CITY OF DANBURY

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury , Connecticut 06810

Minutes of October 8, 2008

Present: Elpern, Lemme, Nolan, Payton, Sangut, Scalzo, Schierloh, Shepperd,

Sullivan, Valeri, Zaborowski

Absent: Barrows, Deschenes, Lima, McLachlan, Reese, Sistrunk, Yamin

Guests: Jonathan Chew, Attorney Michael Ronan, Bill Beattie, P.J. Leopold

Karl Meyers

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, conference room #3c, on October 8, 2008. Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:10pm. The minutes of September 4, 2008 was reviewed by all present members. A motion to accept the minutes was made by P. Schierloh, seconded by M. Sangut,

Chairman Nolan introduced the guests for today’s meeting: Jonathan Chew from HVCEO, Bill Beattie and Attorney Ronan from Jericho Project and P.J. Leopold and Karl Meyers from Dream Homes.

Mr. Chew made a presentation to the Housing Partnership. Mr. Chew stated that according to the Mayor’s Homeless Plan, HVCEO plays a role in meeting directives indicated in the Plan. HVCEO was asked to update the housing assessment plan for greater Danbury to help the homeless and get a better picture of this situation. The report was to include numbers of units regarding the need for elderly housing, affordable housing, etc. For the past 18 months, and $25,000 spent for a consultant, a report is finally becoming available.

On October 17th, the Board will review the report and make recommendations. Chairman Nolan would like to invite the consultants to the November meeting of the Housing Partnership to discuss the report in further detail. Staff will add Dick Harrall to the agenda for the November 6th Partnership meeting. Both Chairman and Vice-Chair have reviewed the draft on the Housing Market Assessment prepared for HVCEO and will be making their comments before the Board and the Partnership before a final report is prepared.

There was no public comment.

A report was given by Chairman Nolan regarding the success of the Housing Celebration Breakfast held at the Ethan Allen Inn on November 2, 2008. Approximately $3500 was collected for this event. This was the first event that the subcommittees have presented that was well attended, provided a great deal of community awareness, participation, etc. Mr. Nolan indicated that the greatest response was from the video presented at the breakfast. The video was able to dispel the belief that most homeless people are either alcoholics or drug dependent, but in realty, could be any one of the people present for the breakfast that morning.

A presentation from Dream Homes, P.J. Leopold and Karl Meyers was given on the Homeless Management Information System(HMIS) Data Report from January 2007 through December 2007. This is the first complete year statistical information gathered. Both P.J. and Karl provided detailed information regarding HMIS, federal funding, and the statistical data on the number of homeless found in Danbury; the breakdown of age, sex, families, situations on how one became homeless, etc.

Members of the Partnership had discussion regarding Point of Entry, State reporting, Continuum of Care reporting, Shelter Plus Care, the Hospital, Dorothy Day Shelter, etc.

Chairman Nolan suggested that part of the Partnership’s marketing piece is to explain and educate the general public regarding the need to provide a variety of services to the homeless population could actually have a positive effect, and thereby, decrease the need for police activities and surveillances, hospital intervention and interaction, etc. National statistical data supports the positive effects in assisting the homeless.

A handout report on HMIS was given to all present Partnership members. The report for 2008 will be completed by January 21st and will become available for the Partnership meeting in either February or March.

Members indicated that they would like to hear of success stories out of this 2007 report. Are any of the individuals in the report in an apartment, working, being properly treated for their disabilities, etc. The Partnership would like to be aware of any success to this report and provide such information at the February or March meeting.

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee: Mr. Shepperd’s committee held their meeting on September 25th. The focus was discussion on updating the Partnership website and trying to get first person essay’s who have been assisted by the Shelter of the Cross. Due to some privacy issues, the committee will investigate this further but believes that personal human interest stories would have a positive effect to educating the general community. Discussion entailed Milena and a presentation, talks regarding the celebration breakfast, and Project Homeless Connect participation in December and also developing a website for the Connect project. Paul went through the 10 Year Plan and updated the committee’s responsibilities.

2. Housing and Community Development Committee: Mr. Scalzo reported that the committee met at 2:00pm today and had guest speakers Bill Beattie and Attorney Michael Ronan from the Jericho Project provide information regarding their Partnership. Mr. Beattie provided a small presentation to the Partnership on the purpose/vision of the Jericho Partnership. Mr. Beattie stated that the Partnership is a collaboration of multiple ministries, congregations and private foundations serving the youth, at risk and homeless populations of Danbury. Mr. Beattie indicated that there are 3 facilities presently serving the Danbury community: 13 Rose Street that will offer a pediatric clinic, a youth club, and a school for 6th -8th grade boys who may be at risk in their home environment; 22 Maple Avenue that offers services on all three floors; 13 Maple Avenue presently under renovations.

3. Social and Supportive Services Committee: The committee was not able to meet. More information will be provided at the next monthly Partnership meeting.

4. Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee: The committee was not able to meet. More information will be provided at the next monthly Partnership meeting.

The Annual Celebration Breakfast report was a great success and Mike McLachlan did an impressive job in bringing a large number of individuals from several local communities to attend the breakfast. The remarks made regarding the showing of the video were positive. Most of the participants at the breakfast were impressed on the making of the video and its contents.

America’s Road Home feature film are releasing “Where God Left His Shoes” and are going to show this movie at some national and site specific locations. The United Way of Middletown is having a fundraiser in the showing of this film. The charge is either $75.00 to $100.00 per ticket as a fundraising event. Mr. Joe DaSilva has offered the Palace Theater, which can hold approximately 400 people, to show the movie. The Partnership will monitor the Middletown fundraiser and see if the Partnership would like to pursue with our own event.

Mr. Nolan provided an update on the Senior Housing Feasibility Study. Dennis Elpern and Sharon Calitro had contact with individuals regarding planning, site specific goals, etc. Further information will be provided at future Partnership meetings.

Paul Schierloh provided updated information on the Mayor’s Housing for Heroes initiative. Caitlin is working with the VA on inspections and evaluation of the shelter proponents and the Non-Profit Development Corporation of Danbury is having a Board Meeting for evaluation. At this point in time, a proposal will be submitted to the Housing Authority for a specific property. The Non-Profit Development Corporation, as well as the City, did receive their monies funded and are working with the Housing Authority to purchase a specific site. The Board received a package of information from the VA and will be setting up a meeting for further discussion.

On Project Homeless Connect, Milena has given information for the Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee to market the project for December. A resident/client will be asked to speak and provide further information in an article to be placed on the Partnership website. A promotion will be necessary for the website and to educate the general public on how to access the site.

Chairman Nolan indicated that the recognition plaques from the celebration breakfast will be ready for City Hall wall presentation. A permanent location will be needed at City Hall to hang the plaques.

Under membership update, David Deschenes has to be official sworn in as a Partnership member. Mike McLachlan will be contacted to initiate David as a formal member. Those members of the Partnership who have excessive absentees will be removed.

A motion to adjourn was made by Wayne Shepperd, seconded by Sue Zaborowski and passed unanimously.