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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLETTER in support of OlyCAP JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners Mark McCauley, County Administrator FROM: Greg Brotherton DATE: September 6,2022 SUBJECT: LETTER—Consider 2 Letters in support of OlyCAP's Commerce Application STATEMENT OF ISSUE: OlyCAP request the County letter of support for State Dept. of Commerce Grant Application. ANALYSIS: Consider two letters in support of OlyCAP's Commerce Application, one of support, the other confirming that the application is consistent with our 5 year Homelessness and Housing Plan. FISCAL IMPACT: None RECOMMENDATION: Commissioners discuss and potentially take action. REVIEWED BY: OVZ- Mark McCau e , County Administrator Date co WIN Board of County Commissioners ,�,4��s cod. ©.2 1820 Jefferson Street prf PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 4U I�. PIING,Co° Kate Dean,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour, District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3 September 2022 p 6, Washington State Department of Commerce, Multifamily Housing Unit Housing Trust Fund Determination of Consistency with Jefferson County 5-Year Homelessness Plan OIyCAP Caswell-Brown Village The purpose of this letter is to affirm that OlyCAP's Caswell-Brown Village Emergency Shelter will be a key contribution to meeting the goals of the 2020-2024 Plan to Make Homelessness a Singular Occurrence. The plan identifies the lack of affordable housing and emergency shelters as a gap in the existing support network. This proposal represents a means of addressing Objective #3 Operate an effective and efficient homeless crisis response system that swiftly moves people into stable and permanent housing while providing services. And Objective #6 Increase the development of affordable housing and alternative housing models through incentives and policy changes. The proposed shelter will include 13 Single Room Occupancy style beds for permanent supportive housing, along with 22 emergency beds in a dormitory style shelter divided by gender, and three emergency family suites. All residents will be homeless at entry and will not be expected to pay rent during their stay. This will provide a critical resource to providing a safe, stable place for homeless residents to connect to services. We appreciate your consideration for this proposed development. If any additional information can be provided regarding how this project will meet the housing and homelessness needs of Jefferson County as detailed in the comprehensive and homelessness plans, please feel free to reach out to Greg Brotherton at bbrotherton@co jefferson.wa.us or 360-385-9101. Thank you for your partnership in building affordable housing in Jefferson County. Sincerely, Heidi Eisenhour Chair, Board of County Commissioners Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us p Co M.�4,, Board of County Commissioners 4k"' CbU 1820 Jefferson Street p'¢' PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 O Kate Dean,District 1 Heidi Eisenhour,District 2 Greg Brotherton,District 3 September 6, 2022 Washington State Department of Commerce, Multifamily Housing Unit Housing Trust Fund Jefferson County Letter of Support OlyCAP Caswell-Brown Village Jefferson County is excited to partner with OlyCAP on the development of Caswell-Brown Village. The County is providing a land lease for the lifespan of the project, and has provided funding for earlier phases of this project. The current facility this shelter will be replacing is in dire need of upgrade and is at risk of losing its lease, and the County has been working with OlyCAP to provide a long-term solution. The Housing Trust Fund Grant from Department of Commerce would help OlyCAP to establish this needed facility within the next two years. This shelter and the surrounding village will provide stability and safety to the most vulnerable members of our community. The low barrier-shelter will connect residents to services, and provide options with the level of care provided. It will be a critical resource in our goal to end chronic homelessness in our community. The County is fully supportive of this project and is providing land and a clear path forward with permitting and approvals, along with financial resources to build and operate an open-air shelter for RVs and wooden tents elsewhere on the lot. The community has been engaged and is supportive of this effort to shelter the unhoused. We encourage Department of Commerce to consider the Caswell-Brown Village shelter for the Housing Trust Fund award and will continue to support OlyCAP in making this project a reality as quickly as possible. Thank you for your consideration of this project, Sincerely, Heidi Eisenhour Chair, Board of County Commissioners Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us