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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-23 98-121 RESOLVEItem No. 8-121 . _ Date: 2-23-98 ItemlSabjech RESOLVE, Calling Upon Me Stale of Maine In Increase Funding for Emergency Shelter Services for the Homeless Responsible Department: City Council Commentary: Councilor Cmwley has requested that the attached Resolve be prepared for Council consideration. This request was hdtuded by Damon R. Marble, the Executive Director of the Greater Bangor Area Shelter. The Resolve calls upon the State to adopt the recommendations of the Interagency Teak Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities. A copy of this report has previously been pmvidrd to the Council. Mary Arms Cbalila, our Health and Welfare Director, was a member of this task have. In particular, the Resolve supports additional state funding for our homeless shelters. Just as important, it calls upon the State to adopt the report's other recommendations which, in many instances, address steps which can be taken to reduce homelessness. Of particular interest to the City is the recommendation that shelters develop annual plans describing how their guests will access mental health and substance abuse services and a related recommendation that mental health agencies develop annual plans describing how their services will be delivered to porous in homeless sheltes. D:1'a:l Manager's Comments: ate..__': -000t} rW {VtO ayNwrrO rc�. NtA+r�'Kn/.�. City Manager Associated Information: Resolve Budget Approval: Finance t for Legal Approval: City So r Introduced for x Passage firer Reading Pugs—_ af_ Referral Assigned to Councilor Crowley February 23, 1990 CITY OF BANGOR mn� IttC.._Caing[mooWeStateofMtineto ..increaseFmdNgfor Shelter Services for the Homeless By W City Owneit Write Cry ofBmWor. RESOLVED. WHEREAS, during 1999,14,219 Mainers were homeless and the States homeless shelters now demand for their services increase 33%; and WHEREAS, Maines shelters save adults with mental illness and substance abuse, families with Children, victims of domestic violence, and homeless youth; and WHEREAS, Show funding for shelters has remained flat since 19% while operating costs are increasing; And WHEREAS, state support currerfly represents less than 8%ofthe Average shelter's costs to provide services; and WHEREAS; the Maine interagency Task Force on Homeleamms and Housing Opportunities has recommended that the State become an equal partner with local non -profits or meeting the need for emergency shelter services and Nat closer partnerships be developed with Maines mental health system; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMM OF TBE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT: we call upon the Governor and the Legislature of the Some of Maine N adopt and son upon the recommendations of the Maine Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities. In pmticulaq we call upon the Store to increase funding for emergency shelter services from its current level he $3.15 million and m develop a closer partnership between shelter providers, the States mental health system, the Mame State Housing Authority, and other state agencies to insure not only Naz shelter services are adequately funded bar that the needed resources and relationships are in place to address the causes of homelessness and to reduce its incidence throughout Maine. IN CITY COUNCIL February 23, 1998 Passed i C CITY LEn 98-121 EES0LVE Calling upon the State of Naine to in- s Funding for Emergency Shelter Services for the Homeless ary of rMWAINE NGOR M°rE w<o EXECUTIVE DEPAWIME W aappxmv aa5 4400 Edward A Berner, Manager 4ea February, 27, 1998 Representative Jane W Saxl 37 Pond Street 044 Bangor, ME �01�— Dear ReprespSd tF Sax1: At its meeting of February 23, 1998, the Bangor City County adopted Resolve 98-121, `Calling Upon the State of Maine to Increase Funding for Emergency Shelter Services for the Homeless" A copy of this Resolve is atnched. TEe Bangor City Cowgi supports the recommendations of the Maine Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and Houswg Opportunities. In particles we support additional State fording for homeless providers and the Task Force's recommendations on developing a closer pannemhip between Shelter providers, The Stam mental health system, and other state agencies to address not only the immediate needs of homelessness but its sources Slid causes. We are concerned that we continue to see an increase in the demand for homeless services during a Paprocki of relatively stable economic growxh. Hds concern is compounded by the on-going fiscal difficulties of NET shelter provides such as rhe Greater Bangor Area Shelter and Hope House. Weare alsrraed that over half of those whom services are provided have either mental health needs, substance abuse problems, or both and that this element of our population seems to be growing. We believe dee Task Force developed a sound set of recommendations aimed at supporting the minimal care needs of our population whileaddressing the need to work toward mitigating or eliminating the causes of chronic homelessness. We urge your support Sincerely y'purs, Edward A. Barrett City Manager EAB/m cc. Dennis Marble, GreateBangor Area Shelter