04-01-20 Homeless Task Force MinutesHomeless Task Force Meeting Minutes from 4/1/2020 meeting
Present:
Rod Kuntz, Gary Hall, Pastor Scott Thompson, Pastor Miriam Mauritzen, Jim Atkinson, Jarod
Nygren, Doug Russell
Call to Order:
Rod called the meeting to order at 1: 01 PM, on Wednesday April 1, 2020 via Zoom meeting.
Minutes:
Jim made a motion and Gary seconded to approve the March 4, 2020 meeting minutes. Motion
approved unanimous.
New Business:
Meeting time — Discussion about moving the meeting time up to 11 am for future meetings until
the social distancing requirements are lifted. Group concurred with new time, schedule of
meeting days will remain the same.
Rod Update — Rod summarized that based off the information gathered in the point in time
surveys it was evident that this was a health issue and not a housing issue. Point in time survey
has been pretty consistent over last few years vs. other surveys that have varied widely. Rod
informed the taskforce about a number of groups tackling the issue including a large contingent
trying to find a location for the homeless community to shelter in place. Ultimately, this is
creating a lot of communication that will hopefully create some long-term programs/solutions.
What is it that we are looking at? Mayor has expressed concern about the unsheltered population.
Group went over the point in time survey numbers and associated graphs with a focus on the
unsheltered population (disabled, income, Section 8, etc.) What are the needs in the unsheltered
population? Cars, garages, sheds, etc. is considered unsheltered. There was some skepticism in
the numbers presented in that they may only be percentage of the real numbers given the numbers
are not as large as previously thought.
Section 8 housing — Anecdotal evidence that there are units available in town but not filled. Is this
a management issue? Why not filled when there are unsheltered individuals that qualify? Pets,
felons, what gets you evicted, etc. Gary will investigate and Jarod will try and get a hold of the
number of Section 8 housing units in town.
County — County has developed 5 year plan that we should all look at. Gary mentioned the
County plan a number of years ago for a halfway house for released prisoners. Valley needs place
for education, transition/assimilate back into society.
Covid — Miriam presented concern about public facilities being closed down to those most at need
right now. Discussion about the Covid emergency collaborative working to put a facility together
for those persons needing a place to shelter in place, go to bathroom and wash hands. Governor
Bullock issued order preventing evictions, penalties for late utility payments. Want to prevent
another surge of homelessness due to the impacts of Covid.
Assignment — Look at County 5-year plan and look at it through the lens of the point in time
survey. What's working and what's not?
Adjourn:
Gary Moved and Jim seconded a motion to adjourn at 2:00. Motion approved unanimous.