On June 10, 2021, the City Council adopted draft bylaws establishing the City’s Homelessness Taskforce (Taskforce). The purpose of the Taskforce, as stated in the draft bylaws, is to “review various services and coordinated efforts to address homelessness and, when necessary, advise the City Council of the same. Additionally, the Taskforce shall discuss business and community needs and effects due to the impacts of homelessness.” The Taskforce had a strategic planning study session on June 3, 2022, to discuss and identify areas of focus and priorities for fiscal year 2022/23. Prior to this meeting the Taskforce members and the City’s community partners were asked to complete a survey on the City’s homelessness program’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and proposed priorities for the Taskforce to consider this fiscal year. The survey results were shared with members in advance of the meeting and the proposed priorities were reviewed and discussed. Based on feedback and discussion from this meeting, the following priorities were identified:
Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Medical Services
- Communicate with community partners and review services
- Explore the City and community partners needs and how to meet them
- Determine how to ensure coordination between agencies
Housing
- Communicate with community partners and review services
- Explore the City and community partners needs and how to meet them
- Determine how to ensure coordination between agencies
Explore non-elective (i.e court ordered) housing and services
- Review program(s) and explore implementation in the City
