DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Emergency Shelter Development
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on emergency shelter development.
SUMMARY
In 2021, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners reconvened the Housing Leadership Workgroup to assess outcomes of the County's Housing Business Plan and make recommendations for future housing investments in Dakota County. The workgroup was made up of faith leaders, law enforcement, people who have experienced homelessness, nonprofit partners, Dakota County Commissioners, and staff from the Dakota County Community Development Agency and the County.
The workgroup recommended investments in three main areas to support the next phase of the Dakota County Housing Business Plan: shelter, homelessness prevention, and affordable housing. Staff presented these recommendations to the County Board on October 19, 2021. Staff have been returning to the County Board throughout 2022 with additional information and further defined recommendations in each of the three investment areas.
At the request of Social Services staff, Capital Projects Management and the Office of Performance and Analysis developed capital cost estimates for shelter for single adults, including estimates for congregate and non-congregate shelter models. Social Services staff also gathered feedback on important elements of shelter design through a discussion and survey with members of Dakota County's Affordable Housing Coalition.
At the March 15, 2022, Community Services Committee of the Whole, staff summarized this information and gathered feedback from the Board on next steps in shelter planning. Throughout the summer and fall of 2022, staff began more intensive community engagement on emergency shelter development. Staff will report on the progress of this community engagement and seek feedback on next steps in developing emergency shelter for single adults experiencing homelessness in Dakota Count...
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