Title
Homeless Medical Respite Program (B)
This item requests that the City Commission hear a report update on the results of the Homeless Respite Pilot Program and consider ongoing funding for the Homeless Medical Respite Program.
Explanation
On March 28, 2011, the Implementation Committee heard a presentation from the Respite for the Homeless Sub-Committee and decided to develop a plan for a Homeless Respite Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to be presented to the City and County Commissions for consideration. The Plan required coordination between potential providers of shelter and other services (such as St. Francis House) and the funding agencies. The recommended time frame for the initial two-bed Pilot Program was 6 months. The estimated cost for the 6-month Pilot Program, which would be shared equally between the City and the County, was $5,200 (or $2,600 each).
On June 16, 2011 the City Commission heard a presentation from the Implementation Committee and approved a three part motion related to Respite Care for Homeless Persons in Gainesville and Alachua County. That motion approved the following: (1) allocating $1,500 to fund the Homeless Respite Pilot Program for the remainder of Fiscal Year (FY) 2011; (2) authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary agreements to create the Homeless Respite Pilot Program with Alachua County; and (3) directing the City Manager to consider including $5,200 for the Homeless Medical Respite Program in the City's FY 2012 Budget.
As part of the FY 12 budget, the City Commission approved $5,200 for the Homeless Medical Respite Program.
In September 2011, the City and County executed an interlocal agreement regarding the Homeless Respite Program. The term of that agreement ends on September 30, 2012.
On May 3, 2012, at the request of the Implementation Committee, the City Commission approved an additional payment of $1,100 from the FY 12 budget to fund completion of the Homeless Respite Pilot Program. The balance of the FY 12 budget for the Homeless Respite Program is $4,100, which can be used to continue the Homeless Respite Program through September 30, 2012.
The Implementation Committee has requested that the City Commission 1) hear a report from the Implementation Committee on the Homeless Respite Pilot Program; and 2) If the City Commission approves the report, direct the City Manager to include $5,200 (to be matched by the County) for the Homeless Medical Respite Program in the 2012-13 Fiscal Year and future budgets.
Fiscal Note
To continue the ongoing implementation of the Homeless Medical Respite Program, the City Commission and Board of County Commissioners are expected to each contribute matching funding in the amount of $5,200 annually pursuant to the terms and conditions of an Interlocal Agreement to support the provision of respite care services for the purposes of ensuring the health and safety of homeless individuals during brief periods of recovery after discharge from local area hospitals. The City's and County's performance and obligation to provide matching funding for the Homeless Medical Respite Program is contingent upon a specific annual appropriation by the City Commissioners and the Board of County Commissioners.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) hear a report update from the Implementation Committee on the results of the Homeless Respite Pilot Program; 2) direct the City Manager to include $5,200 (to be matched by the County) for the Homeless Medical Respite Program in FY 2012-13; and future annual fiscal budgets as appropriated; and 3) authorize the City Manager to execute amendment(s) to the existing Interlocal Agreement or a new Interlocal Agreement as necessary to continue the Homeless Respite Program, subject to review as to form and legality by the City Attorney's Office.