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HOMELESS SERVICES UPDATES Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board July 10, 2020 VELLA KARMAN INTERIM HOMELESS SERVICES OFFICER Updates from Homeless Services Division 1. Upcoming report from contracted national consultants 2. Motel Conversion Strategy update 3. Budget considerations 4. COVID-19 response and RFAs City Contracts for National Homelessness Consultants Barbara Poppe & Associates Report being released in July 2020 Matthew Doherty Assisting with implementation of report recommendations Motel Conversion Strategy May 6th update provided by Office of Real Estate Services & Neighborhood Housing and Community Development  300 unit goal (3-4 converted motels)  Housing First approach to provide permanent supportive (PSH) housing  Funding sources:  CDBG  GO/Housing Bonds  Certificate of Obligation  Other Motel Conversion Strategy Update 2711 IH-35 South (formerly Rodeway Inn) purchased  Repairs, mitigation and minor renovations  Likely temporary use for emergency response to COVID-19 7400 IH-35 North  Current lease to purchase agreement  Operating as protective lodging for COVID-19  Possible purchase August – September Future acquisitions – property layout ready for PSH Budget Considerations Homelessness is top priority for City Council COVID-19 having a significant economic and financial impact Public Safety funding is being discussed Important Budget Dates City Manager’s proposed budget presentation (2pm) July 13 July 23 July 28 July 30 Aug 4 Budget & tax rate public hearing City Council Work Session Budget & tax rate public hearing Budget & tax rate public hearing Aug 12-14 Budget adoption COVID-19 Response & RFAs 4 Primary Response Areas 1. Hygiene resources for unsheltered individuals 2. Food/Water access for unsheltered individuals 3. Infection control protocols for congregate shelters / Planning 4. Isolation & Protective lodging (ProLodges) 1. Hygiene Resources for Unsheltered Individuals  Public showers and restrooms in City parks / trails  Portable toilets and handwashing stations in 20 areas  Contracting with nonprofit to run mobile shower/hygiene trailers  Violet Bag (trash pick-up) sites near high activity areas – daily service  Face masks, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, hygiene products distributed 2. Food Access – Eating Apart Together (EAT)  Shelf-Stable Food Distribution – 1,000 weekly bags containing 5-6 days worth of food for unsheltered individuals outside downtown core – 1,000 weekly bags containing 5-6 days worth of food for unsheltered individuals in the downtown core, and for recently housed individuals  Also distributed in bags: dog food, hygiene supplies, feminine hygiene supplies, toilet paper, face masks, COVID-19 educational flyers and Census informational cards, drinking water  Revolution Foods contract for prepared meals being distributed by nonprofit and faith-based agencies 3. Safety Protocols for Emergency Shelters  Weekly meetings to share expert guidance and protocols from APH, CDC, DSHS, HCH, HUD and others  Working with ECHO to assess all shelters  Determining how shelters are adhering to CDC protocols  Identifying gaps and resource needs – assisting with PPE, supplies  Working with CommUnity Care and Dell Med School (Healthcare for the Homeless Team) on active surveillance testing 4. Isolation, Quarantine & Protective Lodging Isolation Facilities (IsoFac) – Quarantine and isolation option for individuals who are under monitoring, under investigation, or have tested positive for COVID-19 and cannot safely self-isolate Protective Lodging (ProLodge) - Temporary shelter options for people experiencing homelessness who are at high risk of severe complications if they become COVID-19 positive and for individuals experiencing homelessness being discharged from IsoFac who meet CDC high risk criteria Isolation, Quarantine & Protective Lodging IsoFac Capacity for 204 guests (capacity fluctuates) ProLodges ProLodge 1 ProLodge 2 ProLodge 3 ProLodge 4 (limited rooms held for high risk IsoFac discharges) 110 guests (at capacity) 65 guests (at capacity) 55 guests (at capacity) 65 guests (at capacity) Questions? Vella.Karman@austintexas.gov www.austintexas.gov/homelessness