DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update And Direction On Adult Emergency Shelter Services And Project Planning
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update and provide direction on single adult emergency shelter services and project planning and next steps in the public engagement process.
SUMMARY
Dakota County previously housed many adults needing emergency shelter at Cochran House, a 32-bed homeless shelter located in Hastings. In 2018, that facility closed, and the County increased its use of temporary, rotating shelters until early 2020 when the pandemic began. At that time, the County began renting hotel rooms for use as emergency shelter while examining longer-term options.
In 2021, the County Board reconvened the Housing Leadership Workgroup, made up of County and community stakeholders to make recommendations on future housing plans. One of the workgroup’s recommendations was to invest in fixed-location shelter(s) for single adults.
In late 2021, Social Services staff requested the assistance of the Office of Performance and Analysis (OPA) and Capital Projects Management to develop high-level cost estimates for building or acquiring buildings/properties for use as shelter for unhoused single adults. These estimates were presented to the County Board in 2022 and included models for congregate housing (individuals sleep in one or more large spaces) and non-congregate housing (individuals would each have a room to themselves). The County Board then requested staff to engage local cities in exploring potential sites in areas that provided good access to transportation, employment, shopping, and other services within walking distance. Staff spent much of 2023 reaching out to cities. After reviewing several locations, County staff identified a hotel property as meeting these criteria.
On August 8, 2023, the County Board held a workshop to receive an overview of past and current County homeless programs, review staff findings on potential options and locations for additional homeless infrastructure and a new state funding opportunity to support capital costs for shelter development. The County Board directed staff and its consultants to contact the owner of the recommended property, conduct existing property/building analysis, preliminary design options and cost estimates and begin initial purchase negotiations.
Staff presented a proposal to the County Board on September 19, 2023, and after public comment, the Board opted not to vote on the resolution to apply for shelter capital funding available from the State.
On January 9, 2024, staff provided the County Board with an update on Homeward Path, the project name for the adult supportive services shelter development. Staff also provided the Board with recommendations to engage with cities, draft materials to support communications and community engagement, development of a shelter site review panel, and risks of staying in the current sheltering location during this planning phase.
On April 16, 2024, staff provided the County Board with an update on Homeward Path with a timeline for both community engagement and a site review panel. The Board provided feedback that the development timeline as proposed was extensive and requested staff return with a modified development schedule.
Staff will provide an update on current adult emergency shelter activities and staff seeks direction on future steps for single adult emergency shelter planning and development.
Staff seeks direction from the Board on the following questions related to emergency shelter for single adults:
• Should the County continue the current model (status quo) of shelter operations, with additional staffing?
• Should the County enter into a longer-term agreement for a fixed site/building for emergency shelter services? If yes, for what duration?
• Does the County want to operate shelter services in a County-/CDA-owned building in the long-term? If County-/CDA-owned, build or buy?
OUTCOMES
None.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Madeline Kastler