Agenda Item Name:
Title
Alachua County and City of Gainesville: Approach to End Homelessness
A. Street Outreach Program
B. Budget Inn Purchase and Use
C. Dignity Village Closure
End
Presenter:
Claudia Tuck, (352) 264-6704
Description:
Alachua County and City of Gainesville Joint Commission Meeting to Discuss Homelessness and Program Updates
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
None
End
Prior Board Motions:
October 6, 2020, November 10, 2020, and December 08, 2020
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
None
End
Background:
The Alachua County Board of Commissioners and the City of Gainesville Commissioners continue to meet to discuss and plan efforts to reduce and end homelessness. The joint commissions have implemented various strategies with the intent to mitigate the impacts of homelessness for those who continue to be unhoused and to support those placed to remain housed. This joint discussion include updates regarding the following:
Street Outreach Program - Status/Update
Since April 2020, Community Support Services joined with the University of Florida College of Medicine/Mobile Outreach Clinic and Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. to conduct street outreach across the County providing homeless and medical services with particular emphasis geared towards COVID prevention and field-testing. Street Outreach has assisted over 300 homeless individuals. See Homeless/Medical Street Outreach - December 2020 Attachment.
Budget Inn Purchase and Use - Update
On December 8, 2020, Alachua County agreed to purchase the Budget Inn as a means to provide sheltered for homeless individuals. Unhoused individuals have an increased use of crisis services primarily due to the lack of safe, stable housing. Best practices in working with homeless individuals involves a coordinated response and prioritizing the most vulnerable for housing.
Dignity Village Closure - Permanent Supportive Housing Update
In May 2019, the City and County Commissions jointly approved the ACCHH proposal to close Dignity Village and create a temporary transitional campground on the Grace campus for former residents of Dignity Village. The project had a two-year timeline, and called for the onsite campground to reduce in size as staff and community partners assist former Dignity Village residents with housing placements.
Alachua County Social Services continues to provide Permanent Supportive Housing Services to individuals in coordination with the homeless Continuum of Care under Coordinated Entry. Residents meet regularly with their case manager to work on goals that will assist them to remain housed. Currently, 27 individuals are program participants. See FY 21 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Funds Update Attachment