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A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE CITY’S SUPPORT FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND REQUESTING ALLOCATION OF $500,000 FROM AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING FOR THE PURPOSES OF ACCELERATING CREATION OF NEW TRIAGE SHELTER CAPACITY.
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BY COUNCILORS TOMANEK, FORSMAN, NEPHEW AND PRESIDENT RANDORF:
WHEREAS, the city council desires to reaffirm the city’s support for those experiencing homelessness through both policy changes and funding appropriations in recent years (listed below); and
WHEREAS, the council has passed the following policy changes in recent years to support more compassionate care for those experiencing homelessness in coordination with local nonprofit service providers:
(a) On July 9, 2018, passed Ordinance 10576 repealing the city’s prohibition against resting in a vehicle if the vehicle is legally parked;
(b) On October 28, 2019, passed Ordinance 10659 allowing for “cottage home park developments” - clusters of homes grouped together on a single parcel of land; and
(c) On August 22, 2022, passed Ordinance 10816 allowing outdoor living sites on an interim basis, requiring operators to renew their permit regularly. This type of facility would provide short-term, temporary living, while requiring operators of sites to provide sanitation, potable water, refuse collection, and other necessities. The use specific standards are intended to ensure careful management, provide basic necessities, and ensure safety and environmental protections; and
WHEREAS, in addition to supporting housing projects across all income levels, the council has passed the following dedicated funding in recent years to support more compassionate care for those experiencing homelessness in coordination with local nonprofit service providers:
(a) On March 22, 2021, passed Resolution 21-0192R allocating $1,266,823 in U.S. Cares Act funding to the following projects:
(1) $36,000 for preventing Homelessness during a pandemic- Center City Housing Corp;
(2) $487,172 for Lincoln Park Homeless Warming Center with Hygiene Facilities- Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Duluth, MN;
(3) $50,000 for Homeless Prevention for Veterans in Duluth- Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans;
(4) $93,313 for Eviction Prevention Project- Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota;
(5) $454,529 for Shelter Remodel- Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center;
(6) $20,656 for Homeless Management Information System- Institute for Community Alliances;
(b) On September 13, 2021, passed Resolution 21-0627R approving $300,000 for social service outreach workers in downtown;
(c) On January 24, 2022, passed Resolution 22-0104R approving $1,800,000 for expanded community crisis response services;
(d On August 15, 2022, passed Resolution 22-0655R granting $150,000 to support CHUM (fiscal agent for Stepping On Up) in providing public infrastructure assistance for outdoor living zones on private property and warming centers in the city of Duluth;
(e) On February 13, 2023, passed Resolution 23-0104R approving a 10 year development agreement with Plover Place LLC for construction of the New Model of Housing for Homeless at a total cost not to exceed $1,600,000;
(f) On June 26, 2023, passed Resolution 23-0492R providing an additional $128,000 for the Plover Place, LLC construction of new model housing for homeless;
(g) On September 25, 2023, passed Resolution 23-0758R approving an additional $500,000 in funding to support Stepping On Up;
(h) On December 18, 2023, passed Resolution 23-1009 authorizing the uses of $3,564,600 of opioid settlement fund for encampment coordinator/needle pick up, substance use response team project coordinator and victim services positions as well as funding vehicles, equipment and small grants to community organizations ;
(i) On January 22, 2024, passed Resolution 24-0036 allocating $2,350,000 in HUD CBDG funding to the following projects:
(1) $315,000 for HRA Duluth property rehabilitation program;
(2) $30,000 for One Roof Community Duluth rehabilitation;
(3) $200,000 for Center City’s New San Marco redevelopment;
(4) $10,000 for Devine Konnections at Annies’ House of Refuge & Restoration;
(5) $150,000 for Stepping on Up homeless triage shelter - CHUM;
(6) $20,000 for the Steve O’Neal Apartments - CHUM;
(7) $104,000 for the Duluth Hunger Project - CHUM;
(8) $15,000 for One Roof’s Tenant Landlord Connection;
(9) $39,000 for Lifehouse’s basic needs drop-in youth center;
(10) $30,000 for comprehensive services for homeless veterans - Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans;
(11) $35,000 for CHUM’s emergency shelter;
(12) $30,000 for family supportive housing - Center City Housing Corporation;
(13) $7,000 for the Salvation Army’s family transitional housing; and
(14) $12,000 for HRA’s coordinated entry program; and
WHEREAS, the council recognizes that unsanctioned encampments often lead to public safety and quality of life concerns for both residents of camps and adjacent neighbors, as well as significant public expenses involved with cleanup; and
WHEREAS, the council recognizes that the city is primarily responsible for providing core public services in areas such as streets, utilities, and public safety, but not public health and human services; and
WHEREAS the city needs strong county, state, and federal partners to continue to make progress on funding the creation of new shelter and permanent housing options for those experiencing homelessness to provide safer options than unsanctioned encampments; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that council formally requests the allocation of an additional $500,000 from ARPA funding that was recently transferred to DEDA be designated toward Stepping On Up Phase 1 to accelerate the creation of new triage shelter capacity.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the council requests, as part of an amended Funding Agreement with Stepping On Up, that the following provisions be included:
(a) The provision of regular monthly written reports and quarterly oral reports to the city council to share progress with the public on the Emergency Shelter “Triage Shelter” Project Plan until such time as all activities related to this project are completed; and
(b) The establishment of firm development goals with deadlines (including site control, construction, and operation) after which funds may become unrestricted for other purposes.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the council supports addressing the issue of unsanctioned encampments across the city with both compassion and accountability, and that by working toward a reduction in unsanctioned encampments across all of Duluth with this additional funding and ordinances in the future, we hope to create a safer city for all.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The purpose of this resolution is to reaffirm the council’s commitment to working with local service providers and county, state, and federal government partners to help reduce unsanctioned encampments and provide safer triage shelter options for those experiencing homelessness throughout Duluth. The additional $500,000 included as part of this resolution raises the city’s contribution toward Stepping On Up Phase 1 to $1.5 million and total homelessness support to over $8.6 million since 2021 (not including contributions toward multi-family affordable housing projects).