HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-06-14 HCNB Agenda PktHealthy Communities & Neighborhood Building
2"d Floor Conference Room —129 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA
Thursday June 1.4, 2018.
10:00 a.m.
Councilmember Kay Funk Ana Cortez -Steiner, Assistant City Manager
Councilmember Jason White Joan Davenport, Community Development Director
Councilmember Kathy Coffey Sara Watkins, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Councilmember Brad Hill (alternate)
1) Reports from Committees or Commissions Regarding Significant Issues
a) Community Integration (White/Beehler)
2) Continue Discussion on Revisions to Strategic Plan handout (Funk)
3) Homeless Operational Model / Administration (Funk)
4) Affordable/ Senior/ Low Income Housing/ Urgent Issues Only
a) List of Approved CDBG and HOME Programs
5) Other Business / Requests
a) Approve Minutes of 05/10/2018 NCNB Meeting
b) Future Items / Recap of Deliverables for Next NCBC Meeting
c) Interpreter for Next Meeting (48 -hr advance notice)
Next Meeting: July 12, 2018 (2" d Floor Conference Room)
The complete agenda packet is available online at: https://www.yakimawa.gov/council/city-council-committees/
Minutes Available Online for the Following Committees/Commissions:
■ Transit Citizen Advisory Committee - haps://yakimatransit.org/transit-advisory-group//
■ Historic Preservation - http://www.yakimawa.gov/services/historic-preservation-commission/minutes/
■ Yakima Planning Commission - http://www._yakimawa.gov/services/planning//planning-commission-meetings/
■ Tree City Board - htip://www.yakimawa.gov/services/planning/yakima-tree-board/
■ Community Integration Committee - haps://cdlfh042.citiesdigital.com/weblink/
Submitted:
/0 A/ S
From: Moore, Cliff
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 3:06 PM
To: All City Council
Subject: Homelessness Issues Update
This message will provide an update on homelessness issues and check in on your
request to schedule a study session on the matter. In addition, the message includes
a presentation given recently by Kirsten Jewell who is the Chair of the Governor's
State Advisory Council on Homelessness (see attached: Jewel-ALTC State
Homelessness). It is quite an interesting overview of the situation in the state,
especially focused on our aging population. Also for your information, the annual
Point in Time Survey for Yakima County is included (see attached: 2018 Yakima
County PIT Count Report — May 31, 2018).
In recent weeks Council has taken a number of steps to help clarify plans for
shelter in the near-term and long-range. You have twice approved amendments to
the lease with Transform Yakima for the current location - the main changes are:
allowing minors to stay in the encampment in a segregated area, if accompanied by
a parent or legal guardian; and establishing the schedule of occupancy and vacancy
at the current site that enables the City to remain compliant with RCW regarding
the temporary nature of an encampment. In addition, Council did authorize staff to
move forward and fon-nalize the request to receive a $ 100, 000 grant from YVCOG
to bring water and sewer lines to the current encampment location and to run
stringer lines from the main line to the site so shower and toilets facilities could be
connected.
I . Submitting a formal letter making the request and documenting the in-kind
contribution to the project the City has already made (see attached YVCOG
Letter 6.4.18)
2. Developing and submitting a scope of work to YVCOG for the work (see
attached SCOPE OF WORK.yvcog. water. sewer. coc)
3. Collaborating with YVCOG attorney on a contract for the grant
progress)
4. Initiating talks with a local engineering firm to undertake design work for
the project (in -progress)
5. Ensuring that the placement of water and sewer lines to the current location
is appropriate for an eventual future extension of those utilities to the parcel
under consideration as a permanent location for a shelter.
We are working with Transform Yakima on a regular basis to provide any
information they need to set up the encampment later this month to enable the
move from their current location. Today or tomorrow, our staff will walk the site
with TYT to identify where best to set up facilities knowing that soon, on-site
sewer and water work will be occurring. Our i_sdan is to b and miti ate anplm!yact
U 9
to facility locations.
Council has also taken action to identify a likely permanent location for a homele
shelter by authorizing a re-zone/comp plan amendment process for 2+ acre site
south of SR 24 and east of the old K -Mart parking lot. Assuming that all moves
forward as expected, that parcel could be available late this year. We have been
clear with providers and funders that the City does not have any particular entity i
mind for the utilization of this property. Rather, we have stated all along that the
City would run an RFP to identify the best qualified entity to build and operate a
facility. I
All of that is critical and important work that will help position Yakima for a more
stable approach to serving the needs of the homeless population moving forward.
In addition, recent interactions with individuals camping in public places has been
very positive. Of the 13 individuals encountered last Wednesday night, 8 agreed to
go to an available shelter bed and 5 agreed to move on. No one was arrested and
our partners in this outreach effort reported that a majority of the individuals who
went to a shelter were new to the system. That is a very positive outcome —
connecting individuals to services will hopefully help them identify positive next
steps.
Regarding the Council request for a study session on homelessness, a previous
email message to Council on homelessness issues dated May 8 outlined the topic
you wanted to discuss at the session (see attached: Homeless Issue Update). Topi
i.-tcludei:
a. Request for an AG opinion on proselytizing (Council took this item off the
table at your May I Business meeting)
b. Long term plans for the provision of homeless services
c. Update on the restructuring of the HPPC; update from the YVCOG
Governance Committee
d. What role does the City play (perhaps including establishing a City unit to
address homelessness, funded by seeking the "City share" of filing fee
revenue)
e. UMIS Data: standardized reports; how data is used for program planning
and measuring progress
f. Program successes in other communities
g. Out of area consultants
Since that email message, I don't recall getting any further requests for topics to be
covered.
Regarding item •above,part of picture is completenow
permanent facility has been • _• However,you - have deeper
questions on • would probably want to hear fromand local
area providers. If this is correct, please email suggestions of invitees.
Regarding item c. above, the committee empaneled by the YVCOG Executive
Committee to make recommendations for the future governance of homeless
programs has completed their workand presented it to the YVCOG Exec
Committee -- -•I governance. chart). Although they had not been -t to
do so, YVCOG staff prepared an alternative plan and were allowed to present th
before the Governance• presented the workhad done.i
CommitteeExecutive -• that the Governance• •
staff to see if they could "reconcile" their different approaches. Several of those
meeting have taken place, but at the upcoming Exec Committee meeting,
scheduled for June 18, at this point in time, there is no agenda item for•• on
the outcomes of these meetings, so it is unclear when they will address this matter
Sara Watkins • Joan Davenport been participating discussions an•:
could provide an update at a study session — assuming the Executive Committee
indicates what pathway they plan to take. Alternatively, you may wish to invite
Lowell Kruger from the Housing Authority to provide an update. Lowell was the
Chair of HPPC • has also served on •Committee.
Regarding item d. above, staff is ready to present information gathered on this
point.
identifyRegarding item e, above, since Yakima County has voted to join the Balance of
State process, all FMIS data is submitted to the Department of Commerce. Once a
date for a study session has been determined, Commerce would be invited to
- •:' to discuss collectionand use of data.
Regarding item f. above, candidly, there are not really any unmitigated "success"
stories. Communities are doing their best to manage the challenge of an increasing
homeless population and the providers in our community are doing the same. We
could certainly invite representatives from other communities and we would likely
consult with Commerce and County Health Departments around the state on
which communities they think are doing good work. In most Counties, it is the
County Health Department that manages funding and provider contracts for the
provision of services to the homeless. If you have specific communities that you
would like to invite, please email me so we can make contact.
Regarding item g. above, again, we would likely ask Commerce, County Health
Departments and local providers who they have had good experiences with and
make invitations.
I know this is a lot to consider, but I wanted you to know that we have not been
sitting idle. Because there are so many moving parts to this issue, it may well be
that you will simply want to pick a date in the near future for a study session ant
staff will pull together as many participants as possible.
City Manager
City of Yakima
129 N. SeconA&T-W
Yakima, WA 98901
509.575.6040
govern an ce.ch art.
0 2018 Yakima County Homelessness
I ssus
SCOPE OF
YVCOG Letter
Jewel-ALTC WA
426.pdf
PITCount Report - K
Update.msg
WORK.yvcog.water.!
6.4.18. p d f
State Homelessness
Competition De
CoC Number: WA -507
This
Submitted:
•• summarizes the scores •, CoC received in the FY 2017 • • Care
Program Competition application. It provides three sets of information: I
• The CoC's score on several high priority questions;
• A summary
• the CoC's scores on the four sections of the application; and
• A summary of the average CoC • including the highest and • scores.
The
• are organized in the same manner as the CoC application. In a separate +• we
?re publishing a crosswalk showing how the questions in the CoC application were related to the
-+uestions in the NOFA.
High Priority CoC Application Questions
Below is a selection of high priority CoC Application questions that includes the total points
available for each of the questions listed and the points received by the CoC for the question.
The chart below indicates the maximum amount • r• available for each scoring category
and the actual score • CoC received.
'HiLyhPrioritvCoCApt)lication�Question.s�
CoC Application ijjue�stlons MaMWIFUff FScore Availa
1E. Continuum of Care LWC)±roject Review, Ranking, and Selection
This question assessed whether a CoC used objective criteria
and past performance to review and rank projects. To
receive full Points, CoCs would have had to use performance-
based criteria to at least partially evaluate and rank projects.
Examples of performance criteria include reducing the length
of time people experienced homelessness and the degree to
which people exited programs for permanent housing
destinations.
IE -1. Using the drop-down menu, select the appropriate
response(s) that demonstrate the process the CoC used to
rank and select project applications in the FY 2017 CoC
Program Competition which included (1) the use of objective
criteria; (2) at least
• factor related to achieving positive
housing outcomes; and (3) included a specific method for
evaluating projects submitted by victim service providers.
Continuum of Care Program
Competition Debriefing
High riori CoC Application a tio'
COC
CoC Application Questions ` Maximum Score Available
Score
Received
program participants in their project ranking and selection
process. Describe: (1) the specific vulnerabilities
the CoC considered; and (2) how the CoC takes these
vulnerabilities into account during the ranking and selection
process.
2A. Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Bed Coverage
2A-5. Per the 2017 HIC use the following chart to indicate 6
0
the number of beds in the 2017 HIC and in HMIS for each
project type within the CoC. If a particular project type does
not exist in the CoC then enter "0" for all cells.
3A. Continuum of Care (CoC) System Performance
This question captured the change in PIT counts of Sheltered 3
1.5
and Unsheitered Homeless Persons
3A-1. Performance Measure: Reduction in the Number of
First -Time Homeless. Describe: (1) the numerical change the
CoC experienced; (2) the process the CoC used to identify
risk factors of becoming homeless for the first time; (3) the
strategies in place to address individuals and families at risk
of becoming homeless; and (4) the organization or position
that is responsible for overseeing the CoC's strategy to
reduce or end the number of individuals and families
experiencing homelessness for the first time.
3A-2. Performance Measure: Length -of -Time Homeless. 11
11
CoC's must demonstrate how they reduce the length -of -
time for individuals and families remaining homeless.
Describe (1) the numerical change the CoC experienced; (2)
the actions the CoC has implemented to reduce the length -
of -time individuals and families remain homeless; (3) how
the CoC identifies and houses individuals and families with
the longest length -of -time homeless; and (4) identify the
organization or position that is responsible for overseeing
the CoC's strategy to reduce the length -of -time individuals
and families remain homeless.
3A-3. Performance Measures: Successful Permanent 9
3
Housing Placement and Retention
Describe: (1) the numerical change the CoC experienced; (2)
the CoCs strategy to increase the rate of which individuals
and families move to permanent housing destination or
retain permanent housing; and (3) the organization or
position responsible for overseeing the CoC's strategy for
Page 12
Continuum of Care Program FY 2017
Competition Debriefing
High Priority CoC Application Questions
coc
CoC Application Questions Maximum Score Available
Score
Received
retention of, or placement in permanent housing.
3A-4. Performance Measure: Returns to Homelessness. 6
2
Describe: (1) the numerical change the CoC experienced, (2)
what strategies the CoC implemented to identify individuals
and families who return to homelessness, (3) the strategies
the CoC will use to reduce additional returns to
homelessness, and (4) the organization or position
responsible for overseeing the CoC's efforts to reduce the
rate of individuals and families' returns to homelessness.
3A-5. Performance Measures: Job and Income Growth 4
0
Describe: (1) the strategies that have been implemented to
increase access to employment and mainstream benefits;
(2) how the CoC program -funded projects have been
assisted to implement the strategies; (3) how the CoC is
working with mainstream employment organizations to
help individuals and families increase their cash income; and
(4) the organization or position that is responsible for
overseeing the CoC's strategy to increase job and income
growth from employment, nonemployment including
mainstream benefits.
3A-7. Enter the date the CoC submitted the System 6
6
Performance Measures data in HDX, which included the data
quality section for FY 2016. (mm/dd/yyyy)
3B. Continuum of Care (Cog Performance and Strategic Planning Objectives
313-2.2. Describe: (1) the CoCs current strategy and 3
0
timeframe for rapidly rehousing every household of families
with children within 30 days of becoming homeless; and (2)
the organization or position responsible for overseeing the
CoC's strategy to rapidly rehouse families with children
within 30 days of becoming homeless.
38-2.3. Compare the number of RRH units available to serve 4
2
families from the 2016 and 2017 HIC,
4A. Continuum of Care (CoQ Accessing Mainstream Benefits and Additional Policies
4A-3. Housing First: What percentage of CoC Program 8
8
Funded PSH, RRH, SSO (non -coordinated entry), safe -haven
and Transitional Housing; FY 2017 projects have adopted the
Housing First approach, meaning that the project Quickly
[1= - I F.Tky, T M- no 110 1
Highest Score for any CoC:
190.
Lowest Score for any CoC:
57.
Median Score for all CoCs:
147.
Weighted Mean Score for all CoCs:
159.1
that scored higher than the weighted mean score were more likely to gain funding relative to
their Annual Renewal Demand, while CoCs that scored lower than the weighted mean were
more likely to lose money relative to their Annual Renewal Demand.
OIN
Yakima County
` •
Processunt
Produced by ACR Business
ICOUNT
because you count I Icount usiyakirna
Questions / commen%s:
Questions, comments or to reguest a digital cogy of this reDort glease contact:
Crystal Testerman, Homeless Program Manager
Yakima Valley Conference of Governments
Aaron Rodriguez, 2018 Point -in -Time Count Project Manager
ACR Business Consulting
ills HOW21P-29 ftinkinAims gawt; Q"Kxlm�
The Homeless Point -in -Time (PIT) count is a requirement by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD). HUD requires communities to submit a count of the homeless
population in their area as well as information on specific sub -populations, including chronically
homeless persons, veterans, and unaccompanied youth.
Many communities, including Yakima County, develop their sheltered count from their Homeless
Management Information System (HMIS) data. Yakima County also facilitates in-person surveys
to add additional demographic detail beyond just a number. HUD does not prescribe the survey
method to use but does provide guidance on survey techniques.
The unsheltered count is more complicated and costly to conduct than the sheltered count, and
persons are not generally recorded in HMIS, communities have much more planning to do to
account for unsheltered individuals. There are 3 accepted methodologies provided by HUD to
conduct an unsheltered count:
1. Street counts. Community volunteers visit the streets and locations where they expect to
find homeless individuals and count them based on observation over a very specific period
(usually between dusk and dawn on a single night). This method is relatively easy to
organize, train volunteers to conduct, and carry out. However simple to carry out, this
method invariably misses some people, and little information is gained beyond the total
number of unsheltered persons.
2. Street count with an interview. With this approach, count participants are trained to
interview every person they encounter who appears to be unsheltered. The sample -with -
interview approach yields a much richer level of data to the community, but tends to be
more complicated to de -duplicate.
3. Service -based count. The community counts people as they receive homeless services
during the specific count period. Service -based counts can extend beyond 1 day, but
cannot exceed 7 days after the date of the count. Communities using the service -based
approach will often plan a specific event that is likely to attract homeless persons such as
a special breakfast or healthcare -related offering. Although this method requires the
community to carefully determine who has already been counted, it tends to reach a
particular homeless population that chooses to use the supportive services available
including soup kitchens, drop-in centers, and street outreach teams, and who would
otherwise be difficult to count because of where they choose to sleep.
To determine the most appropriate methodology to use, communities need to evaluate, among
many things, their climate, size, and availability of resources. The number of anticipated
participants in the count and the size of the area often drive the method that is chosen. However,
several communities use a combination of these methodologies.
Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development:,
o-wPolalluar Wc'
2 Washington State Department of Commerce:
&MMi"WIAW 1111 t"i Iwo"
in addition to nomeless popuiation 0aTa—,N#DT7e-qT1res corn in 111711 Lies EO-5VOT11
on chronically homeless individuals and families, veterans, severely mentally ill individuals,
chronic substance users, persons with HIV/AIDS, those fleeing domestic violence, and
unaccompanied children (under 18). When the subpopulation data is incomplete, communities use
sampling and extrapolation methods to derive their counts.
For the 2018 Homeless Point -in -time (PIT) Count, Yakima County partnered with ACR Business
Consulting to facilitate the PIT Count. ACR Business Consulting has facilitated prior PIT Counts
for Thurston County and worked with the City of Olympia on homeless strategy. The firm alms t4
collaborate with agencies and organizations that work with homeless neighbors, and utilizes the
overarching brand "iCount" to build local community support for volunteers, donations, and
outreach efforts.
1) Maximize the scope of the one -day count through county -wide outreach efforts utilizing a
thorough and cost effective approach
2) Implement tools to assist with census efforts for future years
3) Pursue high quality data collection
4) Collect and report relevant information to |nhzrnn and educate local community citizens,
policy makers, and funders.
Yakima County has a strong network of homeless service agencies. Together these agencies have
typically facilitated Project Homeless Connect Events as the backbone of the annual PIT Count.
For the 2018 PIT Count, ACR Business Consulting focused on utilizing the strength of the service
network to facilitate street counts with an interview and service -based counts to connect
with both sheltered and unsheltered homeless neighbors throughout Yakima County. This
approach was designed to minimize the cost to facilitate the PIT Count and align efforts with
agencies making connections with homeless neighbors through normal service activities.
The county was divided into 3 areas - Upper Valley, Mid Valley, South Valley - and partner
agencies and community volunteers were identified within each area. Volunteers were paired with
agency leads to serve as roving teams throughout the areas, looking to connect with as many
unsheltered neighbors as possible. However, due to the sensitivity and potential safety concerns,
the PIT Count did not include going into homeless encampments or wooded areas.
across Yakima County already in place. The iCount brand established a for tht
Yakima County PIT for community members to continue to post and share information on issues
_01 _qeftKW volunteer recruitment, sponsorship and
donations was also established. This page is intended to assist in outreach and recruitment efforts
R v I
To maintain data consistency and quality, I�VW)jp( _,%yyVyq were utilized by iCount Yakima
County volunteers and agencies for the 2018 PIT Count. As always, survey data quality relied on
participants authorizing the use of their information by way of signature. This allows duplicate
surveys to be identified, and it significantly reduced the likelihood of double entry into the
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) across the unsheltered and sheltered counts.
For 2018 PIT Count, local agencies and the iCount Yakima County team of volunteers did a
tremendous job connecting with homeless neighbors to gather complete surveys. Throughout the
County, 443 surveys were collected encompassing 646 individuals.
----------
The 2018 PIT Count utilized the single census form for both sheltered and unsheltered survey
participants. The form is designed to make it easier for survey collectors to gather necessary
information from census participants and provide a consistent and wider sample set of data for
analysis and reporting. The facilitation of the PIT count is a HUD requirement and takes real time,
energy, and resources to be inclusive and impactful. Beyond the federally mandated survey
questions there is relevant information that can be collected utilizing the efforts already required
to facilitate the PIT Count. For the 2018 PIT Count, questions about the most critical services
benefiting homeless neighbors as well as questions on housing search efforts and household
income levels were incorporated. The topic of housing affordability and access is currently a major
focal point across the United States and in Yakima County. With median home prices continuing
to rise and accessibility for low and no income neighbors becoming more difficult, questions were
added to the survey this year to gauge efforts by homeless neighbors to secure housing, and to
better understand the reality of barriers these households face in finding stability. The results of
this data are attached to this report as a 1 page info graphic.
The following charts and graphs represent key data that was collected through the 2018 PIT
census efforts. The underlying data set has been submitted to the Yakima Valley Conference of
Governments and is available for additional analysis as needed. The goal of this report is to
support the efforts of public agencies and nonprofit service providers in securing and expanding
Funding for programs assisting homeless neighbors in Yakima County. Hopefully this information
can also be used as an educational tool for the community to work together to understand the
reality of who is facing homelessness in Yakima County, and the efforts these neighbors pursue
and barriers they face in returning to stable housing.
YaWwa gamoty.29191 P-11 Count Results
2018 Yakima County Homeless Count
As Reported by WA Department of Commerce
lsswmnu
Unsheltered M Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing
3
Yakima County PIT Count Totals: Z010 - 2018
As Reported by WA Dept of Commerce
Unsheltered 1 Emergency shelter Transitional Housing —Total
800
-%O%M
M
M
M
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
3 Total PIT Count is the result of •. derived • the combination •. Surveys, HMIS Emergency Shelter and
Transitional Housinq entries on January 25. 2018 and cle-du ' i UIS bX t�p U/4 of Q
0
�fftfja • I&AZI144 L611• • a -RIFE •,• - - • - • •'
2018 PIT Count• and CountS4
018 PIT Count Key Demographic Data a • from Surveys and
Compared with HMIS Data from WA Department of Commerce
Surveys HMIS
-rAM"-4kMWLXjv
Singles
Families with chi dren
Dependents •
Seniors
Veterans 56
Chronic Homelesshousehold i
42018 PIT Count List of Locations and Surveys Collected at each can be found at the end of this report.
a
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Ethnicity Reported
Head of Household Data from 44<< urvegvLsL3j2&1j=reoT3g-,-�
Mg,■no wom
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Race Classification
M
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
�4-rnv* 6&0vic w-3-4
Head of Household Data from 443 Surveys
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Last Address of Those Currently Homeless in Yakima County
Head of Houshold Data from 443 Surveys
Sunnyside Other Cities in Yakima County
7% 9%
I
N
MMM
11111IM11111111111
M
w
7
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Gender Classification of Homeless Neighbors
Data From 646 Total Individuals included in Surveys
4
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% BG% 90% 100%
Male w Female -1i Transgender / Do not IdentifV No info given
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
by Sub -Grouping Head of Household Data from 443 Surveys
F�� Served in Military
M
23
oz Currently Fleeing Domestic Violence
M1
ORIM =,-,*
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
A Closer Look at Disabilities Revorted bU Homeless Neighbors
Head of Household Data from 443 Surveys
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Where Homeless Neighbors Slept the Night Prior to the Count
•I -- "I - 11i r� P�,�-ffpr . . - ..
294
a Considered Homeless by HUD definition (553)
Not considered Homeless by HUD definition (93)
56
M. I
47
45 28 29 33
3
ow "
sm Em Am
Emergency Covered -
Uncovered -
Vehicle
Inadequate Hospital/Jail Transitional Hotel/Motel With Family,'
Shelter outside
outside
Structure Housing Friends
5
' This chart represents prior night locations identified by homeless neighbors who participated in the survey. The
Department of Commerce reported a total emergency shelter count of 305, an unsheltered count of 228, and a
transitional housing count of 105 for a total count of 638 homeless neighbors the night of the PIT Count.
M
2018 Yakima CountyCount
Chronically Homeless Neighbors
443 Surveys Totaling
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Chronicallyi Householdsl
r a` r♦ r r r r • r �. ': r.
;a Veteran Single- 20
Non -veteran Single -107
r Veteran it -
Non -veteran it - 25
6 The Department of Commerce reported 324 total Individuals classified as chronically homeless the night of the 2018
PIT Count based on HMIS HMIdata. This would Indicate that approximately 0% of all homeless neighbors Included in the
night of the PIT Count are chronically homeless.
91
ME
M
M
N
Department of Commerce HMIS Reporting:
Chronically Homeless Neighbors: 2013 - 2018
Based on Annual PIT Count Data from HIMIS Reported by Department of Commerce
Total PIT Count --,--,—Chronscally Homeless
695 701 688
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2019
2018 PIT Count: Top Reasons Cited as Cause of Homelessnesa
(Participants could select more than one reason)
Number of Responses
1.
Family Crisis
136
2.
Alcohol / Substance Use
109
3.
Job Loss
108
4.
Economic
108
5.
Lost Temporary Living Situation
97
6.
Physical / Mental Disability
94
7.
Mental Illness
86
8.
Illness / Health Related
80
9.
Eviction
74
10. Kicked Out / Left Home
65
11. Personal Choice
56
12. Domestic Violence
50
13. Lacking Job Skills
48
14. Released from Jail
41
15. Medical Costs
31
16. Aged out of Foster Care
29
17. Lack of Childcare
6
18. Language Barrier
6
Trends of the Top Reasons Cited for
Becoming Homeless 2015 - 2018
2015 2016 2017 2018
0
3
W
Economic Loss Family Crisis 0 -Alcohol/ Substance Use
7
The graph above shows the ranking of the top reasons cited for becoming homeless each year
since the 2015 PIT Count. A ranking of 1 is the most cited reason. There are certainly a number
of variables affecting the data validity, nonetheless, this trend analysis provides an interesting
look at the leading causes of homelessness in Yakima County over the past four years. Since
2015, "Alcohol/Substance Use", "Economic", "Job Loss", and "Family Crisis" continue to be the 4
most cited reasons for the occurrence of homelessness in Yakima County.
I Data collected from Yakima County prior year census reports. No data available for 2017 PIT Count.
N
M -TEN 7 1 M-1 w
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
Head of Household Data from 443 Surveys
2018 Yakima County PIT Count
% Reporting At Least 1 Disability by Age Group
Head of Household Data from 439 Surveys Providing Age
M
MV.
093MEMI
M
2018YakimaCountyi Count
j Classifiedas ChronicallyHomeless byAge Groul;t
Head of r r Data fromi" Surveys Providing Age
47
Under 18 (4 surveys) 18-24(30) >24 - 55 (295) >55 (110)
livingThe above 2 charts demonstrate that roughly 2 out of every 3 homeless neighbors
i disability i
2018 Yakima I
Top Reasons Leading ss ss - Cited by Age Group
Head of Household Data from 439 Surveys Providing Age
M
Kicked Out ( Personal
Left Home choice
>55 (110)
For the 2018 PIT Count, additional questions regarding income relative to housing search efforts
were asked to survey participants in an effort to glean further insights from the broad macro-
economic factors cited as the leading causes of homelessness over the past several years. The
following graphics illustrate profiles of homeless neighbors who are seemingly "locked -out" of
access to stable housing due to income levels. This sample size reinforces the notion that the
disparity between market rate and affordable housing is perhaps the greatest influencer in the
ability for homeless neighbors to return to stable housing in Yakima County. These survey findings
may motivate a deeper look at the prevailing perception of the profile of homeless individuals and
families in the Yakima County community and the actual support they need to maintain or return
to housing stability.
'
As with all data collection, there are challenges regarding the validity of the data collection and
reporting process. For the 2018 PIT count, gathering survey participant signatures significantly
decreased the likelihood of data duplication on reported information. However, as has been the
struggle in previous years, the following variables must be acknowledged as it relates to data
1. Known sections of homeless neighbors not surveyed. Excluding entering into camps (even
those that are known) for safety reasons decreases the population surveyed and reduces
the number of homeless that are accounted for on the day of the PIT count. The 2018 PIT
Count efforts included volunteer assistance from formerly homeless individuals currently
affiliated with Entrust. These census facilitators had knowledge of areas to go and trust
established to connect with homeless neighbors that may have been reluctant to participate
or even be identified. Event with this strategy, the total number reported is still viewed by
service providers as only about one-third of the actual number of unique Individuals and
households seeking homeless services. This tends to be supported by HMIS reports thal
are pulled quarterly by agencies showing total new entries into the service system.
2. Rural Communities and the Yakama Nation lacking service agencies with which to partner.
Facilitators of the 2018 PIT count worked to partner with as many agencies as were willing
across the county. Some communities had only I agency that served homeless neighbors,
while others did not have any agency representation. Despite the collaboration from service
providers, in most cases, survey volunteers were restricted to working within the business
hours on the day of the count. In the case of the Yakama Nation, a known overnight
shelter was not included in the PIT efforts. It is worth noting that contact was established
post PIT Count and the goal is to have the shelter staffed with survey facilitators next year.
These factors most likely reduced the reporting in those communities.
3. HUD classification of "Inadequate Structure" as homeless not necessarily aligning with
people's own perception of their circumstance. HUD classifies those living in structures
without any of the following: heat, running water, the ability to cook hot food, the ability
to bathe, as homeless. There is a high likelihood that individuals in these circumstances do
not equate themselves as being homeless and therefore are not seeking services nor
participating in PIT count activities. There were some survey participants who identified
their own home as an inadequate structure, but a very small number relative to the likely
potential of qualified dwellings,
4. School district homeless youth reports differ from qualified HUD PIT count numbers. School
districts report the number of students living in unstable housing circumstances through
the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). However, a broader definition
of "homeless" is used including students who are living "doubled up" and "couch surfing."
While the PIT Count may connect with some of these individuals, the number Mi
th�r2"ID$gj has historically been much larger than the PIT counts. According to the
report released by OSPI in 2017, school districts in Yakima County reported 2,549
students K — 12 as homeless. Of this number, approximately 7.5% (190 students)
reported living in an emergency shelter or unsheltered and would therefore qualify within
the HUD definition of homeless. The number of homeless students enrolled in Yakima
County school districts in 2018 has not been reported yet.
Summary and RecoMnjggdMMqM
In reviewing the information that was collected, the Yakima County 2018 PIT Count follows the
"xi
exception is the increase in the number of chronically homeless identified in the survey efforts.
This may be due to increased efforts to have roving survey facilitators as well as incorporating
formerlW itators--7b.Wen era I consistencW of data collected over
i wxw�&,o - ii fi C . . . . . . . . . .
............... ...
neighbors is perhaps becoming less speculative. This allows the County and service providers to
begin to look at the efficiency and effectiveness of the homeless service system in Yakima County
as it relates to serving specific homeless subpopulations. Continued efforts are underway to evolve
the homeless service system through refinement of the Coordinated Entry process and other
initiatives as outlined in the Qq to address homelessness and affordable
housing,
The trends in the data about causes cited for homelessness is one area that may benefit from
being further explored. Within the top reasons continually cited, those of "Economic," "Family
collection. For example: 1) insights into more exact "economic" reasons that make this category
a top cited reason, 2) data regarding time between the moment of job loss or family crisis and
seeVi-tq Wo-meless service assistance, 3 identi inci Darticular reasons that mg benefit from more
e.7g,0335 Mr,?VTJMqI7MIP 1 6. - i
into causes and circumstances that may have a greater impact on certain age groups.
Of course the single greatest "reason" affecting community members at risk of or currently
ex�erieMikg X*AAelessxess ci,AtiAues ti, We tXe 12cle. *f gff T��e
two charts below provide context for the large number of households in Yakima County
(approximately 26,000) that are classified as cost -burdened or severely cost-burdened8. This
means that these households pay more than 30% or 50% respectively of gross wages towards
housing and are considered "unstably housed." About 33% of all households in Yakima County
are unstably housed and at risk of becoming homeless. Affordable housing inventory for
households making 50% or less of the median family income is about 40% of what is needed.
This means that 6 out of 10 low -to -no income households cannot find an affordable home in
Yakima County based on their income levels.
Cost Sutden
-,, 1 a �t
- P ,(el It 4 1
(J" : ., in lie(+
8 Data presented is from a 2015 Affordable Housing Needs Assessment conducted by the WA Department of Commerce
R
"Job Loss" as consistent reasons leading to homelessness. At this level of need for affordable
housing, government resources available to the homeless and affordable housing service system
will need to explore and consider solutions involving private investment and public-privat�!-
partnerships in addition to funding provided by federal, state, and local governments.
The results of the 2018 PIT Count continue to illustrate the pursuit of more coordinated efforts
throughout the homeless service system to define both demographic data for trend analysis as
limited funding.
Location
Surveys Collected
Area
Union goGo
,-_spel 'Mission m^r
�ap jjppe
63
YNHS Depot (Yakima)
44
Yakima Rovers
29
Sunrise Outreach
26
Rod's House
16
Yakima DSHS
16
Triumph Treatment Center
9
_YTMAqe_�Ho�eTqqpenish)
1
Noah's Ark
0
2
To enish Comunit Chest
17
2
The Com poundjjjo�enish)
7
Entrust(SunrLside T
16
3
YS (Sunnyside),,_
10
3
The Under round (Sunnyside).
9
3
South Valley Rovers
3
3
Total Surveys Collected
443
m
Submitted: Search
LN,k
i-
i'
t,
Danny Westneat / Columnist f
'We need to break some rules' to fix Seattle's
10 0
homelessness crisis
Originally published lune 1, 2018 at 7:03 pm Updated lune 2, 2018 at 3:21 pm
This steel modular housing project for the homeless, in Columbia City, has been shelved. Too many rules and
regulations got in the way, the developer says, (One Build)
L_JUkcJ The Seattle Times on Facebook
. .. ....... ... .. ...
Seattle Times columnist
Dale Sperling has been working on it now for four years, coming at it from his angle as a
35 -year private real estate professional. This column is about how he also has gotten
stuck — despite a $1 million donation from billionaire Paul Allen.
"We need to break some rules," he says, exasperated. "If there's one big thing wrong
with how Seattle is going about this, it's that we're trying to do it the way we've always
done
mum
a
of head to less thiin a triorith after approving it
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Sperling's effort was announced with some fanfare a few years ago. Allen's donation
was to jump start Sperling's novel idea to prefabricate steel apartment modules that
could be stacked like Lego blocks. The Allen grant was for a demonstration project Of 13
units in a church parking lot in Columbia City.
"The Solution to the Homeless Crisis in Seattle" gushed one headline about
portable, yet durable, 16o -square -foot metal pods.
But two years later, the project has been shelved — or put "on hold indefinitelyas the
nonprofit partner Compass Housing put it. Sperling says it fell victim to his early -
learning mistakes but, mostly, to a blizzard of rules imposed on the never -before -tried
development by the city.
Sperling, 71, formerly CEO of Seattle real-estate investment firm Unico Properties, carnz
up with the idea while biking to work past people living in cardboard boxes under the
viaduct. The gist is that prefabricated apartments could be factory -built and then
shipped here and stacked in place far cheaper than the current $300,000 or so per unit
it costs to build a low-income apartment the old-fashioned way.
The modular apartments would be put together in assembly -line fashion, kind of like
cars, and would arrive fully furnished and plumbed — "with everything in place but the
toilet paper," Sperling says.
His Seattle firm, OneBuild, did this with wood -frame units, building them in bulk at a
factory in Oregon for downtown Seattle's first modular development, the 'N' Habit:
ADVERTISING
Replay
• ••' pods have been outsourced to a factory in China. The area's first steel modular
development is 58 market -rate units planned in Bremerton. At its core it's really four
levels of stacked metal shipping -sized containers (except with windows.)
But the homeless modular housing in Columbia City ran into problems from the start.
Example: The city said the lot needed an electrical transformer, which, Sperling says,
required a nine-month permitting and design process. Another example: The city ruled
the units' hot-water heaters were too small (by only two gallons, Sperling says.) This
forced a complete redesign of the modular pods.
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11 Wess ufflts, -d I three-year demonstration proiect," Sperling says.
"But there was one code hurdle after another. Finally, I had to pull the plug."
The building codes are important, but s going to be impossible to deliver ready -ma
housing for $1oo,000 per unit, as Sperling was proposing, if you have to wade throug
the city's usual permitting and code -review process every time.
"The homelessness issue just isn't solvable without cheaper housing," Sperling says.
"There's got to be something between a tent and a $300,iii apartment. Otherwise it's a
certainty there will be more and more people living under bridges."
The truth of this was revealed in the head -tax debate. For all the controversy over the
city's new tax, the money raised will only pay for the construction of about 600 low-
income apartments. Yet a recent count found 4,500 people without shelter in Seattle on
a single night.
Sperling says he's now trying to get the state and eventually the city to preapprove his
modular apartment design. His vision is that they could then be mass-produced and
'Gsprinkled around the city" in groups Of 10, 25 or 50. The buildings could be wrapped in
varied exterior treatments, so they don't all look the same.
Think the old SROs — the single -room occupancy hotels, Only reinvented and
MIMUMMM
"I'm sure this isn't the only answer, or even the best one," Sperling says. "But I do know
0
1 for subsidized housing won't work in the Seattle
IWW�����Ql&sness. It costs too much money, and takes too
much time. Something's got to give."
Danny Westneat: dwestneat@seattletimes.com. Danny Westneat takes an opinionated
look at the Puget Sound region's news, people and politics.
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We warmly welcome all of you to the I" Annual Youth Leadership Summit. it is with
great excite3ftent zxi, �lcmure Azt-vm. jrP-i.e2§t tkis k�2m�,le eff6x t* encturage the. gntwh,
development and success of youth in the community.
We welcome all the �a�X�,eople to this event. It was ary Y*o,
are our treasure, you are our future. "You are the messengers we will send into the
future." «.£ ers in our communities broke new ground and set the foundation for
the building of strong communities. Some of them you will see here today.
You are the next generation of potential leaders. Be proud and be brave, your future is
bright. Many challenges will face you and test you. Do not despair. Do not give up. Do
not give out.
Talk with the adults you see here, utilize our experiences, use us for your own learning,
�j
There can be no better reward than to be to make a difference in the life of a child. We
are all here today to make a difference, to learn something new, to support you, to
encourage your success n school and in your personal life, to make som new friends, to
e
build up our communities and to have some fun.
I ,
Youth Leadership Summit Schedule
8:30-9:00 am —
Registration and light breakfast (muffins, fruit, juice)
9:00-9:15 am —
Welcome and purpose for the day
9:15- 9:30 am —
Youth motivational speaker/Ice Breaker
9:30-10:00 a
— Large group discussion by all participants
10:00-10:30 am
— Inspirational video
10:30-11:30 a
— Youth break out by school group and discuss specific school related
issues
11:30-12:30 pm — LUNCH
12:30-1:30 pm
— Youth meet back in their school groups and create an action plan
1:30-1:45 pm —
BREAK (with snacks)
1:45-2:45 pm —
Youth report out to large group and share their action plans
2:45-3:00 pm —
Motivational speaker
3:00-3:15 pm —
Closing and next steps
ru
is
11
Please turn off all electronic devices!!!
By attending the I" Annual Youth Leadership Summit, you are on the first step of a
journey toward future leadership in the community and beyond.
Today you will see many people in our community who are leaders in paving the way for
future generations.
They are here for YOU!
There will be many guides for you on your journey. They all begin with respect.
esectfor:
Yourself
Your friends
Your elders
Your supporters
And, yes, even your adversaries
A few simple guidelines for today will help
you practice becoming a leader and will
make today a success for all who are
involved.
1. Show respect by listening when someone is talking, and speaking softly in group
settings.
2. Respond quickly to requests for quiet, especially look for a raised hand.
3. Think about the words of session speakers and presenters and participate in and
contribute to sessions; your voice and thoughtful remarks are needed.
4. Look for ways to be of assistance to anyone who needs it; ask if you can be of
help.
5. Leave any area you are in cleaner and more orderly than it was when you arrived.
Or wherever you are, leave it cleaner and more orderly than it was when you
arrived.
6. Keep all four legs of the chair on the floor.
Sub
M,
COMMUUITy clean up voy
June 8, 2018
8:00am — 1:00pm
Join the Henry Beauchamp Community Center &
Safe Yakima Valley
For more information contact Adrianne Garner at 575-6114 9&
*lC of IT'ashington/Aenry Beauchamp Community Center does not discriminate against any employee or participant due -
to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, religion or physical, mental or sensory disability in
accordance with state and federal regulations.