* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Kraft
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
The 2007 Baltimore Homeless Census - Let's Get Everyone Involved
FOR the purpose of supporting the Baltimore Homeless Services 2007 Baltimore Homeless Census, which helps identify gaps in services and specific needs that may have changed or remained constant in the past 2 years, as well as aiding service providers to write future strategic plans; and requesting that the citizens of Baltimore City volunteer to help make the census run smoothly and efficiently.
Body
Recitals
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates that all cities do a biannual Point-In-Time Count of homeless individuals during a 24-hour period in the last week of January. Censuses were conducted in 2003 and 2005 leading to many successful programs. During the 2005 Census, 2,943 people were counted. Based on statistical models, between 6,522 and 7,023 people will experience homelessness over the course of 1 year. The 2005 Census helped narrow down 4 predominant factors that cause homelessness; lack of affordable housing, lack of adequate income, lack of adequate health insurance combined with poor health, and lack of adequate discharge planning from public institutions.
The Census helps service providers identify gaps in services and specific needs that may have changed or remained constant over the past 2 years. Baltimore Homeless Services, as well as service providers, rely on this data when writing strategic plans. Following the last census, Baltimore Homeless Services conducted a successful Housing First pilot project with 94% of chronically homeless individuals remaining housed after 1 year. Baltimore Housing Services secured a 5-year, $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for supportive services to expand Housing First to 100 units.
Transitional Housing Programs provide housing and services for up to 24 months for a designated client population. They are designed to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families into permanent housing. Services include case management, housing counseling and relocation, life-skills training, follow-up services, job readiness, training or placement, child care services, transportation, legal services, literacy services, and substance abuse treatment services. Emergency shelters provide sleeping accommodations and services. Shelter staff are trained to provide intake, crisis intervention counseling, service planning, and information referral. They are generally open 24 hours, and missions are included in this category of services.
The "Housing First Initiative" originated with two assumptions: that housing is a basic human right, and that the definitive problem of homelessness is a lack of housing. In order to properly conduct the census in Baltimore City, Baltimore Homeless Services will need approximately 100 volunteers. These volunteers will be significant in making sure that the number of people counted in the census is as high as possible, and that the area covered is adequate. We ask that the citizens of Baltimore as well as City Agencies be informed that the census is taking place, and that all who can are requested to volunteer their services.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body supports the Baltimore Homeless Services 2007 Homeless Census, which helps identify gaps in services and specific needs that may have changed or remained constant in the past 2 years, as well as aiding service providers to write future strategic plans; and requests that the citizens of Baltimore City volunteer to help make the census run smoothly and efficiently.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the President/CEO of Baltimore Homeless Services Inc., the Director of the Health Department, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
dlr06-1074~intro/04Dec06
ccres/HomelessCensus:af
dlr06-1074~intro/04Dec06
- 2 -
ccres/HomelessCensus:af