Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Planning & Development Services
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager |
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FROM: |
Danelle Dresslar, Community Development Manager |
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CC: |
Scott McCullough, Director of Planning and Development Services |
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DATE: |
April 7, 2015 |
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RE: |
2015 State of Kansas Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG), formerly the Emergency Shelter Grant Program |
Background:
The City of Lawrence has participated in the ESG Program through the State of Kansas since 1989. Several local public service agencies have been past beneficiaries in the program. New legislation effective in 2012 resulted in a name change and a change in focus for this grant, now named the Emergency Solutions Grant. The same agencies that have been eligible in the past for the Emergency Shelter Grant funding are eligible for the newly focused ESG. These agencies have previously participated in the Emergency Shelter Grant Program and/or the CDBG program. The State requires the City to be the applicant for the ESG Program and the City must distribute the funds to the various agencies as it deems necessary.
The State has required local governments to implement a Continuum of Care approach to homelessness, providing progressive services from initial shelter to permanent housing. The local government and recipient nonprofit organizations identify gaps in essential services, indicating a need for advocacy, coordination, or new program development. Staff has been working with the various emergency service providers and has developed an application that addresses the Continuum of Care approach as well as identifying gaps in areas needing program development.
Staff Recommendation:
The City is requesting $337,000 from the State Emergency Solutions Grant Program for the following activities by the various providers.
Agency |
Street Outreach |
Emergency Shelter |
Homelessness Prevention |
Rapid Re-Housing |
HMIS |
Total |
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Willow Domestic Violence Center |
0 |
65,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
65,000 |
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Lawrence Community Shelter |
0 |
140,000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
140,000 |
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Catholic Charities of NE Kansas |
10,000 |
0 |
30,000 |
90,000 |
2,000 |
132,000 |
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TOTAL |
10,000 |
205,000 |
30,000 |
90,000 |
2,000 |
337,000 |
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The mission of the Lawrence Community Shelter, Inc. is to provide safe shelter and comprehensive support services and programs that offer a path to a positive future for people experiencing homelessness or who are at-risk of homelessness. The day activities focus on education, housing, health, Back-to-Work job coaching program, counseling, and substance abuse. Programs are designed to fulfill basic daily needs, such as laundry facilities, light breakfast, mail and telephone service, and storage for people who are working, as well as to offer case management, job referrals and guidance, collaboration with legal, medical, and substance abuse providers, and other assistance for guests who are taking steps to prevent becoming or to get out of homelessness. The night program provides sleeping space for 125 adults in the current location. As an open shelter, Lawrence Community Shelter does not require a guest to pass a breathalyzer test to come in for the night. Families receive priority spaces, but for individuals spaces are not reserved although consideration is given to individuals who are working and may have a late shift. The day and night staffs include a LBSW, a LMSW, a certified alcohol and drug counselor, and individuals with personal experience in dealing with substance abuse. Referrals and transportation are made to detoxification or other agencies as much as possible during the night.
Catholic Charities of North East Kansas provides a wide range of programs, allowing for services to assist individual and family immediate needs while also offering the tools and resources for stabilization and strengthening of their situations. Catholic Charities has a Lawrence location and will work closely with LCS in providing services to those that qualify for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing services, partnering on the service delivery of the programs.
The Willow Domestic Violence Center provides emergency shelter and services to women and children who are homeless due to violence. Willow uses education, peer counseling, referrals, and empowerment to aid individuals and families in moving towards permanent housing and independent living.
The State requires a minimum dollar‑for‑dollar match on the ESG funds. The City provides matching sources through the applying agencies. Match sources are listed below and will include:
1. Private Contributions
2. United Way Match
3. Corporate Donations
4. Donated Materials
5. Staff Salary not paid by ESG
6. Volunteer time and services
TOTAL MATCH REQUIRED – $337,000
The agencies will be the subrecipients for this program. The deadline for applications is April 20, 2015. There is a resolution on the City Commission agenda for April 14, 2015, authorizing the Mayor to execute all appropriate grant documents.
Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 7115, authorizing the Mayor to sign the application and related grant documents for the 2015 Emergency Solutions Grant from the State of Kansas.