation from the Human Services
Committee, effective July 22, 2019
• Next meeting on Monday, August 26th, 2019
• Representative from Mary's Place will be presenting at August meeting
V. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 5:06 p.m.
APPROVED THE 264'day of r+ 4- , 2019
Jason erry, Human S ' mittee Chair Je ecto Community Development