City of Gainesville - File #: 150465.

• File #: 150465.
• Version: 2
• Name: Issue of Homelessness
• Type: Discussion Item
• Status: In Committee
• File created: 10/21/2015
• In control: General Policy Committee
• On agenda: 1/21/2016
• Final action: 8/11/2016
• Title: The State of Homelessness in Gainesville -- Continuum of Care and Vulnerability Assessment (B) This item is a request for the City Commission to direct the City Manager to work with staff to participate in the regional Continuum of Care, designated as FL-508, and conduct a vulnerability assessment to update the plan to end homelessness. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 5 MINUTES**

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
8/12/2016	2	General Policy Committee	Referred
1/21/2016	2	City Commission	Approved, as shown above	Pass
11/30/2015	1	General Policy Committee	Approved, as shown above	Pass
10/15/2015	1	City Commission	Referred	Pass

Title
The State of Homelessness in Gainesville -- Continuum of Care and Vulnerability Assessment (B)

This item is a request for the City Commission to direct the City Manager to work with staff to participate in the regional Continuum of Care, designated as FL-508, and conduct a vulnerability assessment to update the plan to end homelessness. **ESTIMATED STAFF PRESENTATION 5 MINUTES**

Explanation
The Continuum of Care is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness. The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

An effective Continuum of Care system is coordinated. It not only includes the fundamental components identified by HUD, but also the necessary linkages and referral mechanisms among these components to facilitate the movement of individuals and families toward permanent housing and self-sufficiency. It balances available capacity in each of its key components and provides a framework that is both dynamic and responsive to changing needs over time.

In addition, a COC system should include a focus on homelessness prevention strategies and services. A comprehensive CoC plan considers the needs of all people who are homeless. The North Central Florida Continuum of Care serves a five county...