Due to pervasive, underlying health conditions and a lack of access to adequate facilities, people experiencing homelessness are especially susceptible to the coronavirus and are at higher risk of experiencing severe symptoms. Per CDC and HUD guidance, it is imperative during the current pandemic to move at-risk individuals experiencing homelessness off our streets and out of our shelters. Plus, due to social distancing requirements, staffing challenges, and modified intake procedures (because of COVID-19), many emergency housing providers are not accepting new residents.
Therefore, the city is creating a temporary housing navigation center, providing 60 units of non-congregate, short-term, emergency housing, including case management, supportive services, and meals. The temporary facility will provide safe and stable “bridge housing,” where at-risk individuals experiencing homelessness can stay while working with case managers on placement into non-congregate, permanent housing through the city and county’s joint COVID-19 Homeless Housing Program. The facility will be operated by the Coalition for the Homeless and other non-profit partners. The facility is just a “pitstop” on the road to being housed, designed to help expedite and increase the number of at-risk individuals placed into permanent housing (especially needed to mitigate the severe impact of the Delta Variant).
On September 8, 2021, City Council passed Motion 2021-516 which authorized up-to $700,000 of CRF funding to lease the facility. It is now recommended that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the actual Lease between the City and 290 Northwest Inc. for the 60-unit facility. The facility, which was previously utilized by the city as an overflow quarantine and isolation facility will be converted into a temporary navigation center. The lease runs from October 10, 2021 to December 31, 2021, and includes the entire facility, including common-areas, guest rooms, grounds, kitchen, commercial laundry facility and more. Furthermore, the Lessor will be responsible for property maintenance and janitorial services.
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Andy Icken
Chief Development Officer