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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 Pallet Shelter Presentation AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 2/22/2021 Meeting Type: Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Erin Fifield / DPW Staff Phone No: 541-726-2302 Estimated Time: 20 minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel while Focusing on Livability and Environmental Quality ITEM TITLE: PALLET SHELTER PRESENTATION ACTION REQUESTED: Council discussion - no action requested. ISSUE STATEMENT: Many of the recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be difficult or impossible for a person experiencing homelessness to follow. It is recommended that individuals avoid crowded, congregate settings, which presents challenges to those seeking emergency shelter. To adequately respond to COVID-19 amongst unhoused populations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends identifying non-congregate settings where those at increased risk can stay in order to help protect them from COVID-19. Lane County is partnering with local service providers and property owners to set up pallet shelters in small settings to house individuals and families in our community who do not have a secure place to live. ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Council Briefing Memo Attachment 2: 42nd St flyer Attachment 3: 42nd St. neighborhood outreach comments and response DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT: Under Springfield’s existing emergency declaration for COVID-19, the City’s Community Development Director could allow for pallet shelters to be set up on property in Springfield to shelter the unhoused, upon request. Currently, a property owner in Springfield – Mainstream Housing, Inc. – has reached out to Lane County, expressing interest in placing pallet shelters on their vacant parcel, and is requesting City approval to do so. There is no request for funding from the City. Other property owners in Springfield have contacted staff and asked if they too could place pallet shelters on their property to shelter the unhoused. Staff is using this work session as an opportunity to introduce Lane County’s pallet shelter project and provide information on management and services. M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield Date: 2/22/2021 To: Nancy Newton COUNCIL From: Tom Boyatt, Community Development Director Erin Fifield, Community Development Analyst BRIEFING Subject: Pallet Shelter Presentation MEMORANDUM ISSUE: Many of the recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 may be difficult or impossible for a person experiencing homelessness to follow. It is recommended that individuals avoid crowded, congregate settings, which presents challenges to those seeking emergency shelter. To adequately respond to COVID-19 amongst unhoused populations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends identifying non-congregate settings where those at increased risk can stay in order to help protect them from COVID-19. Lane County is partnering with local service providers and property owners to set up pallet shelters in small settings to house individuals and families in our community who do not have a secure place to live. COUNCIL GOALS/ MANDATE: Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel While Focusing on Livability and Environmental Quality Lane County COVID-19 strategy: pallet shelters for the unhoused The County is partnering with local jurisdictions, property owners and service providers to provide non-congregate temporary housing options for persons experiencing homelessness. Pallet shelters In 2020, Lane County purchased 120 temporary shelters (called pallet shelters) with the aim to place them in small groupings throughout the county as needed to shelter the unhoused. These pallet shelters can be re-used, can be set up in an hour, and come in two sizes: 8’x8’ (sleeps 2) and 10’x10’ (sleeps 4). Photos courtesy of Pallet Attachment 1, Page 1 of 4 MEMORANDUM 2/17/2021 Page 2 Partnership with local jurisdictions, property owners, service providers The County owns the pallet shelters and is loaning them out for purposes of providing shelter to the unhoused. As part of this project, the county is also using funds to contract with local service providers and require basic services be provided to residents staying in the pallet shelters. The County has been issuing Request for Proposals (RFPs) for service providers that wish to provide the required services to residents at sites in various locations in cities throughout Lane County. In Springfield, this type of project is allowed under the City’s emergency declaration of COVID- 19. Local property owners who wish to host pallet shelters and participate in this project must obtain approval from the City’s Community Development Director. Required services Lane County contracts for services and may negotiate with different providers on certain requirements. At minimum, the County’s intent is that basic services must be provided and must be available for the duration of an individual’s stay in the project, regardless of an individual’s choice to participate in the services offered. The minimum required services that must be provided include: • Case management including support in meeting basic needs (water, food, laundry) either onsite or through connection and referral to existing resources. • Coordination of services and referral to medical, substance abuse treatment and related social service organizations. • Coordination of services with relevant permanent housing providers, or provision of basic housing readiness services for those not yet referred to a program. • Weekly COVID symptom screening of clients and appropriate referral for testing; basic COVID safety education and information. • Access to sanitation and safety facilities including restroom, handwashing station, garbage service, and fencing. • Following CDC COVID-19 guidelines for cleaning of units between households. • Follow Ups for participants exiting to a permanent housing destination. Follow-ups to be conducted after 6 and 12 months after departure Eligible and target populations to be served onsite The project is designed to serve households who are literally homeless, with different sites focused on serving different populations. Low Barrier and Housing Focused This project is required to follow a low-barrier and housing focused approach. The Service Provider must make all efforts to screen individuals into the project based on the eligibility criteria. Depending on the population served there may be some restrictions to who is eligible to be housed in this program. For example, a criminal background check may be required if families are to be served on site. But the service provider may not deny entry to the project based on certain criteria, such as current or past substance abuse, presence of mental health disorders or issues, disabilities, or other criteria that would otherwise be considered “difficult to serve.” However, as part of the program rules, a service provider could require that participants not use or possess certain substances on the premises. Additional General Program Requirements Attachment 1, Page 2 of 4 MEMORANDUM 2/17/2021 Page 3 • Service Provider must develop and provide written copies of program rules, policies, and procedures, including a participant grievance policy. This includes any additional CDC COVID-19 guidelines and their application to the facility. Service Provider must keep informed of and adhere to all State and local Public Health requirements and recommendations related to COVID-19, including any “Stay at Home” orders. • Service Provider must follow policies and protocol for addressing individuals who exhibit symptoms, have a test pending, or test positive for COVID-19, as advised by Public Health. • Service Provider must have a policy regarding participant belongings, including storage, search and seizure of property, as well as disposal of property upon participant vacating facility. • Service Provider must have written termination policy for exiting participants from the project. Reasons for participant termination from the project should be minimal and should allow for due process and opportunity to appeal the decision. All steps should be taken to ensure individuals are not exited to the street without access to basic needs, as much as is possible. • Service Provider must submit all written policies and procedures to Lane County prior to implementation of the project. Cost of project Lane County anticipates using a combination of state and federal funds to administer this project. The pallet shelters have already been purchased. The County will contract and pay for basic services as required by the project. Any additional site preparation costs, or additional services, would be borne by the property owner. Timeline for the County’s pallet shelter project The County’s current timeline for this project, pending funding for services, is through December 2021. However, the County has indicated they are willing to continue to loan out the pallet shelters to be used to shelter the unhoused if the interest and need is there. The City’s current allowance for this type of project exists under the City’s current emergency declaration for COVID-19. Project authorization would end when the city is no longer operating under the emergency declaration unless Council took action to extend this particular use. Potential pallet shelter site(s) in Springfield Mainstream Housing request to become a pallet shelter site Mainstream Housing Inc. is a local affordable housing developer based in Springfield, serving individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. They recently purchased a 1-acre vacant lot off S. 42nd Street, with the intent to develop new affordable housing in the near future. In the meantime, they would like to serve as a pallet shelter site under the County’s model, ensuring that persons sheltered onsite are provided services. Mainstream Housing has indicated their strong interest in maintaining positive relationships with the neighbors, given their long- term investment in the location. Mainstream Housing has indicated they are invested in preparing the site for long-term development, including fencing the property, connecting utilities, providing drainage and a stormwater system. They are currently applying for funding from other sources to help pay for utilities, showers, and other costs onsite. Attachment 1, Page 3 of 4 MEMORANDUM 2/17/2021 Page 4 Mainstream Housing has indicated they hope to house both families experiencing homelessness, as well as unhoused clients they serve with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Criteria on eligibility would ultimately be determined by the service provider under contract with Lane County. Neighborhood outreach Mainstream Housing developed a flyer (see Attachment 2), explaining their plans for both temporary shelter, and long-term affordable housing at this site, and mailed it to 47 households (property owners and residents of the neighboring properties). Mainstream received responses from two property owners, expressing some concerns (see Attachment 2). Mainstream responded, addressing those concerns, further explaining their intent to create a managed shelter community, not an unmanaged homeless camp. Mainstream Housing explained that their commitment to this site, and to the neighborhood, is for the long-term. Other sites in Springfield Other property owners in Springfield have expressed interest in providing temporary accommodations for the unhoused population. Especially in cases where the property is not eligible to participate in the overnight parking program, this pallet shelter approach may be a viable option for providing a safe and secure place for help reduce the risk of ongoing spread of COVID-19. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Council discussion - no action requested. Attachment 1, Page 4 of 4 Shelter for people experiencing homelessness, built in under an hour. Durable, dignified, and cost-effective shelter solutions. Designed and Built by People with Lived Experience in Homelessness When we set out to design a personal shelter for people experiencing homelessness, we as ked peo ple exp e r i e nci ng h omelessn es s wh at they neede d to improve their lives. Our personal shelters are more effective at transitioning people into permanent housing because they are designed and built by people with lived experience in homelessness –most people who build our shelters are formerly homeless, addicted, or incarcerated themselves, and your purchase of Pallet shelters helps to employ this nontraditional workforce. “I can't believe that we were able to complete an entire community over the course of two weeks.” -Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors MAINSTREAM HOUSING, INCORPORATED 325 North A Street, Springfield, OR 97477-4605 PROPOSED TEMPORARY USE OF THIS VACANT LOT Mainstream Housing is partnering with Lane County and local service providers to support people who experience intellectual or developmental disabilities and others in Springfield who do not have a secure place to live. If approved, Lane County would place 5 to 10 temporary, pallet shelters on our property in February of 2021.The intent is to help people stay safe and healthy during winter weather and the current COVID-19 pandemic. Mainstream Housing is seeking approval from the City of Springfield on the proposed temporary use for this property and a decision has not yet been made. This public outreach information is being provided to you as a step towards that process. VIEW FROM EAST 42nd Street41st Place Mainstream Housing is proposing to build 12 permanent units of affordable housing plus a community building with an on-site manager unit. If approved, this site will provide Permanent Supportive Housing for individuals who experience an intellectual or developmental disability, as well as other low income members of our community. We propose breaking ground on this permanent housing project in the next 2-3 years. 276 South 42nd Street, Springfield, OR 276 South 42nd Street, Springfield, OR Please address concerns or questions on either the temporary or permanent proposed property use by January 31st to Mainstream Housing Incorporated. 484-4868 X 304, jlarue@mainstreamhousing.org, or submit comments via our website at www.mainstreamhousing.org. PROPOSED FUTURE PERMANENT HOUSING Individuals staying at the site will be screened to ensure they are able to follow property rules, be good neighbors and work well with others. Program staff will check in regularly on site. Residents will have access to comprehensive housing navigation services to connect them with other social services and will work to develop and execute a plan for moving into permanent housing. The property will be fenced and gated to provide a safe and secure setting for both our sheltered families and the neighborhood. Attachment 2, Page 1 of 1 Mainstream Housing Incorporated 325 North A Street Springfield, Oregon 97477-4605 City of Springfield Planing & Development Department 225 5th Street Springfield, Oregon 87477 Tuesday, January 12, 2021 Re: Proposed Temporary Use of Vacant Lot 276 South 42od Street-Springfield, Oregon 97478 Thank you for your proposal and your idea of partnering with Lane County and local service providers. I own the duplex address of 248 & 246 South 42nd Street, Springfield, Oregon 97478 and live in 248 and Don Haase, the contractor & builder of these buildings owns the duplex address of 242 & 244 South 42 00 Street, Springfield, Oregon 97478. We do not agree with your proposal and have very good reasons why. Firs~ these buildings were constructed in 2015 -we watched them being built. At the time we knew this was not the best of neighborhoods but felt if we kept our property looking good it may change neighbors mind and turn their property into something better than what they were. We have accomplished nothing -yes our property is superb but this is what we have dealt with. The low cost housing rentals that are just next to your property have ruined a selling price for ours. They are disrespectful and not caring. The lady who rents 242 was sitting on her back deck when kids from low cost housing just off your lot threw rocks at her. -the fence at 246 was kicked in creating a hospital visit for a dog and stitches required as well as put panels on the fence. At 248 a car went through the fence moving the shed and missing a human inside-another time a car went along the shed and pulled out a City tree. Now, last Friday once again another car drove down the sidewalk wiping out 5 metal mail boxes. These are all our extra expenses to replace. We have had beer cans thrown at the house -we have picked up drug paraphernalia -we have cleaned the back of our houses due to the mud playing with trucks in your lot. We have cleaned up garbage from your lot behind our fences. We have had items stolen out of our yard. You have not policed up this lot for the number of years we have been here. Now you intend to bring the homeless in? This brings more garbage, outside toilets, more snakes, more rats. Yes, rats which have shown up this past week. What do you honestly expect from neighbors? This area is not for these individuals. 42ud street is a speed trap and it takes only once that a child runs out onto the street and it will be immediately killed or maimed for life. Do you intend to support this? I am sorry but we do not feel we need to add any more low cost or homeless into this neighborhood and feel you need to look at your decision and consider another alternative. Thank you for your time and patience. b;LO~ 248 South 42nd Street-Springfield, Oregon 97478 Phone 541-517-5195 Email: vsmith3237@gmail.com Attachment 3, Page 1 of 6 Jaclyn LaRue From: Sent: To: Subject: Greetings James, Jaclyn LaRue <jlarue@mainstreamhousing.org> Monday, January 25 , 2021 12:16 PM 'vsmith3237@gmail.com' RE: proposed use of 276 S. 42nd Street Thank you for expressing your concerns over our proposed development of our 42"d street property. First of all, let me introduce myself as new owners of this property, having only recently purchased the vacant lot adjacent to your property. We are not the people who owned the property over the years when it was not managed. It is our intent that this property be managed in a way that will prevent the types of malicious activities that you report have been happening on this vacant lot. We share your concern for the trucks playing in the mud, people dumping garbage, and open access from the vacant lot to neighboring properties. We propose to immediately remedy these problems by fencing and gating our entire property. Access to the lot will be limited to residents and approved guests. Access to the property will be from 41 51 Place and not 42"d street which will provide an additional measure of safety for any children on the property from the traffic on 42"d street. A managed shelter community is not an unmanaged homeless camp. Our 42"d Street shelter residents will be individuals with developmental disabilities and families who need a safe and secure place to live. Our screening process for shelter residents will include a criminal background check. There will be property rules, including no drugs or alcohol allowed on the site. Each resident will asked to sign a housing agreement acknowledging that they understand and will follow the property rules. There are provisions in the rules that will allow us to remove any resident from the property if inappropriate behaviors should occur. As a part of this project, Lane County will be assigning a service provider to the property. The service provider will be on-site regularly to supervise the property. One important part of the job description of the provider is to ensure that the property is clean and sanitary. All garbage will be enclosed with regular garbage service provided. Residents will have access to sewer, water, and electricity. If this temporary use of the property is approved, Mainstream will be building real restrooms, showers, and a community kitchen. Residents will be required to keep the area around their personal shelter clean and free from garbage and clutter. Sanitation, pest, and rodent control will be carefully monitored. Mainstream Housing has been developing quality, affordable housing properties since 1990. We have earned a reputation for quality construction and well-maintained properties that enhance local neighborhoods. It is our hope that you will experience improvements in the types of activities currently happening in your neighborhood by the fencing and management of what is currently a vacant lot. When we build our permanent triplex housing, I think you will find them to be the type of quality housing that you are wanting to see in your neighborhood. Thank you again for your concerns and questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions. Jaclyn LaRue Executive Director Mainstream Housing 1 Attachment 3, Page 2 of 6 Jaclyn LaRue From: Sent: To: Subject: Vangy Smith <vsmith3237@gmail.com> Tuesday, January 26, 2021 7:10PM Jaclyn LaRue Re: proposed use of 276 S. 42nd Street Thank you very much for your reply and description ..... Don Haase has been a contractor-builder in the Lane County area for over 30 years and has some questions he and us would like to have answered. / 1. Your license is not active in the builders contractor board as of today, January 26, 2021. Is there a reason for this? 2. Hav you a list of business references? 3. Where have you done building in Lane County? 4. Have you a list of builder suppliers you have used? Don would work with you on this project to give you help if you needed it. Thank you James Provins Attachment 3, Page 3 of 6 Jaclyn LaRue From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Greetings James, Jaclyn LaRue <jlarue@mainstreamhousing.org> Wednesday, January 27, 2021 10:05 AM 'Vangy Smith' 'gbarnes@mainstreamhousing.org' RE: proposed use of 276 S. 42nd Street Mainstream Housing is a non-profit providing affordable housing options for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We are not a construction company which is why you will not find us listed as a licensed and bonded contractor in the State of Oregon. We hire licensed and bonded contractors for all of our projects. When we do the permanent development triplex project on 42"d street we will be using the team of Bergsund Delany Architecture and Meili Construction. This is the same team that Saint Vincent de Paul, Homes for Good and other local non-profit affordable housing companies like ours use. Dan most likely knows Meili Construction company as they have also been doing construction work in our community for years. The immediate construction of the fence and ground prep for the temporary pallet shelters will be contracted with licensed and bonded contractors who regularly do work for Mainstream Housing. The pallet shelters are owned by Lane County and county employees are assembling the actual shelters at the Lane County Fairgrounds and will be doing the on-site placement of these units. You are welcome to drive by the Fairgrounds to see the actual shelters. Mainstream Housing owns and maintains 31 group homes from Bend to the Coast and from Medford to Salem . We also have affordable housing properties in Gresham, Springfield, Eugene, and Cottage Grove. We have relationships with many licensed and bonded contractors throughout the state to meet the renovation, repair and construction needs on these properties. We would be happy to add Dan to our list of potential contractors for future construction contracts. If Dan is interested in being on our list of available contractors for future work he should contact the MHI Operations Director, Gwen Barnes at gbarnes@mainstreamhousing.org. For further information on our company, please feel free to visit our website at www.mainstreamhousing.org. Jackie LaRue Executive Director Mainstream Housing Attachment 3, Page 4 of 6 From: MJ Carstens [mailto:muriel97477@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2021 2:59 PM To: jlarue@mainstreamhousing.org Subject: 276 S 42nd St, housing proposal 1 I can understand the reasoning for temporary housing with homelessness increasing. I would like to address some concerns with the housing . It is understood that prior screening will be done for residents. However, what will be done to address drug use, policing, keeping sex offenders out since children live closeby. Will garbage containers be in their enclosure? Showers? My larger concern is once the property is developed, where will the homeless move . It seems accomodating large number of homeless just invites more to the area. This particular area is on a slow decline and I don't want to see anything additional to add to that. Muriel Carstens Attachment 3, Page 5 of 6 Jaclyn LaRue From: Sent: To: Subject: Greetings Muriel , Jaclyn LaRue <jlarue@mainstreamhousing.org> Monday, January 25, 2021 11:20 AM 'MJ Carstens' RE: 276 S 42nd St, housing proposal Thank you for expressing your concerns over our proposed development of our 42"d street property. We have taken these questions into consideration when planning the project and share your view that our property should enhance and not add to the slow decline of the neighborhood. Our proposed temporary use of the property is for a managed shelter community of 5 to I 0 households, with the exact number to be determined by the City of Springfield. The property will be fenced and gated with access only allowed for residents and approved guests . It will not be possible for other homeless people to access the site and set up a tent camp in the surrounding area. A managed shelter community is not an unmanaged homeless camp. Our 42nd Street shelter residents will be individuals with developmental disabilities and families who need a safe and secure place to live. Our screening process for shelter residents will include a criminal background check. As we are housing families on the property, we will not be accepting known sexual offenders, drug dealers, or people who have a record of violent assault against others as residents. There will be property rules, including no drugs or alcohol allowed on the site. Each resident will asked to sign a housing agreement acknowledging that they understand and will follow the property rules. There are provisions in the rules that will allow us to remove any resident from the property if inappropriate behaviors and drug dealing should occur. As a part of this project, Lane County will be assigning a service provider to the property. The service provider will be on-site regularly to supervise the property. One important part of the job description of the provider is to ensure that the property is clean and sanitary. All garbage will be enclosed with regular garbage service provided. Residents will have access to sewer, water, and electricity. Mainstream will be building real restrooms, showers, and a community kitchen. Residents will be required to keep the area around their personal shelter clean and free from garbage and clutter. I appreciate your concern over what happens to the sheltered residents when the shelters are removed . The use of pallet shelters is a transitional step towards helping people finding permanent housing. One important aspect of service that will be provided on this property is Housing Case Management. The role of the Case Manager is to work individually with the households in the project to help them find and move into permanent housing. Mainstream Housing has been developing quality, affordable housing properties since 1990. We have earned a reputation for quality construction and well-maintained properties that enhance local neighborhoods. It is our hope that you will experience improvements in the types of activities currently happening in your neighborhood by the fencing and management of what is currently a vacant lot. Thank you again for your concerns and questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions. Jaclyn LaRue Executive Director Mainstream Housing Attachment 3, Page 6 of 6