Greater Danbury Continuum of Care
Meeting Minutes
3/9/10
Present: Linda Malavet, Women’s Center; Eileen Walsh, New Opportunities; Peg Molina, New Milford Social Services; Sue Zaborowski, City of Danbury; Nikki Singer, ARC; Dawn Wilson, MCCA; Stephanie Sill, MCCA; Melanie Johnson, APGD; Gladys McFarland, Amos House; Samantha Awksiewicz, Catholic Charities; Michele Conderino, Catholic Charities; Lisa Farmer, CACD; Milena Sangut, WCMHN
Visitor
Steve DiLella, DMHAS Director Housing/Homeless Services and Balance of State (BoS) co-chair presented information on the BoS and shared the Pros & Cons of the Danbury CoC joining the Balance of State CoC. Balance of State CoC is comprised of the state’s communities that do not belong to a Continuum. They have been in operation for ten years. Milena stated that if we joined the Balance of State Continuum, we would continue to meet as our own Continuum and that Balance of State would require Danbury people to be on the Steering Committee. Milena and Steve also stated that:
· Our share of Pro Rata would go to the Balance of State
· All projects currently existing would be monitored by a committee through the BoS who would review all APR’s etc.
· Exhibit 1 would no longer be done by our continuum. Balance of State would do. We would provide the statistics
· We would still have to do Exhibit 2’s for project renewals and new project applications.
· New applications are scored and selected by a Ranking Committee. Communities will get the opportunity to submit applications on a rotating basis. Danbury may have an opportunity to apply every three to four years.
· There were concerns that we would not get a unit every year
· Danbury has its own HMIS contract. BoS has one HMIS contract and is only allowed one contract. We would have to work out an agreement with Balance of State for CCEH to sub-contract to ARC.
Group discussed the pros and cons. The CoC did not wish to take a vote at this time. Will have further discussion in April.
Program Updates
Morning Glory: Michele Conderino announced that Morning Glory is hiring for a part-time (30 hrs per week) Program Coordinator. Morning Glory will be holding a fundraiser breakfast on Sunday 4/11 at 11am and 2pm.
Lisa Farmer announced that CACD will be holding seminar on home mortgage, foreclosure and prevention on Tuesday 3/16 at 5:30pm at the Danbury Library.
Nikki Singer reminded the CoC that the state is holding its public hearings on the upcoming budget.
Point in Time Count Results
M. Conderino reported that a sheltered count was done on January 27, 2010. The numbers were down from last year. Can be contributed to the new units, Samuel’s Court etc. Some data has not been entered, in process of completing. An unsheltered count was performed the next day at the soup kitchen. The numbers were lower but had a better response from undocumented individuals. There are plans to do an un-sheltered count in June 2010.
Ten Year Plan
Milena reported that all the committees were doing revisions to set goals and objectives to be submitted to the Common Council in April 2010.
Milena reported that the Danbury Housing Partnership Warm Hands /Warm Hearts clothing drive went well. Michele Conderino suggested that donations should be gently used, washed items. New socks and underwear are needed most.
Point of Entry
Nikki distributed reports for review. The reports were from Jan.-March 2010. Nikki reported seeing less single adults and an increase in families. She also reported that she could count families that were doubled up.
Nikki reported that Housing First for Families RFP is available on DSS website and CCEH website. Applications are due April 26, 2010
HMIS
· Reports
Reports were distributed.
HPRP
CT received 17 million dollars. New Opportunities Inc is the grantee for the Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington areas. ARC and CACD are subcontractors for Danbury. Eileen reported that each client has a cap on spending. 43 households were assisted for prevention and rapid re-housing. There were some questions on how funds are utilized, how many referrals did not qualify, who are the people this program does not serve, and how do we keep a program like this after funding ends?
Hearth Act/Boston
Milena reported that she attended the regional meeting. They were looking for feedback and ideas on how to solve homelessness nationwide. They will be taking information to Washington to help form policies. Their hope is to create workgroups from the meeting and formulate more funding.
CoC Chairs
Milena stated the need to rotate the chairs of the Continuum that we need to prepare for the future. We must have representation from the State/City and Private/Public sector. Group discussed membership and recruitment.
Workgroups
· Employment
Dawn Wilson reported that the group plans to meet again
· Family Homelessness
A new committee was formed. Gladys McFarland was named as chair
· Young Adults
A new committee was formed. Michele Conderino was named as Chair
Next Meeting April 13, 2020