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04/29/1997 - Special (2) . . ."..' . .<,.'j:: .' ....,. ......~...., .........~.!,.J~,~.:.-...:..... . .'~". .... . ..' '" ..,' 'j ".; ~. ' '. t' " 1\,. . . ~ , . .' l'.~ . ,.. ~" . ..... , ." c " ~ .1. I . " . .: . F : I' ". C :', ':: , '> .. I " ,'. NAHAS Neighborhood & Affordable Housing Advisory Board MINUTES Date Jpee//l/ Pu b/i~ Inlor rYlmOf7fL/ Mee-6f1j ',~o~.5 " ....::'...~.:._.,., :'..:'. . ...., ."..'.. ,...~ ..;.,.'_..../.;;...;i.>....',':.:......,..,;.... ...... ".": ',:.,.:' . . ' " l . . . ..' .'. \ ' I. '.' [. 1'\ . i L3 .' l.:..: t. '. :.' ." '. Present: Alan Ferri Michael Holmes Ed Brant Paul Bridges Dana Slaughter Libby Stone Pat McAbee Lois Phillips Barbara Green Ruth Greenslade Brenda Moses Economic Development Director Assistant Economic Development Director The Salvation Army/C.H.I.P. The Salvation Army/C.H.J.P. Homeless Emergency Project/H.E.P. Homeless Emergency Project/H.E.P. Homeless Emergency Project/H.E.P. Homeless Emergency Project H.E.P. Homeless Emergency Project/H.E.P. RGS Emergency Housing Board Reporter ~ NEIGHBORHOOD & AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD SPECIAL PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER April 29, 1997 Economic Development Director, Alan Ferri, opened the meeting at 10:20 a.m. at Everybody's Tabernacle, 1200 Betty Lane, Clearwater. In order to provide continuity for research, items listed were not necessarily discussed in that order. ('M~~ <:iVr(1; Mr. Ferri noted this was the first of 4 public informational meetings scheduled on community housing needs. The second meeting next Thursday at Condon Gardens is on housing. The third meeting on economic development is May 6, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. at the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce office. The fourth meeting on special needs is May 8, 1997 at 10:00 a.m. at the Salvation Army on North Belcher Road. The purpose of these meetings is to solicit information from professionals and individuals. "..... U Today's topic was homelessness. Last year through consolidated funding $1 million in community block grant funding was made available, $500,000 in S.H.I.P. money which was slated for housing, development or rehabilitation, and $350,000 in home money was targeted specifically for low income and housing projects. The block grant is the only flexible funding vehicle available for economic development, public facilities, public services, code enforcement and other processes that cannot be done with other dollars. The City's entitlement was $1,025,000 which is down from the prior year. Out of the $1,055,000 through the Consolidated Plan process, 37% of funds were allocated to homeless issues, $100,000 to a homeless emergency project to build permanent new housing or to fund homeless familles, $51,000 to the Salvation Army to help staff the homeless drop-in facility, and $225,000 was allocated to the Clearwater Homeless Intervention Program to help build the overnight shelter, which is still in process. It was noted that a 48-bed facility will be constructed that will fulfill 98% of the goal set 3 years ago. One of the reasons these programs received funding is because of public input meetings such as this one today. Setting certain tangible objectives has helped to incorporate those issues into the planning process and accomplish goals for necessities such as new housing and overnight shelters. Due to circumstances beyond anyone's control, the small public services grant to the Mustard Seed mnah04b.97 1 04/29/97 . '. '+,". t~ Foundation for a homeless job program was not fulfilled. That was primarily due to the illness of the Centerls Director and changes in State law regarding worker's compensation. It is feared that in 17 months a dramatic increase in homelessness is forthcoming due to Welfare changes. .'. \". \': , .~' I ',';' ~ It was noted that a neighborhood revitalization strategy specifically for the Brownfield areas, which are predominantly North and South Greenwood, will be incorporated into this year's Consolidated Plan submission. Attendees were asked to submit suggestions relative to homelessness as soon as possible. :1.." ," 'l,t' ....1 :.:~. . Mr. Ferri asked attendees at this meeting to offer any suggestions they had regarding homelessness issues. They were urged to address any other issues which surface after this meeting in writing to Mr. Ferrils office before June 91 1997. The suggestions will be considered for incorporation to the Consolidated Plan. It was noted the City is starting the third year of a five-year plan for homeless issues. A question was asked regarding what the biggest problem was in securing employment. The County's unemployment rate is 3.2% and the market is 5%. A combination of lack of education, lack of day carel lack of jobs, and other issues contributes to unemployment. The City is working with Career Options, the County Board of Education, and Ultimate Learning Center, a private trainer and educator, to generate new jobs throughout the City. Home health care is a growing labor market and if one stays in the program, higher and more desirable wages can be obtained. The Pinellas County School System has a homeless coordinator who can supply information on the education levels of children throughout the County. , > , ~. . ,.;"::",: ," . . " ~ . ; .. ' . ,'I , ,~;.. :\.~ ";"::': :. ~.:'~ : ,~ 'I,> I . ~ . ::\: . " . ~ I' ,;1;.: ,...':; I . ~i~~ Suggestions to alleviate homelessness included day care assistance. Since school is over mid-day, parents must make arrangements for their children. When employed in an entry level position, it is nearly impossible to afford day care, especially for infants. Infant day care is only offered at private day care facilities. Another problem arises when a child is sick and the parent cannot get time off of work to handle the situation. Health insurance benefits are vital to working parents and many small companies do not offer any benefits. Travel time to and from work presents another problem to those newly entering the workforce. Missing a bus and the lengthy travel time to and from the job site can be a problem. Emission controls can also pose problems for individuals with older cars. It was noted that Coordinated Child Care, Pinellas County Headstart and Community Pride will be requesting public funding for child care. It was remarked that PSTA receives County moneys but is not willing to offer an allocation or work with the community programs throughout the City or the County. Bus passes are required and tokens are 110 longer available. The shelters pay for the passes. Until transportation is made affordable to get to the job site, employment is not feasible. It was noted that many service-oriented and entry level jobs involve shift work. Busses do not begin service until 6:30 a.m. and terminate service at 9:00 p.m. Additional transitional housing opportunities are needed for individuals coming out of the 8- week shelter program. Immediate physician attention was requested for those individuals with mental health problems who show a willingness to change their situation. Many individuals who cannot maintain their composure long enough to see a doctor end up on the streets again. : ,I ~ '.' .' . '. H.::. ~ >';' , ~'1 '. . ,,::", ;.'~<.r '::", ':'::::' :'" ". ," ." ',' I. ". .~.. i :':':'~> ?:\ \'.;'~< .\ : _i. I I ~;. . .1,- " ~ . "'l . ~ . " ,"',: J ~. ~ ., : . /:~~ \:. o : ~ ,l, I> ':.... ,::':;:\' ,i:. mnah04b.97 04/29/97 2 ',' . , . .. ;. ~:. "':'/c'.. .:....1.~.......I".::'?:: ;:.\'. . '..' :,' '" , EJ 'I.. I.. '. . i. ~ . I:.' :. !~ ' . I, .:...".:..; .::': >; '. :' ,';: ! ';,:'.,: ',:',;' ....,::,:..::;:..,.,'..;.:.;,.'.'".,' .':.: ~.'. ,'. 'L. I,. ~ I . :......,' \ .' ',\:;" ".,' ,.., "..,...' .>:'..,.., .:':~/.'.,',:::.::,(:';;< ~" : :~:'.;/ " , .". ..;~'< ~" ',.. ":. . :, .c, I. ' .': :-::.i,:::;;,.:'~:'\:. "':,~'l..l' :\,. . ~ . , I " . .. ~ I' . ,".;1, "' l:. , ~, :. ~ ~~....:::,:' j', ,,' 0<", -',I.' . '1' .'.'/' I I,' ... ,> .'. . I .' .' ',',' '., ", ' , ',;,' ,.,:j?!~t!:!;(;(1~:':~!~:L\,:~,~.~'i"V;'::i'<':':';;" ,,,, Educating current Welfare recipients to obtain job skills and to become self- sufficient will be vital to reduction of unemployment. Training is needed on how to manage budgets and become responsible for their earnings. It was suggested Inviting those individuals who have learned how to budget their earnings to serve on community panels and provide suggestions and examples of how to accomplish goals. It was remarked that it is important for the agencies represented today to network with other agencies to accomplish their mutual goals. The meeting adjourned at 11: 1 0 B.m. o I ,0 mnah04b.97. 3 .04/29/97 "