Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee

EMERGENCY SHELTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE One City Center Thursday, December 21, 2023 8:30 AM AGENDA 1. Introductions a. Approval of November 16, 2023 Draft Minutes 2. Monthly Shelter Bed Usage Statistics a. November, 2023 Statistics 3. Discussion: Change Meeting to a One-Hour Meeting from 9:AM to 10:00 AM 4. Encampment Update a. Update on Resolution of the Harbor View Encampment b. a. Related City Council Updates 5. Hub 2 Update 6. Winter Planning 7. Region 1 Update 8. PIT Count Update 9. Federal, State and Local Legislation a. Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2023 (PUPP ACT) 10. Other Business a. My Dog Is My Home's Co-Sheltering Conference 2024 b. Longest Night of Homelessness Vigil Page 1  Next Meeting January 18, 20234 Time: 8:30* AM to 10:00 AM Location: One City Center If you should have any questions, please contact: Aaron Geyer Adam Harr Health & Human Services Department Health & Human Services Department Social Services Division Social Services Division (207) 482-5131 (207) 482-5144 aeg@portlandmaine.gov ash@portlandmaine.gov Page 2 ESAC 11/16/2023 Encampment Update – Jim (HVJ): City Council will be vo�ng on the 20th on a proposal to postpone encampment sweeps. Terence (PS): City Council also voted 6-2 to expand the Homeless Services Center by 50 beds. The City also announced that the MIRC Shelter will be opening up on November 29th. This will total around 170 new beds available a�er the 29th at the HSC. Preble Street and the ECRT have been providing meals at the Harbor View encampment each Monday alongside ongoing efforts by outreach teams to con�nuously provide food and other basic needs. First read at the end of this CC mee�ng for a moratorium on encampment sweeps un�l April 30th, 2024. Public comment will be accepted at the CC mee�ng on Monday the 20th. Terence (PS): The CC discussed op�ons as well for lowering barriers at the HSC for folks who are struggling to stay there successfully. Bill (HA4A): Opening of new beds won’t necessarily mean that same number of people are able to access the shelter. Addi�onally, there are 140 tents at the Harbor View encampment currently (as of his last count). Currently, there are only two porta po�es available to all of these individuals. Folks down there don’t have access to hand-washing sta�ons, showers, places to wash their clothes, etc. We need more data on the folks that are staying at the encampments so that we can help them meet their needs. I have been washing people’s clothes for them and trying to help them out as much as I can, but we need more coordinated efforts to do this. Brian (COMMONSPACE): Commonspace, like many other provides who work with unhoused folks, is publicly against the proposal that folks can con�nue to live outside. As horrific as sweeps are, we need to provide people with more op�ons than simply con�nuing to live outside. Everything we do should be laser-focused on ge�ng people inside and making sure that no one freezes to death outside. The implica�on that there is only one solu�on to this issue is incorrect, and we need to approach this from many angles while allowing ourselves to approach this from mul�ple angles. The emo�ons and values that we atach to this work can be incredibly helpful, but we need to let go of the narra�ve that you are “all the way good” or “all the way bad”. Jim (HVJ): Dito to what Brian said. In my experience, a quick and emo�onal response to something is not always the right thing. Some�mes, you need to take a step back and look at the whole picture before you act. Greg Owen (ac�ve in recovery community): I would just like to agree with the past two speakers that finding a middle ground is very important. My name is Greg Owens and I am very ac�ve in the recovery community. It wasn’t that long ago that I was sharing pipes with a lot of the folks who live outside right now. Many of these people are my friends. I have a background in sales and I listen to Rush Limbaugh every day. I try very hard to sit in the middle and wait to speak un�l I know what I need to say. I think having a headcount at the encampment is a good idea, but we need to acknowledge that many people at the encampments might not want to be counted and known. Many folks down there may think that Page 3 any efforts to alter their current lifestyle will keep them from living this beau�ful life that they have roman�cized in their minds. This may be the first �me that they have felt they have a community. Our only goal should be housing these folks. Let’s leave the poli�cs out of it and focus on helping these people. Because I my own unique experience, I have something to offer that a degree might not. Vickey (CHOM): I don’t think it could be put in beter terms than what Greg shared personally. Every single person that sits around these tables is compassionate. I’ve never seen anyone in these mee�ngs treat anyone with anything other than dignity and respect. I think from a systems perspec�ve, we need to try to treat everyone with this same dignity and respect, regardless of where their posi�on falls. There will always be a small group of people who camp outside in the winter, but for everyone we can, we need to find a way to bring them inside. Everyone deserves to be indoors. If folks say no today, they deserve to be outreached tomorrow. The more we can find common ground, the beter. The HSC has worked to reduce some barriers since opening, and I think that is a direct response to the feedback they have heard from the community. The more we can all work together, the beter off we will be. Everyone deserves to have four walls and a roof over their head, full stop. People are deserving of more. Bill (HA4A): Maybe it would be possible to make a small sec�on of the HSC friendly to service animals, like they do at the Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter. Capturing data would be a voluntary process at the encampments. Giving people tours of the HSC, providing resources to help folks get over to the HSC with all of their things. Maybe the HSC could use Uber or Taxis to do this. Maybe get a number of agencies together and have an Uber account with funding from mul�ple sources. Maybe the ECRT could house this? TTD and Commonspace both have Uber business accounts that they use, but funding is very difficult to come by, and adds up quickly. Anne-Maire will bring this to UWSM to see if this would fall under HUB Coordinator responsibili�es as well. Manna might be able to help out as well, the Family Shelter frequently uses their services. Hub 2 Update – Naqueesha has found that the HSC has been a very strong partner in the work of atemp�ng to move people into shelter. Another piece that has been a very posi�ve outcome has been housing naviga�on support. Individuals in the encampment who have vouchers, but who haven’t been able to get help with housing naviga�on are star�ng to get connected to housing navigators at the HSC. Josh as the HSC has been very helpful in this work. The City of Portland is also looking to bring on more housing navigators to do some of this work. The City is also looking to fill outreach worker posi�ons for the ECRT and HSC. On Monday from 10:00 – 2:30, this City will be holding a hiring event for many of these posi�ons. This will be at 39 Forest Ave. There has been a lot of good movement around case conferencing and the work that has been done to create access sites. There aren’t as many resources as we need, but this is good progress! Page 4 Winter Planning – There’s a lot of overlap between the encampment conversa�on and the winter planning discussion. Greater Portland Peer Services, in partnership with First Parish Church received funding for a warming shelter. TTD applied for the long-term solu�on funding to add 5-6 addi�onal beds to their DV shelter, but have run into neighborhood issues that are extending the process. These beds were supposed to be ready to open in January, but are currently help up. Salva�on Army and the YMCA are both available, but only through February 2nd. These services are available to families, and have primarily been asylum-seeking families, though this is not specifically writen. The State Street Church is also reopening this year, and will take 4-6 families (about 25 people). Legisla�ve Update – Hopefully the Government will not shut down. As of right now, things have been figured out, though this is temporary. SNAP work requirements have changed as of September 1st – homelessness is now an exemp�on from SNAP work requirements. Emergency bills were decided by the Legisla�ve Council. All 7 emergency bills related to homelessness failed in the Legisla�ve Council. Only 4 of the sponsors for those bills are appealing. Only one housing-related bill got through. An appeal requires; formal leters of appeal from the bill sponsor and the primary supporters of the bill Mastraccio bill - $2m in emergency funds for shelters (being reconsidered today 11.16) Lookner is appealing on a bill that would prohibit certain municipali�es from sweeping encampments when there is a lack of emergency shelter Joint Select Commitee on Housing has a hearing on Dec. 5th regarding $5m of emergency funding allocated in the Spring session – poten�al opportunity to discuss the larger issues of how shelters are funded Region 1 Update – Most of the mee�ng was spent talking about encampments and ways that advocacy can be provided. York County has quite a few things going on and there are a growing number of encampments in Biddeford and Sanford. The encampments are more spread out than in Portland, but the numbers are prety high. There is an ongoing discussion on how to serve popula�ons in more rural encampments. Page 5 Other Business – HVJ Mayoral Candidates Forum was cancelled. December 13th HVJ will go to the Police Academy in Vassalboro to present to the gradua�ng class of cadets. Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil will be on December 21st from 4:30 – 5:30pm. Winter Walk may be coming to Maine – Bill (HA4A) will keep us updated. Page 6  PORTLAND HOMELESS SHELTERS Average Total Number of Individuals Residing in Shelters* per Night: November 2022 November 2023 ADOLESCENTS 22 Individuals 16 Individuals FAMILIES 131 Individuals 123 Individuals 45 Average Families 40 Average Families ADULTS 376 Individuals 314 Individuals Total 529 Individuals 453 Individuals *GA hotels are on the next slide. Prepared by: City of Portland, Health & Human Page 7 Services Department, Social Services Division  HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER *Because people are entering NOVEMBER , 2023 the country in other communities then relocating here, what would be Intakes by Residency considered out of country intakes are captured as out of state. MAINE TOWN OUT-OF-STATE *OUT-OF-COUNTRY Augusta 1 Skowhegan 1 AZ 1 Bangor South 2 2 6 Portland ME CA Benton Harbor South 1 1 FL 2 Portland Buxton 2 Thomaston 1 MA 1 Gorham 1 Topsham 1 NH 2 Kennebunk 1 Waterboro 1 NV 1 Lewiston 2 Westbrook 1 NY 2 Lisbon Falls 1 Windham 1 OR 1 OOB 1 UT 1 Orland 1 WA 1 Scarborough MAINE TOWN: 24 1 OUT-OF-STATE: 18 Page 8 OUT-OF-COUNTRY: PORTLAND: 30 Unknown: 1 TOTAL: 73  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE NOVEMBER , 2023 SHELTER INTAKES BY MONTH Pre-COVID Current INTAKES Bed Bed 2019 2022 2023 198 Capacity Capacity 200 189 186 16+ at shelter 180 161 161 Through These Doors 4/6 16 and hotel 158 157 156 160 150 153 overflow 144 140 136 Family Shelter 0 146 146 121 120 112 Joe Kreisler 5 24 24 102 102 98 97 100 Milestone 20 41 34 80 HSC (Men) 50 154 at OSS, 60 75 at PSRC 208 HSC(Women) 23 overflow 40 20 25 at Shelter, 25 at Shelter, 0 Florence House 14 15 at Safe 15 at Safe JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV Haven Haven *NOTE: this and the next two slides compare the current year, last year, and the last year before the pandemic. Elena’s Way** 10 NA 40 * * Due to a COVID outbreak at the shelter beginning on 10/3, new admissions were paused until 10/23 when the quarantine period had ended and all clients tested negative. Page 9 TOTAL 121 496 474+  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE NOVEMBER , 2023 HOUSING PLACEMENTS BY MONTH 2019 2022 2023 TOTAL BED 50 48 48 24 HOUSING TEMPORARY PERMANENT NIGHTS 45 45 PLACEMENTS Through 40 39 2 190 2 36 36 These Doors 34 35 33 Family 30 31 9/29 5719 9/29 30 29 Shelter 27 27 25 24 23 Joe Kreisler 4 557 4 20 20 18 Milestone 2 714 2 15 12 HSC (Men) 7 1752 7 10 HSC 1 268 1 5 (Women) Florence 0 6 1348 1 5 JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV House *Starting October, 2013, Oxford Street Shelter (HSC) shifted prioritization Elena’s Way 3 376 3 of housing placements to their 30 longest-term stayers. TOTAL 34 10,924 Page 10  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE NOVEMBER , 2023 1st TIME HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS (BASED ON SELF-REPORTING) % of % of 2019 2022 2023 1st Time 160 153 1ST TIME the Portland All Homeless % of All HOMELESSNESS Shelter First Time STATISTICS Intakes Intakes Intake 140 ’s Homeless Intakes Intakes 120 Through These 106 4/6 0 97 Doors 100 91 Family Shelter 0 0 80 76 Joe Kreisler 5 3 60% 2% 8% 71 67 63 Milestone 20 12 60% 10% 30% 60 53 45 44 41 46 41 40 HSC (Men) 50 12 24% 10% 30% 36 37 40 31 HSC (Women) 23 11 48% 20 9% 28% Florence House 14 2 0 14% 2% 5% JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV Elena’s Way 10 0 Page 11 TOTAL 121 40 33% 100%  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE NOVEMBER , 2023 *CTOs from the former Oxford Street Shelter carried over as restrictions with the same end date as the CTOs issued for the OSS shelter address CTOs FROM SHELTER and are included in this number. Anyone restricted from the HSC can ask to speak to management to request lifting the restriction. Total Current Criminal Trespass Orders Medical 2022 2023 CTOs in the CTO STATISTICS Restrictions Current CTOs 90 88 Month 90 88 85 86 87 in Month Family Shelter 0 0 80 Joe Kreisler 0 3 70 Milestone 0 10 60 52 HSC* 1 20 50 45 46 Florence House 0 0 Elena’s Way 0 0 40 35 34 33 TOTAL 1 33 30 CTOs Issued in the Month 10 8 20 6 6 5 5 4 10 3 3 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NZOV Page 12  PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE NOVEMBER , 2023 HOUSING PLACEMENTS BY TYPE Recovery Housing Family Sect. 8/ No S+C BRAP STEP OTHER* GA Home Project/PSH Reunification HCV Subsidy Through These Doors 1 1 Family Shelter 1 7 1 Joe Kreisler 1 2 1 Milestone 2 HSC (Men) 2 1 4 HSC (Women) 1 Florence House 4 1 1 Elena’s Way 2 1 TOTAL 6 2 6 5 13 2 * RRH, Recovery Program Distribution of Placements in the Month: 34 6 2 6 5 13 2 2023 Placements: 360 124 69 39 50 37 25 8 0 1 7 Page 13  Calendar Through These Family Florence Joe HSC Elena's Total Milestone FS WC Day Doors Shelter House Kreisler Beds Way Bed Nights 1 16 125 42 17 36 206 0 34 476 2 16 118 40 18 32 206 0 34 464 14 118 42 16 26 461 PORTLAND, CITY-WIDE 3 212 0 33 4 14 118 39 18 33 208 0 33 463 5 14 115 41 19 35 207 0 33 464 NOVEMBER , 2023 6 7 14 14 115 115 41 41 18 17 34 34 208 208 0 0 33 33 463 462 SHELTER COUNT BY NIGHT 8 9 15 15 115 115 42 43 18 18 36 34 208 208 0 0 33 33 467 466 10 15 111 42 18 34 207 0 33 460 11 14 111 41 16 30 208 0 32 452 12 14 111 42 15 32 207 0 32 453 13 14 111 42 19 38 207 0 32 463 14 14 107 41 18 37 207 0 32 456 15 16 107 40 15 37 208 0 31 454 On November : 1 16 17 16 16 107 107 40 41 16 15 32 32 211 213 0 0 31 32 453 456 18 16 107 39 15 35 455 476 individuals 19 16 107 40 16 37 211 212 0 0 32 32 460 20 16 107 42 15 38 212 0 31 461 (including families) 21 18 104 41 14 36 457 211 0 33 22 18 104 40 14 36 457 were utilizing shelter services in 23 18 97 37 11 35 210 207 0 0 35 35 440 Portland 24 18 93 38 12 34 208 0 35 438 25 18 93 40 14 36 208 0 35 444 26 18 93 39 18 37 205 0 35 445 27 18 94 38 18 37 213 0 36 454 28 18 94 39 14 37 210 0 34 446 29 18 92 37 16 37 215 0 35 450 30 18 92 40 17 35 112 0 36 350 Total 479 3,203 1,210 485 1,042 6,173 0 998 13,590 Avg/night 16 107 40 16 35 206 0 33 453 Highest 18 125 43 19 38 215 0 36 476 Lowest 14 92 37 11 26 112 0 31 350 Page 14  Non-LTS HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER & COMMUNITY OVERFLOW HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA LTS 35 2022 OSS Placements: Non/Long Term Stayer 30 25 20 15 10 6 2 3 4 4 3 3 7 4 5 4 6 8 6 7 2 1 5 4 1 1 1 4 0 January February March April May June July August September October November December 35 2023 HSC Placements: Non/Long Term Stayer 30 25 20 13 12 15 9 6 10 10 7 6 8 12 5 7 10 6 9 7 3 1 4 4 2 6 1 0 1 January February March April May June July August September October November December Page 15  HOMELESS SERVICES CENTER PERMANENT AND TRANSITIONAL 2023 HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Auburn Biddeford Brunswick Gorham Lewiston Scarborough South Westbrook Other Maine Reunification Reunification Portland Towns with with friends/family friends/family in another in another Maine town* state* Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL % TOTAL HOUSING PLACEMENTS 10 20 22 8 14 13 15 10 13 13 8 145 100% Portland 6 7 17 3 6 10 11 7 9 7 8 91 62.8% Auburn 1 1 2 1.4% Biddeford 1 1 0.7% Brunswick 1 1 0.7% Gorham 4 4 2.8% Lewiston 1 1 1 3 2.1% Sanford 2 2 1.4% South Portland 1 2 2 1 3 9 6.2% Westbrook 5 1 1 7 4.8% Other Maine Towns 1 1 1 1 4 2.8% Reunification with friends/family in another 1 1 1 1 Maine town* 3 2.1% Reunification with friends/family in another 1 1 5 Page316 1 1 3 2 1 state* 18 12.4%  FAMILY SHELTER PERMANENT AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLACEMENT DATA 2023 40 30 20 10 0 Portland Auburn Augusta Biddeford Gorham Gray Lewiston Lyman Mexico Old Orchard Sanford South Westbrook Yarmouth Other Maine Out of State Beach Portland Town Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL 100% TOTAL HOUSING PLACEMENTS 4 4 8 4 3 5 3 1 4 5 9 50 Portland 4 3 7 4 3 5 3 2 3 6 40 80% Auburn 0.0% Augusta 0.0% Biddeford 1 1 2% Gorham 0.0% Gray 0.0% Lewiston 1 1 2% Lyman 0.0% Mexico 0.0% Old Orchard Beach 0.0% Sanford 1 1 2% South Portland 1 1 2% Westbrook 1 2 1 1 5 10% Yarmouth 0.0% Other Maine Town 0.0% Out of State Page 17 1 1 2% Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25  Portland’s Annual Homeless Persons Memorial Vigil Thursday, December 21, 2023, 4:30 pm The longest night of the year is a time to remember our homeless friends who have died and to recommit ourselves to the task of ending homelessness. A candlelight procession will start at the Maine Medical Center-Preble Street Learning Collaborative at 20 Portland Street at 4:30 pm and will proceed to Monument Square for a ceremony dedicated to those persons who have died in our community. All persons who are homeless, who have been homeless, who work with people who are homeless, or who are thankful they are not homeless are welcome to participate. An ASL interpreter will be present for the ceremony. Page 26