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Work Session Item 8. A.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	03/12/2019
Submitted For:	Malissa Buzan	Submitted By:	Cathy Melvin, Executive Assistant
Department:	Community Services

Information

Request/Subject

Discussion regarding the creation of a Gila County Continuum of Care plan to coordinate housing and services for homeless families and individuals in Gila County.

Background Information

A Continuum of Care (CoC) plan is a document developed by a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals. Under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) McKinney Vento rules (HEARTH Act), all geographic areas must be part of a "Continuum of Care" to receive HUD CoC funding which provides support toward ending homelessness in communities. Arizona has three HUD approved continuums: Maricopa County, Pima County and the Balance of State Continuum of Care (BOSCOC). The BOSCOC includes all 13 counties outside of Maricopa and Pima Counties. The Arizona Department of Housing administers the BOSCOC. The BOSCOC is responsible for the effective utilization of HUD homeless funding, but more importantly, the BOSCOC is responsible for overall development of an effective system of care involving all stakeholders to end homelessness throughout the Balance of State as reflected in the HEARTH Act Goals.

County staff has been involved in several discussions regarding the development of a CoC for Gila County. In January 2019, David Bridge, Continuum of Care Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Housing, met with County staff and provided an outline of "next steps" for the development of a CoC plan which includes the creation of a local coalition to end homelessness. This coalition will be responsible for coordinating local resources and homeless services; coordinating point in time counts at the local community level; creating local gaps analysis; recruiting local stakeholder participation; implementing and managing local Coordinated Entry; case conferencing; and system coordination efforts.

Evaluation

In order to create service systems that address the unique and diverse needs of the homeless populations in each of the 13 BOSCOC counties, it is the goal that each county charter a local coalition to end homelessness. Gila County has been asked to develop a CoC plan and establish a local coalition under the direction of the Arizona Department of Housing. Mr. Bridge has stated to County staff that having a governmental entity as the organizer was a best practice. This coalition should include representation from government (Gila County and local municipalities), faith based organizations, mental health agencies, social service providers, veterans providers, school districts, public housing authorities, law enforcement, businesses and others involved in efforts to end homelessness in Gila County. The coalition advisory board would coordinate and involve local stakeholders and provide oversight of a local system to meet the needs and provide services to the homeless population in Gila County among other duties as outlined in the CoC plan.

David Bridge will be attending the Board of Supervisors' Work Session of this date to discuss and answer questions regarding the development of the CoC in Gila County.

Conclusion

It would be advantageous for the Board of Supervisors and the public to receive this information pertaining to the development of a CoC in Gila County to provide homeless people with housing and services appropriate to their range of needs.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to continue to work on developing a CoC plan and create a local coalition.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion regarding the development of a Continuum of Care plan as defined by the Arizona Department of Housing, which includes the creation of a local coalition to coordinate housing and services for homeless families and individuals in Gila County. (Malissa Buzan/David Bridge)

Attachments
Continuum of Care Presentation