August 1, 2011 COMMUNITY MEETING INDEX CARD QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

Transcription

1 August 1, 2011 COMMUNITY MEETING INDEX CARD QUESTIONS/COMMENTS Population 1. It appears that this model (esp. the gender separation) is geared towards individuals. What happens with families? (Or with couples, especially with children/) Will children be separated from parents in diverting them to the SAY facility? WCCS and River to Coast Children s Services are available to serve families. The proposed model is targeting single adults. There are no plans to split up families. Unaccompanied youth (under 18) will be referred to SAY. 2. How will homeless families be served? I used to volunteer at such a shelter in Watts. See #1 above. 3. Catholic Charities has been providing one-way tickets to Guerneville to homeless people. We have noticed that many of the problems that were occurring in the Plaza came from aggressive outsiders (homeless). The shelters in Guerneville need to serve our homeless residents, most of who do not display aggressive behavior. Concern: How do we insure that we are caring for our homeless rather than outsiders? We need agreement with Santa Rosa organizations like Catholic Charities to keep this as a local only. Are such contracts being made? Incentives to make them agree to take non-river homeless. See #1 above. Catholic Charities has agreed to stop this practice. For additional information, see the presentation slides from the August 1, 2011 Community Meeting posted on the RASAD website. 4. How do you know needing shelter if someone is a local? There will be a check-in process and this will be addressed at intake. 5. Of the 230 unsheltered people living on the River, how many of them are under the age of 18? 74 up to the age of males under the age of 18, 20 female and 4 undetermined. 38 in total under the age of What are the thoughts regarding provisions of services to homeless families (without breaking them up?) See #1 above. 7. Can you tell us more about the profile of the homeless typical in this area? Please refer to the 2011 Homeless Count found at 8. If a person is homeless, how can you verify where they are coming from? This will be handled at the intake but the services are geared to the local homeless population. Homeless means they do not have a permanent address, right? Yes. 1

2 Process 9. What did you find out specifically from the homeless focus groups? See the presentation on the Homeless Focus Group posted on the RASAD website. 10. Did you consider having a seat on RASAD for a homeless person? RASAD members were appointed. In order to gain a broad understanding of the homeless issues in Guerneville, focus groups were held. 11. This meeting was procedure heavy and discussion light. Thank you for your comment. 12. Are there any homeless in attendance (at the Community Meeting)? Yes Operation 13. Would the shelter and/or services be available to homeless people all day? Last winter the shelter closed during the day and the people spent all day at the library (where I work). Library staff is overwhelmed trying to provide services (mostly internet connections) and monitoring behavior of often drunken and/or drugged persons who saw the library as the day use rain shelter. Once a permanent site is established, the daytime drop-in center will be available during the day. 14. I personally have seen drug selling in the shelter. Please tell me how this shelter will run without licensed professionals? What standards/degrees will staff have to adhere to? Will there be drug testing? Your unprofessional staff cannot say people are NOT using drugs in your shelter. That is untrue people walk out of the Vet s Hall and are drunk/high constantly. The Code of Conduct that will be developed will be addressing these issues. Every effort will be made to deal with these issues. The Community Advisory Committee will also be able to give feedback regarding community concerns. 15. In the proposed shelter, how would the gender separation be implemented? This has not been a problem in the past and appropriate policies will be in place to assure that no new problems develop. 16. What time of day will the homeless be released from the shelter? When there is a permanent site, it is anticipated that there will be daytime drop-in services for homeless individuals, so people will not have to leave at a specific time. 17. What about folks bringing their pets? Pets are problematic and we don t have an answer at this time. 18. Alcoholism is an addiction. Many locals are addicted to or using other substances. What about them? Are they included as alcoholics? What about those co-occurring disorders? This is a challenge that all shelters face. This is now under discussion. 2

3 19. How many people are you focusing/or trying to provide services for? How many homeless people will the shelter accommodate per night? The number of beds has not been determined, the number of people using the services hasn t been determined, and this will be based on available funding. 20. In persons form Reno, San Diego, Arizona, Florida, Ohio, New York did come to our area to the shelter. How will this be addressed? When the shelter closed, many individuals did leave town. This will be addressed through the intake process. If people are from out of town they can use the drop in center for one day and then be referred elsewhere. Staff 21. What kind of professional folks will be running the shelter? Will they be paid an astronomical amount of money again? Year round operation funding by federal government sources will be held to high standards of financial management and contract administration. Operational and administrative staff for the program will be compensated according to the average non-profit market rates for their respective positions. 22. Will the people who write grants pocket the money again, leaving the shelter without important needs? See answer to question Who will train the staff? What sort of license will they have? See answer to question 21. Services 24. Any thoughts on jobs or school referral? Referrals will be addressed during case management. 25. What services are not on the list of services to be offered? None. 26. Guerneville homeless contingency need a public shelter year round. Clean hair, hands and clothes would be less offensive to our visiting tourist population. It would also be an opportunity to do other outreach work in the community. These ideas are under consideration month stay on site. Supportive services. Community kitchen. These ideas are under consideration. 28. Would the services be limited to homeless people? How will we avoid providing services and shelter to non-homeless? (Almost like a youth hostel) The specific service delivery model is still under consideration and will be dependent on the requirements set forth by the to-be-identified funding sources. It is the intent of the Task Group to focus on services to the local homeless population. 3

4 Our Model (Questions and Comments about behavior in a separate category) 29. Could the drop-in center be an integrated center for non-homeless community members? There are numerous social security recipients, disabled residents, Medicare/Medicaid etc. in the area, housed or not. Due to funding source requirements, the services will be limited to the homeless population. If these services are requested by non-homeless individuals, they will be referred to appropriate local services. 30. Why are the drop-in center and the seasonal shelter in the same building? Economies of scale. 31. Seasonal shelter as a community space out of season? This will be determined by the site. 32. If the initial model isn t working, is there a provision to change the model if some part of it is proving to not work? There will be a Community Advisory Group that will address these issues. 33. Dry vs Behavior-based. Are there different types of behavior-based? Yes. Our model will take into consideration the concerns of the local Guerneville community. 34. Can we skip the shelter and go straight to housing for our local people who need help? The Task Group researched multiple housing models (see RASAD PowerPoint presentation) and determined that the particular local population and the local community would be best served by an emergency shelter and drop in center. 35. Is this site we are discussing to be considered for drop-in shelter or both? Please refer to the Community Meeting presentation on the RASAD website for more information. Thank you for the following comments and suggestions: 36. Would like to see a dry model with no further addiction practicing hour shelter. 38. Second dwelling unit with manufactured units. 39. Possible re-invent the Poor Farm concept similar to Catholic dairy near Petaluma (though closed still viable). 40. Tents & campgrounds can be utilized. 41. Single Room Occupancy in residential neighborhoods, R-1 zoning. Caregiver trailers on R- 1 properties, maybe 2 individual rooms with shared kitchen/bath. 42. Have the National Guard bring in tents with beds, bathrooms and showers. If there is a flood the National Guard could come and fold up the tents. 4

5 43. IDEA: Clients participating in community service projects/work that matches their abilities (physical, cognitive), engaging in worthwhile work in exchange for shelter. 44. Social center? Drop in meals. Get people off the street (similar to Empowerment Center?) 45. Community garden on site as part of the shelter. Homeless can grow some of their food, giving them a sense of accomplishment, etc. 46. There needs to be a service center and there is no need for a shelter. Do not have to be in same location. But services center must be in town. Code of Behavior These questions and comments will help inform our discussions on this topic, which will be addressed at the next community meeting. Thank you for your input: 47. How can a code of behavior be imposed on some citizens and not others? Current law governs both groups, does it not? 48. Behavior/code of conduct was discussed for shelter and in town. How will you know what is happening in town? Who do you partner with to get the information? What happens when someone leaves the shelter and you find out they are in the square selling drugs, etc? Are they asked not to return? 2nd chance? 49. If someone is denied services based on bad behavior, can they earn their access to services back based on good behavior? 50. If someone doesn t go by the rules what happens? 51. In behavior-based shelter model, what happens to someone who is behaving badly? Are they put out on the street? Or are they referred to another agency such as the sheriff? 52. How will behavior standards be defined? 53. Do not agree that a criterion includes compliance with pre-established rules in the town. Other Community Models 54. The drop in and shelter type of services in Monterey and Carmel area are in Salinas. There is supportive housing in the Monterey area. Watsonville is not comparable to Guerneville. Santa Cruz does have a homeless problem and it does affect tourism. Thank you for your comment. 5

6 55. Why were comparisons not done in Healdsburg and Sebastopol? Arcata is in Humboldt County! The North County Community Services in Healdsburg was contacted. The Community Services is a ministry of St. Paul s Episcopal Church. The ministry runs a fourbed overnight emergency homeless shelter on a first-come, first-served basis at the church. There are also other housing assistance programs for low-income residents. In talking with other local Chambers it came to our attention that Arcata was dealing with homeless issues, some of which seemed similar to those facing Guerneville. 56. What criteria are used in other shelters in Sonoma County? We are not clear on what criteria you are referring to. 57. Are other communities involved in these same task forces? Not to our knowledge. 58. Where are other behavior-based shelters located? Are there any other shelters in Sonoma County that are behavior-based other than dry? Most Sonoma County shelters are behaviorbased. 59. Where are the day shelters in Sonoma County? Santa Rosa and Petaluma. 60. As for service providers areas contacted where cities and not County! So how do they differ? Did you seek out advice from other counties that have shelters like we are being proposed? We contacted both city and county operated service providers in rural communities throughout the state. 61. Did the other cities keep shelters out of town 1/2 mile minimum? There was a range of shelter locations. Some were in town and some were out of town. 62. I was very pleased with how well organized the meeting was. I probably would not have submitted this because your format worked so well, except that I think there is information that might be useful such as the Ojai information. They are a small tourist town within 20 miles of a larger town with a shelter. Thank you for all the work you have done. (See attached letter) Thank you for your comment and the time you took to write your letter. Site Selection 63. Were possible synergies considered in site selection, or other discussions related to making an integration of the homeless a positive? Yes. 64. What is the Lower Russian River Area and are you looking at other areas? The Lower Russian River from Hacienda to Cazadero and the RASAD Task Group has a mandate to focus on the Guerneville area. 65. Why not use the Vet s Hall for a shelter? 99% of the homeless are veterans. According to the 2011 Homeless Count, 9% of the population is vets. Please refer to the 2011 Homeless Count found at 6

7 66. Why is Guerneville the preferred location to deliver services to our local homeless population in the Lower Russian River? E.g. Sebastopol, Forestville, etc? The predominate number of homeless people are in the Guerneville area. Please refer to the 2011 Homeless Count found at What was the basis for the ½ mile decision? It seems too far to ask people to walk to get to the edge of where town services are available. What is the evidence to inform the ½ mile restriction? Balancing the interests of business, residents and the homeless population. The following comments will be taken into consideration in future deliberations on site selections: 68. Are you afraid that if the homeless shelter is located on County Road Yard close to the Guerneville school students may switch schools? 69. We need shelter out of harms way of flooding with transportation to town for services. 70. Your preferred site the County Yard is contaminated. (check neighboring property well), in a year-round part of community there will be huge public resistance. No one on your task force looked into consideration of the children who live and walk in that area to school. 71. Is the Sweetwater Pump Station lot big enough? 72. Will County allow the County Yard use? 73. Where will the pumping station go? 74. Site selection process not fully explored. SSWD parcel not in list shown. 75. Importance of existing use not part of the selection process. 76. Cost of relocation in part of selection process. Public Restrooms 77. Why did the public restrooms get put to the end of the 4 points of charter? Because a public restroom is currently being sited in downtown Guerneville and the Task Group decided to address other issues first. 78. We need more public restrooms in this area. Thank you for your comments. 7

8 Impact 79. What is the impact on the Fire Department? We will be taking this into consideration when we are making our decisions. 80. What other infrastructure impacts? We will be taking this into consideration when we are making our decisions. Funding 81. Who will own the land that the shelter is on? Will it be funded by ROC or County? It will depend on the site selected. 82. Will it be volunteer manned? See above under Staffing. 83. If the shelter was in F2 zone, would it be disqualified for HUD & FESG funding? Not necessarily. 84. Where does the money come from? Funding sources are being explored. Miscellaneous 85. Does this project replace the Mill Street project? No. 86. Other communities need to participate. Thank you for your comments. 87. How quickly are drug test results provided? Depends on the drug test. 88. What template was used to identify homeless? What is the profile of typical homeless? Please refer to the 2011 Homeless Count found at 8

9 August 1, 2011 Dear RASAD members, I am writing this as a concerned community member. I want to be part of the solution to the need for shelter in our community and I want our town to thrive. I believe that those who live unsheltered along the river are here for the same reason others are here it is simply a nice place to live. Some people choose to live outside. I have come to understand over the years, however, that some people can t provide for themselves for one reason or another. It is these people who need our help during the cold wet winter season we have here. There are three kinds of shelter. 1. Dry: No drinking (or drug use), no entry if you have been. 2. Behavior based: Come in and shelter, but follow the rules. You don t have to be sober, but you do have to follow the rules. No using 3. Wet: You may drink in the shelter. Fact: In Sonoma County in general, alcohol is easy to get. The economy is based in large part on the production and sale of wine and beer. Many local establishments depend on the sale of alcohol including local restaurants and bars. People of all walks of life who come to this area drink alcohol. They expect to be accepted when they do. Fact: Local businesses such as vacation rentals and, motels and resorts rent on a behavior basis. People are allowed to rent and reside as long as they behave (don t abuse the property or create a nuisance for other guests or neighbors). Fact: A person under the influence of alcohol is vulnerable because their ability to function and their metabolism changes. If they are impaired they may not react or be able to react to the environment in a way to prevent health risk or death from exposure. (Alcoholism is a disease. Do you know a current or former alcoholic?) Fact: The current economy has forced many out of employment. Even skilled workers have no job. I know several people who have remained able to continue to be housed because one of the two wage earners continues to work. In most of the cases I know, it is the men who are not working. I know of several families who have lost homes and been forced to camp. It is probable that each person reading this knows at least one person or family in trouble. Fact: Guerneville/ the lower River area has prided itself on using the slogan Hate Stops Here The term was keyed when a significant population of gay and lesbian people moved into the area. However, many types of people find the area comfortable because it does tend to be tolerant of different lifestyles. Fact: Other shelters in the county are dry. 9

10 Concern: Having a behavior based shelter may draw outsiders to the River and have a negative impact on the local economy and character of the town. Opinion: (mine!) Our semi permanent population of homeless deserves the same respect as far as shelter as others who choose to live and shelter here. They need to follow the basic rules of civility, and if they do, they should be allowed to use winter shelter even if they do drink during the day. The absence of hate should not be limited to those with a fat wallet. If we are going to take care of those unable to care for themselves (including those who cannot maintain housing due to alcoholism or mental illness) we need to do so with respect. Driving a car is a privilege, and no one should do so while under the influence. Having shelter in a storm just may be a right. Offering it is certainly the right thing to do. Proposed solution: The closest thing I found to our situation is the homeless shelter in the town of Ojai. Churches there have run a shelter during the winter season for 25 years. They tried a dry shelter and found that they were leaving people out in the cold. They also found that outsiders were being attracted to their small tourist town when they operated a behavior-based shelter. Their solution was to operate a behavior based shelter, Ojai only. They accomplished this by seeking out the homeless population BEFORE the shelter opened and identifying locals. When I looked at their website, I also noticed that they required a TB test completed by October. This is well advertised on their website, and locals would know about it. They do accept some people who pass through, but unless they can establish a connection to the area, their stay is limited to one or two nights. The president of their group, Martha Ditchfield, was visiting Guerneville over the 4th of July weekend and gave me much of this information. I would be happy to put you in contact with her. There is also contact information on the following websites Many of you know I am a member of CHOW. I am writing this on my own and as a result of my own experiences, and not as a CHOW statement. I know people who cannot maintain housing due to mental illness or addiction. Even those recovering from addiction or who have their illness under control can have difficulty finding housing in a small community such as ours. As a renter, I also had the experience of having squatters in a vacant house. It was bitter cold out that year, a year before the shelters were in operation. As much as I didn t want people in the house, I became acutely aware that there was nowhere warm for them to go. It would be interesting to look at the statistics for law enforcement dealing with squatters and break-ins with and without shelter available. I am sure they are relieved to have shelter to send people. That experience was one reason I became interested in the shelter issue. Hopefully, I have provided some helpful suggestions. Respectfully submitted, 10

11 Kathy Smith Guerneville Resident 11