Misson

Ten Year Plan
   -Plan Summary
   -Plan 1st year update

Resources for Homeless

Homeless Facts 2008

9:30 AM 9/15/2009 Homeless Facts 2009

Volunteer Brochure

 “Putting the Pieces Together  - 2008”                FACT SHEET

Ending Homelessness in Yamhill County                                                           

 

 “Is there really a homeless problem in Yamhill County?”

According to a one night shelter count completed in January 2008

–216 families

–364 total persons

Kindergarten through 12^th grade children and youth   identified by county school districts:

            -  2006-2007:  313 homeless youth and children   

– 2007-2008 count:   387 homeless youth and children   (23% increase)

 

“What does it mean to be homeless?”

Yamhill County’s Ending Homelessness Steering Committee adopted the definition of “homelessness” as being without a decent, safe, stable, and permanent place to live that is fit for human habitation

 

Homeless persons are those who:

§    share housing due economic hardship, personal safety or a similar reason

§    live in motels, hotels or camping grounds

§    live in emergency or transitional shelters

§    have been abandoned in hospitals

§    await foster care placement

§    live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing or similar settings

 

“So, what are the impacts and why does addressing homelessness matter?”

•Financial impact:

-Increased health care costs for all persons, including higher insurance premiums

-Added costs to community, county, & state programs such as:

            law enforcement, prosecution, courts, & incarceration

            social services, mental health and addiction services which are already limited

•Social impact:

-Education needs are often unmet when youth are homeless

-Public health risks are increased

-More children enter into the care of Department of Human Services (DHS)

-Family stability erodes

-Poor work force development

•Community safety impact:

-Homeless persons are more likely to engage in criminal behavior

-Some, but not all, homeless persons enter the criminal justice system repeatedly

-Without a stable residence, some homeless persons may participate in illegal behaviors that they would otherwise never do

-Some of the highest risk and dangerous persons on parole and probation are homeless which makes successful supervision more challenging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yamhill County Efforts

-Fall 2006, Yamhill County Commissioners passed a resolution to move forward with a 10-year plan -2007, Commissioner George and other community leaders created the Ending Homelessness Steering Committee

-2008, shelter count, draft 10-year plan, Ending Homelessness Kickoff Event, and community support broadened

 

Ending Homelessness Steering Committee:-

Mission: to advocate for the homeless people of Yamhill County in order to improve the quality of life, increase public awareness of issues of homelessness, impact public policy, and to prevent and end homelessness

Broad Membership:

–County Commissioner Kathy George, Chair

–Faith-based organizations

–Social service agencies

–Criminal justice partners

–Prevention services

–Housing providers

–Community members

–Linfield faculty and students

–Government services

 

Three Important Concepts

1. The long term goal is to build a stronger community with more productive, self sufficient, and contributing members

2. Sustainability is key; we don’t want to become overly dependent on government programs

3. Some people may always need a level of assistance, but the cost impact on resources will be significantly reduced

 

Next Steps:

Plan Feedback Sessions 6:30 to 8:30 pm       Contact:  Marilyn Kennelly, CCF, 503.474.4923

      Oct. 30: West Valley Fire Hall, Willamina

      Nov. 3: Housing Authority Building, 135 NE Dunn Place., McMinnville

      Nov. 6: Yamhill-Carlton High School Cafeteria, 275 N. Maple, Yamhill

      Nov. 10: Dayton City Hall Annex, 416 Ferry St. (old fire hall) Dayton

      Nov. 13: Newberg Senior Center, 101 W. Foothills Dr. Newberg

 

      A review copy of the Draft Plan is available at libraries in Dayton, McMinnville, Newberg and Sheridan.  Copies are also available at City Hall in Amity, Carlton, Dundee, Lafayette, Willamina, Yamhill and the Board of Commissioners office in McMinnville and on the Yamhill County web-site: http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/about/ten_year_plan.pdf  . 

     

Homeless Count  - Wednesday, January 28th, 2009  Contact: Lee Means, YCAP 503.434.0457

One night census of Yamhill County’s Homeless Population – Volunteers Needed

Sleep Out 2009 – Winter 2009   Contact: Yamhill County Prevention Program 503.434.7378 Homeless Connects Event – February 18, 2009   Contact: Housing Authority, 503.434.6571

One stop resource event for Yamhill County’s Homeless Citizens

 

 

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