Title
Item 4-B Exhibit 1: HEAP Progress Staff Report
Body
Date: April 25, 2019
To: Honorable President and Members of the Social Service Human Relations Board
From: Ana Bagtas, Community Development Analyst
Re: Progress Report on HEAP
BACKGROUND
The City of Alameda has been allocated $756,524 in Homeless Emergency Aid Program (HEAP) funds. At its January 15, 2019 meeting, the Alameda City Council provided comments on the projects and services proposed for HEAP and authorized staff to work with the Social Service Human Relations Board (SSHRB or Board) to finalize the plan and oversee implementation of HEAP. The Board approved establishing a HEAP Ad Hoc Committee at its special meeting on February 27, 2019 to lead this effort. This report provides an update on the HEAP Ad Hoc Committee’s work.
PROGRESS REPORT ON HEAP
The HEAP Ad Hoc Committee held its first meeting on March 13, 2019 to discuss its roles and responsibilities, review the input from community stakeholders, and narrow down the list of possible projects that could be funded. The committee proposed further exploration of the following recommendations:
• Invest in capital improvement projects, such as building/adding a shower facility to an existing structure; providing support to the Midway Shelter
• Establish a day center for the homeless
• Expand the Dine and Connect program
• Enhance the outreach program with an addition of an Ambassador Program
• Establish a flexible fund account for prevention services
• Develop a mobile shower and washing station
• Provide rental subsidies and emergency motel vouchers
• Designate a safe parking
• Provide storage (see Berkeley model)
The committee asked staff to gather as much information as possible on these projects, and the Committee will assess the feasibility of implementing the programs in Alameda based on cost, location and logistics, client outcomes, and community impact.
On April 10, 2019, staff presented the committee with an analysis of the scope and possible funding allocation for the recommended projects (Item 4-B Attachment A). Following careful deliberation of the proposed projects, the committee made the following recommendations:
• Create two separate flexible funding accounts: one for prevention of homelessness and the other to support existing homeless clients. Flexible funding account could pay for transportation costs to reunify homeless individuals with their families, car repairs, bus passes, eviction avoidance, etc.
• HEAP funds should not be directed towards the Ambassador Program. Local businesses in other communities are supporting programs that ameliorate the impact of homelessness in downtown business districts. Alameda businesses should be approached for support. Business sponsorship of the Parking Meter program may fund the Ambassador Program.
• Support the expansion of the Dine and Connect dinners for the homeless.
• Support the Warming Shelter for the next two seasons while HEAP funding is available.
• Develop a Day Center for homeless individuals and families, possibly with a co-location for safe parking, which could house a number of programs proposed, including Dine and Connect, shower and washing facilities, laundry, storage, and a central hub for information, resources, training site, and enrollment in public benefits and services. The committee wants to centralize many of the projects proposed at the Day Center instead of creating separate programs dispersed throughout the island. Outreach providers noted that having a Day Center will enhance their work and would dramatically reduce the amount of time they spend in the streets looking for clients. Most of HEAP funds should go towards establishing a Day Center, including towards capital improvement of the site.
• Support Rental Assistance and emergency motel vouchers.
At the next meeting on May 8, the committee requested that Debbie Potter, Director of Community Development attend in order to discuss possible sites for a Day Center. The committee also suggested having more County homeless services available to Alameda.