The goal identified by the CPEH, and the hired consultant is July 1, 2023. Pierce County Human Services will support the process and implementation and goal will be shifted as required and requested by CPEH.
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We work with the Lived Experience Coalition (LEC) as a Pierce County funded entity. This group works with folks who have lived experience. In addition to mentorship, they prepare folks to sit on boards and voice their stances to stakeholders. The LEC also recruits people who have experienced homelessness or currently are.
The 501 Commons contract started September 1, 2022 and was fully executed January 25, 2023. To date the program has served one by-and-for agency. As the project progresses, additional data will be provided by Human Services staff as requested by the CPEH.
Pierce County Human Services will follow all funding allocation protocols and requirements. This includes reallocation of additional dollars through a Notice of Funding Availability, Request for Proposal, or other approved processes. Pierce County staff work to support providers to ensure they spend down complete and meet their targets.
The Transportation Project was a pilot program with limited eligibilities. Clients not on the Pierce Transit routes may be eligible for Beyond the Borders program. Our staff working on Transportation is working diligently to find resolution.
No, there is no cap based on area for projects funded through HHP or any other County fund unless the funder requires the area. All households eligible for homeless services in Pierce County have access to Pierce County programs throughout the County regardless of their original area. Pierce County homeless services has a no wrong door approach and serve the County as a whole.
The Prevention Case Management program has an estimated numbers served of 340-1650, which will vary greatly between project types and eligibility requirements. If the projects apply for rental assistance only without case management, they will serve additional households. If the projects provide intensive case management, they will serve less households. Once the request for proposals is released and a project (or projects) are selected, Pierce County will be able to update the projected to be served numbers. If a household is past due on rent, they are eligible to apply for eviction prevention which would be different than this above program.
3,000 served includes contacts and not new households/individuals served. The Shelter HUB will connect households and individuals to available resources such as available emergency shelter beds OR may provide hotel/motel sheltering if no resources are available. 3,000 maybe connecting a person to an available shelter bed which would consist of knowing available open beds or making a phone call or securing hotel/motel while then connecting to available resources.
This service is currently funded and eligible through CE with Pierce County Human Services. We have outreach teams that are trained in Diversion and CE processes. They receive funding to facilitate these services out in the community. In addition, CE has expanded their services since the pandemic. Now, they offer Diversion conversations via telephone, Zoom, in person, by appointment or walk ins.
Pierce County Human Services recently released the Homeless Housing Program (HHP) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and emergency shelters were eligible to apply. The funding decision is expected to be announced soon. The City of Tacoma runs a separate funding cycle with their funding.
Yes, to be eligible for Eviction Prevention households must have a lease in their own name, under 80% Area Median Income, have past due rent, and have a 14-day/30-day/Eviction Notice. Eviction Prevention is set up to support households and landlords with past due rents and is not a homeless service response, it is a homeless prevention response.
The Right of Way funding projects are 3-year contracts. Washington State Department of Commerce and Pierce County Human Services are committed to long-term solutions. Pierce County Human Services will continue to work with current contracted providers to continue the work.
A majority of emergency shelter beds added to the system are non-congregate beds. What we learned during the pandemic was having a variety of shelter bed options allowed the homeless response system to respond quickly and appropriately. Congregate is the most cost-effective way to serve the greatest number of households, and yet we know that non-congregate allows for more safety, security, and emergency response in the event of a future pandemic.
The data available was provided by our Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which not all shelters utilize. HMIS is required for all Pierce County funded services provided but if an entity has a different fund source, they are not required to enter information into the database, though Pierce County staff do encourage them to. In addition, staff review the Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to end homelessness which currently shows 99 available needs which is close to this number as well. We do see vacancies changing with weather changes.
All identified funds in the CPEH are awarded to agencies (for profit, nonprofit, local government entities, etc.) who apply for funding for specific project types. These entities provide direct services for households in need and eligible for services.
Pierce County Human Services uses data from Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Not all service providers are required to enter data into HMIS however they are encouraged to do so.
Pierce County Human Services hired a Computer Systems Data Analysis in June of 2022. The position is a dedicated full-time employee who administers the HMIS system and provides technical assistance, as well as monitoring for data quality. Providers are sent data quality reports monthly.
Pierce County Human Services will provide additional information on options for how to donate. There are legal limitations and requirements to the County accepting donations. Pierce County Human Services encourages people interested in donating to a cause to either donate to a local non-profit directly or donate supplies directly to a non-profit.
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