Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution approving an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Temple for Regional Homelessness Cooperation and a Strategic Plan.
Summary
DATE: January 18, 2022
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Danielle Singh, Assistant City Manager
SUBJECT: Interlocal Agreement for Regional Homelessness Cooperation and a Strategic Plan
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
The City recognizes the ever-growing need for a coordinated approach to include community and regional partners along with their resources to functionally end homelessness within our community.
The City of Killeen started the Homeless Outreach Team (H.O.T.) in 2018 to provide professional, humane, and safe responses to individuals facing homelessness and experiencing mental health problems. The program provides support to fill services gaps and respond to individuals facing homelessness in an effort to reduce citations, arrests, EMS transports, and the use of other emergency medical resources. The team assists with basic services such as ID card recovery, obtaining birth certificates and social security cards, family reunification via bus tickets, referrals for shelter/housing, and the search for employment.
Homelessness, mental health crises, coronavirus and housing insecurity has grown tremendously in recent years, resulting in a chronic and serious public health challenge. A coordinated approach to include regional resources and partners is needed to address homelessness within our community. There are many resources within the region dedicated to providing resources to individuals experiencing homelessness, but the region lacks a coordinated effort of utilizing these resources towards a common goal of reducing and functionally ending homelessness in our community.
In March 2021, the City Council issued a motion of direction for City Staff to work with the City of Temple to join efforts on a homelessness strategic plan that would include measurable goals and strategies and identify existing County-wide resources and service gaps. In preparation of this strategic plan, a county assessment was completed by the Council of State Governments Justice Center in August, identifying strengths and gaps in crises response as it relates to mental health and homelessness. Through this process, it became evident that any effort to reduce homelessness must include a comprehensive approach to include addressing mental health issues that are often an underlying cause of homelessness.
The cities of Killeen and Temple would like to enter into an Interlocal Agreement to create a regional partnership to address homelessness and to develop a mental health and homelessness strategic plan. The City of Temple and the City of Killeen will each contribute $50,000 for the development of the strategic plan and will work cooperatively to ensure execution of the plan once developed.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
1. The City may decide not to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Temple and continue to work towards addressing homelessness with current resources.
2. Enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Temple to coordinate, create, and execute a strategic plan to cohesively address homelessness in the region.
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
Staff recommends the City enter into the Interlocal Agreement with the City of Temple to coordinate, create, and execute a strategic plan to cohesively address homelessness in the region. Entering into this agreement will allow a more strategic and targeted approach for ending homelessness in the community and provide a plan with measurable outcomes to ensure that resources are available and being used in the most beneficial manner.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
This agreement conforms to all applicable state and local laws.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
This agreement authorizes the expenditure of $50,000 in FY22.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
This is a one-time expenditure.
Is this expenditure budgeted?
Yes, funds are available through the existing CDBG-CV planning and administration account 228-3250-426.50-86.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve entering into an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Temple for Regional Homelessness Joint System Cooperation and coordinate for the development of a Strategic Plan.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
Purchasing
Finance
City Attorney
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Agreement