pages: SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2016-01-07.pdf, 3
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SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard | 2016-01-07 | 3 | In response to questions, Ms. Varela stated that Midway serves 125 to 150 residents each year, and, because it is increasingly difficult to identify permanent, affordable housing, resident's shelter stays are longer than in past years. Some families are staying more than six months, and this makes less space available for those seeking shelter. If a family stays in the shelter, leaves, and wants to return at a later date, they must wait the length of their original stay, before returning. BFWC staffs a 24-hour shelter line, and now holds available beds for residents of Alameda waiting for shelter space. Midway has been housed in trailers, provided by the Alameda Homeless Network, for more than 20 years. Ms. Varela shared that it is time to start planning for a new shelter, most likely at a new site. She is in conversation with AHA staff regarding identifying land on which to build a new shelter, possibly having the shelter on the first floor, and housing on the upper floor(s). Hopefully, the new shelter would be able to accommodate intact families, including couples, and those with boys over 13. Even if building a new shelter is possible, this undertaking could be a 5-year process. The second service BFWC provides with CDBG funding is coordination of the City of Alameda Domestic Violence Task Force (DMTV). Taskforce members include the Alameda Police Department, Alameda Hospital, the City of Alameda, Family Violence Law Center, Alameda Family Services, Alameda Point Collaborative, Alameda's Social Service Human Relations Board, Girls Incorporated of the Island City, and the Alameda Boys & Girls Club. Leveraging the energy of the taskforce members, the taskforce holds events, creates and distributes DV educational materials, and supports Teen Dating Violence Awareness (TDVAM) in partnership with the AUSD Tri-Hi Health Centers. BFWC also provides short-term rental assistance with a combination of HOME and CDBG funds, and has $80,000 for direct services, but still needs funds for administration. BFWC is currently working with families facing eviction from 470 Central Ave., and has just been informed that the landlord will let the families stay until June. So far, three families have signed up with them, and they are expecting a total of twelve. Board members expressed the need for housing for the chronically homeless, living on the streets of Alameda. After conducting two Homeless Counts, they feel that the number of chronically homeless Alamedans, willing and suitable for permanent housing, is probably a very small number (+/- 12), and that the community should work together to find a solution for them. Ms. Varela suggested that there may be funding mechanisms in the future to provide housing for this population in Alameda, and member Williams added that there are now some similar programs in place in San Francisco. Board discussion regarding the input from service providers, data from surveys, and personal experience in the community resulted in the conclusion that safety-net services continue to be the primary need in our community. While the needs, particularly those related to housing, increase, the resources to meet them stay the same, or decrease. A motion was made to craft a needs statement that restated the need for safety-net services, such as food, shelter, domestic violence services, and services for seniors, and that also took into consideration the importance of working to house, and in other ways meet the needs of, Alameda's chronically homeless, living on the streets. Furthermore, it was moved that members Blake and 3 | SocialServiceHumanRelationsBoard/2016-01-07.pdf |