DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Housing & Community Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Homeward Path Project Planning
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on Homeward Path planning and next steps in public engagement process.
SUMMARY
Dakota County previously housed many persons 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 the Norwood Inn & Suites Eagan LLC as meeting these criteria. The purchase and repurposing of this property for a homeless shelter was acceptable to City of Eagan staff.
On August 8, 2023, the County Board held a workshop to receive an overview o...
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