Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-08; Housing Commission; MinutesMinutes of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: CALL TO ORDER HOUSING COMMISSION 6:00 P.M. FEBRUARY 8, 2018 COUNCIL CHAMBERS Chairperson Newman called the Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Williams led with the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Staff Present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioners: Arline Carrillo Alan Newman Kristy Randall Shaunee Williams Joy Evans Management Analyst: Courtney Pene Minutes of January 11, 2018, were approved as written. ITEM NOT ON AGENDA There were no items not on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Newman brought the meeting to order. Marie Jones-Kirk, Community Services Manager, introduced Reilly Cornwell, girl scout, who will be giving a presentation. Ms. Cornwell, 17 years old, a girl scout since Kindergarten, enjoys photography and journalism, interviewed young homeless men and women and gave a presentation on her findings. Ms. Jones-Kirk gave the presentation on the Homeless Response Plan and opened it up for any questions from the Housing Commission. Commissioner Randall shared that she was part of the Homeless Count team and was in a residential area. She said it was a meticulous methodical few hours and they drove up to Alga in the residential neighborhoods near the canyon areas. She rode with a public works employee who knew the area well. Ms. Jones-Kirk thanked Commissioner Randall for her participation and invited others to join next year. We would like to create a synergy between staff and the community. If we are going to talk -about homelessness, we need to talk to the homeless. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES · February 8, 2018 PAGE 2 of 4 Commissioner Carrillo commented there is nothing like being involved in order to get to know the issue. Ms. Jones-Kirk stated the team is joined by police, fire, and public works and they identify where the homeless may be. I did go to La Posada and spoke with some of the homeless. It has been quite helpful using the point in time count. Ms. Cornwell shared a resource guide. One of the items in our response plan is a guide from one of our local service providers. I am looking at taking the core of that plan and adding resources specific to Carlsbad. We are currently working on a project with faith-based organizations in Carlsbad. Some have already been identified as providing homeless services. We do not want to duplicate services. We want to make sure it is not causing a larger issue of concern in our community. Ms. Courtney Pene and I are currently working on budget planning, and one of the things Ms. Fountain and Ms. Pene talked about is having separate line items for the Homeless Project. We are reaching out to all of our partners in the city and discussing the costs of cleaning up homeless encampments. In the past, staff cleaned up the homeless encampments two to three times a year; now it is once a week. Ms. Jones-Kirk gave an update on the homeless senior she assisted in securing housing at Tyler Court. Staff partnered with a community and went shopping for a new bed for this person. We are currently looking to hire two social workers to be part of the team. Commissioner Williams asked when the two people will be hired. Ms. Jones-Kirk answered that it should be by the middle of May. It will depend on the timing of when the proposals will come in and when we are able to take it to the City Council. When I come back before you in March, I will be able to give you a better timeframe. The Homeless Outreach Team has been working with Interfaith. In the meantime, I have been doing case management. Some of the homeless I have been working with for two years now. I was working with a gentleman who almost got housing and then had a major setback with his health. He lives outside and is waiting with 75 other people for a shelter. We were able to get him into the hospital last evening. Because he was sick, he had a lapse of Social Security and so he slept on the streets. Once we are able to overcome his health issues, we hope to move him into housing. Ms. Jones-Kirk asked the Housing Commission if they would like to have ongoing education outside of the Housing Commission meetings or would they like to stay with the current schedule. Commissioner Carrillo commented that there is nothing like education to empower a person. She said she would like the education. Chairperson Newman said he would be interested. Commissioner Williams said she is definitely interested in more education. Ms. Jones-Kirk told the Commission if they have questions or see something on the news, do not hesitate to email her or send information from other cities. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES February 8, 2018 PAGE 3 of 4 Commissioner Carrillo asked Ms. Cornwell if she had an opportunity to see the homeless high school in San Diego. Ms. Cornwell said she is familiar with Monarch School, but is unable to visit there as she is a minor. Commissioner Carrillo commented that she is inspiring. Chairperson Newman asked Ms. Cornwell if she said San Diego has the highest youth homeless population. Ms. Cornwell answered it is one of the highest. Chairperson Newman asked if it is typical that the youths who become homeless do so because of a bad family situation. Ms. Cornwell answered that many she spoke with in foster care had lived in unhealthy family situations. Chairperson Newman asked if Ms. Cornwell had contact information. Ms. Cornwell said she will email her information. Ms. Jones-Kirk commented that the Gold Award Project that Reilly Cornwell is doing is a family activity for ~~ . Ms. Cornwell's mother, Lisa Cornwell, spoke about them going to one of the centers, Stand up for Kids, and at the end of the night the director spoke with us about what gives these kids joy, which was heartbreaking for me as a mom. She said one of the things they really treasure is a birthday card, since they don't get to celebrate or feel celebrated on their birthday. It is such a simple thing. One girl had been in foster care for seven years and the one thing she kept were her seven birthday cards. The homeless kids don't have the things we take for granted. Commissioner Carrillo commented it is just the little things. Commissioner Randall asked when we get the homeless count number, will it include the youths? Ms. Jones-Kirk answered that we only capture the point in time of the people and the vehicles. Their interviews will be part of that. This year eight people were interviewed. As Ms. Cornwall presented, they have a separate piece that is focused on the youth. We were not capturing the youth side in our interviews. Chairperson Newman asked if there were any comments. Ms. Pene, Management Analyst, thanked the Housing Commission, Ms. Jones-Kirk and Ms. Cornwall. She asked Ms. Cornwell, how are you promoting your exhibition in the city? Ms. Cornwall said she is reaching out to organizations and passing out flyers. I have a website and I am sending out emails to friends and families. I have also reached out to The Patch and Coast News. HOUSING COMMISSION MINUTES February 8, 2018 PAGE 4 of 4 Commissioner Carrillo asked if she reached out to the school district. Ms. Cornwall said she had not reached out to the school district yet, but will. Commissioner Carrillo suggested going to the main office at the school district. Ms. Pene told Ms. Cornwall to send her information to her and she will pass it on to city staff and to other cities. Chairperson Newman commented how impressed he is with Ms. Cornwall. Commissioner Williams said, great job. Chairperson Newman adjourned the Housing Commission at 6 :37 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~ rtviv fD!L oi:: Courtney Pene, Management Analyst (for Debbie Fountain) Deborah Fountain Housing & Neighborhood Services Director PATRICIA CRESCENTI, Minutes Clerk MINUTES ARE ALSO TAPED AND KEPT ON FILE UNTIL THE WRITIEN MINUTES ARE APPROVED.