20230426-003: FY23-24 Hungry Hill Homeless — original pdf

Recommendation

JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE (JIC) FY23-2024 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION 20230426-003 AFFORDABILITY PRIORITY – HUNGRY HILL HOMELESS Date: April 26, 2023 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the African American Resource Advisory Commission’s FY23-24 Budget Recommendation 20230321-006: Hungry Hill Homeless (JIC Affordability Priority) Motioned by: Commissioner Serita Fontanesi Seconded By: Commissioner Amanda Afifi AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230321-006 JOINTLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ON FY23-2024 BUDGET WHEREAS, Austin the most livable city in the nation for all while building and sustaining a culture of equity across the city; and WHEREAS, the Austin Black population is only 7%; and WHEREAS, African Americans make up a plurality, 36% – the largest proportion – of those who are experiencing homelessness in Austin; and WHEREAS, those figures serve as a reality check that cannot be explained without looking squarely at the root causes that for too long have kept African Americans at the bottom of the pile of people in Austin; and WHEREAS; racism unfairly disadvantages specific individuals and communities, while unfairly giving advantages to other individuals and communities, and diminishes the the strength of the who society through the waste of Human Resources; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s collective prosperity depends upon the equitable access to opportunity for every resident regardless of the color of their skin; and WHEREAS, the 1928 Master Plan separated Austinites with race as a sole factor, acting as a legalized form of segregation, created a “negro district”, and resulted in the intentional and negatively disproportional restriction of resources for Black community- the residential effects of which are still experienced today; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation is breaking the cycle of unsheltered Black people and providing an opportunity for them to defeat homelessness and reclaim their dignity; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation is a nonprofit that helps the East Austin homeless community; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation offers programs to the homeless community to teach them about workforce development and have opportunities to move into transitional housing; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation relies heavily on the individual donations to provide life success changes for its participants; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation supports East Austin residents on their re-entry journey from unhoused to self-sufficient citizens through a holistic multi-tiered work/apprenticeship program; and WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation seeks to expand and establish a new and more effective model for addressing long-term homelessness that can be replicated within our city, our state, and eventually our country. WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation believes that no one is beyond help and everyone can be productive if given the right opportunities and support. WHEREAS, Hungry Hill Foundation requires the City Austin’s financial support through its 2023-2024 budget process to continue their life changing work for Austin’s homeless population. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the African American Resource Advisory Council unanimously voted at its special called meeting, in March, supports a budget recommendation for Hungry Hill Foundation in the City of Austin’s FY2024 budget cycle. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the African American Resource Advisory Commission calls upon the Austin City Council to support the recommended budget request in efforts to address the growing homeless of African Americans in the City of Austin and to address the disparities due to racial inequities throughout the City of Austin. ROLL CALL VOTE: 6 – 2 – 0 For: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Vincent Cobalis Commission on Aging: Amy Temperley Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi Human Rights Commission: Idona Griffith LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Against: None. Abstain: Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Absent: Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Juan Vences-Benitez Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: x_______________________________