CITY OF DANBURY

Danbury Housing Partnership

155 Deer Hill Avenue

Danbury, Connecticut   06810

 

Minutes of March 4, 2010

 

Present:  V. Nolan, D. Channing, M. Sangut, D. Valeri, S. Zaborowski, C. Barrows, M. Nolan. W. Shepperd, M. McLachlan

Absent:   C. Sistrunk, M. Morgado, D. Elpern, D. Deschenes, E. Lima, T. Medve, Rev. Payton, P. Scalzo, Hon. Judge Yamin, M. Hasskarl

Also Present:  E. Walsh, B. Poole, E. Goehring, O. Rasmussen, B. Rybczyk

 

The meeting of the Danbury Housing Partnership was held in City Hall, Common Council Caucus Room, on March 4, 2010. Chairman Mark Nolan called the meeting to order at 3:05 pm. and welcomed all guests to the Partnership meeting.

 

A motion to accept the minutes of January 7, 2010 was made by W. Shepperd, seconded by D. Channing, passed unanimously and placed on file.

 

There was no public comment.

 

Mr. Nolan provided information on New Milford’s proposing a Community Forum at identifying outreach partners to deliver financial education services, housing and supportive housing service, re-employment connections, job opportunities, etc.  The opening of the new highway as a gate way into New Milford has been successful and provides easier accessibility into the town. Mr. Nolan indicated that there are no community boundaries with homelessness.  Mr. Nolan spoke at the January meeting of HVECO and stressed the need to have regional cooperation involving housing, services and support programs.

 

Mr. Poole stated that CACD has seen an increase in services needed for the local and surrounding communities.  The economy, as a whole, has affected both individuals and families that are seeking any type of financial assistance that can be provided.Mr. Nolan discussed the US Interagency to End Homelessness and HUD taking certain initiatives, setting policies and intervention, changes, challenges and opportunities that may be seen with existing policies, etc.  Mr. Rybczyk from New Opportunities provided updated information on the HPRP program for Danbury and the surrounding communities being served.  The HPRP is targeting two main populations: 

  1. Homeless Prevention
  2. Rapid  Re-Housing

The two populations focus is to remain housed or to obtain housing.  Housing stability is needed along with the other factors of assistance offered by HPRP.  Financial assistance is provided in the form of rent assistance including rent arrearages, security deposits, and utility deposits including back utility payments, hotel/motel vouchers and moving expenses.   Eligibility rules apply for those who are seeking assistance.  The Greater Danbury HPRP providers are CACD and ARC.  The Danbury dollar figure that was collaboratively proposed which incorporates 3 distinct regions(Waterbury, Danbury,  Litchfield)  was approximately $411, 264 for a 3 year period.   For a further breakdown of the allocation of the financial assistance payments for Danbury is $361,912 for over a 3 year period.  The focus is that the dollars get out to service the people in need. The HPRP program was initiated for the first quarter running from October 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009 and total dollar amount came to $30,159 expended on financial assistance payments.  43 households were assisted for a total of 132 customers (Greater Danbury area).  For the first quarter approximately 79% of the households were assisted for Homeless Prevention and 21% were assisted for Rapid Re-housing.

Information was provided on how calls or referrals are made to all providers under the HPRP program.  211 does an initial screening and then make the referrals to the appropriate provider in their designated regions. 

 

Ms. Sangut requested information or statistical data on those individuals or families who do not fit the criteria of HPRP and how are they being assisted.   The Housing Partnership needs to know who the people that are not being serviced and why they are not receiving HPRP assistance.  For anyone receiving ongoing HPRP financial assistance, there is a requirement to be re-certified every 3 months.  HUD would like to have those cases followed-up and tracked for at least 18 months.  The screening and assessment process is very important since the focus is also for individuals and families housing is sustained and maintaining.  Case management will re-enforce other community’s agencies and services that can assist HPRP participants to be stabilized within their local communities.  The agency level of intake information is more prominent, with additional referrals from 211 being redirected to ARC and then CACD.  Income guidelines for Danbury area is 50% of the area median income to qualify.  Nikki Singer is the contact person for ARC and Lisa Farmer is the contact person for CACD.

 

Mark indicated that the Housing Partnership is in the process of updating the email list.  News email blasts are providing information on a monthly/bi-monthly basis,  press releases, updating the website, data collection, etc.  All additional information and emails should be directed to S. Zaborowski.

 

M. Sangut emphasized the valuable asset that the HPRP program has offered to the 132 households served within the Greater Danbury area.  The recent Point in Time homeless count in January focus was on the shelter count which was lower than in the previous years.  More housing has been provided such as Samuel’s Court and the HPRP program which indicated the lower number of individuals not being placed in our shelters.  A question was directed tothe Financial Resources Committee-- what will happen when the HPRP program ends?  The Ten Year Plan addresses the need to expand services and continue the need to provide existing services.  HMIS data needs to be properly added so that services will be determined and backed by the number of individuals placed in the system for assistance.  Same rule applies for the local communities in providing accurate numbers during census accountability that will be requested of all residents within the next few months.  Data collection is important statistical information in assessing the financial needs allocated to communities.

 

Committee reports were provided to Partnership members:

  1. Public Relations, Marketing and Education Committee:  On February 23rd, the committee elected D. Deschenes as Chairman.  Mr. Deschenes respectfully declined the offer, and W. Shepperd is still Chairperson.  Melissa Adams from City IT assisted in updating the Housing Partnership website.  The website would like to include human interest stories, pictures, etc., but release forms need to be developed, rights for stories need to be addressed, etc.  Updating of emails will be an ongoing process for the committee.

  1. Housing and Community Development Committee:  No meeting was scheduled.  The Chairman may call for a special meeting within the next few weeks.

  1. Social and Supportive Services Committee:  The committee is focusing on re-messaging homelessness within the community.  Warm Hands/Warm Heart clothing drive was a success.  Collection of socks, gloves, hats and scarves was a collaborative effort with Ability Beyond Disability and the City of Danbury.  All clothing was distributed at breakfast time at the Soup Kitchen.  The committee held a special meeting in February to address the mission of the committee in working towards the goals of the Ten Year Plan.

  1. Financial Resources and Fundraising Committee:  Both the Public Relations and the Financial Resource Committee’s will now be holding their meetings together on the same date and time.  Revised calendar notification was sent to the Town Clerk’s Office.

The Continuum of Care did not hold a meeting in February.  Ms. Sangut indicated that a meeting will be held next week to discuss the Point in Time Count and updating information on the formation of two workgroups:

  1. Families and Homelessness
  2. Young Adults(growing population in the Danbury area)

There is also a discussion with the CoC on joining the Balance of State as opposed to remaining the Greater Danbury Continuum of Care.  Project Homeless Connect first meeting is scheduled for April and planning stages are being imitated for December’s date. The Housing Partnership breakfast will be held on October 7, 2010 at the Amber Room.  Plans are to be started for sponsorship letters, videos, mailing updates, etc.

 

Mr. Nolan remarked on the absent members of the Housing Partnership and requesting that the Mayor re-appoint individuals to serve.  The old police station is still being considered for senior housing.  Information on possible CDBG funding, community partnerships needed, developers needed.  The problem with the site with demolition, building, etc., is the project financially feasible for a developer or contractor.  More information will be provided at the next Partnership meeting.

 

There was no old or new business to report.  The next Housing Partnership meeting is scheduled for May 6, 2010 at 3:00 at City Hall.

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by S. Zaborowski, seconded by C. Barrows, passed unanimously.