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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-89-07780 149-829 8-1149 RESOLUTION NO. 89'8 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CITY OF MIAMI'S 1989-90 COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PLAN ( CHAP) IN SUBSTANTIALLY THE ATTACHED FORM AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT THE CHAP TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (USHUD). WHEREAS, it is required that the City submit an annual Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD) to be eligible to receive grants which may become available as a result of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assitance Act; and WHEREAS, the City must submit its 1989-90 CHAP to USHUD by October 1, 1989; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA: Section 1. The Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) , in - substantially the attached form, is hereby approved. Section 2. The City Manager is authorized to submit the aforementioned Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD). Section 3. This Resolution shall be operative upon its adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED thisl4th day of September , 1989. VIER L. SU Z, YOR LEGAL REVIEW: ROBERT F. CLARK Chied Assistant City Attorney Legislation/ Special Projects Division .,.., APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: R E L. TEMANDEZ CITY ATTORNEY CITY COMMISSION ------- MEETING C3F ATTAC x SEP 14 19$9. RESOLUTION No.Co"'TA Q•► •' REMARKS: THE CITY OF MIAMI, FLORIDA 1989•90 COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PLAN A. STATEMENT OF NEED The needs of the homeless population in the City of Miami remain basically the same as reported in the previous Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in February, 1988. However, it is t b i h d tooth WIN id significant to note that the recently pu 1 s e ou or a "Posner Homeless Studies of 1989" (commonly referred to as the Study", resulting from a judgement in the tax ev4sion trial of Victor Posner) provide important current data on the homeless situation in South Florida. This valuable enumeration study —" provides essential current information relating to the homeless and specific data from the report are included in the City's 1989-90 CHAP. It is critical to review the content of the City's previous CHAP since the basic nature of the homelessness in the area xemains constant. As reported in February, the homeless situation in the City of Miami is of a unique nature in comparison to most _ municipalities in the United States. Due to its geographical location and favorable tropical climate, Miami's homeless population is comprised of a diversified group of individuals which has the potential to increase in dramatic increments at a moment's notice. Geographical location has situated Miami in a location to emerge as a gateway to the Caribbean, Central and South America. The City has significant Haitian, Nicaraguan and other various Hispanic populations, in addition to the obvious, large Cuban community. The area's tropical climate has also contributed to the homeless problems in the area. What better way to escape the rigors of a winter in the northeast or Midwest �{ than to flee to the warmth of Miami where one has the assurance that he/she will not freeze to death. J As reported in the previous CHAP, the recent influx of 1�{ Nicaraguans to the Miami area threatened to create another crisis situation similar to the one the City experienced early in the 19801s resulting from the Mariel boatlift. The City established �d3 a temporary shelter in the Bobby Maduro Stadium to address this � S} crisis as a short term solution to address this situation through the end of January, 1989. Approximately 250 persons were housed there°-, on- a daily basis. It. has been estimated that there i4 �► bility that 100,000 Nicaraguans could arrive in the area. Qveac 4n 18 month period commencing in December, 1988. Compound. > a ■ a the existing homeless situation with a dramatic increase in Nicaraguan arrivees and the homeless problem has the potential to i exacerbate dramatically. Consider that this is potentially only the tip of the iceberg. Combine the City's current situation and the continued political unrest throughout the Americas and it is easy to understand that there is a distinct possibility of another mass exodus to Miami which would further add to the area's current critical homeless situation. The newspapers report daily of the constant political struggles throughout Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The prospect of another mass exodus to Miami is not unthinkable. The aforementioned scenario translates to an immediate need for basic services for the homeless population (shelter, food, education, health care and mental health care) as well as a long term plan leading to self sufficiency (transitional and affordable housing, job training, job development and job placement). Unfortunately, resources to meet these needs are not available. The Miami Coalition for Care to the Homeless (M.C.C.H.) reports that recent surveys indicate that the current estimation of homeless persons has increased and this figure does not include the migration of illegal refugees entering the United States who may head to the Miami area. As reported in the previous CHAP, M.C.C.H. estimated that the number of homeless persons in the Dade County Area had increased from a range of approximately 4,000-100000 in 1987 to 10,000-15,000 persons in 1989. The vast majority of this homeless population is located in the City. It should be noted that this estimate does not reflect potentially homeless individuals or overcrowded situations which might find multiple families residing in one and two room apartments. A Miami Herald interview of 107 homeless persons in local shelters and in the streets conducted in 1986 resulted in the following findings: More than half have lived in the area for more than a. year and an equal number plan to remain here indefinitely. Approximately 25% arrive in the winter and leave when it gets hot. More than half admit to problems with substance abuse, mental illness or both. ,a. Mean income was $6.50 per day, primarily from odd -job work, k panhandling and disability benefits. ` Specific information from the people on the street revealed the ' following: Only 17% were from Florida, 10% from Georgia, 22% from the east, 19% from the Midwest, 171 from the Caribbean or America, and 15% scattered from other place .Central/South -2- 89 ranging -from China to Alaska. Forty percent had prior military service. Seventeen percent indicated they have held skilled jobs* Nearly 60% revealed that they had not worked in over three years. An equal 23% admitted to drug and mental illness problems and 22% said they drink. ' 35% slept on the On the night prior to �'30% interview, lop or abandoned street, 30$ in shelters, buildings, and 5$ didn't respond or didn't know. Similarly, a survey conducted by the Miami Coalition for Carp to the Homeless in 1988 revealed the following: 12-15% of the homeless population is comprised of intact families; 13-18% were single parent families; 308 of the homeless population represented new homeless (recently laid off or out of school); 80% of the homeless had lived more than a year and had plans to remain here indefinitely; 70% could be classified as "chronic" or "traditional" homeless (street people); , of the homeless population opulation suffers from chronic and/or mental health alcoholism, substance abuse afflictions; 19$ had primary health care problems; V 20$ had been deinstitutionalized; 62-65% were single males; i 10% were single females; 7$ had been victims of domestic violencet' 5% were runaway youths; and ;. . 108 were farmworkersa The Coalition estimated that the homes rate is is alarming itornote n that k r particularly a lation in khe:, about...20 25$ per year, It to a significant °. is due primarily 9eificant esca $. Acre aee rtumbars of►omeless families with children. # ., 3 2 The "South Florida Homelessness Studies of 1989" (Posner Report) provide updated information from the findings of previous studies. The report's enumeration study was conducted on two specific warm nights in November and two specific cold nights in February. The analyses revealed an increase in the shelter population of an incredible 1628. This increase is primarily due to the opening of temporary cold weather shelters and the availability of FEMA funds to house otherwise homeless people. However, the data shows an actual increase in the total homeless population of 30.6% from November of 1988 to February of 1989 (3,720 to 4,858). The new study reveals the followings 40% of the homeless population was comprised of families. 80% were local residents and 20% from out of state. Chronic or traditional homeless persons (i.e. street people and those for whom homelessness has become a way of life) comprise 36% of the homeless population. 30.5% suffered from chronic alcoholism. 45-58% were mentally ill. . 34% were drug abusers. 50% reported primary health care problems. 20% were single men. 15% were single women. 15$ were victims of domestic, violence. 5% were chronic runaway youth. -5% were farmworkers. 158 were refugees. _ 3-5% were HIV positive 5-10% were mentally retarded, " 15% were veterans. Of the" street homeless population surveyed, 44% had been homeless under three montha1 64% of this group was homeless for the first time; only 33% had been out of contact with family for a year or longer; 76% say they need only a job or money to end their hopelessness; only 8.7% say they need drug or alcohol rehabilitation; and 54.7% had completed at least high school. Ih4 Ml.ami 'Coalition for Care to the Homeless (M.C.C.H. ) has also k P x the following gaps in the continuum; of. aarvkae�a . directed to the homeless population: initial receiving, assessment and referral/follow-up services services outreach (with an emphasis directed to the new homeless and mentally ill) ; case management and follow-up availability of nutritious food detoxification services for indigent substance abusers residential treatment for indigent substance abusers# especially adolescents crisis stabilization and emergency beds for the mentally ill treatment programs as alternatives to secure detention (particularly in the case of substance abusers) emergency or transitional housing with essential support services for families post -hospital convalescent bedt for homeless individuals financial assistance for emergency rent/mortgage/utility payments and financial counseling adequate levels of public assistance payments (i.e. AFDC and SSI) broad eligibility for benefits allowing for unemployed to temporarily disabled individuals (or two employed parents.)_ to receive assistance vocational training and placement in meaningful jobs to assure self-sufficiency the public consciousness regarding the homeless issue and its effect on the local community. In addition available resources have been directed to meeting the needs of the homeless. However, these resources are limited and there is still the obvious need to provide more extensive services to address the problems of the homeless. Emergency Shelter The continued need for emergency shelters in Miami is substantiated by the recent South Florida Homelessness Studies of 1989 and a survey on the homeless conducted by the M.C.C.H. and documented in the organization's Report on the Homeless published in the Summer, 1987. As reported in the previous CHAP, the M.C.C.H. survey reveals that local shelters were unable to respond to shelter service requests of more than 6,000 homeless persons and rental assistance for another 6,500 persons could not be provided. While this may reflect a duplicate count of service applicants, it nevertheless raises the question as to how many families and individuals might have abandoned their search for shelter due to the frustration of previous rejections for assistance, not to mention those homeless persons who are not even aware that services are available. As previously mentioned in the friami Herald survey, only 30% of the homeless people interviewed on the street ,had spent the previous night in shelters. It should be clearly recognized that this figure accounts only for those persons interviewed by the Herald and does not take into consideration the countless other homeless individuals and families that the Herald did not contact. It should also be noted that this survey was conducted prior to the recent influx of Nicaraguans into the area and the ruling by the U.S. District Court eliminating a temporary restraining order suspending a. travel ban imposed by U.S. immigration officials of refugees crowded at Texas borders. The majority of these entrants will be without resources, shelter, and basic human service needs. In addition they may not be able to obtain work permits to individually alleviate these sociological problems. The existing need/demand for shelter space has already exceeded space available. This new influx of refugees will only exacerbate an already critical situation. The need for emergency shelter space for all segments of the homeless population continues to be critical. Available emergency shelter space in the area is limited, particularly for families, women and children. While men comprise the majority of the homeless population, there are approximately 430 available beds for single men. This is an increase in the available bed space of around 200 due to the opening of the New. Miami Rescue Mission 250 bed facility for single men. This is a step in the right direction, but available bed space still does not. meet the identified needs. Shelter space for women has also slightly increased from the previously reported fewer than 50 beds for women and children to - 6 - 89 -77 & approximately 104 beds on a countywide basis. The increase is the result of the opening of the Miami Women's and Children's Shelter and the Christian Community Service Agency Family Shelter which is scheduled to open in mid -August. There are 24 available two bedroom apartments for families, another 24 beds for undomiciled and/or runaway youth, 5 units for the elderly and a single unit for the handicapped homeless. Two of the shelters serving women do not accept teenage boys, so the families must be separated. Given the fact that an estimated 40% of the area's homeless population is comprised of families, shelter space for families is still critically limited. The M.C.C.H. survey and the Miami Herald intervieW also seem to point to several significant results with potentially alarming consequences. Despite the unscientific methodologies used in both studies, there are certain generalities which may be drawn and are a cause for concern. Perhaps the most serious concern is that both studies seem to indicate that nearly 50% of the homeless persons were either mentally ill, had substance abuse problems (both alcohol and drug related) or a combination of both. It is also interesting to note that there have been notable increases in the number of families (36% increase) and the number of females (28% increase) seeking homeless assistance. The Posner Study provided further evidence as to the extent of homeless persons suffering mental ,Illness when it identified up to 58% of the homeless population as such. Combined with substance abusers, the report indicates that as many as 85% of the homeless population fits into this category. A shelter specifically designed for the homeless mentally ill includes 8-10 short term beds and 15 emergency beds. Metropolitan Dade County also uses FEMA funds to place mentally ill homeless persons in 111 boarding homes to alleviate that problem and provide comprehensive services for the mentally ill homeless. Obviously, this barely scratches the surface in meeting the needs of the homeless mentally ill. Most mentally ill homeless persons are currently housed with regular shelter populations and shelter operators indicate that the disruptive behavior of mentally -ill clients has created numerous. disturbances requiring police intervention. Funds from the Emergency Shelters Grant Program (ESG) have been essential in establishing several new shelters in the area. The City of Miami and Hialeah have allocated ESG funds to establish an emergency shelter for intact families. As previously mentioned, the shelter is expected to open in August,.1989. Dade County and Miami Beach teamed together to expand the operation of the Miami Rescue Mission. The new shelter space enabled the Rescue Mission to also establish a shelter for women. In addition to ESG funds, a shelter was opened for persons with AIDS. Metropolitan Dade County is operating the Beckham Hall shelter which can house approximately 150 persons. Christian -i A... 0-. 4-- R---w.. L------J..-A - w---L L-LL- DL-L- -! —F It should be pointed out that the M.C.C.H. recommendations in the Summer, 1987 Report on the Homeless specifically includes a short-term receiving shelter and additional long term shelters for single individuals and families. The more recent Posner Report concurs with this assessment. The Mental Health Association of Dade County has also identified a day shelter for the chronically mentally ill and a shelter for elderly men. While recent efforts have concentrated on serving the homeless in these areas through the projects listed above, it would be unrealistic to consider that the essential needs of the homeless population are being met. These are steps in the right direction, but these projects only scratch the surface in meeting the needs of the homeless in the area, particularly when one considers the potential for a large increase of homeless persons in the area with the potential increase in the number of entrants from the Americas moving to the area. Transitional Housin There is a tremendous void in the availability of transitional housing and supportive services for the homeless to serve as an intermediate step facilitating a movement to independent living. While some shelters provide limited assistance to women and children, family units and the medically unemployable for 1-6 months to relocate, obtain AFDC or SSI and employment/training services, these services are virtually unavailable'to the single male. The current service structure provides basic human services to meet the immediate needs of the homeless person for survival. The shelters provide a bed at night but the single men must leave the shelter during the day. There are also limits on the number of "free" days which the single man is eligible to remain in the shelter. 4. The focus of establishing a long range treatment plan leading to independent living, particularly for the single man, is r unrealistic with existing services. A transitional housing project with supportive services would make that goal realistic. In addition, there is also a need to provide intermediate length housing and supportive services to other components of the homeless population, including family units, women, the mentally ill, homeless substance abusers, the deinstitutionalized homeless and the physically handicapped. On the bright side, Metropolitan Dade County and the Junior League have been advised that they have been awarded a $700,000 grant in January, 1990 to establish a ten unit transitional shelter for homeless victims of family violence. _ x Permanent Housing for the HandicaRped There are only 150 permanent housing units available in Dade Count for the handicapped at two public housing facilities. Y PP P 9 There are also miscellaneous units scattered in various elderly ,- housing projects located in the City and throughout Dade County.. .. These units remain occupied at all times. Due to the shortage of available permanent housing for the handicapped, there is ein obvious need for such housing. S f I It should also be noted that the handicapped population which is homeless or at risk of being homeless is considered higher per capita in Miami as a result of the tropical climate and flat land which makes it easier to move around. The Regional rehabilitation program for spinal cord injury is also located in the City at Jackson Memorial Hospital, which has 34 available beds occupied at all times. It is estimated that 80% of the people discharged from the program have no place to go and previous living accommodations are no longer accessible to them, clearly demonstrating a definite need for permanent housing for the handicapped homeless in Miami. Supplemental Assistance for Facilities to Assist the Homeless The needs chronicled in the previous sections of the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan transcend to this area due to the obvious constraints of funding needed to effectuate such activities. In particular, the need for a shelter meeting the special needs of homeless families with children, the elderly homeless and the handicapped have been addressed. Supplemental assistance provides a prospective vehicle to facilitate the transfer and use of public buildings to assist homeless individuals and families. It also addresses the capability to assist in the. purchase, lease, renovation or conversion of facilities as well as the provision of essential supportive services. U. There is a specific need to develop innovative programs to provide comprehensive programs meeting the immediate needs of all segments of the homeless population, but also addressing the long term goal of eliminating homelessness for those individuals capable of attaining an independent living status. As previously discussed, supportive services are critical to achieving this goal. In order to approach the stage of independent living, there are basic immediate needs of the homeless population which must be met. This may cover an extensive range of social services, including emergency shelter, food, primary health care, mental health care, casework, counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation (alcohol and drug), childcare etc., ultimately leading to transitional housing with a pivotal need for job training, development, and placement. The Miami Coalition for Care to the Homeless was initially formed to respond to a grant opportunity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 1983. The Coalition identified health care as a critical need of'the homeless population in Miami and developed a proposal to provide a mobile clinic to address this concern. Although the Coalition was unsuccessful in attracting the grant, it continued as a forum for homeless issues and finally has established a health care project through a joint arrangement with a Miami based shelter serving runaway and undomiciled youth and a local health clinic. In addition, a clinic for walk-ins in a shelter in downtown Miami provides medical services to the homeless, including follow-up referrals for continued care. It is interesting to note that the clinic's staff indicates that there is a serious need for health care services to the homeless in.the.hotter months because of serious infections resulting from - 9 - . 897778, It should also be noted that the handicapped population which is homeless or at risk of being homeless is considered higher per capita in Miami as a result of the tropical climate and flat land which makes it easier to move around. The Regional rehabilitation program for spinal cord injury is also located in ! the City at Jackson Memorial Hospital, which has 34 available beds occupied at all times. It is estimated that 80% of the people discharged from the program have no place to go and previous living accommodations are no longer accessible to them, clearly demonstrating a definite need for permanent housing for the handicapped homeless in Miami. Supplemental Assistance for Facilities to Assist the Homeless The needs chronicled in the previous sections of the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan transcend to this area due to the obvious constraints of funding needed to effectuate such activities. In particular, the need for a shelter meeting the special needs of homeless families with children, the elderly homeless and the handicapped have been addressed. Supplemental assistance provides a prospective vehicle to facilitate the transfer and use of public buildings to assist homeless individuals and families. It also addresses the capability to assist in the, purchase, lease, renovation or conversion of facilities as well as the provision of essential supportive I services. There is a specific need to develop innovative programs to provide comprehensive programs meeting the immediate needs of all segments of the homeless population, but also addressing the long term goal of eliminating homelessness for those individuals capable of attaining an independent living status. As previously discussed, supportive services are critical to achieving this goal. In order to approach the stage of independent living, there are basic immediate needs of the homeless population which must be met. This may cover an extensive range of social services, including emergency shelter, food, primary health care, mental health care, casework, counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation (alcohol and drug), childcare etc., ultimately leading to transitional housing with a pivotal need for job training, development, and placement. . . The Miami Coalition for Care to the Homeless was initially formed to- respond to a grant opportunity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 1983. The Coalition identified health care as a critical need of'the homeless population in Miami and developed a proposal to provide a mobile clinic to address this concern. Although the Coalition was unsuccessful in attracting the grant, it continued as a forum for homeless issues and finally has established a health care project through a joint arrangement with a Miami based shelter serving runaway and undomiciled youth and a local health clinic. In addition, a clinic for walk-ins in a shelter in downtown Miami provides medical services to the homeless, including follow-up referrals for continued care, it is interesting to note that the clinic's staff indicates that there is a serious need for health care services to the homeless in,,the hotter months because of serious infections resulting from 9 - 89-, 778, - 1 _777777 fizz: e;# 0 mosquito bites and fungus growth due to the area's high humidity. The clinic has been overwhelmed by a demand for medical services, including continued care. There is also a need to expand health care services. This project is also attempting to tailor its interview and intake process to create an accurate data base on all aspects of the homeless. However, these programs merely scratch the surface and the need for outpatient health services is essential. As documented throughout the Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan, the needs for the homeless in the City of Miami are extensive. The supplemental assistance provides a' resource which can be utilized effectively to meet the immediate and long-term needs of the homeless. Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation In March, 1989, the Camillus House opened a 40 bed SRO. The only other comparable housing available in the City of Miamilto the SRO is Metropolitan Dade County's contract for 111 beds for the indigent single individual who is documented as medically unable to work. These beds are located in various locations throughout the County, not necessarily in the City. Additional beds are contracted for the homeless regardless of medical condition when FEMA funds are available. Since there are few SRO units ` currently available in the City, the need for such is evident and the identification and rehabilitation of SRO units is a potential means to meet the needs of the homeless, achieve stabilization and move toward independent living. E B. INVENTORY OF FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS SHELTERS Better Way Foundation 229 N.E. 1 Avenue Miami, Florida (mass shelter for recovering G- t substance abusers) r, Beckham Hall 2735 N.W. 10 Avenue Miami, Florida (mass shelter for single males with support services) Camillus House 726 N.E. 1 Street Miami, Florida fAmpr-annc±v nverniaht abalt-ar fnr man- An haAal 4 Crisis Nursery Miami, Florida (Address unpublished; Agency receives direct referrals for the care and shelter of abused children) Children's Home Society 800 N.W. 15 Street Miami, Florida (Shelter for abused , abandoned or neglected children ages 1-8t 30 beds) Metropolitan Dade County Office of Emergency Assistance: } i (Boarding home program at scattered sites for individualst 111 beds contracted for documented medically unemployable; social service support for six months) (Two bedroom units for families; 24 units with social service support for an average of six months for evicted families, families displaced by government action or disaster) (One bedroom unit for handicapped and five units for elderly at scattered locations) Miami Bridge 01 1145 N.W. 11 Street Miami, Florida (24 beds for runaway/undomiciled youth with support) Miami City Mission 1112 North Miami Avenue Miami, Florida (52 beds for men) Miami Rescue Mission 2A291 N-W_ 1 Avantla I �pr vA,,lTz wsm . . . . . . . . . . . . -y,- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ........... Miami Mental Health Center ' 2141 S.W. 1 Street Miami, Florida >.� >P :, Pierre Toussaint Haitian Catholic Center 110 N.E. 62 Street Miami, Florida r A_ Trinity Episcopal Cathedral 464 N.E. 16 Street Miami, Florida x f Salvation Army Playground 1398 S.W. 1 Street h ` Miami, Florida t Switchboard of Miamin 35 S.W. 8 Street Miami, Florida u PLANNING AND COORDINATION SERVICES City of Miami Department of Community Development 4 _ City of Miami Police Department " City of Miami Office of the City Manager Community Action Agency r 395 N.W. 1 Street Miami, Florida ,s Dade County Office of Emergency Assistance Dade County Department of Human Resources c. P C Florida Association of Health and Rehabilitative Services 401 . Jai. W • 2 Avenue Miami, Florida - i F. i Health Council of South Florida r3: 3050,' Biscayne Boulevard Miami., Florida Miami Coalition for Care to the Homeless a50 Biscayne Boulevard Florida V� . Miami , United Way of Dade County y 600.;Brickell Avenues t Florida r a Miami," .:- STRATEGY TO MEET THE NEEDS' OF THE HO!lBLS88 C it is virtually unrealistic to develop a comprehensive strati► tp;:, meetthe extensive needs facing the homeless in' the ty Ci"Q' M;i due to the lack of adequate resources avai labl,e to addrbs , h® mixltitude of problems of the homeless. As discussed Qu$ly, Miami's geographical location and tropical clim4te� 4Y;Yfi¢e f int �► : unique situation which makes it vulnerabi.�a e 4 �, M1 ,LEA 14 a 45 AX F] =i dramatic increase in its homeless population practically overnight. The unmet needs of today, therefore, have the potential to multiply significantly in the future. If these problems are not addressed, the expectancy of more serious problems in the future is realistic. The key to any strategy, particularly in view of the limited resources available, is to link and coordinate existing services and target available resources to complement and build on these services to develop a long range plan leading to independent living as well as meeting the immediate needs of the individual. Without a coordinated effort of service providers, it will be very difficult to establish an effective strategy to meet the needs of the homeless. The consensus of existing service providers is that they are beyond their limits in providing services and that few needs are actually being met to resolve the homeless situation. As described in the Needs Statement, available shelter space is limited for all components of the homeless population (men, women, families with children, the mentally ill, the elderly, undomiciled/runaway youth, handicapped etc.). The shelter is an ideal setting for assessment leading to the resolution of the human services needs already ideiLtified. Social service support is essential to stabilize the individual and develop an effective plan leading, if practical, to independent living. Aside from the basic human services necessary to achieve stabilization, a successful strategy to meet the needs of the homeless to achieve independent living must target on employability activities focussing on subsidized employment/ training and job development/referral/placement. This may include employability skills training, literacy training and basic skills remediation. Child care is an essential component of employability activities, as are practical skills in interpersonal relations, family interactions, parenting and budgeting. Transitional housing during this period is important to effectively implement the strategy. Within the framework of the aforementioned strategy, it is important to recognize the special needs of families with children, the elderly the mentally ill and veterans. The recommendations of the Mental Health Association and the Miami Coalition for Care to the Homeless include a day shelter for the chronically mentally ill, the elderly and families with ch'.ldree, The Camillus House Health Clinic for the homeless is attempting to gather a data base of information on the homeless and is specifically targeting homeless veterans to determine their service needs. The Miami Herald interview indicated that 40% of its homeless. interviewees were veterans and the M.C.C.H. survey reported that 51% of those veterans sheltered had no marketable skills. It also is evident that the homeless veteran population is involved in substance abuse. The New Horizon Community Mental Health Center provides comprehensive services for the mentally ill homeless. However, it is estimated that 25-30% of the homeless population are15 1�k mentally ill and there is a need for a variety of shelter settings for the mentally ill. This includes the walk-in shelter recommended by the Mental Health Association which could be used to assess problems of the chronically mentally ill homeless and refer them to appropriate agencies for needed services. A short- term emergency shelter providing intensive therapeutic services will focus on the needs of the mentally ill homeless. Appropriate housing obviously depends on the mental health state of each individual as determined by a professional staff. A transitional shelter would" -be the next step leading to independent living. It is important that the shelters for the chronically mentally ill homeless provide therapeutic treatment which includes case management, primary/mental health treatment, medication as deemed necessary and a continuity of care and maintenance services as well as basic human needs. When the individual's mental health state is stabilized and professional staff determines that he/she is ready for job training/placement, literacy training, basic skills remediation, or employability skills training, appropriate referrals are made. To make the final transition to independent living successful, it is important to identify permanent housing with therapeutic services available. Utilization of SRO's through the Section 8 rehabilitation component provides a mechanism to provide shelter and continued case management and supervision of maintenance plans by community mental health centers. The SRO housing concept can also be used to address the specific needs of the elderly, veterans, chronic alcoholics and drug abusers with supportive services as outlined above. There are elderly services centers throughout the City which can be utilized to provide supportive services for the elderly homeless in conjunction with residence in an SRO. Obviously, the strategy outlined in this section is an idealistic approach to addressing the needs of the homeless. Since funding is limited, it is extremely important to coordinate and link available services within the City. It is also important to develop innovative programs to address the immediate and long term needs of the homeless in the City of Miami. D. HOW FEDERAL ASSISTANCE UNDER TITLE IV COMPLEMENTS AND ENHANCES AVAILABLE SERVICES Federal funding under Title IV of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act is essential if the City of Miami is to be successful in addressing any of the needs of its homeless population.: The City's Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan continuously points to the lack of available funds to meet these .needs as probably the single most critical problem facing this City and most major cities throughout the country. . While Title IV Funds are obviously not a means to solve all the problems of Miami's homeless population, these funds provide a vehicle. to attempt to meet some needs and establish a coordinated effort • With service providers to maximize services available to the ;#�o�n191esB. - 16 - Y The Emergency shelters program provides an opportunity to expand existing shelter space and supportive services. Grant funds are critical to adding shelter space for families with children, the mentally ill, and other homeless target groups. Supportive social services will provide basic human needs as well as develop the framework to develop employment skills leading to independent living. As mentioned in the Emergency Shelter section of the CHAP, shelter operators report that requests for shelter for over 6,500 individuals could not be met as well as over 6,500 persons requesting rental assistance. Grant funds will hopefully shrink those numbers. Transitional housing for an interim of 18 months is essential to creating an environment for the homeless leading to independent living. This type facility is nonexistent in Miami at this time. The focus of establishing a long range treatment plan leading to independent living is unrealistic with existing services. A transitional housing project with supportive services makes that goal realistic. It can be a significant factor in the overall treatment plan for families with children, women, the mentally ill, physically handicapped, veterans and the elderly. Supportive services, ranging from the basic human needs (food, shelter, health care) to substance abuse treatment, mental health care, literacy training, skills training, parenting skills, job development/placement/training, etc. are essential. 01 Permanent housing for the handicapped is available only on a limited basis and additional assistance in this area will help meet the needs of this homeless compound. Jackson Memorial Hospital will be able to coordinate the discharge of patients from its rehabilitation program for spinal cord injury to meet the needs of the 80% of discharges it reports do not have a place to go when treatment is completed. Supportive services will vary on an individual basis depending on the specific needs of the individual. Supplemental assistance will help defray costs of developing immediate and long term treatment plans for the homeless population. In order to approach a stage of independent living, basic needs must be met first before other supportive services may be effective. The coordination of available services within the community is of primary importance. As discussed in the Supplemental Assistance for Facilities to Assist the Homeless section, supplemental assistance is important to meet the special needs of homeless families with children, the elderly, handicapped, and other homeless populations. Finally, under Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, funds will be used to expand available SRO units for the homeless. The SRO units provide a potential means to meet the needs of the homeless, achieve stabilization and move to independent living. At this time, the only comparable housing available in the City, is through Metropolitan Dade County's contract for Ill beds for. indigent single persons documented as medically unable to work.. SRO units would be appropriate to house homeless mentally ilk. individuals stabilized under the care of a coWtaunity met health center, physically. handicapped persons completing 17 . w rehabilitation, and veterans or elderly persons who have successfully transitioned to independent living. The City of Miami has attempted to utilize ESG Funds Y meet othee needs addressed in the proposed CHAP and previousl approved CHAX. Following i t anlist of the d the purpose ofeeachsg anti entitlements through the ESG gran AGENCY y Miami Bridge, Inc. Christian Community Service Agency, Inc. Social Action of Little Havana, Inc. Christian Community Service AMOUNT AND PURPOSE OF GRANT $41,000; Operational expenses administered by Dade County. $203,000; C.C.S.A. received $173,000 to establish a shelter for homeless families (The City of Hialeah has also allocated its $65,000 Emergency Shelter Grant to C.C.S.A. to establish this shelter); Social Action of Little Havana received $30,000 to operate a food distribution program for homeless families, families about to become home- less and emergency shelters for the homeless. .. $32,000;. C.C.S.A. received this allocation to supplement Agency the previous emergency shelter grant allocation establishing the shelter for homeless famil- ies. Christian Community Service $186,000; C.C.S.A. received $70,000 of this allocation to Agency supplement previous emergency shelter grant allocations to establish the shelter for home- less families. The remaining $116,000 provides operational costs for the Beckham Hall Shelter operated by Metropoli- tan Dade County. f S. Contact Point E. s { Frank Castaneda, Director - ? Department of Community Development 1145 N.W. 11 Street Miami, Florida 33136 (305)579-6853 F• information Copies {{� (F s t The City of Miami has provided an information copy Of its (CHAP) td the Stake of £ Cpmprehensive Homeless City has Assistance Plan also worked closely with representatives gloadda. The x r � j r t x. F 1 .. t from Metropolitan dada Counter -and the: coalitionn fr He naless its Aavaiftm " 4ae f"An �.. Y �4y C" % _v 2�'�,y,up'�s.�, ��•.,yY'�B�R�� Y'4 '.� �.v+Y'TLie'Wx4.e M eIia•'.r... L h _%f-"a-' � , , -. --' � '� -ir .!u* v!�y} ��#e�k'�'%. G' Sk�'��y •�� �.�t�.'��, '�.� F ��"a�t�,� x tg'�>F `-3+ ����,�. pP�',�i,?y�tbr���� s �k.�.�'2' �u � i r� Xi T j;U.° 4. -4 �' r'zi"3. i{..La 1 t'`, 4Tz . F CITY OF MIAMI. FLORIDA INTER -OFFICE MEMORANDUM CA=26 TO. The Honorable Mayor and Members DATE: FILE: of the City Commission S EP - 1989 1 SUBJECT: Resolution Approving Comprehensive Home- ' less Assistance Plan FROM: Cesar H. Odlo REFERENCES: Commission Agenda City Manager September 14, 1989 f ENCLOSURES: [Inn 1 R _anl ti* i nn i RECOMMENDATION It is respectfully recommended that the City Commission adopt the attached resolution approving the 1989-90 Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) and further authorizing the City Manager to submit the CHAP to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD). BACKGROUND " In accordance with Federal regulations, the Department of Community Development has prepared the 1989-90 Comprehensive Homeless Assistance Plan (CHAP) for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD). The CHAP must be submitted to USHUD by October 1 each year in order for the City or any other organization providing services to the homeless within the jurisdiction of the City to be eligible for grants which may be available through the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act adopted by Congress to provide services to the nation's homeless population. The CHAP is a comprehensive document which provides a strategy to assist the homeless and provide a coordination of services in accordance with Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. This legislation is intended to address the t needs of the homeless. The Emergency Shelter Grants Program is included in Title IV of the Act. The CHAP requirements govern the provision of assistance for each of Title IV's homeless 7 assistance authorities administered by USHUD. Under the McKinney Act, USHUD-may not make assistance available under the Title IV to metropolitan cities unless the city has a USHUD approved CHAP. As in the previously approved CHAP, staff has tailored the City's CHAP to address all known areas of possible assistance to the homeless (including comprehensive supportive services) to insure that local organizations can compete for federal funds i_ which may become available in the future. Staff coordinated the development of the CHAP with representatives from Metropolitan Dade County and the Miami Coalition for Care to the G Homeless. 5 t 0. 778 t wiLn avaxiaDie services and recognize the special needs of various types of homeless persons (families with children, the elderly, the mentally ill and veterans), 4.) a statement as to how proposed activities will complement and enhance existing services, 5.) local contact information, 6.) assurance of information copies being sent to the State and 7.) an assurance that funds will be provided only to drug and alcohol free facilities.