HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2019-034Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
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Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
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Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2019-402
File ID: AB2019-402 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 07/16/2019 Entered by: CHalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Public Works & Health Committee
Agenda Date: 07/23/2019
Primary Contact Email: chalka@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Final Action: 07/23/2019
Enactment #: RES 2019-034
Resolution amending the Homeless Strategies Workgroup to expand its membership and purpose
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution amending the Homeless Strategies Workgroup (Resolution 2017-055) to expand its
membership and revise the purpose.
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
07/23/2019 Council Public Works & Health RECOMMENDED FOR
Committee APPROVAL
Notes: Vote: 3-0
07/23/2019 Council SUBSTITUE APPROVED
Notes: Vote: 7-0, Resolution 2019-034
Sent To:
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Substitute Proposed Resolution, Agenda Bill Master Report
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 712412019
PROPOSED BY: BUCHANAN, DONOVAN,
AND BROWNE
INTRODUCTION DATE: JULY 23, 2019
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-034
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE HOMELESS STRATEGIES WORKGROUP TO EXPAND ITS
MEMBERSHIP AND PURPOSE
WHEREAS, addressing homelessness is a complex issue requiring many partners and a
variety of solutions; and
WHEREAS, large numbers of people without homes or secure access to housing endangers
the health, safety, and welfare of the people, individuals, families, and children, and poses a threat
to the environment and economic health of the community, and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County, through its Health Department, facilitates community
wide planning, updates and oversees implementation of the Plan to End Homelessness, conducts the
Point in Time Count, and provides housing and service related advocacy on behalf of people
experiencing homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County Health Department's 2019 Point -In -Time (PIT) Count, an
annual snapshot of homelessness in our community, showed the largest decrease in homelessness
since 2012, with 14% fewer individuals living homeless than in 2018, and ongoing attention to this
issue is required to sustain this trend; and
WHEREAS, a decrease in homelessness is in part attributable to the new 22 North supportive
housing facility, expanded programming, and services provided by several local non-profit agencies
who in 2018 collectively helped 2,281 individuals find temporary or permanent housing or financial
assistance to prevent homelessness; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County partners with a number of agencies to provide access to safe
and secure housing and shelter facilities as well as associated programming and services; and
WHEREAS, while Whatcom County remains committed to long-term and preventative
solutions, the community needs decisive action from all local governments and many agencies in
order to prevent further suffering and requires collaborative solutions to address this acute crisis;
and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Council adopted Resolution 2017-055, Establishing A
Homeless Strategies Workgroup, on October 24, 2017; and
WHEREAS, the Homeless Strategies Workgroup evaluated eight potential locations for a
200-bed low -barrier shelter in Bellingham for further feasibility analysis; and
WHEREAS, the Homeless Strategies Workgroup acknowledged the need for a comprehensive
approach, including strategies to address public health and safety, and strategies to end
homelessness; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for different types of shelters including, but not limited to
• 'year round shelters' providing shelter all days during the year,
• 'temporary winter shelters' providing temporary shelter during cold weather, and
• severe weather shelters' or emergency shelters' providing temporary shelter during
extreme cold weather events; and
WHEREAS, during the 2018 winter storm event, Fountain Community Church provided a
temporary winter shelter at 211 Broadway, Bellingham. The City of Bellingham provided a daytime
emergency shelter in the basement of the Bellingham Public Library at 210 Central Ave, and
Whatcom County provided an emergency shelter in the Garden Level Conference Room of the Civic
Center building at 322 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom County Housing Advisory Committee identified potential partners
for a severe weather shelter for 2019; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Whatcom County Council extends the work of
the Homeless Strategies Workgroup ("workgroup") as an independent coalition; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Homeless Strategies Workgroup membership shall be
expanded to include a broader range of partner organizations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workgroup's purpose is to identify:
1. Additional temporary winter shelters,
2. Added capacity for year round shelters,
3. Additional opportunities to address the needs of the county's homeless population,
and
4. Strategies to prevent people from having no other option than to sleep outside.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the workgroup shall be made up of the following
representatives:
• Whatcom County Administration
• Two Whatcom County Council Members
• Two Bellingham City Council Members
• City of Bellingham Administration
• Small City Administration
• Law Enforcement
• EMS
• Port of Bellingham
• Lighthouse Mission Ministries
• Opportunity Council
• Homeless Advocate
• Tribal Nation
• Health Department Staff
• Housing Advisory Committee Representative
• Northwest Youth Services
• Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that:
• Meetings of the workgroup shall be open and accessible to the public and
shall be subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.
• The workgroup shall determine its own meeting schedule, but shall attempt
to complete its work as expeditiously as possible.
• Written and audio records of meetings, resolutions, findings, and
recommendations shall be kept and such records shall be public.
3rd day of
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Dan°a Brown;QYl,erk of -,'be Council
APPROV D AS TO FOR.
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Rud Browne, Council Chair