Continuum of Care

Portland Continuum of Care Wednesday, May 4, 2016 Meeting Minutes Aaron Geyer City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division Adam Harr City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division David MacLean City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division Robert Parritt City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division Vickey Rand Community Housing of Maine Ginny Dill Shalom House Cindy Namer Maine State Housing Authority Wendi DuBois The Opportunity Alliance Jon Bradley Preble Street Joanie Klayman Preble Street Leah Bruns Maine State Housing Authority Cindy Namer Maine State Housing Authority Paula Paladino Maine State Housing Authority Norman Maze Shalom House Rebecca Hobbs Family Crisis Cullen Ryan Community Housing of Maine Chet Barnes DHHS Lynn Morrow HUD Bob Cwieka HUD Marlisa Grogan HUD Wendy Dubois The Opportunity Alliance Veronica Ross The Opportunity Alliance Michelle Staple York County Shelter Program Anne Gass ABG Consulting Guy Gagnon Biddeford Housing Authority Bill Burny HUD I. Introductions Jon Bradley welcomed everyone and brief introductions were made. As the meeting was well attended, each person present stated their name and organization. Jon then asked for updates before moving on to the main agenda item. Paula Paladino announced that most of the MCoC’s tier two projects got funded. The only project that did not get funded in tier 2 for the PCoC was $324,000 for Bishop Street. The Opportunity Alliance got funding for a new rapid rehousing project that serves families. Preble Street’s residential support program got renewed, as did Shelter Plus Care. Paula reminded the group that the deadline to register for this year’s NOFA application is next Wednesday, May 11, and that unfunded projects may want to adjust to permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing. II. Legislative Update Federal: Cullen Ryan said that HOTMA is stalled and THUD, Senate appropriation committee, approved funding for HUD VASH, HCVs, a family education program, and extends eligibility of vouchers for youth. This also includes increases to subsidized housing and homeless assistance grants. By contrast, Cullen said the House released a bill proposing cuts to these funding areas. The Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act has been put forth to divert homeless individuals from the criminal justice system into treatment and services.  State: Section 17 eligible diagnoses for wrap-around services were limited to schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Cullen said there are 9 conditions that can lead to psychosis. The 7 conditions that lost eligibility will be limited to one visit per month versus the wrap-around services they receive. Individuals will have 4 months to transition to a different service provider. Jon said the rates for providers have been cut to section 17 and 13, largely affecting the funding sources for some of organizations in the PCoC. Cullen said any further rate changes will require a public hearing. Cullen said that people who already have BRAP subsidies will be grandfathered in. Section 17 is a requirement to receive BRAP, creating a population of people needing a BRAP subsidy, but no longer being eligible. Chet acknowledged the flaws of the changes, but explained that the State wanted to maximize resources for individuals needing services and to shift some resources to behavioral health, but has created a gap as they execute their plan. He said that the State is working on connecting individuals with mental health issues leaving incarceration with BRAP subsidies. Ginny explained an issue with BRAP is that it was designed to be a housing first program and that tying it to section 17 removes that aspect of the voucher. Jon said he has looked the use of Narcan, the overdose antidote, at the Preble Street Resource Center. He said that Narcan was being administered by staff once every 17 days to clients overdosing at the resource center. He said that number has decreased with increased availability. Jon said that two of his case managers have 50 clients between them who are homeless opiate addicts; this is the biggest issue facing his client community. The legislature recently overrode a veto, making Narcan available without a prescription. III. Collaborative Applicant for 2017 and Future Years Jon deferred to city staff to explain the background of the proposed change in collaborative applicant (CA), as the City of Portland is the current CA. David MacLean explained to the group that the city is withdrawing from the CA role due to a lack of institutional knowledge from staff changes to be a successful steward as well as being directed to from City leadership, as the city no longer receives CoC funding. Dave said there was talk of the two CoCs merging. Jon stated that a vote occurred nominating Maine State Housing Authority to take over the CA role, making them the CA for both CoCs in Maine. Cindy said she was not gotten full permission from MSHA to move ahead yet. Cindy states that MSHA has been internally reorganizing to have the infrastructure to help end homelessness statewide. Paula will be working directly with Cindy and Leah will manage program staff to better help the CoCs. Lynn gave historical background that there used to be three CoCs before the Greater Penobscot CoC merged with the Balance of the State. Lynn said she is concerned about the competitive nature of CoC funding as one CA may be able to choose to put resources behind one CoC over the other. However, Lynn said merging into one CoC would mitigate that and asked that a plan be sent to her in writing. Lynn said it is possible for the CA to change after registration but before the GIW review. Ginny said that the CoC hasn’t been equitable in its responsibility, citing that she and Vickey were the only ones who responded to an emergency vote to approve the HIC/PIT without multiple follow ups. She said we relied on support from Vickey and Paula tom much. Chet stated that there is no direct policy from HUD saying that one organization cannot be the CA for two CAs. He said that the MCoC has some reservations about merging, but that this makes sense in the context of a merged leadership board and coordinated entry system. He said he is concerned about everything being decided by emergency vote, and that we should have two CoCs under MSHA for a year before merging into one CoC. Vickey and Paula said that both CoCs would need to agree to merge. Rob said the group needs a back-up plan in case HUD determines one CA for two CoCs is not allowable. Norm suggested there be multiple motions to set up and affirm the merger and ensure that he CoC registers to file by the deadline. Norm made a MOTION for the City of Portland to register for the NOFA application as the CA. MOTION PASSED with all in favor. Norm made a MOTION for the PCoC to begin discussions on merging with the MCoC with the intent on merging in the near future as well as make a formal request to the MCoC that they take the merger into consideration as well. MOTION PASSED with all in favor. Norm made a MOTION that in anticipation of the intent to merge with MCoC, PCoC is requesting that the collaborative applicant to change from the City of Portland to MSHA and to ask the MCoC if they are in agreement of the CA change. MOTION PASSED with all in favor. Jon asked the group if a back-up plan should be made in case the CA change does not work. Vickey said that is something we should consider at the next regular PCoC meeting, if needed.