Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee

EMERGENCY SHELTER ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE One City Center Thursday, January 18, 2024 9:00 AM AGENDA 1. Introductions a. Approval of Draft Minutes from the December 21, 2023 Meeting 2. Monthly Shelter Bed Usage Statistics a. December, 2023 Monthly Shelter Statistics 3. Unsheltered Update a. Encampment Policy 4. Hub 2 Update 5. Region 1 Update 6. PIT Count Update 7. Federal, State and Local Legislation 8. Other Business Next Meeting February 15, 2024 Time: 9:00 AM - 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 1  Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee Remote Meeting Thursday, December 21, 2023 8:30 am – 10:00 am Minutes Name Organization Name Organization Adam Harr City of Portland Brian Townsend Commonspace Anne-Marie Brown UWSM Jenny Stasio Through These Doors Aaron Geyer City of Portland Ben Martineau HVJ Eric brewer HVJ Lauren Chan City of Portland Cullen Ryan CHOM Terrence Miller Preble Street Stephanie Gilbert DA Office Lauren bower Russ Johnson Shalom House Tracey Spirazzo Meeting Summary The group passed a motion to change the time of the meeting to start at 9:00 AM and end at 10:00 AM. The Point in Time Count (PIT) will take place the evening of January 23rd. The encampment resolution was postponed to December 28th on Harbor View and the encampment policy will be enforced going forward. NOTED: the camp cleanup was postponed to January 2, 2024 due to weather. The City Council approved a temporary increase at the HSC of 50 beds. There is state legislation in the works to support shelters at a time when Hope House in Bangor is set to stop accepting new people in June and is due to close in October. • Portland will add 4 unit hosing wherever there is single family zoning. Introductions Brian moved to approve November meeting minutes, jenny seconded and the minutes were approved. Start meeting at 9:00 AM • Parents with children with special needs need the time in the morning. • Special meetings can be added if we need more time. • Cullen moved to change the meeting to 9 – 10. o Eric seconded and the motion passed unanimously without discussion. Page 2  Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee Encampment Update • The resolution was postponed to December 28th on Harbor View. • ECRT leadership meeting is this afternoon with community providers invited from 2-3 at Canco Road. • Ongoing success sheltering Harbor View into HSC: 6 from Harbor View of the 26 unsheltered going into HSC. • Encampment is down to about 55 individuals. • Why now? o When seeing such success? o Meeting this afternoon to talk through. • There is so much debris that Preble Street Outreach Collaborative has organized a clean- up. • The ECRT feels performative as it was not included in decision making. o A true vetting space for the resolution date would be welcome. • The City Manager has the authority to set resolution dates. • Mayor Dion did not want to hear public comment on the encampments Monday nights. Council Update • 50 temporary emergency beds have been brought online at the HSC. HUB 2 • 315 people on the Coordinated Entry List. o Working to find resources and working to connect to housing. • 22 people have been connected to case management, • By January 1st will have a third agency taking case management referrals. • Freedom place will be taking referrals through CE • Portland housing authority and the City will work with Common Space’s other housing projects for CE referral. • Maine State Prison raised $12,000 through Cumberland County will put together warming kits. o 500 warming packs. o Inmates will put together and then the prison will deliver. o 50 packs available for anyone in Cumberland County. Region 1 Update • Combined Nov/Dec meeting in the first week of December. • Supporting people in encampments both in York and Cumberland Counties. • Discussed additional need for warming centers. Page 3  Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee • Biddeford and Sanford’s encampments are more spread-out and they are not doing any sweeping resolutions. o Just outreach. Winter Warming Center • Does today and tomorrow count for opening the warming center? o Caity Hagar looks at the temp and once it is projected to a high lower than 20 would trigger the warming center. • When is the decision to open made? o Will follow up. o NOTED: the plan with criteria is posted online and Greater Portland Peer Services opened warming centers for the recent storms before the triggers outlined in the linked plan. chrome- extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.civicplus.com/api/a ssets/f2ebba30-997b-44aa-a5f8-6673d03da8b2 PIT Update • Flyers were approved. o Nakesha to share with Adam to send out. • January 23rd. o Looking for volunteers. • Will have warming packs to hand out. Federal State and Legislation. Federal • End of the year tax bill could help expand low income tax credit. • Budget: continuing resolution goes through January 19th and February 2nd. o HUD budget is unresolved with senate favorable. • Bill just came out Evection prevention Act o New grants and federal protections. • Housing Access act o Resources for permanent supportive housing. • Affordable housing Tax credit improvement act. o Increase supply of affordable housing. o Senator king cosponsored. State • Now is a good time to connect with legislators. • New bills: o Emergency legislation  Bill to support shelters. Page 4  Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee • 2714 10 million dollars would go to all shelters. o Madigan 2767 bill would designate line items to the low barrier shelters. • 6 low barrier shelters • Hope House will stop accepting new people in June and is due to close in October. • Trying to correct through GA long term  Act to prohibit moratoria on emergency shelters. o Carry over service bills. o New  Act to create workforce housing to promote economic development  Act to accelerate housing and Maine rehab tax credit.  Act to improve housing voucher system. o Housing first bill would have 10/11 will go to site based housing  Avesta and Preble street are developing the old OSS building into site based housing. Portland • Portland will add 4 unit hosing wherever there is single family zoning. PUPP Act • $5 million for co-sheltering services. • Vote to approve next meeting. • People with pets can contact Aaron to connect with a foster. Winter Solstice Vigil • Meet at 5 Portland Street at 4:30 PM. • 47 people lost their lives this past year. • There will be songs and people speaking their names. Page 5