PSC Back Up - Presentation from Dianna Grey, Homeless Strategy Officer — original pdf

Backup

Homeless Strategy Division Updates Public Safety Commission August 2, 2021 Dianna Grey, Homeless Strategy Officer Background On Feb. 4, 2021, City Council passed Resolution 2021-204-049 creating the Housing-Focused Homeless Encampment Assistance Link (HEAL) initiative  “To immediately house individuals, create a path to permanent housing and over time, eliminate the necessity for unsheltered camping in our city.”  “Focus on Housing First and the deployment of actions targeted toward rapid rehousing, emergency shelters, low barrier housing focused shelter and permanent supportive housing.” Core Components Outreach & Engagement • Initial Assessment, Census, Relationship Building, Housing Offer Temporary Shelter • Dedicated single-site shelter; other temporary housing as available Permanent Housing • Primarily Rapid Rehousing, plus diversion and linkage to PSH Voluntary Compliance Strategies • Communication, Built Environment & Amenities, Events, Perimeter Control First Phase: Four High Priority Encampments Priority locations identified by those that pose the greatest risk to public health and safety     East Austin South Central Downtown (Central Business District) Northwest Austin Progress to Date Compassionate closure of first two HEAL sites  Terrazas Library – June  Ben White Bld. and Mancacha Road – July 15  Sites #3 and #4: August/early September  70 of 74 people who were offered housing accepted and moved to bridge shelter  67 of the original 70 guests remain at Southbridge,  Of the 67 guests, approximately 50 have been enrolled in housing programs to on a path to permanent supportive housing  Housing placements are expected to begin in August First Bridge Shelter • Non-congregate shelter • 75 guest rooms • Opened in June • Front Steps began operating Southbridge in mid-July Terrazas Library Encampment Ben White Blvd and Manchaca Road “Through the HEAL Initiative, we are connecting people to transitional shelter as well as providing primary and mental health care, social services, and substance use services.” Ruth Ahearn Integral Care’s Practice Administrator Housing and Health Care for the Homeless Initiatives