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Home My WebLink About2011-02-09 PACKET 04Heading Home Washington 1 2010 Why a Plan to End Homelessness Is Needed in Our Community Homelessness in Washington County looks different than it does in urban counties like Hennepin and Ramsey. Homelessness here is hidden and more subtle. It includes families doubled -up, homeless youth living in precarious places, etc. Research shows that homelessness costs more than housing people, and it is clear that homelessness is a significant issue for families in our community.' Recent data to support this includes: • On January 28, 2010 a survey counted 276 homeless persons in Washington County. This included: 68 homeless families (85 parents and 131 children), 41 homeless adults, and 15 homeless youth.' The total number of homeless persons increased from 209 in the January 2009 survey to 276 in 2010, which is a 32% increase.' • Approximately 31.9% of Washington County households are considered "cost burdened ". A household is considered housing cost burdened when 30 percent or more of its monthly gross income is dedicated to housing." Approximately 18% of renter households pay at least half of their income on housing in Washington County.' • Household incomes for Minnesotans have approximately 6% less earning power than they did in 1999. This makes it more difficult for households to afford housing, particularly as median rents have increased by nearly 4% in the last decade.' • Foreclosures in Washington County have increased by 414% from 2005 to 2009 (from 244 in 2005 to 1,255 in 2009). That number is projected to remain high in 2010 with approximately 1,300 foreclosures.' Presently, in the United States, over 250 plans to end homelessness have been developed. These plans help communities assess current and emerging trends, evaluate and improve systems, and identify and retain increased funding support for homeless prevention and housing efforts. In Minnesota, most regions have created a Heading Home Plan, and Washington County is one of two remaining counties without a Plan to End Homelessness. Copies of all completed Heading Home Plans in Minnesota can be accessed at www.headinghomerninnesota.org Heading Home Washington Mission & Vision Statement The plan to end homelessness in our community will be entitled Heading Home Washington. The mission of Heading Home Washington is to ensure that all residents, private and public stakeholders in Washington County will be educated about their role in ending homelessness, and partner to end homelessness for every man, woman, youth, and child by 2020. Heading Home Washington envisions a Washington County where all people will have choices for permanent, safe, and affordable housing. Heading Home Washington Guiding Principles • All people deserve safe, decent, and affordable housing. • Shelter is not housing. • We cannot end homelessness by providing housing without services, and vice versa. ® Collecting, analyzing, reporting, and utilizing data is important and essential. • Preventing homelessness and rapidly re- housing people are the best solutions and most efficient use of public and private resources. • Ending homelessness requires an engaged community -wide response. • Residents should have a variety of housing, service, and employment options in the community of their choice. We do not want to send our residents to another county in order to end their homelessness. • A range of housing options should be available to all Washington County residents. • Ending homelessness is attainable. Timeline for Creating Heading Home Washington June — August 2010 Identify stakeholders; Bring stakeholders together; define issue for Washington County; Complete summary document for distribution August— October 2010 Collect data; Conduct needs assessment; Develop strategies to address needs November — December 2010 Solicit stakeholder feedback; Create action plan; Implement action plan Heading Home Washington � 2010 January 2011 Build support for the Plan from County Board; Announce and publish Plan; Begin Plan implementation How You Can Become Involved We are asking for stakeholders throughout our community to support our effort to create and implement a plan to end homelessness. We have developed job descriptions for community members to identify how to become involved. They are outlined below. Heading Home Washington Steering Committee Member (approximately 4 -9 hours per month) • Regularly attend workgroup meetings (2 -4 hours per month). • Engage in discussion to ensure needs and strategies are identified to meet the needs of all people experiencing homelessness in Washington County community. • Regularly take on tasks identified in the work -plan and complete on a timely basis (1 -3 hours per month). ® Actively provide input and feedback to planning process in workgroup meetings. • Invite and inspire other community stakeholders to participate in the drafting and implementation of Heading Home Washington. Assist in compiling data and drafting recommendations (1 -2 hours per month). Heading Home Washington Committee Member (approximately 2 hours per month) • Attend Washington County Housing Collaborative & Continuum of Care meetings the 2n Wednesday of each month at 10am (1 hour per month). • Actively provide input and feedback to planning process in workgroup meetings. • Periodically review plan drafts, recommendations, and provide feedback on a timely basis. • Invite and inspire other community stakeholders to participate in the drafting and implementation of Heading Home Washington. Heading Home Washington Community Supporter (no immediate time commitment) • Periodically review plan drafts, recommendations, and provide feedback on a timely basis. • Invite and inspire other community stakeholders to participate in the drafting and implementation of Heading Home Washington. • Occasionally take on tasks identified within the work -plan and complete on a timely basis (e.g. surveys, focus groups, etc.) Help to implement the Plan upon its creation by lending financial, volunteer, and public support of its efforts. Contact Information For more information on how you can become involved and indicate your support for Heading Home Washington and the creation of a plan to end homelessness this county, please contact: Maribeth Lundeen at 651.472.1225 or embiund @msn.com; Dave Browne at 651.312.3346 or david.browne @commonbond.org, or; Julia Wallis at 651.430.8331 orjulia .wallis @co.washington.mn.us. 1 National Alliance to End Homelessness. See: http : / /www.endliomplessness.org /. 2 2010 Point In Time Survey conducted by Washington County Community Services Department for HUD's Co C. a 2009 Point In Time Survey conducted by Washington County Community Services Department for HUD's CoC. See: http: / /www.co.washington.mn.us /client files /documents /css /CSS CDBG /FINAL COC 2009 Exhibit 1.pdf ° Compiled by MN Compass from U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. See: http://www.mncompass.orE/housine/key- measures. php ?km =Costburdened -663 -a s Compiled by Minnesota Housing Partnership from American Community Survey. e Compiled by Minnesota Data Trends. See www.mndata.org 7 Compiled by Housing Link.