Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
CM/ ACM: John Cabrales, Jr.
Date: October 18, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Receive a report and hold a discussion regarding a six-month progress report of the jointly funded Homeless Coordinator position including local efforts to provide assistance to the homeless and those at-risk of becoming homeless.
Body
BACKGROUND
The United Way of Denton County’s Community Impact Coordinator has been asked to provide a report on coordinated initiatives being implemented to address and end homelessness in Denton to the City Council.
A citizen task force organized by the Mayor of the City of Denton, Chris Watts, explored resources and activities that could improve and expand housing solutions for the homeless in Denton. The task force presented a plan with key recommendations that would assist homeless citizens in finding and keeping a safe, stable and permanent home. These recommendations for implementing a coordinated community-wide effort to address homelessness included a recommendation for funding a homeless coordinator positon to provide leadership in implementing the plan. The outcomes of the position will be to increase and improve the effectiveness of community funding, ensure multi-faceted affordable housing options are available, and support the implementation of innovative programs. This proposal was accepted and the City Council agreed to fund the positon in the amount of $40,000 per year.
Since the position was not fully funded the City approached the United Way of Denton County, Inc., because of its proven track record of seeking collaboration and community-wide solutions to community issues. The United Way agreed to partner in the project by providing additional funds as well as to take on the responsibility of hiring, training, supervising, and organizing the position utilizing its successful collective impact initiative model.
As a result, an agreement was made between the City of Denton and the United Way of Denton County regarding the implementation of community impact strategies for homeless initiatives, specifically for the creation and support of the position of Community Impact Coordinator - Homeless Initiatives to serve Denton and Denton County.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (Council, Boards, Commissions)
The City of Denton and the United Way of Denton County entered into an agreement to create and support the position of Community Impact Coordinator - Homeless Initiatives to serve Denton and Denton County for the implementation of community impact strategies for homeless initiatives.
FISCAL INFORMATION
The City Council agreed to fund the positon in the amount of $40,000 per year through the term of the agreement. These funds helps to reduce the cost of homelessness to the City of Denton. Continued support by the City of Denton will help ensure that there is a continued, unified effort to end homelessness.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
Homelessness is addressed in Key Strategic Initiative under KFA 4. Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community Strategic Outcome #3: By 2020, reduce Denton’s homeless population by 20 percent, Key Action Steps 1-3.The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Safe, Liveable & Family-Friendly Community
Related Goal: 4.5 Provide support to citizens in need through social service agencies and programs
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 PowerPoint Handout
Exhibit 2 Memorandum of Understand between the City of Denton and the United Way of Denton County
Respectfully submitted:
Lancine Bentley
Community Improvement Division Manager
Prepared by:
Barbara Ross
Community Development Division Manager