01-73801-7�38'
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research
310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8564
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 23, 2001
TO: Shari Moore, Deputy City Clerk
FROM: Nancy Anderson -'��
SUBJECT: Council Agenda Material - July 18, 2001.
I am forwarding to you the foliowing City Council files, which appeared on the July 18,
2001, City Council Agenda:
C.F. 01-738 (WITHDRAWN)
Policy Session Material - Homelessness
The above items are being submitted to you for your records.
NA
Attachments
. r a�0.W� ��o�
W , � c � �,,�\� •
RESOLUTION
CITY OF�SjAiNT PAUL, MINNESOTA
\S
Refemed To
Date
Fstablishing a source of fusding for the Home Share
2
3 WI�REAS, in the City of Saint Paul there is a significant shortage
4 WHEREAS, many low income persons, the elderly, persons
5 with children are in need of affordable rental housing; and
6 WFIEREAS, Saint Paul seniors are living longer and many need
7 WFIEREAS, many seniors and low income persons own
8 properly maintain theit house, while at the same time, hav
9 and ,
rental units; aad
and low income single parents
support to maintain their independence; and
homes but do not generate enough income to
nal resources for other necessities in their lives;
10 Wf�REAS, a progratn that brings low income ho wners who are "cash poor" and " house rich" together with
11 people who need affordable rental units such as; I income persons, the elderly, persons with physical disabilities,
12 and low income single parenis with children, w d benefit both partiss; and
13 Wf�REAS, the mission of the Home
14 housing together as a creative solution
15 WHEREAS, those im�olved in the
16 housekeeping, snow removal, mea
1'7 WHEREAS, the Home Sl�
18 atmosphere and encourages
19 WHEREAS; the Home
20 been serving the
'rogram is to bring homeowners and persons looking for affordable
proble� of affordable housing; and
Share Program benefit by having assistance wiYh yard work, child caze,
ation and household expenses; and
increases safety and security, lowers housing costs, creates a family
p;and
is run by Neighborhood House, a Saint Paul non-profit organization that has
City for many years; now therefore be it
21 RESOLVED, that e Saint Paul City Council support the Home Share Prograzn, and requests that the Mayor
22 identify financing tions and recommead a funding source for the City of Saint Paul to contribute up to $100,OQ0
23 annually to the p gram beginning in 2001, with anunderstanding that the funding source recommended be a�ailable
24 for ongoing support, considering such soevces as the Civic Organizations Partnership Program (COPP),
25 Community velopment Block Grant money (CDBG), and STARR funds.
Requested bp Deparlment �:
�
:�. .��
Colemau
Council File # b — �
Greeu Sheet # � 0 ��`
,�` sES'�
�
F�n���a����r
�
A � i � �� �, ��, APP�� bY M�Yor for Submission to Counc�
�
APPIm'ed bY Ma9or
�
o1-13Y
�
na�a�yco�: na�
o�-'��$
GREEN SHEET
N{IMBEit FOR
ROUTING
ORDBt
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES
�.���
N� 110402
❑ CRYAT10P1FY ❑ OIYLIHIR _
❑ Ri11NtJGllFRYICF90R ❑ qiRlilJRI.iFRV/IGCTC
❑�1nYartloRlls.RS�CM� ❑
(CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) '
F.slablish an aa�al fandieg snnrce � t�e Home SLaze Progcam slazting in 2001.
PLANNING CAMMISSION
CIB COMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION
RSONAL SERVICE CONiRACfS MUST ANSWER iNE FOLLOVIING QUES7ION5:
Has this person/firtn evervro�lced under a contract for Mis tlepartmeM'!
VES NO
Has t�is perso�rm ever heen a cfly empbyee7
YES NO
Dces this persoNfirtn possess a skill rwt riwmaltypossessetl by any curtent city empbyee?
YES NO
Is this person/firm a targetetl ventloY�
YES NO
Of .�iDt �8711.
Incieases opportunityforl�v iacome citizens tu secune affordable renial housiugwhile aidingseniors who wantto remain intheirhomes
but lack sufficient income.
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION
s�oo,000
C0.5T/REVENUEBUDGETm(CIRCLEON� VES
ncTrvm NurasEre
(E%PWN)
• PACKET MATERIALS FOR HOMELESSNESS POLICY SESSION # ZO
A. Council Research Memo on City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
B. Council Reseazch Memo on Current Issues, including excerpts from two Wilder Reports
1. Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and transitional housing, August
2001.
2. Minnesota statew;de survey of people without permanent shelter: Preliminary findings,
February 2001.
3. Family Housing Fund Homelessness Information
C. Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and City Council on Homelessness in Saint Paul by the
Overnight Shelter Boazd, October 2000
D. Addendum Updating the Yeaz 2000 Overnight Shelter Boatd Report
E. Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Alloca6ons: 1996 - 2000
F. Emergency Shelter Grazit Program Allocarions for 2000 Showing Type of Funding Provided
G. Recommendations from the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Yeaz Housing and Homeless
• Services Report and Plan (adopted by the CiTy Council Apri17, 1999 and Counry Boazd
Apri12Q 1999)
H. Status Report on the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Year Housing and Homeless Services
Report and Plan
L Smnmary of the Continuum of Caze Planning Process
J. Housing Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan: Excepts Pertaining to Homelessness
K. Background on (Saint Paul) Homeless Shelters, Services and Transirional Housing
L. List of Participating Churches in the Saint Paui Council of Churches Emergency Shelter for
. Families
M. Summary of Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
N. Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended hours Program Report Winter 2000 - 2001
O. Materials from the Street Works Collaborafive project
• P. Recent Newspaper Articles on Homelessness
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research Center
Room 310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
612 266-8570
�
�
�
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 12, 2001
TO: Councilmembers
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst /"t��
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst�
RE: City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
Although it seems self-evident to many, it beazs repeating that there are several key areas where
the City has a key role or authority in the issue of homelessness. We have outlined these for you
below.
�a����c.��y�
Police: Often police officers are the first or main point of contact the homeless have with
governmenUquasi-governmental services. The Police could be acting in the capacity of a law
enforcement agent, in cases of panhandling or public drunkenness, or they could be acting to
provide assistance for someone who needs shelter on a cold night. The policies and pmcedures
employed by the Police department profoundly affect the lives of the homeless in Saint Paul, as
they do for all Saint Paulites.
Fire: This last winter, there were several fires, large and small, started by homeless people hying
to stay wann, which became dangerous. A newspaper article in Section P of the materials for the
policy session outlines one such incident. Access to vacant buildings and the safety of people
living in the City, as well as the City's firefighters is a major concern.
HOUSING
Policy: The City establishes housing policy primarily through the Housing Chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan (Section J of the materials for the policy session). These policies aze
carried out through the City's zoning code, its housing regulations, and production activities.
The City also adopted as policy the Saint PauURamsey County Five Yeaz Aousing and Aomeless
Services Report and Pian, which is incorporated into the City's Consolidated Plan for the fedezal
govemment (Section G of the materials for the policy session provides the recommendations
from this report). Homelessness policy is also embodied in the City's Administrative Code in
the establishment of the City's Overnight Shelter Board (attachment to tlus memo).
Production: The City's role in housing production, as it relates to homelessness is, also three-
fold. First, the City can paztner or construct housing which serves the homeless population,
specifically emergency shelters (where you try to go when you've just found yourself on the
streets), transirional housing (where you go after the emergency, but before you've integrated
into "regular" housing), and supportive housing (where you go when you need mare than just
housing; e.g. alcohoUdrug recovery, job skills, life skills, etc.). In this category, we would place
the City's "Emergency Shelter Grant Program." (Attached to this memo aze 3 resolutions, CF #
88-39, CF# 88-40 and CF# 92-529 pertaining to this program. Also, Secdons E and F of the
materials for the policy session provide financial information on the program.) Second, the City
is often a funder or partner in affordable housing production/development, thus increasing the
supply of housing available to people at the lower end of the economic spechum. Lastly, the City �
is often a funder or partner in housing development for all income levels, thus increasing the
housing supply in general.
Regulation: The City's role in housing regulation and enforcement of codes has both direct and
indirect impacts on homelessness. Indirecfly, the level of enforcement activity affects the long
term condition of the City's housing stock, as well as the number of honsing units within the
City. Direcfly, City action's interpreting the zoning, building, Sre, and property maintenance
codes can make some projects to provide housing or temporary shelter for homeless possible, or
unworkable.
�
�
2
�
� J
COMI�GITPEES AND COMIvIISSION3
sion member receive more than two thousand four
hundred dollars ($2,400.00) per annum for atten-
dance at such meetings. The compensation set
forth herein shall be the entire compensation to
commis�on and/or committee members for the per-
formance of their duties.
(Ord. No. 17398, § 1, 9-9-86; C.F. No. 9&375, § 1,
427-931
Chapter 108. Reserved•
Chapter 109. A�rmative Actioa Advisory
Committeet
Sec. 109.01. Created
There is hereby created a Saint Paul Affirma-
tive Action Advisory Committee. The committee
shall rnnsist of seven ('n members representing
protected class groups, three (3) members repre-
senting labor, two (2J city council members, one
member of the civil service commission, one
member of the human rights commission, ane
member from the office of human resources, and
one member from the mayor's office.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84; Ord. No. 17345, § 1,
4-24-86; Ord. No. 17915, § 2, 3-26-92)
Sec. 109.03. Term.
App. C, § 130.01
Members of the committee shall be appointed
within thirty (30) days of the date of the adoption
of the ordinance enacting this chapter and shall
serve for a term of four (4) years, commencing as
of the effective date of ttus chapter, and until their
successors aze appointed and qualify. Thereafter,
four (4) members as designated by the mayor shall
be appointed for a term of one (1) year; four (4)
members as designated by the mayor shall be ap-
pointed for a term of two (2) years; four (4) mem•
bers as desigiated by the mayor shall be appointed
for a term of three (3) years; and four (4) members
as designated by the mayor shall be appointed for
a term of. four (4) years. Subsequent terms shall
all be for a period of four (4) yeazs.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-54; Ord. No. 17626, § 1,
1-19-89)
Sec. 109.04. Rules.
The committee shall select its own chair and
shall adopt its own governing rules. The eom-
mittee shall meet as often as is necessary to ac-
complish its purpose but shall meet at least once
a month for the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84)
Chapter 110. Overnight Shelter Board#
�
Sec. 109.02. Powers aad dnties.
The Saint Paui Affirmative Action Advisory
Committee shall promote aff'umative action mea-
sures to recruit protected class applicants for city
employment; shall recommend to and advise ap
propriate city personnei regarding effective tu-
torsng af a31 agplicants for ciLy emploqment; and
shaIl monitor ti� impiementation of the city's af-
firmative actionprogram and selection procedures
and make recommendations regarding the same
to the mayor and city council.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26•84)
• Editor's note—Section i of Ozd. No. 17259, eaacted Juty
25,1985, repealed the pmvisions formerly codified ay Ch. 108,
§§ 108.01-108.06, derived from Ord. No. 16308, adopted July
19, 1977; and Ord. No. 16699, adopted Sept 9, 1980, end per-
tainin4 to the citY's Pazlring commission.
fLegislative Code refereace—For provisions pertaining
W humaa riBhTs, aee'15He XVIII.
Supp. No. 22
Sec. 110.01. Declaration of policy.
The city councii fmds that changing economic
conditions, government policies and a variety of
other factors have resuited in a substantial in-
crease in the number of homeless persons in the
City of Saint Paul and in the Twin Cities metro-
politan area. On behalf of the people of Saint Paul,
the eouncil acknowledges that as a matter of so•
cial justice every person is entitled to decent, safe
and sanitary shelter. Whiie it recognizes the sal-
utary efforts of a number of private agencies, the
council fmds that there is a need for oversight and
coordination, at both the local and regional levels,
#Editor'e note—Ordinance No. 17292, adopted Sept 17,
1985, provided that its provisions be included inW the Admin-
istrative Cade, but did aot specify the exact meaner of such
inclusioa. At the editor's discretioa, therefore, §§ 1-7 of Ord.
No. 17292 have been �e3 ay Ch. 110, §§ 110.01-130.07.
2688.3
�
�
�
COMMIT3'EES AND COMIvIISSIONS
the board's recommeaded plans and progtams shall
be on file in the office of the city cierk. Within
thirty (30) days of the board's presentation of its
plans and pro�rams, the council shall hold a pub-
lic hearing on the same. Within ninety (90) days
of the board's presentation, the councii shall act
oa the rernmmended plans and programs.
(c) Upon request by the council or its own ini-
tiative the board may provide suppiemental re-
ports to the mayor and the city council. These
reports map incIude requests for emergency ac-
tion by the council.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 4, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.Ob. Term.
Of the members first appointed, three (3) shall
be appointed for a term of one year, four (4) shall
be appointed for a term of two (2) yeazs, and four
(4) shall be appointed far a term of three (3) years.
Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for
three (3) years until a successor is appointed and
qualifies.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 5, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.06. Rules and meetings.
The board shall select its own chair and shall
adopt its own governing rules. The boazd shall
meet as often as is necessary to accomplish its
purpose, but shall meet at least once a month for
the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 6, 9-17-55)
Sec. 110.07. Administrative staff.
The mayor shall provide the boazd with ade-
quate staff from such city departments as he may
direM to enable it to perform its duties under this
chapter.
(Ord. No. 17292, $ 7, 9-17-85)
Chapter 111. Etlucal Practices Board
Sec. 111.01.1. Council findings.
The council of the City of Saint Paul finds that
the civil service rules for the City of Saint Paul
and the city's coliective bazgaining agreements
with organized and represented city employees
Supp. No. 13
§ 111.01.3
contain adequate procedures for reviewing and
handling complaints against most city employees.
However, the council also finds that there aze not
adequate procedures for reviewing and handling
complaints against elected officials and some ap-
pointed employees. Finally, the council finds that
eleeted and appointed officials aze held to a higher
standard of conduct and responsibility due to the
nature of their duties and responsibilities.
(Ord. No. 17638, § 1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.2. Ethical practices board created.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Pairl Ethi-
cal Practices Board. The boazd shall consist of
five (5) members, who shall serve without com-
pensation, agpointed hy the mayor with the con-
sent of the city council. Initially, two (2) members
shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years
each, two (2) members shall be appointed for a
term of two (2) years each and one (1) member
shall be appointed for a term of one (1) yeaz.
Thereafter, members' terms shall be for three (3)
yeazs until their successors are appointed and
qualify.
(b) No member of the board during his or her
term shall:
(1) Hald or campaign for elective office;
(2) Be an officer of any political party, politi-
cal committee or personal campaign com-
mittee;
(3) Permit his or her name to be used to or
make contributions in support of or opposi-
tion to any city candidate or proposition;
(4) Participate in any election campaign.
(Ord. No. 17500, § 1, 10-13-87; Ord. No. 17638, §
1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.3. Limitation on jurisdiction.
The board's jurisdiction over complaints alleg-
ing vio]ations of Saint Paul I,egisiative Code, Chap-
ter 29 and/or Saint Paul Administrative Code,
Chapter 24 by city officials or employees shall be
limited to complaints against public officials as
defined hy Saint Paul Administrative Code, Sec-
tion 24.03Bxlxd).
(Ord. No. 17638, $ 1, 3-23-89)
�
�
�
�
App. C, $ 110.01
ADMINLSTRATIVE CODE
of the efforts to provide overnight shelter to home
less persons. The council hereby declares that it
shall be the public policy of the City of Saint Paul
to assume, those ovexsight and caordination re-
sponsibilities within the city and to esercise, in
partnership with the private sector and other met-
ropolitan units of government, its best efforts to
secure adequate overnight shelter for all home-
less per"sons.
tOrd- No. 17292, § 1, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.02. DeSnitions.
't`he following definitions shall apply to this
chapter:
Adequate shelter. A shelter shall be wnsidered
adequate if it pratects and maintains human
health and dignity and if it pmvides a clean en-
vironment and bedding and adequate security and
supervisian for all residents of the shelter.
Homeiess. A person shall be considered home-
less if
(1) The person has no possessory interest in an
accommodation and Iacks the means neces-
sary to obtain such interest; or
(2) The person has a possessory interest in an
accommodation and:
a The person is unable to secure entry to
that accommodation and lacks the
means necessary to obtain alteraative
accommodations; or
b. Occupation of the accommodation
would likely lead to violence from an-
other occupant and the person lacks the
means necessary to obtain alternative
acrnmmodations.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 2, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.03. Board established.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Paul Over-
night Shelter Board of not to exceed eighteen (18)
members appointed by the mayor with the con-
sent of the city couneil. The board shall consist oF
membera representing or ni� ations wluch pra
vide overnight shelter to the homeless, members
who have demonstratsd a eommitment to advo-
cacy for the homeless, and members drawa from
Supp. No. ZZ
the broader community and whose knowledge and
s1d1Ls would be useful to the board.
(b) The council shall periodically review the op-
erations of the board W ensure that its actions are
in aecord with the declaration of policy and its
pawers and duties as set forth herein.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 3, 9-17-85; Ord. No. 17314, § 1,
12-2455)
Sec. 110.04. Powers and duties.
{� The Saint Paul Overnight Shelter Board
shall determine annually for Saiat Paul the
number of homeless persons desiring overnight
shelter, assess current shelter availability in Saint
�aul, and report on July 1 of each year the results
regarding the same to the mayor and the city
council. Whenever the assessment and report dce-
ument a shortfall in relation to the demand for
shelter beds, the city shall eaercise a leadership
mle in acquiring suffieient resources to provide
the necessary additional shelter spaces.
(b) The board shall also formulate and recom-
mend to the mayor and city council additional
programs or plans, both local and regional in scope,
for securing ovemight shelter for homeless per•
sons. These plans shall include all available re-
sources and involve government as well as pri-
vate entities in their implementation. Copies of
2688.4
\
�5 OF THE COUNCIL OF TFIE CTTY OF SAINT PAUL, 1988 31
�p minutes of al] meetings. Subcommitu• vrriting by a member of the counril of a notice of inteat to amend the same,
n'unction with the director oE the co ahich notice shall contaia the specific proposed amendments. Such notice
)
^ch center to insure that the appropr . shail be served upon each member of the council seven (7) days prior to the
and clerical staff shall be pmvided for tEe submission of an9 resolution amending such rules.
mittee chairs shall be responsible fc: Adopted by the Council Januar913, 1988.
. tbe minutes of subcrommittee meetings, ; ypproved January 19, 1988.
1 be filed mith the city derk as a pubIicmm � (Januazy 23, 1988)
rouncil president.
�articulaz.
id pexsonnel. The council subcommiitee ¢
:sonnel shal] establish prioritized gay75 az� Council File No. 8&39 — By Kiki Sonnea—
3 operating budgets of all city departmen� N'HEREAS. The City of Saint Paul has received $ll5,000 under the
dition the subcommittee shall assume tt� E-�crgencyShelterGraatProgram(ESGP)formallocationtoqualifiedproviders
all capital and operating budget matte- o: assisiance to the homeless; and
accordance with the timetable provided b: 1CHEREAS, The State of Minnesota has also notified the City of Saint Paul
allberesponsiblefortLeconsiderationotar. :Tat ihe city may apply for up to $43,004 of funds from the state's ESGP
sonnel of the city, salary questions and lak- y.ioration on behalf of qualified pmvidess; and
onsible for reviewing all licensing matte-: R'HEREAS, The City of Saiat Paul mishes to assist providers of assistance to
vttee action, except whem full council aMio: :hr homeless to make use of these funds in a way that meets federal and state
time limits which would not allow fo: ;�rgulations as well as locally ideatified priorities; now, therefore, be it
ll, and for overseeing policy development o' RESOLVED, T'hat the City of Saint Paui establishes the process described in
zding legislation on lirnnsing issues. �hibit One as the process for reallocating Emergency Shelter Grant Program
id transportation. The council subcommitte� (unds.
s, and transportation shall assume tEe Adogted by Lhe Council January 12, 1988.
• and recommendation of covncil legislatiw py�roved January 13, 1988.
review proposals for ]egislation relating tc
elevision, cable television, lighting, heating (Janvary 23, 2988)
� other public utifities services subjcc
11 rnview and mommend aIl3imnse
by the city council to public utili;p
�s d representatives. Connci] File No. 88-40 — By Kiki Sonnen—
levelopment. The council subcommittee o: N"HEREAS, The City of Saint Paul is cunently participating in the U.S.
pment shall oversee policy development ani �'partment of Hovsing aad Urban Development Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
lation in these arnas — land use and zoning ProS�am; and
�pment by the Port Authority, the Housing H'HEREAS, The City_ of Saint Paul has been notified b9 the State of
cy and the City Departm¢nt of Planning anc >Smnesota that it is also eligible to participate in the State Emergency Shelter
>roving buildings and especially improving G:an: (£SG) Program, thereby providing additional xesoumes to the City to
3perties. In addition, the subcommittee mr. assisi the hameless; now, therefore be it
oposals that affect these issues. RfSOLVED, 3'hat Mayor George I.atimer, as Chief Officer of the City of
: services. The council subcommittee a. S.iint Paul, is hereby authorized and directed to submit the Saint Paul
�ices shall oversee policy development anc f^ergency Shelter Grant Program application to the State of Minnesota, in such
gislation on issues involving communitc :o:r.� as prescribed by the State regulations; and be it
environment and other human services FURTHER AESOLVED, That the Mayor or his designated representative is
shall serve az a ciearinghouse for revieu a further authorized to submit to the State of Minnesota any assurances,
n addition, the subrnmmiEtee sriall ovene� �r:tifirations, technical changes or addiiional iniormation that may be required
3 irnplement programs ior Sbe impimec . d�ring ibeir rnvievc of tLe Saiat Paul ESG Program application; and be it
�ss of crime prnventi� and srsponse to tk � FL`ATHEg gESpl\7ED,That uponnotification of appzoval of the Saint Paul
ior tiie improved qualitp oi life ia tl� � S:aie £SG prpgrym application, the Council dces hereby authorize the proper
�aittee also may zeview proposals from it,� nt.• v?iiria3s fo esecute the graat agreement and contract between the City of
- rnncern district couacils, business and ci�u b:,is; paul and the State of Minaesota; and be it
�od or community groups. FI`:Alyy RESOLVED, That nor to the
�acil subcommittee on rules and licy st+a: S ; P� expenditure of funds under the
Po a e ESG Program, the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic
d implementation of ihe Council's strategic Drrelopment or his designated represeatative submit to the Couacil a detailed
ity for the review and rnommendation tot�E p:an for the e�cpenditurn of the State ESG Program funds.
idments to the city rnuncil rules of procedure Adopted by the Couacil Janua
:iend to the council general policy guidelims ry 12, 1988.
2s legislative deliberations, and may revien Approved January 13, 1988.
� various boards and coaunissions. (January 23, 1988)
i may be atnended only by the submission io
/
��
�.�:3r.>';���:`;:�:::::> �..:-
�t �.:-.�_ ; -
,�,.,. . . .-... ._. _.
� �c����1�41
�-
� . �
3
j �
,� . �.. . �: �- Y=eseated By
Council File # �a
Green Sheet #
AESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PA�L, Ml�INESOTA
� To ee: Date
RESOLUTION ADOPTING PRIORITIES K
TEIE 1992 EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANf PROGRAM
WHEREAS the G7ry of Saint Paul aanually allocates federal Emergency Shelter Grant
funds ta organizations providing transitional services and shelter services to indi�iduals
who aze homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and
WHEEItEAS the alloration of Emergenry Shelter Grant funds is recommended to the •
(5ty Council by a review committee whose members ue drawn from the (Yty of Saint
PauPs Ho Information Office, Departrnent of Planning and Economic Development,
Iviiunesota Office of Jobs and Training, Saint Paul Area United Way and Ramsey
County Department of Human Services; and
VyHEREAS the U.S. Department of Housing and iJrban Development has issued
guidelines governing the allocation of said funds; and
WFiEREAS those guidelines allow for funds to be used at tfie discretion of loral
governments for (i) operating ar.d maintenance expenses, (2) essential se;vices, (3)
rehabilitation or (4) preventive services; and
. � . - .
�
�
i
:
_
�
. t
_ , ... , . . :; �._:
�
.. • . a
�<:� -
;:;.f .�=.::s�^. . .
` �Adopted by Council: Date
�
�:.,Adoption_CertiPied y Co
�'�; : - � ;.` Secretary ;�_ •
�'.� , BY•
+.. � . �� , ..,i,`S'''3�`' a �K ;'
s
.:1}.. t� .� . n.��f • � / .
:': �'.";,4:':;APProved� �///.� .Dat
�� r"�w�;?� �a�,:, a s;}�`•` =�' / (/y (/ /�� = � ' = ' II (��j�j���/ / ' / � !- - L y���� 1
��S . a2_` . . k 1 42 L f 4t/�(/�/',�Q^ ' , , • ..� � �b`�
APR.1 � 1992
Requested by Department oP: �;'
,. -. "�=-
$y . . . ,
Form Approved by City Attorney ;
. � By: - � � � � _ _.' - , �P�:`,�-
. __ � �
92` counc3l " :
:,':,, t _ .1.
�qi� ,gy;
:,_;::_ :-._._,__ -
� 4Rf �INAL (� 9 S
� .
a
�
.
�
� WHIItEAS the City Council wants to ensure that, within ihe scope of the federat
I guidelines, the funds address critical Iocal needs; and � ....
-.:-� � - _ ' ' . : �:..:._,._,. . - - - ;��.��. • _. _ ; �.�__
NOW THEF2EFORE BE TT RFSOLVED that the City Councl will, ia its allocation of
the 1992 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds, favorably consider those programs wFuch
demonstrate ihe following areas of emphasis:
�
(a) Preventioa of homelessness
(b) Assistance to homeless people in attaining se]f yuffcieacy
(c) Partnership with other non profiu and governmental agendes
(d) Assistaace to victims of domestic abuse
(e) Consistenry with the most recent recommendations of the Ovemight
Shelter Boazd .
(� Provision of funds for program and facility expenses not covered by otfier '
snurces of funds; and
BE TT FTNALLY RESOLVED that applicants who cannot compIy witfi Qty guideIines
and sh11 believe they should receive funding under the program should submit
documentation to that effect and request that the C�ty Councl waive its requirement
i' �
' _, -. - 4�
• ..� ' �.-
. _ ' Yeas a s ' AbserLt�, - _: �:':: . _.- :'.:,':--,j: -� - �7-.;::.� _
- - . _ . . . .- = ;�>.i;:,:..::�o:::.. _ _ - _ - <1i ^"%' -
Requested by Depaztment ofr _ �
q N N fl H
�aopted by counci�: nateApR � 4 1992` -.
- '"":' "Adoption'Certified by Council � -
,Secretary '
DY= —
,,;;.s.; m_<-_....., ;.
'``=�'°'APProved��by
�
-�
. _ _ _ _ - - - _ v - ._y�-
gY= �
� - - r �.;�°'�iv��.... i^-, _ ``'�"
Form Approved= b`y`City Attorney "= `� °`=�'"' '`r
�:'r - ,• � :. ` APProved by 1L
Date APR 1� i992�- councii ���_'.:
.......».,. H�R c� az ` . . _
MEMORANDUM
� DATE: July 13, 2001
TO: Councilmembers � �
pw �r,�'/
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst S�.,
�R
RE: State of Homelessness: Research and Statistics
Demand is increasing
Office of the City Council
Investigation and Research Center
310 City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
The state population increased from 1989 to 1999 by 12 %, the number of inen receiving
shelter services grew (from 1991 to 2000) by 58 %, the number of women grew by 157 %
and the number of children in emergency and transitional housing grew by 250 %.
Although shelter capacity has increased from 1991 to 2000, the number of homeless people
turned away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter capacity.
41 % of homeless adults were released from an institution, homeless program, or treatment
center in the past yeaz, and 49 % of those had no where to go.
Housing affordability and avaiIability declining
� Housing affordability, a combination of low wages and a tight housing market, is a growing
factor in homelessness.
• Average rents in the Twin Cities azea increased 34 % between 1990 and 1999, while the
median household income of renters grew by only 9%.
• To afford an average one bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities azea ($664 in 2000) would
require an hourly wage of $12.70. Of those working, 39 % were earning less than $8 per
hour, and 68 °/a were earning less than $10 per hour.
• 82 % of families oited Iack of affordable housing as reason for seeldng emergency shelter.
(Wilder Reseazch Center Summary, August 2000, "Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitional housing.")
Longer average stays in shelters and transitional honsing {Wilder Research Cenrer summary, August
2000, "Ten year trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and bansitional housing. ')
• The average stay (1999) in Ramsey County emergency shelters for males alone was 20 days,
females alone was 14 days and 18 days for families.
• The average stay in Ramsey County transitional housuYg (1999) for women alone was six
months and for families it was nine months.
All statisrics can befound in the Wilder Research Center's `ilfinnuota statewide survey ofpeople without
permanent sheZter: Preliminary findings, February 2001 " unless otherwise noted.
i
�
WILDER
CENTER
Shelter use in the '90s
Ten-year trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitionai housing
�
s
Since 1991,shelterproviders
have collected common data
elements about single adults and
families who use emergency
shelteis and �ansitional housing
in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
This summary report puts the 1999
results in perspective by showing
trends in shelter use and in the
characteristics of shelter useis
over the past nine years.
Wilder Reseazch Center maintains
a database and prepazes an annual
report for program and policy
planning. The annual reports also
descnbe use of shelters for baitered
women, buY these data aze not part
of the common database because
of safety concerns.
Number of persons using emergency sF�elter, 1991-1999
Unduplicated rnmber of persons each year
6,000 5 �
3,000 2,939
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of stays in emergency shelter,1991-1999
»,000 �0,002
5,500 4,078
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of emergency shelter beds in Ramsey County,1991-1999
(excluding Flexibie and overtlow)
aoo
325
274
200 173
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999
Shdter use in the `90s 1 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
.Steve Rice _ - -�
Halsing lnformatia� �ce;��� �
�City of Saini Paul.�„ ,_ ^4�y�
�The documerrted drop in -���
;shefter use does n� sq�re.�
�Wlth U72 PP,fC2pilOfl Of thOSE' `y
�operating the .sheRets. ;Tt►e ��
�sheRers are running full m��
-� - � � _ . -��~x�
: —.,.� t�>__-.�,
, ; .: _. - ..
easanaly:-Partbf� �
gason for ttie Conflict =`�<
�uveen the dociurierited ;
Irop in and the
necdotal reports is ttiat�w
�ave fewer shefter spaces;
�an in past years, in spite
_-., -�-- -
icomporient is Uiat shetter
=guests car►not move but o1
Fthe shetter at the same -::=�
-speed as y in'past years. ,77
stay longer and fewer new
� peopte get irrto shefter. Th
`sei.nrid Problem r�leds t�
� fCf1�2� (112fiC�. '�1QfE 8f2 _�
fewer units available at ar�
price because Of ihe infltni
new job seekers in the pas
matter of fewer.numbers of�_v
=emergencY shefter, spaces;�
decisions have been � in�
„ tlie private and publie secxors_"�
a�
! Private emergency shefter� �
pProviders volurrtarily reduc�ed�
'their capaeiEy ta mc�re
`manageable levels. Political "'
leaders decided to limit the �=a
number of families served. j
Emergency shelter use
is declining
The total number of persons
using emergency shelters was
relatively stable during the
fust half of the decade but has
dropped steadily in the past
five years to a low of 2,939 in
1999. Moreover, the nvmber
of stays in emergency shelters
has been dropping steadily
throughout the decade. The
decreases are largely attnbWable
to fewer beds (reduced capacity)
at the biggest men's shelter and
a new 30-day Ramsey County
residency requirement for
families entering shelter.
In 1999, the number of persons
using emergency shelters
(2,939) was at the lowest level
in the 1990s, and the number
of stays in emergency shelter
(4,078) was at the same low
point reached in 1998.
Transitional housing
beginning to serve fewer
persons
The total number of persons
shying in hansitional housing
increased every year from 1991
to 1997, matching the increases
in capacity, but then declined
in the past two years.
In 1999, 674 persons used
transitional housing, down
from a high of 1,030 in 1997.
The number of women living
alone had the biggest drop,
from 210 in 1997 to 142 in
1999.
Unduplicated number
of persons using
emergency shelter and
transitional housing
Over the past 10 years, about
30,000 men, women, and
children have used shelter in
Ramsey County.
Number of persons usiog transitional housing, '1991-1999
Unduplicated number of persons per year
�,zoo
.��
1,030
674
2U8_ . _ _
t991 1992 1993 t994 i995 1996 1997 1998 1999
U
.
�
Shelter use in the '90s 2 �[da Research Cenrer, Augvst 1000
N
�
Number of women and children using baaered women's shelters,
7992
���
�,soa
C
■Women 9Children
19,434 adulu (mostly single
men) and 8,235 children have
used emergency shelter.
� 1,885 adults (mostly women)
and 1,023 children have used
transitional housing.
Fewer people using
shelters for battered
women
�
The number of women and
children using battered
women's shelters also
increased each yeaz from 1992
to 1997, but began to decline in
1998.
In 1999, 1,833 women and
children used shelters for
battered women, down from a
high of 2,802 in 1997. (Counts
aze taken as people exit their
shelter stay.)
Since about half of the
homeless women who aze
sheltered in Ramsey Counry
stay in shelte�s for battered
women, it would be helpful to
Imow how many retum to that
setting, and how often, as well
as how many also use
emergency shelter or
hansitional housing. Data thaY
would allow cioss-refe�encing of
records and data sets aze not
available at this time.
Longer average stays in
shelter
Wfrile fewer persons aze using
shelters, on average, they aze
staying longer.
In emergency shelters the
average stay in 1999 was 14
days for females alone and 18
days for families.
_ Helene Fre1nt - " - �� �_=�
MPH, Director, - - ` °��;
� Health Care for the �
�; -°. � -'��� -__� �
;Homeless _�-- R__:_
; Fleafth Care for tt�e � �;�
;lioinetess of Ramsey Courny�
Ehas been sernng the hea�
� _
iumber of tiorrieless
_,._ _._�:;
`visit eight diffefgr'it�site
each week, ineluding�
shefters and drop-iri,c�
The number of famili�
'the large number of ch
�seen in our clinics po'irr
an increasing `problerri:
i It used to be that famili
would leave emefgenc�
°sheRer before the 30`d
'�limit because they had
' housing. But now; fio�
'advocates dread being
for housing assistarice
because there is no ha
to offer, and only a few
, agencies are accepting
housing referrals: =`_� w:
: _ ;:; c ,, > �, - _ . —
��
„ _ , �-->;
- _ _ — 'P;z c_��—
_' _ y;`- Y�=!�v
�" -- - - _��
_ _ - ss,
Shdter use in tbe '90s 3 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
limMderson :-
- Low /ncome arrd Homeless �
- Services Planner, Ramsey �y :
�Cormty Hu►nan Services '� �: ="�
=At first glance, the data - ` ; :�`y�
S ' _ _ _ - ' "�'�'�'
� seem to indicate that the ;; �
�. _ � _ — _ . ,_�,.
:need fa shelter space and �=�;
'iransitional hous'ing is _: ��;:��,
- _ - � _ ..�
�decreasing. This impressiai_':�
� - . -- _:.__ ;� �==_x�
vis extremely misleading.;-��
�The critical shortage of � =�=;
raffordable renta{ hauing'`_�;";
xthraighout the m�ro area``'�;��
�has created a serious logjarii �;
- through-out the sheltef arit! ==°:
Vansitiorial housin s erri.:'
_ 9 �_ : _� �
An erosion in the number of =�
'emergency beds available;'=; r
3 .
�CORlblfl2C� WRh �Of198f S�yS, _�
timeans tliat fewer people are _.;
: g�xting served � a time ' `=' � :;:
when more and more low: _�,'
-income families and singler=s_�:
adults are unable to locate `;=
ar�y form of permanent ;; �-:} s
housing. The resuft is more „�
people becoming chroniplly.,
homeless or very ,. ,. _ �.;
must cominue to develo �:u� `
°- _ - _P���
more emergency shefter : � �
capacity without Iosing sight�
of our long-term goal of ���°=y�
increasi the su of : z�=
�9 PP�Y_ , . _,...=�,
�
affordable permanent.-: -�=°_�
_ _ _ - - .;°i�-F,
. h0using. _
number of days per year in emergency shelter,1992-1999
zo zo
16
�s �$
10 13 14
0
r��
150
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
In hansirional housing, based
on eauts in 1999, aduIt women
stayed about six months and
months. The longer stays also
could help explain why fewer
persons aze being served by the
transitional programs.
In s3�eiteis for battered women,
the average stay was 21 days in
Men alone
Women alone
Families
�
�
emergency shelter in the 1990s
stayed only once or twice, as
the system intends. In 1999,
39 percent of single men, 14
percent of single women, and
IS percent offamilies retumed
to shelter in the same year.
1999 .1-7-days-im k448-.--- '��� proportions �ave been
and I S days in 1996 and 1997. fairly steady throughout the
1990s.
Repeat use of
emergency shelter
twmber of days in transitional housing, 1992-1999
273
Zp5 Families
Single women
182
702
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 9998 1999
�
Shelrer use irt the '90s 4 Wilder Researel+ Center, August 2000
�4 i .
Long-term programs such as
• supportive housing, which
offe�s a permanent place to live
combined with ongoing support
services, might better serve the
100 or so chronic shetter users
in Ramsey County.
Children in shelters
The number of children in the
three types of shelter is also
dropping, from a high of 3,229
in 1995 to 2,037 in 1999.
Nevertheless, children continue
to make up a large proportion
of shelter users. In 1999,
children made up 55 percent of
those in shelters for battered
women, 46 percent in
transitional housing, and 24
• percent in emergency shelters.
About half of the children in
tiansitional housing and
sheltecs for battered women are
of school age (5 and older), a
fairly sYeady proportion
throughoutthe decade.
" In 1999, 68 percent of the
children in emergency shelter
were of school age, up from 61
percent the two previous years
and 54 percent before thai.
•
Perceru of aduits who re-entered Rartuey Courrty shelter within the
same year.1991-1999
50°/,
33% 39% Men alane
25% ts%
14% Fartu'ks
is% �s% w«�, �o�
o%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 '1996 1997 1998 1999
Chiidren as a pe�centage of ati peopie in shelters,1991
100%
sz%
ss%
5o°k ao%
46%
r
23% 24%
0%
1991 '1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
—i—Emergency shefter
�--Transitional housing
--�— Shelters for battered women
Percentage of children in sheiter who were age 5 or older,1992-1999
100%
68% Emergency
53% � shelter
50°k r—�' i--- -y--r_ �.---�
50% 54%Transitbnal
housing
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Shdter nse in the `90s 5 Wilder Rerearch Cenler, Augusr 2000
Men alone in shelter
Men living alone have been the
lazgest group of shelter users
throughout the 1990s, making
up about three-quarters of the
adults in emergency shelter and
about half of ail perso� in
emergency shelter. In
tiansitional housing, men living
alone make up about 10 percent
of all peisons each yeaz.
While single men represent the
largest segnent of emergency
shelter users, data that describe
their bacicgrounds, where they
come from, and their reasons
for seeking shelter aze not
routinely collected at this rime.
Women alone in shelter
Females alone make up about
13 percent of the emergency
sheiter popula6on and a quarter
of the hansitional housing
poputarion.
In 1999, 62 percent of women
alone in emergency shelter
were African-Americans, up
from about 51 percent over the
previous 5 years.
Females alone reporting a stay
at a treatment facility within a
month of entering hansitional
housmg rose sharply from
3 percent in 1991 to about 40
percent in 1995-97, then
dropped back to 33 percent in
1999.
Unduplicated count of persons using emergency shelter, 1991-1999
Men Women Adults
Year Total alone alone with chiidren
1991 5,134 2,990
-- - -- 2�544
1993 5,253 2,7� �
451 523
386 775
316 773
Families in emergency
shelter
The number of families in
emergency shelter has dropped
from a high of 642 in 1992 to
314 in 1999, largely due to a
diversion program and
residency requirements.
In 1999, 78 percent of adults in
families in emergency shelter
aze African-Americans, up
from about 73 percent over the
past 5 years.
Some family advocaYes fear
that the new five-yeaz welfare
limits and welfare-to-work
policies will lead to increased
homelessness for families.
Children Famiiies•
1,170 479
1,770 642
1,453 627
1994 5.105 2,808 408 613 1,276 421
1995 5,284 2,678 415 671 1,520 520
1996 4,439 2,452 378 � ��057 qqp
1997 3,599 2,022 238 427 912 358
1998 3,217 1.733 215 390 B79 296
1999 — - 2. 9 39 1, 194 37 7 12 314
' For this study, a family unit is defined as one or more adults plus o� or more children.
�
.
�
SAelter use in the `90s 6 �lder Research Center, Augart 1000
�
�
�
Percent of families in emergency shelter receiving general
welfare assistance (AFDC, MFIP, or TAN�
�w%
so%
�
�Zx
ss%
35%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 '1999
The percentage of families with
children in emergency shelter
reporting general welfaze
assistance as a source of
income (AFDC, MFIP/TANF)
dropped from 72 percent in
1994 to 35 percent in 1994.
Fewer people from
outside Ramsey County
Another noteworthy shift is
where emergency shelter users
come from and where they last
lived. In the eariy 1990s,
Wiider's annual reports
recommended a shift from an
emergency focus to a
resettlement focus for the
increasing numbeis of out-of-
state persons in shelter, who
apparenUy needed help getting
stabilized in their new
community. The county did
enact a 30.day Ramsey County
residency requirement for those
entering emergency shelters.
Between 1993 and 1999 there
was a gradual decrease in the
proportion of aduits from
outside Minnesota (from 44%
to 30%) and last living outside
Minnesota (from 34% to
23%).
Affordable housing
shortage
The Twin Cities has a severe
shortage of lower-priced
housing. According to the
Family Aousing Fund
(www.�fund.org/ReseazchJ
need.htm), incomes have not
kept pace with rent increases.
Federal housing programs
have been cut back, about
9,000 federally subsidized
hvusing units are at risk of
conversion to market-rate
rents, and vacancy ntes are
just over 1 percent. The
bottom line: "There aze
68,900 renter households with
£ Margaret Lovejoy -_: _ ,_ .=. -== =�;
`Project liome ;_ _ _ . _ �a
- - - _:.�
=�ough Project liome, a --��°'
�==•�-= _° ...- 3�
Fnumber�of chu�ches open," �;
�tl�eir spaces for a a �
�-- ' -
�time ta hol�se ttle ovefflow -�
�_-,;- -_ - '- -.._-- <-�,�
I Sfl@�[2f LfCd�
,_ and angry =
iction fof arry
ousi � .
�!xJ_.�:_
ousirig for a fai
� Paui?' "FI�! -i
��_:.�d.�„ ,..�
hese are the
liild erttering tti
helter for a thirt
��of the church
hshefter..� In th
. .......il..... :.L...4
kare seeing larger femilies�
'staying longer because tt�
' have rjowhere else to go::
TJuly the Project hlome �� �
= church shefter program; i�
>adding '18 additionai beds
; the program - still; our,��
'.: g
� CORY11Uf1KY WI�� fl@� R10fE
Shdter use fn the `90s 7 Wilder Research Center. August 1000
annual incomes below $10,000
in the metropolitan area, but
only 31,200 housing units with
rents affordable at this income
level (rents no more than 30%
of income)."
For perspective, to afford a
typical two-bedroom
apartment renting in St. Paul at
about $770 per month, a
family needs a monthly
income of at least $2,566
($30,800 per year).
The signs of the affordable
housing shortage began to
show up in shelter irends in
1996, when the percentage of
families reporting "lack of
affordable housing" as a
reason for seeldng emergency
sheiter increased to 59 percent,
up from 33 percent the year
before.
Percentage of families in emergency shelter reporting lack of
affordable housing as a reason for seeking sheiter
iBAY�!
50%
0°h
82%
52%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Nofe: °Family° is defrned as one or more adults with one or more
children.
In 1999, 82 percent of families
cited lack of affordable
housing as reason for seeking
emergency shelter, up from 62
percent last year.
Doubling-up (living with
friends or relatives) has
become more common among
families with children in the
past five years, both as the
previous living arcangement
before entering emergency
sheiter (from 63% in 1995 to
81% in 1999) and as the next
living arrangement after
leaving emergency shelter
(from 12% in 1995 to 25% in
1999).
The shortage in affordable
housing may be contributing to
longer stays in emergency
shelters, transirional housing,
and shelters for battered
women.
more
summary presents highlights irom finergency Shelters, Transition Housing, and Battered Women Shelters, a report
3red by Wilder Research Center in Augus[ 2�0. For copies of this wmmary or the full report, contac[ Wilder Research
�r or find both versions onGne at www/wilder.org/tesearcfi�"" '
_ —
Richard Chase
2000
�
�
�
Shdter use in the `90s 8 �lder Ruearch Center, August 2000
WILDER
i
On the night of October 26,
2000, over 50Q interviewers
surveyed 2,480 of Minnesota's
homeless adults and youth,
including a representative
sample of those receiving
shelter and transitional housing
services, plus 468 people in
unsheltered locations.
This preview offers an early
look at selected findings from
these interviews. A series of
compiete reports on the study
will be issued later this spring.
CENTER
More a�e ttomeless. On any givea night, an estimated 8,600 people are
lromeless in M'umesota. This is nearly 2S times the estimate made in
October 1991. The estimate is based on:
■ 7,121 homeless men, women, unaccompanied youth, and children who
were staying in Minnesota's shelters and transitionai housing programs on the
night of October 26, 2000
■ 51 who were in detox facilities on the same night
• An estimated additional 1,424 m unsheltered locations
More are working. In nine years the proportion of homeless adulu working
full- or part-time has more U�an doubled from 19 percent in 1991 to 41 percent
in 2000. The proportion working full-time has more than tripled from 7.5
percent to 26 percent. Over one-quarter of ail homeless adults now repoR
their main source of income is from steady employment. However, 68 percent
eam less than $t0 an hour, and 39 percent earn Iess than $8 an hour. To afford
an aveiage one-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities area ($664 in 2000)
would require an hourly wage of about $12.70.
�ore are people of Color. While the overall racial composition of Minnesota's adult population is about 94
percent white, the homeless adult population is 34 percent white, 47 percent Afr'scan American, I i percent
American Indian, 1 perceni Asian, and 8 percent other (including mixed race). People of color now make up
66 percent of homeless adults, up from 59 percent in 1991. Youth of color are also disproportionatety
represented among the homeless, though noi to the same extent.
More are Children. Homeless children today oumumber Minnesota's enrire homeless population in 1991. On
the night of the survey, 3,122 children were in sheiters, ttznsirional housing, or on the streets with their
parents. In 2000, one-third of all homeless adults - 10 percent of inen and 66 percent of women - had at least
one child under 18 with them. These homeless children are at significant risk of serious health, emotionai,
and behavioral problems. School-age chiidren aze also at higher risk for schooi problems or repeating a gtade,
and more pazents report ihese problems in 2000 than in 1997.
More are mentaNy ili. Thirty-eight percent of homeless adults have serious mental iilness, up from 32 percent
in 1997, which was also an increase from 1994. Oflrer aspects of health remained fairiy steady, pver ane-third
reported that they needed to see a doctor for a physicai health problem, and 30 percent for an emotionai or
mental health problem, and more than half had dental problems that needed attenrion. 19 percent had been
diagnosed with aicohol abuse disorder, and 13 percent with drug abuse disorder, both slightly down from
1997. Chiidhood sexual abuse (24%) and physical abuse (33%) are about as common among homeless adults
as in 1997, but the prevalence among homeless youth has grown to 2g percent for sexuai abuse and 47 percent
for physical abuse.
�
Mimewta statewide uryey p( people witlwut permanen� sry¢Iter: preliminary findi�gs. February 2000
1
�.,._.
a,000
3.000
2,000
t,oao
How many people are homeless in
MinnesoW?
recent night, is 21,329.
On the night of October 26, 2000, Minnesota's
18% shelcers and hansitional housing programs
were Pmvidia8 g!�ry' P� � s�a.y for
7,121 homeless men, women, unaceo�panie�
youth, and children. An additiona151 homeless
peopie were sfaying in detox facilities. Using
conservative estimates based on studies done
elsewhere of the harder-to-find homeless, another
1,424 people were staying in places not meant
for human habitation (such as in cazs, under
brid8es, aad �n abanQoned buildings), and
anoiher 12,733 were "doubling up" temporarily
with family or friends. The total estimat�d
number of people homeless or prepriously
housed in Minnesota on tlris night, or any oiher
Homekss people tn Yinnesota shelqrs,
i98'E �DOp
� AAen � Women t►ChHdren � ��� �
than the total for people of al] ages nine years
ago. While the total state population grew (from
1989 to 1999) by about 12 percent, the number
of inen receiving sheiter services has grown
(from 1991 to 2000) by 58 percent, the number
of sheltered women has gown by 157 percent,
and the nnmber of children in emergency and
hansitional housing has increased by 257
percent.
Most of this increase has been in people using
hansitional housing. Emergency shelters served
44 percent more people in 2000 than in 1991 and
battered women's shelters served 73 percent
more, while hansitional housing services
increased by 366 percent, or more than
quadrupled.
lt may fairly be asked whether the growth in the
number of sheltered homeless people simply
reflects a growth in the capacity of the system m
serve them. Perhaps the actual number of
homeless people stayed the same over the 1990s,
while more shelter providers reached a higher
and Irigher proportion of ihem. However, shelter
census reports collected quarterly by the state
show that the number ofhomeless people tumed
away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter
capacit}: The evidence indicates that the total
number of homeless in the state has incieased at
s
�
sourek w.a�� Cerner; aata provided br sneKer least as fast as the estimates in this study.
• Nar. Nov. Nar. Nov.
1991 1994 1997 2D00
Since the stat¢wide homeless survey was {u� 5 ��� ��� ��� 3 •�� 5,017 5,559_ 7,544
conducted in OcWber 1991, t�e total aumber o# r � P� �— -- � 676 4fi7 1025
homeless people ieceiving s�elter lias grown }�y
149 percent — or more �a �nbled. '�
number of homeless chik� ��� LS more
- ---
Tumawaysas%oftapacity b.396 i3.5% 8.4% 13.6%
sarroc x�erResearclr (,��. �on data Ir�m
f k � - _
.
Mflr1E5018 Sf82EWIdE S1�IfEy 0( �pP�Q 1�7U10U1 pE(III811�[ 5��{�: ��IR11113ly fMIdII1�5� F��{I2Iyt �
2
ass� �ssa ��� z000
g-
�
�
�
Who is homeless in Minnesota?
✓ Avesage age: 40 for men, 32 for women,
15 to 16 for youth.
: ✓ Minorities are greatly and increasingiy
over-represented.
� ✓ Most are not newcomers to Minnesota.
Homeless adults (age 18 and older) had an
average age of 36 (40 for men, 32 for women).
People age 55 and over made up 5 percent of the
homeless adult population. The oldest person
interviewed was 80. Unaccompanied youth (age
17 and younger) had an average age of 15.7; the
youngest was 10. Compared to 1997, youth were
about the same age in 2000, and homeless adults
were slighdy older.
Both adults and youth were approximately evenly
split between men and women. Among aduiis,
men predominated in emeigency shelteis and in
non-sheltered locations, and women were the
majority in transitional housing and battered
women's shelters. The gender gap narrowed
somewhat in 2000.
Homeiess adults, Minnesota adults,
Racial and cultural minorities were more likely
than whites to be homeless. The table below
shows the racial distribution of surveyed adults
and youth, and the 1999 (most recent available)
estimates for the total Minnesota population in
the same age ianges.
Compared to 1997, the 2000 adult homeless
population was more concentrated among minority
grouQ membets, white the youth popularion was
slighUy more white.
Twenty-four percent of homeless aduits had less
than a high school education, and 48 pereent had
completed high school or a GED but no more.
28 percent had some amount of post-secondary
education. These figures show a rise in educafion
level from 1997, when 30 percent had not
completed high school or a GED.
Sixteen percent of homeless adults, and 31 percent
of adult men, were veterans, up from 13 percent
and 26 percent in 1997.
3eventy-two percent of homeless adults had lived
in Minnesota for the past three yeazs or more. Of
those who had lived in Minnesota for two years
or less, 32 percent had lived in Minnesota before.
These figures are unchanged from 1997.
Homelessyarth Minnesotayouth
(age 10-1�, (age 10-1n.
�. � 1999
__ 46.7% -- 2.6% Afripn American 24.9% 4.0%
- -- —
-----
---- - 20.096
10.5% - —
_ 0.9% American indian - 1.9%
� 0.9% _ 2J% �--- AsianiPacific. 0.5% � ~ 4.1% i^
34_3 __ 94.4% � __ �;? 45.3 -` 90.0% .____
7.6% — _ ._._ _.-- --
— - - Otl�er, inciuding mixed race e 39ti
6.5% 1.7%
Nispanic or Lat� origin 6.6% �
2.5%
{may be of arry racial group) -
Sour�es: Homefess data from Wilder Researd� Center, 1999 popu/ation estirrr�tes fiom the State Qerrroyraphic Centerat
Minrresota Planning. (Data on mixed race is not availabk for U�e gerreral p�pu�ation)
Mimesota statewide s�rvey p( people witlwu[ permanent yielter: preliminary ('mdinys, Fepnrary pppp
3
P :'
EmploymeM and income
✓ Empioyment continues to grow sharply.
✓ 26% are working fuH time,
✓ Wage rates and moMhfy iecomes remate
; low.
� ✓ HousMg affordability fs a growfig factor
in homelessness,
Forty-one percent of adults were employed, and
26 percent were employed fiill time. 29 percent
of adults reported steady employment as their
main source of income. All of these are
S�8n��1Y �$� tham in 1997, when 34 perce�
were working (17% full time) and 23 percent had
a steady job as their primary source of income_
These figiu�es have risen steadily since 1991, when
only 19 percem were working (8% full time).
Pwnru workiny
41%
i£rnWos,ea pFua�ime
Mdn sourmd lawme Is siead�
�mpioymaet
ax
�as> >sea �s�r �oo
Of those who were working 39 pe�nt wene
earning less than $8 per hou� aad gg g�o�
wer+e eaming-iess drea SIU per ho� lGfost (57�f )
had been irt tf�r primary, �ob for at least three
months.
The average mont}ily income of a!1 homeless
adulu, from atl sources, was $622, pne.third
had incomes above $700 per month. Adjusting
for inflation, incomes in 2000 were very similar
to 1947.
Asked to name tl� biggest barriers or pmblems
to getting a job now, unempioyed homeless
adutts focused first on lack of transportation
(25%, up from 21 % in 1997), physical health
(24%, up from 19%), and lack of housing (22%,
up from 12%). Among pazents, the top barrier
was inability to find or afford child care (41%).
Housing affordability
As this survey itlushaces, homelessness involves
many factors beyond the purely financial.
However, the gap between wages and honsing
costs plays an increasing role in Minnesota
homelessness.
This gap was higlilighted in a January 2001
report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
The report stated that avecage rents in the Twin
Ci6es area increased 34 percent between 1990
and 1999, while the median household income of
renteas 8rew by only 9 percent. Rents rose most
sh�p1Y in the last few years, and the reatal
mazket is projected to become even Lighter
during the decade to come.
The Legislative AudiWr's report estimated that
the aveiage rent in the Twin Cities area was ${�64
for a oae-bedmom aparnne� a�d $813 for a two-
be�m �rtme� in 2000.
T� comaaonty accepted defmition of housing
affordabiliry is � m�e tharz 3a p� of
�nc+�e fa� kr�winaome:.iiouseholds-becaase, -
above tius amount, not enough money remains to
weather financial setbacks.
�
��
��
Mmnesota statewide swey of people witlaut Permaneht shelter: Retimaiary frd'�S. Fehniary Z000
4
1891 1994 tg97 2000
�
�
�
More than 10 percent of working homeless adults
eazn less than $6.00 per hour. At this pay rate,
even two full-time workers in the same
household would pay 32 percent of their income
for a typical one-bedroom apartment, or 39
percent for a twabedroom apartment. A single
adult would spend 48 percent of income for a
typical efficiency apartment, at $504 monthly
rent
Over one-third of Minnesota's working homeless
adults earn $6.00 to $7.70 per hour. A full-time
worker in this pay iange could afford a mont}ily
rent of $312 to E400. A typical one-bedroom
aparcment in the Twin Cities metropolitan area
would take 50 to 64 percent of their income.
About one-third of working homeless adults earn
$7.70 to $9.60 per hour, making rents of $400 to
$500 affordable. 7'he average one-bedroom
apartment would cost 40 to 50 percent of the
monthly income of a full-time worker in this
renge.
More than 20 percent of working homeless aze
eaming $9.60 to $12.00 per hour. In this iange,
they couid afford $500 to $625 per month for
housing, which is sti111ess than the average rent
for a one-bedroom apartment.
A significant proportion of homeless adults
report problems with credit, evictions, or bad
rental history, and over half say the lack of
affordable housing is a barrier to getting housing.
If a person is evicted, the resulring unlawful
detainer remains in their record for yeazs, and
makes it almost impossible to compete with other
renters in a tight housing market. In this way,
high rents and low vacancy cates o}}� ���
with 1ow wages to create a cycle that is difficult
to break.
Housing history and reasons for
hometessness
✓ 60% of adults are homeless for the first
fime.
✓ Flaif hare been homeless for 6 months or
less.
✓ Many were abused or institutionalized as
children.
✓ 41°k of homeless adults were released
irom an institution, homeless program, or
treatrnent center in the past year, and 49°/a
of those had no stable place to go.
� A growing proportion of homeless youth
have a history of sexuai or physical
abuse.
✓ Reports of "survival sex," in exchange for
bastc necessities, are becomtng more
common among homeless youth.
Among aduits, 60 percent were experiencing
homelessness for the fust time. Half had been
without regular housing for six months or less,
although 16 percent had been homeless for three
years or longer. 56 percent of youth reported
being in their first experience of homelessness.
Half had been homeless for three months or less,
and 12 percent had been homeless for one yeaz or
longer.
Compared to 1997, slightly more adults had been
homeless before. The current homeless episode
was somewhat longer in 2000. For youth, about
the same proportion were homeless for the first
time in 2000 and the avenge length of time for
which they had been homeless was somewhat
shorter than in 1997.
The main reasons adults said they left their last
housing included a mix of economic and
personal reasons. The main reasons cited were:
Minnewta sfatewide siryey ot people witlwu[ perrr�anent sheltw: qQliminary faidings, febn��r 2ppp
5
evicted (33%); unable ta afford rent (23%); abuse
(18%); other relationship problem (28%);
drinking or drug problem (21 %); substandard or
unsafe houssng (IS%); and violence in the
neighborhood (€4°l0).
Nineteen percea# mf �'e� youth 1e8 home
becausc of abuse, and ov� �f (Sie/u) because of
other relationship problems. Their main reasons
for not retuming home were: at least one adu�t in
the household wonY tol�ate their being around
(50%); adulu in the household dont attend to
their basic needs (30%); alcohol or drug use by a
parent or other household member (30%); the
danger oYphysicai abuse (24%); not enough
space for everyone (21%}.
Many homeless adults had troubled cln7dhoods.
Twenty-eight percent had at Ieast one Idnd of
institutional placement as a child, and at least 8
percent had been homeless as a child. 1'he most
common institutional placemems were foster
homes (16°!�), dete�off centeis (12°/a), and
facili6es for people with mental disorders (6%j.
Other traumatic childhood e�eriences inciuded
childhood physical abuse (25% of inen, 40
percent of women) and childhood sexual abuse
(12% men, 37% women). All of these rates were
almost exactty $ie same as ia 1997 oxcept for
Traunatie eh�wod ezperiences d tamalps
adWts
G�e or more
institutionalplac�neMS z. 26%
Sez�ailyabused - `s . 24%
�OSt2rhane - _ =,- te94
Detentioneerner ,�,•�: 12%
Hom _:.: . �-
e�ss =� 89G
Faciiitybr p�ie w�iC�
menialdisorders �6%
childhood physical abuse of inen, which was
down from 28 percent to 25 percent.
Among youth, the prevalence of physical abuse
rose from 1997 to 2000, from 32 percent to 40
percent for males and from 43 percent to 53
P� � femaies. Siaulazly, the number
reporfing sexaat abuse rose &om 6 percent to 14
percent for males and from 37 percent to 4t
perceni for femates. More homeless youth also
said they had engaged in "survival sex" (in
exehange for shelter, clothing, food, or other
necessihes) — that proportion rose from 10
perceat in 1997 to 15 percent in 2000. Fewer
youth in 2000 were parerrts (8%, down from 17%
in 199'n.
Forty-four percent of adults had lived in some
kind of institution or ueat�nent facility as an
adult. Forty-one percent had ban released from
an rostitution or from a housing facility or
PI'oSaae ia the past year. Of these, 49 percent
repoLted that they did not have a stable place to
live when they left.
Pinancial factois were by far the most common
current barrier to hausing cit¢d by homeless
adults• Over haif (54%) of all homeless people
�'�fY "�e is no housing I can afford" as a
main reasoa preventing them from $ettinS
��S �a! Other major barriers i�lude credit
renhllvstory (20% overatl; 13% of parems), a
criminal background (21 % overall, 8% of
Parents), court eviction or bad rental history
(24% ovecall, 31°�b of�}, �d the cost of
apPb�=►n feES (18�fO ovaall, 24% of parents).
�
�
�
Mimewta statewide siryey of people witlou[ permmieM shek�: Reiimmary fmd"ngs. Febn�ary 2DOD
6
F' _ _. _ _
.�
.
�
Families with children
✓ One-third of homeless adutis (10% of inen
and 66% of women) have children with
them.
� An increasing percentage of homeless
parents report their children have leaming
and scfioof probfems.
✓ Serious physical, emotional and
behaviorai probiems are much more
common among homeless chtldren than
among Mlnnesota chiidren in general.
On the night of ihe survey, 3,122 childten under
age 18 were in shelters, tcansitional housing, or
on the streets with their parents.
Thirty-four percent of homeless adults (10% of
men and 66% of women) had children age 17 or
younger with them. 'i'tris is about the same
proportion as in 1997. Parents were more likely
to be served in battered women's shelters or
transitional housing, where they made up 56
percent and 45 percent of the households, than in
emergency shelters (23%) or on the streets (9%).
On average, parenLs had 2 to 3 children with
them. The ave:age age of children was 7(np
slighUy from 1997), and one-third were age 4 or
younger. About half (53%) of families had been
homeless for six months or less, while 29 percent
had been homeless for a yeaz or longer.
Nine unaccompanied youth had children of their
own with them (4.5% of ail homeless youth
surveyed, down from 12% in 1997).
Homeless pazents reported that their children
faced a variety of problems. 16 percent reported
having a child with a serious health problem, and
21 percent a child with a serious emotional or
behavior problem.
Wobiems aF homeless eldidren
Leaming or schooi probiem s
41 °k
PareMS unable m obtain needed , w 32%
dvid care past year -
Repeated a grade , 2g°h
EmotionalorbehaNOrproblem 21°k
Chronic or seyere physical
heallhproblem F 16°
Unabie tu obhin needed
denhlcarepastyear ' 14°
Tmuble at[ending schooi
duePOhomelessness - t3 �� O
Skippedmealsinpastmonth 11°,6
Unable to obtain needed
heafM� care past year 10%
Ofparents with school-age children, 41 percent
had a child with leaming or school problems (up
from 36% in 1997). Twenty-six percent had a
child who had repeated at least one giade (up
from 20% in 1997). Thirteen percent had a child
who had trouble going to school because of their
housing situation, the same proportion as in
1997.
During the previous 12 months, 10 percent of
parents had been unable to obtain needed health
caze for their children,l4 percent had been
unable to obtain needed dental care, and 32
percent had been unable to obtain needed child
care. During just the past month, 11 percent
reported their children had skipped meals
because there wasn't enough money to buy food.
Mimesota statewide swey o/ peopk witlaut permanen� shelter: Retiminary fmdings. Fepn�ary Zppp
7
r . .. ._ �.. _ _ .
Fewer homeless parents reported being unable to
obtain chiid care (down from 46% in 1997 to
32% in 2000).
Among the homeless, parents are more likely
than single �lis to be peopk of color. They are
less I�cely ta �ve bee� Sa�le� for over a ytaz,
iess likely to have had rec�i dcetg or �coh��t
treatrnent or a serious meuial health diagoosis,
and less likely to have a Irigh schooY education.
1'hey are equally likely to have been living in
Minnesota for at least two yeazs, or to be
worldng full-time.
Services used �d serrices needed
� Fiomeless aduits mainly report receiving
basic survivai services for health care,
food, and dothi�g.
✓ The matn service needs they report are
for bnger-term issues — help 8nding
jobs and Hnandal �sistance,
� Transportaiion appears to be a more
serious problem �an in the past.
� For homeless yoath, !he 9reatest reported
needs are far a job, school or traintng,
and S�ncial assistance. Food also
appears to be a growing need.
Nearly ali ihe services most ftequentty used by
homeless aduhs address immediate and ba�c
needs (medec�l, food, cloihing}. The, most
o repo services used_in the previous
month: publicly funded medical benefits of
vazious types (59��0), Food Stamps (41%)
clothing shelves (40%), hot meai progams (3�%�,
drop-in centers (25%), food shelves (24°An), aod
�ansportation assistance (21°./�j. Notable changes
(of more than three perc�ge points either way)
since iS97: Food S�s (uF froa�e 3�'�a � 4��i.�,
hot rneat-Prv�� $�s 6o�ar 2TX� t�
Of all the services they had received in the past
month, adults reported the following as the most
helpfui: Medical Assistance (29%), Food Stamps
(24%) free or almost free clothing shelves (17%)
hot meal programs (16%), droP centers (13%),
and housing assistance (12%).
Most helpful aervkss roceired by aduMs
� _� s���_---:�
3�i�-
- ��;
_ ;��_:���=
. . : ��:.
��..s..�
The services homeless youth received were quite
different. The most couanonly mentioned kinds
were drop-in centeis (35%), outreach services
(35%), Medical Assistance (29%), hot meal
Programs (20%), transportation assistance (20%),
food sheives (18%), free or atmost free clottring
shelves (18%), Food Stamps (18%), and job
assistance (18%).
Youth said that ihe most helpful services were
droP-in centets, cited by 38 percent {up from
23% in 199'7}, outreach services, cited by 31
Assistance (cited by 25%,-the same as in 199'n.
Youth aLso reported getting more help in 2000
from food shelves and hot meal programs. Job
training was considered one of tl� most heipfui
� 5 Y �' 4 Perc�t m 3fl00, down from
�3 par� im 1997.
were aslced about their main needs, ,
- �e�e fs�i� fioiismg. Adults most frequernly
memioneci a job (36%), fimneial assisTance (2p%),
Mimesota s[atewide suvey of people wilhaR Permanen[ shett�: Prelimmary fed"mgs. Fe6ruary Z000
8
i
LJ
�
�_ ... _.
: transportation (18%), school or training (I1%),
and medicai care (11%). Fourteen percent of
parents mentioned child caze. These aze similaz
to 1997 figures, with a four-point rise in
. transportation needs and a three-point drop in
school or �aining needs.
�
�
Youth most often mentioned a job (35%), school
or training (30%), financial assistance (26%),
food (16%), and clothing (13%). The oniy
notable change from 1997 was an increase in the
men6on of food, up from 12 percent to 16 percent.
Twenty-four percent of adults, and 63 percent of
families, were receiving MFIp (welfare) benefits
at the time of the survey. Seventy-fow percent
of families had received MFIP during the past 12
months. Of these, 21 percent had lost MFIP
benefits during that time, and 31 percent had
been sanctioned. For comparison, figures from
the Minnesota Departiment of Human Services
show that 25 percent of the general MFIP
population were sanctioned over the coucse of a
compaiable 12-month period. Twenty-eight
percent of homeless MFIP recipients were
exempt from work requirements at the time of
the interview, compared with 22 percent of the
generai NffIP population at any given time.
Physical and mernal health
✓
✓
✓
35°k ot homeless adu@s say they need
professional care for a physlcai health
problem. Over half need dentai work.
37°� vlsited an emergency room in the
past 6 months, an average of 2.5 times.
38% have a diagnosed mentat iliness, up
from 32°k in 1997.
✓ 15°k t�ave a"dual diagnosis" of inental
iliness and alcohol or drug disorder.
✓ 32°� consider themselves aicohoiic or
chemically dependent
On the day of the survey, 35 percent of homeless
adults said they needed to see a health professional
for a physicat health problem, 30 pe�ent for an
emotional or mental heaith problem, and 13
percem for an aicohol or drug problem. Fifty-
four percent needed to see a dentist. These rates
are close to those reported in 1997.
Half (51 %) had received care for at least one
illness during the previous 12 months, and 37
percent had received care in an emergency room
during the previous six months. People who had
used the emergency room avecaged 2.5 visits
during this period.
Twenry-eight percent reported various barrieTs
that kept them from getting needed heaith care.
The main bazrieis reported were no money (33%)
and no insutance (28"/0).
Mental illness affects a growing proportion of
homeless Minnesotans. Thirty-eight percent (up
from 32% in 1997) had been told by a doctor or
nurse, within ffie past two yeazs, that they had
schizophrenia, manic-depression, some other
type of delusional disorder, major depression,
anti-social personality disorder, or post-traumatic
stress disocdez Twenty-nine nercent har�
received outpatient care for mental health
probiems at some time in their lives, and 18
percent had previously lived in a facility for
people with mentai health probiems.
Mimeuta statewide swey of people wiUwut permanent shelter: Pretiminary findings. Febnwry 2000
9
��.
Fifteen percent had a dual diagnosis of at least
one mental illness and a drug or alcohol disorder.
Nineteen percem had been diagnosed with
aicohol a�xtise disorder, and 13 percent with drug
abuse disorder (both vay ciase to 19971evels).
Thirty-two pa�cent caffii� �'eemselves aicoh�lic
or chemicatly dependent, atsout tl� �mc ��
1997. Thirty-eight percent had been in a drug or
alcohol treatme� facility, 19 percent within the
past two yeazs. Thirty-orn percent had ever been
in an alcohol or drug outpatient treatinem
Pro�•
Of ihe 5 percent of homeless adults whose most
recent ins�itutionat experie�e had beea a drug or
alcohol trraatme¢t face7ity, lnst over hatf {51 %)
had had no stable place to live when they left the
facility, although 70 percent had been offered
follow-up or aftercare.
For slightly fewer than 2 percent of homeless
adults, the most recent institutional stay was in a
mental hospital, and 45 percent of those had been
released �vethomt a s�le place to stay. Just over
half (52%) had beemm offered follow-up or
aftercaze.
Tednical notes
This report presents preliminary findings from a
survey of homeless people conducted by wlder
Research Center, with the help of more than 500
ttained voluoteers, � October 26, 2000. Fifty-three
Pe�o2 of the known adutt population of homeless
sheiters and �stionaE hoysing progams
Participated in this simey.
Hecause i�g-term homeless individuals have a
greater chance of being homeless on aay given
survey date than do people who are homeless for
only a brief time, they appeaz more numerous in a
single-night count than they would over the coiuse
of a year. The resulu descnbe those who are
homeless at any given time, some of their
experiences prior to losing their housing, and the
kinds of help they might need.
The fmdings aze representative of the wtal sheitered
populati� of the state, and of the non-sheltered
individuals who were conbcted They do not
re�uesent the imlmown number of unsheltered
homeless who could not be located, nor do they
represern those at imminent risk of losing housing or
dwse who aze doubled up with iti�ds � fami�y,
ARer imerviewing a random sample of sheltered
adults, interviews were weighted to reflect the
lmowa popnlati� of 3,820 sheltered adulu across
�he staze on the date of the survey. The 381
! not weighted because there is no imown populati�
to compaze them with, The totai weighted adult
�1e size is therefore the 3,820 weighted shekered
a�lts �us t6e 38i imweighted non-sheltered adulu,
ar 4,201_ T6e sampie of 209 �maccompanied youth
is �mweiglrted because, as with the non-sheltered
adulu, the tarat popuiation is � lmowa (A full
description of wei8�$ ��o�r.is fwmd-in
the APFendia of the 1997 report, available from
wtder Research Center.)
Mimewta slatewide swey of PeoP1e witl�out permanerq sheHer: Preliminary f�d'egs. Febn�ary 2000
10
i
i
�
- r- �
.
� Defmitions
i
This study uses a definition of homelessness
closely based on the one established by Congess
for progruns operated by the U.S. Depanment of
Housing and Urban Development
A 6omeless individual is anyone who (1) lacks a
fixed, regulaz; and adequate nighttime residence
or (2) has a primary nighttime residence that is a
supervised, publicly or privately opetated
temporary living accommodation, including
emerge�y sheltets, transitional housing, battered
women's sheltecs; or any place not meant for
human habitation.
The two categories of people included in the
federal definition but not included in this survey
are: (1) those at risk of immediate evicrion and
(2) those recently homeless but now in
supportive housing that is not time-limited.
A� . Walk m or referred by a social
service agency
Homeless youth, in this study, aze those who
currently have no parental, substitate, foster, or
institutional home to w}rich they can safely go.
They aze unaccompanied by an aduit and have
spent at least one night either in a formal
emeigency sheher, improvised shelter, doubled-
up, or on the street
"Street" homelessness (non-sheltered): Wilder
Research Center worked with street outrezch
workers throughout the state to locate people in
non-sheltered locations including hot meal sites,
drop-in centeis, encampments, and other outdoor
locations. Non-sheltered persons stay in cars,
abandoned buildings, tents or makeshift shelters,
or hallways of apartment buildings. They may
aiso spend the night in places open 24 hours a
day or on a bus or tiain. Some go back and forth
beriveen non-sheitered sites and emergency
shelteis on different nights.
Battered women's
Emerqency shelters sheiters 7ransitionai housirq
. If space is limited, may be
selected by lottery___ —,.
Services • Safe sleeping space
. Most open only evenings and
overnight rarely available for
peopie who work nights and sleep
days
. Some sites provide other services
like hot meals, health care,
employment and/a housing
information, and connections to
other services
�
Lergtl� . Up to 30 days
oi stay
• Walk in or referred
by an agency w
advocate
• Safe refuge fa
women and their
thitdren when fleeing
an abusive situation
• legatadvocacyand
moral support for
women while they
work on a longer-term
soluGon to their
situalion
. Untii safe housing
can be artanged;
uwaily up to 30 days
• Walk in or referred by a
social service agency or
shelter program
• Housing and wpport
services
• Must be willing to work
with a case manager to set
family and housing
stability goals to prevent
future homelessness
. Most are famity-focuse�,
but some serve other
sP�� PoP�s such
as veterans, singie aduits,
or persons with special
. Up to 24 morrths
Mimesota statewide s�rrey of people witlaut permanent shelter: Refiminary fuMirgs, February 200D
71
7'his document is available online at
www wilder.org/reseazch.
For more information about the study, contact
Greg Owen at 651-647-4612 or Ellen Sheiton at
651-637-2470.
Wilder Research Center
Suite 210
1295 Bandana Bouiavard North
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651-647-4600
reseuch@wilder.org
, �ra�EasT H
Wl LDFR
FOUIVDAT101�
ProjeCt staff
Greg Owen, study director
June Heineman
Ellen Shelton
Justine Nelson-Chris6nedaughter
Deir�e Hinz
Stud� finders
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Minnesota Departrnent af Children, Families &
Leazning
Minnesota Departmem af Ecoaomic Secwity
Minnesota Departrnent of Health
M�nnesota Departrnent of Human Services
Mianesota Departrnent of Vetecans� Affairs
14l"mnesota Veterans' Home Board
Family Housing Fund
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
Amherst H. wlder Foundation
FelltLQly 1�]
�
` J
�
MnnesoU slatewide swey of peopM witlaut permm�e�u shelter: PretimirrotY fmdirgs. febn�ary 2000
12
"`Family Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 1 of 3
.
FAMILY HOUSING FUND
BACKTO HOME
�
.
ABOUiJ1fFORDABLE A60UiTHE PROGRAMS PUBLKEDlKAT10Pt POLICY LIfYKS SEARCH
HOIKIt`G FUPlD bR£SEARCH INffIATIVES -0
Children P:n the i';is f'o� ;?nmcle.._�c.�
u
By any conventional measure, the Twin Ciries' economy is
soaring. Thousands of jobs aze being created each year, the
unemployment rate continues to hover azound two percent,
and property values are rising throughout the cities and the
suburbs.
S In the midst of fhis prosperity, one indicator of the azea's well-
� being is growing faz worse: the increasing number of children
who aze homeless. This year, as the metro area faces a severe
shortage of affordable housing, thousands of Twin Ciries
children and their parents will spend time in homeless shelters and other emergency housing
because they have no permanent place to live.
�
�'{Ot37C1C�>fIE'�� ]ISISUl1a CElt�(�fCil l� fl>Lil�r
Homelessness among people of all ages has risen sharply in the Twin Cities metropolitan
azea. From 1987 to 1999, the number of people living in metro-azea temporary housing, such
as emergency shelters and transitional housing, has more than tripled.
The sheer increase in homelessness does not tell the whole story, however. More than ever
before in the Twin Cities, a homeless person is likely to be a child. During the same 12-year
period, the number of children living in temporary housing grew more than seven times,
from 244 on one night in 1987 to 1,770 on one night in 1999.(1) The average age of a
homeless child in the Twin Cities is just six and a half.(2)
The sharp increase in homelessness
oN=,-r;icHZ: OUNTOF<HI�RRENt�1h:f7Rp-.44�AS:iELT� �s �ongchildrenandfamiliesis
��oo straining public and private agencies'
ability to provide emergency shelter to
"� all who need it. For example, in
' Hennepin County, shelters are full
; ,, a every night, and the County is sending
more families to motels to spend the
�� � � � night. If trends continue, this year
` ' 6,000 chiidren will spend time in
�^..^:°.-�,rw�,�.�, �,-.,�.*::.;.�,.:^.;�,k<„•.�,:M:,�-=,�,r„�,��,�.ry-'�, publicandprivatesheltersinHennepin
County alone.
}'si,�o3cie..,3_., h�i,tn� citildreis'. I�c.ait}, a��:i <l"�•(oun�ent
� The jump in family homelessness comes just as new evidence is �- "^ i�ssvess
emer in about the harmful effects of homelessness on '+F�ecT > c-:ioaerv•z
g g �re�.�
children's health and development. Recent studies show that �_, �, ,,�«, �, ,,,� „
http://www. fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
'l�amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Research -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 2 of 3
� Homelessness harnu children's physical health. Homeless
children aze more likely than housed children to suffer &om
chronic illnesses such as cazdiac disease, neurological disorders,
and asthma Homeless children aze also at high risk of
infectious disease, such as respiratory infections and
tuberculosis. Poor nutrition contributes to homeless children's
health problems. Homeless children aze six times more likely
than others to have stunted growth and seven rimes more likely
to be anemic.
�
�
6on.tc...hd.tr�v fu�..
. : ��mn �n� �� �rrcw�
mlcaRw-,
. z wnc, �he wc orah+cwmi+
. � �,�r� �hc m4 �s.n�ad gro»<n
. -;:au+��rc,s.nr�.�anu
Homelessness interferes with children's development. Most
yoti�e�ess�ess homeless pre-schoolers experience a major developmental
n��e�sc-,t4aerr; delay, such as delayed speech. Older homeless children
�evEZ�en�� �;T experience four times the rate of developmental delays, twice
c..��,� �„ �n�.�w��e n,M,n, the rate of learning disabiliries and three times the rate of
�.u.a �h�w�m i�,�r. emotional and behavioral problems as housed children.
� J umes ehcn2e uf dcrxMpmevcii
,�� Homelessness prevents children
from performing well in school. In
�? timc�. ih, r.uc af'�eom:ng addirion to their developmental
'�� problems, homeless children
. �,n,es,n�,,,rof�n,ar;o,,,�,,,J experience frequent moves that
k�,���3i ���«. make it hard for them to keep up in
school. Almost half of homeless
children attend two different schools in one yeaz, and more than
a quarter attend three or more schools in a year. As a result,
three-quarters of homeless children perform below grade level in
reading, and more than half perform below grade level in math.
(3)
i;a.'rc:i.� ii� 1toz�tcle..ne>� linl.cd tr, aClor�+:�hlc hi,i�.ina
.
yCrn:L:55NESs
A%FEC�': C�+il`Jft£N'S
:<aooi
P;RF�7[iMAl�t<E
� i('. nf hoorlas �ildrea aucM
�v.� ��r mavr uM�+l. m mx ��ar
� ?h". unnul Il;rr.i <,c mur �chu��a
,o ou. vtu
� 7;"Sofhot�ctnechrldrstl�csn
hcl.�. }v+�.4 k�al mxc+diny
� is°'. urnonxa�y ��ukfral.ltex
bcl�n. �tadc Ie� ef cn nw�h
The long-term causes of homelessness are complex: poverty, family violence, chronic
conditions such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and crises such as job loss, illness,
or divorce. However, because these aze constant, ongoing social conditions, they cannot
explain the recent sharp increase in homelessness in the Twin Cities. What has changed in
recent yeazs is the escalating shortage of affordable housing.
In the early 1990s, rental housing was plentiful, with vacancy rates above seven percent.
However, for the past three years, the Twin Cities' rental vacancy rate has remained below
rivo percent, driving rent increases well above the inflation rafe. The housing shortage is
crearing a new class of working homeless families. According to the Wilder Reseazch
Center, in 1997, one-fourth of inetro-area homeless families with children received most of
their income from working. Of these, over half were earning more than $1,000 per month.(4)
Yet, with so little housing available, many families with some money or a voucher for
housing still cannot find a unit. They are homeless only because of the shortage of housing
and escalating rents.
We have seen that good economic times alone will not guarantee a home for every child in
Yhe Twin CiTies. Without a significant increase in the affordable housing supply, children
will continue to pay the price for homelessness.
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
�'amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 3 of 3
� 1. Office of Economic Qpporiunity, Minnesota Department of Children, Families &
Learning, Quarterly Shelter Survey, 1985-1999.
2. Wilder Reseazch Center, Minnesota Statewide Survey of Persoru Without
Permanent Shelter, Volume L• Adulfs and their Children, 1998.
3. Better Homes Fund, Homeless Children: America's New Outcasts, 1999; Housing
America, There's No Place Like Home: How America's Housing Crisis Threatens Our
Children, 1999; Family Housing Fund, Homelessness and Its EfJ'ects on
Children, 1999.
4. Based on data from Wilder Reseazch Center's Statewide Survey of Persons Without
Permanent Shelter.
i i��r ���c;� ��:fz;r:.�..::i< i
Family Housing Fund, Home[essness and Its Effects on Children, 1999. Available from
Family Housing Fund: 801 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1840, Minneapolis, MN 55402,
www.flifiuid.or�
The Better Homes Fund, America's New Outcasts: Homeless Children, 1999. Available from
the Better Homes Fund: 181 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459-3344, www.tbhf.orQ
Housing America and Doc4Kids Project, There's No Place Like Home: How America's
� Housing Crisis Threatens Our Children, 1999. Available &om Housing America: 126 Ayde
Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, www.iQC.orp/housin�america/report.html
***
This publication is part of a Public Education Initiative on affordable housing sponsored by
the Family Housing Fund. The Family Housing Fund is a private, nonprof:t corporation
whose mission is to preserve and expand quality affordable housingfor low- and moderate-
income families in the seven county metropolitan area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The
Public Education Initiative provides informational materials on a variety of issues related to
affordable housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Family Housing Fund, Midwest Plaza West, Suite 1840, 801 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
MN 55402, Tel: 612-375-9644, Fas: 612-375-9648, www.fhfund.orQ
December 1999
To download a copy of this fact sheet as a.pdf file, click here. To read .pdf files, you will
need to install Adobe� Acrobat� Reader, which is available for downloading for free by
clicking here.
�
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm 3/13/2001
� Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and the City Council
On Homelessness in Saint Paul
by
The Overnight Shelter Board
Members
•
Jim Anderson Jeanne Katz
David Cobb Kristin Livdahl
3ames Denno Signe Masterson
Perry deStefano Bob Odman
Allen Hester Ana Seifert
Leonard Jackson John Van Hecke
October, Z000
This report is submitted pursuant to Ordinance 17292 (Council File 85-i 17b}, which cails for a
assessment current shelter availability, anti to recommend programs or plans to provide ovemight
shelter for homeless persons.
�
Report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City Council
. Year 2000
Description of fhe Shelter System
The emergency shelter system in St Paul and Ramsey County is the product of private and public
efforts to assist homeless people. It operates at one levet in the summer (31 I beds 94%
occupied) and expands to larger capacity in the winter(456 beds). It generally runs full year
round.
The emergency shelter locations and sponsors aze:
The Union Gospei Mission - 82 beds summer plus the additional 25 mats winter
The Family Sheiter (formerly Lowry Shelter) - 55 beds for families and single women
Mary Hall - 20 beds for single men
The Council of Churches church network -18 beds for families in 1999, now increased to
36 beds
Dorothy Day extended hours program -120 floor mats for men women and occasionally
children. (Sometimes called "Safe Waiting")
How the system functioned in 1999 through September of 2000
Not everyone gets into shelter. Some are turned down because there is no room availabie. This
. happened to 49 people on September 5, 2000. Others are rejected because they appear to have
wasted their own resources. They aze not tracked and we do not know �chere they go.
Hennepin County social workers often ask why so many homeless come from Ramsey County.
Ramsey County staff speculate that a large uncounted number simply do not apply for
emergency shelter because the "chronic word on_the street is that the beds are full." That
speculation seems verified by the fact that the "1999 overflow strategy" of providing 120 mats
on the floor of the Dorothy Day center filied on a matter of days in December 1999. (November
1 is the projected start for the overflow shelter space.)
Projections for the Winter season of 2000 -2001
This level of emergency shelter appeazs to be barely adequate for the anticipated 2000-2001
�vinter crush. Though the number of spaces aze the same as last year, procedures are in place to
improve the referral to shelter ihat had some failures in the 1999-2000 w�inter season. Assuming
a safisfactory connection between homeless individuats and vacancies in the system, the system
as a whole may still experience ciays in which there is no more space. (Unseasonably cold
weather befote Idovember 1 will most certainly cause this to happen.) However, on the whole,
most should be able to get indoors during bad weather. Stated differentl}�, it is fair to say that the
projected margin of safety in the number of emergency shelter beds is dan�erously thin.
�
� Who pays for Emergency Shelter?
Emergency shelter costs money ($2.1 million per yeat in our City and Count}�).
Ramsey County picks up the largest amount of that cost ($914,546).
The private sector ( lazgely faith-based communities, private donors, and the United Way)
holds second place with approximately $676,482 in supporting the emergency sheiters.
Federal and state sources provide $264,484
User fees of $101,1$1 round out the field.
�io�•ing on from Emergency Shelter
Not everyone who gets into shelter moves out to their own apartment or into transitional housing.
The reason is there is not enough of either resource. The length of stay is limited to 30 days in a
calendar quarter, or until they have a source of income and begin to pay the per diem cost of $32.
As a consequence, many return to the streets (see Wilder Report dated August 2000
http://www.wilder.org/research/reports/pdf/ramseyshelter9-OO.pdfl, some directly and others
after a short term stay with an acquaintance or friend. The amazing fact is that not more return to
shelter in spite of the shortage of housing in all price ranges.
Challenges facing our community relative to sheltering homeless people and assisting them
� to change their circumstances.
Challenge 1
The lack of affordable housing for those with incomes below $6/hr -$12/ hr is a cork in the
emergency shelter bottle. It keeps people in emergency sheiters and transitional housing longer
and reduces the number of people served. A# the same time more and more people (singles and
families) are turned ativay from emergency sheiter. Emergency shelter intake is actively
encouraoin� families to double up in the private sector, whenever it appeazs to be feasible over
the short ierm.
The affordable housin� problem is esacerbaied by shortage of rental inventon� in the City of
Saint Paul and its surroundin� suburban communities. The shortage is creating pressure on
those at the median income and lotiver income levels as rents across the board rise faster that
incomes. Higher income peo�Ia are renting Iower sYrata units just to ensure possession of a unit.
The suppiy of advertized units in Saint Paul has remained below 1% of the totai 1990 census
count durin� the first 9 months of the year 2000. The demand for units has created a ripple
effect which has forced rents upwazd on formerly affordable units. The rise has been at
compounding 10% rates over the last 3 yeazs. The Housing Information Center Reports
occurrences of single step rent increases of $40, $50 up to $200 a month. �'Jorking poor aze
being squeezed in this market.
� Recommendation 1
That the City and County continue to create rental units affordable to households �vith incomes
� belo�v 50 % of the metropolitan median ($15.79/hr for a family of four). In reality every East
Metro community needs to live up to their responsibility in this regazd. It should be noted that
the 1,200 -1,500 new housing starts in Saint Paul anticipated before the end of 200] will have
20% of the units priced for families and individuals �vith incomes at or below• 50% of the median
income. Haif of those lower rent units will be priced as affordable to those with incomes at 30%
of the median income. Ttus is a strong step in the right direction. However, these units alone will
not resolve homelessness in the east metro region. Other cities throughout Ransey County aze
encouraged to follow suite.
Challenge 2
The City of Saint Paul count of vacant buildings is approximately 440. Most of those buildings
aze in various states of disrepair. The vast majority of those buildings are in private hands and
are reoccupied each year. On average, the city loses about 35 units per yeaz between private and
city sponsored demolitions (see 1999 vacant building report in the appendix). The owners of
those buildings frequentiy do not have an active plan for their renovation. Frequently personal
circumstances such as finances, personal wiil, clouded titles, institutional expansion etc. cause
these units to remain vacant and often in disrepair for extended periods. In a number of
instances, structures are demolished under the vacant building ordinance rather than steered into
redevelopment as affordable housing.
Recommendation 2
� Given the shortage of the supply of affordable units, the City should begin an aggressive effort
to determine whether there aze other strategies that can achieve rennovation of those structures
that aze on the potential demolition list. Possibly a private-public partnership with the
professional landlord community can evaluate the various altemative approaches to saving
vacant housing structures and retum them to occupied status in the shortest possible time.
Challenge 3
The number of emerQency shelter beds that we have available is not adequate durin� the summer
months when we have peak demand for families. Nor is it adequate in the winter even with the
seasonally espanded capacit}�. Up to 120 people per night slept on mats on the floor of the
Dorothy Day center in their "extended hours" program from December 1949 through Apri12000.
A surprising nucnber of people using the floor mats had steady incomes. This is not a
satisfactory long term solution for the overfiow to our system. Our city needs creative
approaches to provide a more stable alternative for the non-transient members of this population.
Recommendation 3
That the City and County continue to maintain support for existing shelters and safe «,�aiting
options. Ho�vever, �ce need additional emergency shelter. `�'e encourage them to look for ways
� to pro��ide additional shelter for at least those homeless people with steady incomes.
i
Challenge 4
A number of social service providers have been effective in restricting the flo�v of families and
individuals who are in precarious economic situations from becoming homeless. Among them
are programs
that pay delinquent utility bills,
provide rental deposits for people moving out of shelters,
provide free fumiture, provide free basic used fumiture,
offer eviction prevention counseling, etc.
There is a two edged benefit to this effort. It diverts people from emergency sheiter, and it
provides low income people with hope as they struggle to live their lives in a productive fashion
Recommendation 4
The Ovemight Shelter Board encourages continued support (both economic and policy) by the
City, the County and the foundations of our community for policies and practices, such as those
listed above, that keep families and individuals in their current units out of emergency shelter.
The cost of doing so is often less that shelter stays and helps maintain the integrity of the families
benefited..
* PERSPECTIVES OF SEI2VICE PROVIDERS WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS
POPULATION
Comment �vas invited by the Overnignt Shelter Boazd from a vaziety of service programs in Saint
Paul. The perspectives of a health caze program, a drop-in-center, a case manager at a Single
Room Occupancy facility and of emergency shelter overflow program aze shared below.
Perspectives from Health Pro��iders
Identifred ueeds of Saint Pa�i!'s Hon:eless
- By Helene Freint, Director of Health Care for the Homeless
Health Caze for the Homeless (HCH) provides medical and mental health services in 9 different
sites in Ramsey County. HouseCalls works to prevent families in crisis from losing their
housing. We are in a unique position to speak about the needs of homeless and near-homeless
people because we meet them in so many different situations.
The first and most pressing need of everyone we meet is for housing. Many of HouseCalls'
families aze living in substandard, unacceptable conditions. Yet_ Yhey are lucky to have a home
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 4
.
tl�at they can afford. Some homeless single adults are ���orking full time and they still can't
� afford mazket rate renu. Homeless children who go off to school after spending the night in a
makeshift "shelter" church basement need a home so they can do their best.
Mental health issues aze prevalent in all of our sites. Homeless single adults and mothers with
children need easier access to mental health services. Single mothers are of particular concern
because they aze raising children. These women need support to cope and succeed. Fortunately
HCH has psychiatrists and a psychologist, supported by public heaith nurses with expertise in
mental health to address some of the need. Other homeless providers need training and
assistance in dealing with mental il]ness. Children need mental health services to address the
issues that develop from growing up without routine and stability.
Higher numbers of chronic disease patients aze seeking caze at our HCH clinics. They need
primary care, medications, nutrition and patient education. Trying to control diabetes and high
blood pressure while you are homeless is terrifically challenging. Access to podiatry care is
needed to address the frequent foot problems that aze inherent to the homeless lifestyle.
Recuperative space is needed for patients who require a wazm and dry place to heal from an
illness. Local hospitals need support for placing homeless patients once they are ready for
discharge. The St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Public Health supports one bed at the
Union Gospel Mission through HCH for such a purpose but the need exceeds the one bed
currentty available. St. Paui needs respite for women.
• This summazizes the most urgent needs of the homeless patients and clients �vho we meet in our
programs. The emergency service support provided by the Shelter Boazd is essential to the
community. Thank you for your attention to these concems.
Perspectives from a Drop in and Counseting Center
Service Gaps Experienced By Hon:eless People
-by Rosmarie Reoer-Rumsey, Director of Listenin� House
In spite of the many services available to poor people, some small barriers continue to obstruct
fonvard pro�ress by homeless and low income people in our city.
The bi� ticket items like housing, employment and health caze, �vhile being addressed, have a long
way to go. in ad�ition, ihere are other "gaps in service" can hold up progress. People can get very
ciose to res€rlving their issue, and discover there is "one more fee or expense" necessary to get that
job, house or medication. In response, Listening House of St. Paul started a small, circular fund
to address some of these gaps. Many requests are turned down because of our limited budget and
the nature of a circulaz fund, which is only available as guests pay us back. The examples below and
K:\sihhv\s�repOrt00 Paee 5
• `
our experience of them tell volumes about the challenges faced by our low income guests:
� Employment:
Transportation: This is a problem, especially when work is temporar}� and when the job site is
in the suburbs. Listening House guests must confirm employment and sien a loan agreement
agreeing to paying us back before a bus card is purchased. (Our retum rate of payment for bus
cards has been poor - 32%.)
• Gas Money: Retum rate is excellent (80%)
• Union Dzies: Construction companies have hired a number of guests, many cvho were union
trades people at one time. Union dues must be current before workers aze allowed to start on
site. (Return rate of payment for union dues (3) has been good - rivo of three guests returned the
money.)
• Tools: (Especially for carpenters) Two requests - both paid back w�ithin one month of
empioyment.
• Clothingandshoes: Greatest number ofrequests are for uniforms (usually white tops with biack
pants for food service) and steel toed boots. (Retum rate of payment has been good - 58%)
• Lodging: Guests have often requested the $ 4.50 needed at the Union Gospel Mission for a bed.
Having a place for a restful sleep and waking on time to get to work may mean the difference
between keeping the job or being let go. Checks aze 1-2 weeks afrer employment begins.
(Retum rate on payment - excellent - 70%)
Housing:
• Application Fees: Listening House does not assist with application fees.
• Partial deposits/rent: We have mostly assisted long time guests who we l:now well. Return
� payment 100%.
Motel fees: We no longer assist with motel fees - we assisted three people, none of whom
returned payment.
• Tent: We have helped two people (non-veterans) buy a tent (50% pay back)
Storage:
This is a huge problem! Lockers/storage is available for a limited time at the Dorothy Day Center,
but �vith greater numbers of people �vithout shelter for longer periods of time, storaee limits have
expired. Families uzth more and larger bags have an exasperating rime gettin� around to the needed
services �zth no piace to set their bags. Listening House offers storage for t�co �r only - our
time limits were primarily dictated by space (we don't have any) and the inereasin� problem with
mice (due to food in the bags.) �
Miscellaneous:
• Co peryrnent for Prescription hledication: Guests who have medicare often do not have
medication coveraae. Other guests have insurance coverage but cannot afford the co-payment
to�vard ttae medicatian. The Healthcare for the Homeless team can assist people without
covera�e, but cannot always help insured individuals. Additionally, the Healthcare team cannot
purchase any prescribed nazcotic. (Retum payment has been excellent for this request.)
• Lai�ndry Fncilities: Ventin� problems (and expensive repair costs) have caused The Dorothy
Day to stop offering this service. There is no convenient downto�rn iaundromat and money
K:\s�h\w\s�report00 Pa�e 6
�
c��ould be an issue even if there was a private facility. Our experience is that poor peopie aze
� most offended by the smells of poverty. Positive job interviews are nearly impossible without
clean clothes. Repairing this lost service would be greatiy appreciated!
Perspectives from a Case Manager at a Supportive Housing Site
Homelessness - IVI:y?
- by Robert Giles II - Case Manager Coordinator at Mary Hall Supportive Housing and SRO
Programs
There are many different reasons why there is so much homelessness. We can say
because of welfaze reform, racism, economics, mental illness, chemical dependency, family .
issues, criminal history, and ne�v immigrants.
Because of the housing shortage, landlords can pick and choose to whom they want to rent.
They are able to set higher and higher income standards to insure the payment of the rent.
Frequently, the renters are asked to produce a deposit, the first months rent and the last months
rent. The simple $500 apartment becomes $I,500 expense in the first month that you move in.
What person, working minimum wage would be able to afford paying that, all at one time? This
exampie is basically for a single person who wants to live in a nice apartment - not an apartment
that is days away from being torn down for housing code violations.
Those with borderline mental illness or retardation are not eligible for a Rule 36 housing facility.
� So you have people with mild mental health issues also trying to find housin�. As a rule, they aze
not the ones picked by the landlords as the new renter. A present day puzzle that troubles many
is the fact that immigrants from Africa on assistance (read steady income) seem to be favored
over a low income, minimum wage eaming African-Americans. This has led to confusion.
The incomes aze rou�tily the same. The color is the same, yet , they still fzel discriminated
against.
There is no available low-income housing. The affordable units that exist ha��e a waiting lists
that vary from several months to yeazs. Agencies such as Wilder, Catholic Charities, etc. are
doino the best they can but local government must do more. There are man}� ���ays the local
govemment could get involved and assist the housing pro�rams to provide more affordable
housing. I could go on, and on to address the barriers faced by the person who has been
incazcerated and has to start over; the person who has been in treatment for alcohol or drugs and
discovers there are not enough sober houses. Where does he/she go? All we can do is pray that
God will provide.
Perspectives from an Emergency Overflow Shelter Administrator
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 7
�
"�Vhat Do the Homeless Say They Need?"
� -by Steven Kearney, Program Supervisor porothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program 1999-2000
To open...you shouid know that I concur with the general consensus that emergency shelter
facilities are not the ans�ver to the housing shortage and homeless problems that �r�e have
developed in this country. Sheiters are strictly a band-aide being appiied to a gaping wound.
The oniy true cure to the plight of the homeless is safe, respectable and affordable housing. In
spite of this fact, secure waiting and shelter facilities are indeed an important link in the
continuum of caze for the homeless and poverty stricken. In many cases that I have personaily
counseled and mana�ed, the provision of basic shelter was the first and most important step to
stabilization.
The problem of homelessness is not a problem that we can blame on any one politician, group
of politicians or administration throughout the course of U.S. history. Extensive homelessness as
«�e I:now it today is something that took many generations of class and racial poverty to develop.
This problem will take a concerted effort on the part of many govemmental and social bodies to
correct. There is no instant cure for this social ailment.
It is important that we listen to what the homeless peopie have to say about their own situation
and needs. In our lofty positions as caze givers, and as social workers, we ha��e a tendency to
develop opinions, and plans, based more on the statistics and measurements that we make than
on the things the people we serve have to say to us about what they need. The one request I heaz
� most frequently when listening to homeless people talk about their most urgent need is a"decent
place to stay every night." A place that is secure, safe, wann, clean, friendly, supportive, and
restfui. The homeless are telling me they need to know that each night they can count on that
place that wzll afford to them the opportunity to stabilize and begin to build some structure; a
place to receive a little food, a shower, a guarantee that it will be there for them each night. They
need a dependabie place so that when they make plans for the future, the}� will not be facing an
ever changin� source of shelter from one day to the next.
In closing...�Ve need to accept the fact that becoming homeless is a process, and so getting out of
the nrt of homelessness is a process as well. The majority of the homeless people I interview and
�� ork ���ith tell me that they have a problem with some of the thin�s we, as social workers, say
about them. One major point they make boils down to this. We should ���om• less about the idea
of "�varehousing" people and focus more on how we can provide a decent place for them to get
their footine re-established. "If I could have a jail cell sized room in a buildin� of five hundred
rooms, �vhere I ha��e a door I can lock, a window I can open and look out of, a sink I can wash
my face in, a kitchen I can cook in, and a shower down the hail I can bathe in, I would not feel
de�raded in any �vay. I need a safe and decent place to live." These �vords come from Rodney, a
man who has been stru;glin� with mental illness and the need for an affordable place to live for
four years. He is stiil looking.
K:\s\hhv\s\report00
Pa�z 8
��
. Emergency Shelter Expenses in 1999
for St Paul and Ramsey County
Agency Budget Donations User
Private and Fees*
United Way
Union $331,000 $258,000 $73,000
Gospel Mission
Mary Hall $174,598 $ 15,435 $13,342
Lowry Family Shelter
$823,787 $ 37,752 $14,839
$178,760* *
Church Overflow
System $ 74,000 $ 35,000
Dorothy Day
Overflow $101,295 - - - -
Luiheran Social Service
� Safe House $280,450 $ 63,000 --
$ 30,450**
Ain Dah Yung
Youth
Shelter $321,553 $ 58,337 --
�
FederallState
ESG
FEMA
$30,000
$53,838
$64,800
$187,000
$90,484
Ramsey
County
�
$115,821
$538,598
$ 39,000
$48,483
$172,712
Total S2,118,598 32% 5% 19% 43%
ESG = Emergency Shelter Grant. This is federal money that is distributed to Emer�ency
Sheiters by the City of Saint Paul
FEMA = Federai Emergency Management Agency. These aze federai Grants to localities to
defray emergency shelter and food costs .
* Shelter Guests at times pay for their own shelter costs
* * United Way contribution
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 9
•
September Rents in St Paul
�zoo
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Rental costs over time in Saint
Paul
The rents shown are the average costs of
the different size of apartments
(determined by the number of
bedrooms) in September of each
respective year.
One bedroom rents rose by 11.7 % and
then by a compounded 12.4% from one
September to the next.
("-� 3 Br Rent � 2 Br Rent
,'_�_I 1 Br Rent
Two bedroom rents rose by 10.8% and
were followed by a compounding 9.5%
Three bedroom rents showed a 23.7 % increase, follo�ved by a compounding increase of
5.9 % increase in September 2000.
• Count of Advertized units in
Count of Advertized Units the Saint Paul Pioneer Press
,00
SD
60
40
20
n
� 1 bedroom
3 bedroom
K:\sih\w\s\report00
2 bedroom
The count of units a�•ailable for study
have dropped steadily from 1994.
In September 2000, the supply of all
uniYs advertized with prices in the St
Paul Pioneer Press �cas only 55% of its
peak in September 1994.
The current level of advertized units is
at 0.3% on the units tabulated in the
1990 census.
Pase 10
.
1998 1999 2000
1998 �999 2000
Clearly many unadvertized units are available, but tight market conditions have made
� advertizing unecessary.
Recent national housing reports highlighting the shortage of affordable hovsing for low
income households:
OLit Of RQQC/L:
Tlre Gap Between Hotrsing Cvsts and Income of Poor Peop[e in the United States
available at
http:/hvww.nlihc.or�/,
Included datl on Twin Cities is at
httn:/hvww.niihc.ore/c¢i-bin/data pl�getstate=on&getmsa=on&msa=minneanolisstoaul&stlte—vIN
Tl:e I�idening Gap: Neiv Findin�s on Housing Affordability in An:erica
http://www.huduser.org/nublications/affhsg/gan html
lYaitino in Virin: A�r Undate on America's Rental Hotrsing Crisis
htfiJhv�ytiv.huduser.org/nublications/af#hsg/waiting html
.
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa;e I1
` J
Update to the year 2000 report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City
� Council
�ast Yeazs report declared that the system seem to be harely adequate to meet the demand for
shelter. That prediction proved true. The `�vinter safety valve program" �ow as the Extended
Hours Program at i�e Doroth}� Day ��andied more p�pie than in previous years. They
aLs° tumed awaY t 77 i�vi�als in spite of 8ie fact that the capacity had swelled to 150 people
per nighx In some cases "hnning p�ple away" was for lack of space. Others turned away were
those shelter seekers who failed to pass the .1 breathalyzer test.
With one of the tightest housing markets in the United States, the corresponding upward
pressure on rents and sale prices adds to the numbers of homeless. Full time work at entry level
wages will not guarentee you access to a unit and eacit from emergency shelter. This problem is
expected to continue for the forseeable future.
Projections for the Winter of 2001-2002
It would appeaz that with nationai and regional economics slowing down, Saint Paut and
Ramsey county will experience more people out of work, short of cash for rent, and eventually
out of their apartments and houses. The present capacity of the shelter system will probably fali
short of ineeting the demand more often than it did last winter.
� The recommendations of the ihis body last October remain valid in the minds of the Overnight
Shelter Boazd members. To reiterate, those recommendarions are:
1) That the polirical bodies of the City and County Continue to create rental units
affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the metropolitan median income
($17.95 for a family of four).
2) That the city shou�d begin an aggressive effort to deYermine whether there are
add�ti�a1 shafegies that can achieve renovatian of �ose structures that are on the
potential demolition list.
3) That the City and County continue to support existing shelters and safe waiting
programs and find ways to create additional sheiter or at least an improved housing
alternative for Yhose with steady incomes in the emergency shelters
4) 'That the City, the County, and the community foundadons of �e east metro continue
to support and inerease their contriburions to homeless preveation strategies that keep
P�F� �� exi�g homes. Prevention is lsss cast�y to the public sector and reduces
ihe 3isre��c� m faani}ias.
�
•
Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Aliocations
ESG funds are federal funds passed through the city to subgrentee recipients
1896 1997 1998 1999 2000
Ain Dah Yung Teen Sheiter ES
C Charities Mary Haii Men's Shelter ES
C Charities Dorolhy Day Shelter ES
C Charities Fumiture Warehouse R
C Charities Ramsey County Emergency Shelter �
Cathoiic Charities Eviction Preventio p
Emma Norton Transitional T �I
Episcopal Community Service p �'
Home of Good Shepherd RoseCenter T '
Face to Face S.Zone p ;;
House Calls/W.Side heafth p ij
Josephs coat p
Listening House drop in sheiter p
LSS Teen Safie House ES ��
Project hope/SMRLS P il
St Pauf Councii of Churches Em shelter ;
St Paul Foundation Supplement p i;
St Paul Foundation deposit progra p
St Paul Fndtn E. Shel Support ES j'
Theresa Living Center T
� uvin City Community Voice Mail R
Ider Family Serv p
Wilder SRO Resident Support p
Wilder Naomi p
Women OfNations p
YWCA T
Saint Paul HIO p
Annuai totals
$7,000
$40,000
t�fA
NA
$21,000
NA
$7,000
$15,000
$5,000
$20,000
$25,000
NA
$10,000
$20,000
$16,400
NA
NA
$23,200
N�4
$5,000
NA
NA
$10,000
$1�,000
NA
$2Q,000
NA
2�asoo
$7,000
$30,000
Na
$5,000
530,000
NA
$10,000
$15,000
$5,000
NA
$25,000
$5,000
$14,000
$22,000
$16,400
NA
$13,752
$11,150
NA
$10,000
$5,000
$10,000
$10,000
NA
NA
$25,000
NA
269301.6
$11,440
$30,000
NA
$27,000
$42,000
NA
$15,000
s2o,000
$21,800
iVA
$32,090
NA
$3�,00�
$22,000
$16,450
NA
NA
$27,000
NA
$10,000
$6,250
NA
$10,500
NA
$14,398
$3�,D00
$6,562
372400
$10,000
$15,00�
$52,800
$12,000
NA
$33,000
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$23,006
$15, 000
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
$27,000
$6,500
$5,500
NA
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
NA
336300
$10,000
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
NA
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$25,OD0
$22,000
$22,400
$30,000
NA
$30,000
NA
$10,000
$6,415
NA
$0
NA
NA
$'I1,585
NA
336300
ES Referrs to Emergency Shelter
NA Generaily means that this program did not apply for funds
There was one case where HUD questioned the eligibility of the program from this funding source
P Referrs to fiomeless PreveMion services
R Referrs fo Reintegration Services
T Re#errs to Transitional Housing
s
��
�ecipient Agency
HIC Administration
Project Hope/SMRLS
Listening House
LSS Safe House
Cath Chrty DD shelter
Cath Chrty Mary Hall overflo
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,m
Ain Dah Yung
St Paul Councif fo Chnaches
TCcommunity Voice Maii
Cath Chrty Fumiture
St Paul Foundation
House Calls
Theresa 4iving Center
YWCA
Home/RoseCenter
Emma Norton
Totat
% or the whoie
i
City of St Paui Emergency Shelter Grants
Distributed in response to a Public Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Shelter Board
Grants year 2000
$17,700 a
$22,000 c
$25,000 ds
$22,000 es
$52,800 es
$15,000 es
$30,000 es
$10,000 es
$30,000 es
$6,415 ms
$15,000 ms
$30,000 ms
$35,000 ms
$10,OOQ th
$11,585 th
$6,500 th
$15,000 th
$354,000
5.00%
6.21 %
7.06%
45.14°10
24.41 %
12.17%
Grant summary
by Mission
$17,700 Administration
$22,000 Counseling
$25,000 Day Shefter
$159,800 Emergency Shelter
$86,415 Material Support
$43,085 Transitional Housing
�
Recipient Agency
Cify of St Paul Emergency Shelter Grents
Distributed in response to a Pubiic Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Sheiter Board
Grants year 2000 Grent Categories
Matntloperation Essent Serv Prevention
Ain Dah Yung $10,000 �-
Cafh Chrty Mary Hall overflow $15,000
Cath Chrty DD shetter $52,800
Cath Chrty Fumiture $15,000
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,mp $30,000
Emma Norton $15,000
Home/RoseCenter $6,500
House Calls $35,000
Listening House $25,000
LSS Safe Mouse $22,000
Projeci Hope/SMRLS $22,000
St Paul Council fo Chruches $30,000
St Paul Foundation $30,000
Theresa Living Cennter $10,000
TCcommunity Voice Mail $6,415
YWCA $11,585
HIO Admin $17,700
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
$7,500
$6,50D
$7,000
$i2,500
$10,OOD
$27,275
$10,000
$6,475
$11,585
$7,500
$13,000
$9,500
$12,000
$35,000
$2,000
$30,000
Rehab Admin •
$3,000
$2,725
97,700
�
Total $354,000 $22�,575 $42,000 $67,000 $0 $23,425
0
. . _ o
�
t
�
�
ST . PAUL/RAMSEY COUNTY
FIVE YEAR
HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERSI'ICES
REPORT AND PLAN
�
r • - --
Prepared by
FYve Xear PZan Oversigiit Committee
August�998
�
.
Appendix C
List of Recommendations
t>
2)
Establish a St. Paul/Ramsey County Landlord-Tenant Ed:rcation and
Dispute Resolution Cenfer
Establish a Youth Coordinating Board in Ramsey Coz�nty
3) Support and Expand Ef}'orls to Reduce Disparities in Housing and
Homeless Services Provided to People of Color
4) Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statetivide Homeless Prevention
Planning Council
EMERGENCYSAELTER
A11�'D AFFORDA$LE HOUSING
EMERGENCYSHELTER
5) Support the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners' Decision to
�wn and Qperate the New Family Service Center
6) Provide Emergency Shelter with a Fam
Reunification Fo for
�
�
7) Develop Additional Emergency Shelter Options for Homeless Yozath
When Family Reunif:cation E are Exhausted
8) Devetop a fQ-bed �helter fear Minor Parents and Their Children
�
.
1
A
�
9)
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitiona! Housing for Families
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitional Hozrsing for Sit�gte Adzrlts
♦ Develop .i0 Units of Transitional Housing for Yozrth
PERMANENT HOUSING
10) Support the Preservation of Existing Subsidized Ho:rsing
�
11) Develop Mechanisms to Bring the Resources and Expertise of the
Business Community to Bear to Integrate the Homeless in the Workforce
12) Create an Affordable Hozrsing Owners' Consortium
13) Double the Current Cappcity of Habitat for Hzrmanity
14) Investigate the Feasibility of Establishing a Section 8 Homeownership
Program in Ramsey County -
�
.
2
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
15)
♦ Develop �t00 Units of Permanent Supportive Ho:�sing for Single
fldulrs
♦ Develop 2�Q IJnits of Permanent Supportive Ho:rsing for
Families
♦ Develop 50 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for
Youth
HOMELESS SERVICES
16) Increase Capacity to Deliver Basic Services Essential to Breaking
the CycPe of Homelessness
27) IdenFify dYays to Provide More Intensive Case Management,
Counseling and Financial Management Services
t$) f»eprave Linkages Between Property Oivners and Social
Servzce Praviders
19) Seek Partnerships ivith Yeterans Service Organizations
20) Increase the Hozers and Days Youth Drop-in Centers are Open
�
�
�
�
3
, 21) Study the Feasibility of Creating a Centralized Systern of Intake,
� Assessment and Record Keeping
22) Provide Cultzrral Competency Training to Service Providers
23) Provide the Necessary Technical and Financial Resozrrces
to Agencies of Color -
IMPLEMENTATION
24) City and County StaffShozrld be Given the Responsibility to
Coordinate and Oversee the Implementation of the Five Year Plan
� 25) Create a Funders' Council
��
:
�
• Saint PauURamsey County 5-Year Low Income Housing
And Homeless Services
Report and Plan
A Status Report
(July 2001)
In April 1999, the Saint Paul City Council and the Ramsey County Boazd of Commissioners
adopted and endorsed the recommendarions contained in the Saint PauURamsey County Five-
Year Low Income Housing and Home[ess Services Report and Pla►r.
26 months later, this Status Report takes a look at the progress made towazd meeting those
recommendations, both as recognirion for the work that has been done and as a forceful
reminder of all that remains unfulfilled.
The Five-Yeaz Plan sets forth recommenda6ons that, taken together, seek to make significant
inroads toward:
■ Preventing homelessness
■ Assisting those who are or will become homeless; and
■ Filling the needs for housing and homeless services identitied during the
planning process
• The recommenda6ons have been grouped under four broad categories:
■ Homeless Prevention
■ Shelter and Housing
■ Homeless Services
■ Funding
This report takes a closer look at those four categories of recommendarions. As a guide to
monitoring our progess, a fairly arbitrary system of zero to four stars will be employed as
follows:
Zero Stars = No progress
� One Star = Begivning steps; much work to be done
� Two Stars = Moderate Progress
Three Stazs = Good Progress; not quite finished
Four Stars = Recommendation accomplished
C�
• Homeless Prevention:
Recommendation 1: Establish a Landlord-Tenant Education and Dispute
Resolufion Program.
Status: � The services envisioned by this recommendarion eicist in
our communities. However, they aze not integrated or effecrively
linked to ensure accessibility or easy referral.
Recommendation 2: Improve coordination of youth services in Ramsey County
Status: � Services for homeless youth, in general, haue improved in
both scope and effectiveness due to the dedicated work of agency
staff and volunteers. Nevertheless, only beginuing progress has
been made in improving coordination of services, particulazly
between agencies exclusively working with homeless youth and
broader mainstream youth services providers.
Recommendation 3: Reduce disparities in housing and homeless services provided
to people of calor.
� Status: 0-� Some progress has been made increasing access to
transirional housing and permanent supportive housing for people
of color, but the incidence of homelessness for people of color
remains unacceptably high and points to services and housing
inequity throughout the system.
Recommendation 4: Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statewide Homeless
Prevention Planning Council.
Status: b�i 1� Although a sepazate Homeless Prevention Planning
Council that includes local provider agencies has not been
established, the State Interagency Task Force on Homelessness
consisting of statewide representarives from DHS, DCFL and
Mf��IFA has been working on the issue of better pre-release housing
plazuiing for at-risk persons approaching release from jails and
treatment facilities.
C �
J
• Shelter and Housine:
Recommendation 5: Shelter for homeless youth focused on family reunification.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth
Recommendation 6: Ezpanded shelter space for homeless youth where family
reunification is not an option.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth.
Recommendation 7: Development of 10 bed shelter for minor parents and their
Cluldren.
Status: � There have been plans developed by a local non-profit organization in partnership
with a church congregation to build and run a shelter for minor parents and their ldds. The
project has not started yet, nor has a site been identified.
Recommendation 8: Development of:
■ 100 units of transitional housing for families
■ 100 units of transitional housing for single adults
• ■ 50 units of transitional housing for youth
Status: �'/z Since the adoption of tkris Five-Year P1an, the afFordable rental housing shortage
has continued to worsen. As a result, for some people with poor rental histories, criminal
backgrounds, or chronic or reciuring disabilities, transitional housing limited to 24 months has
not been sufficient to establish self-sufficiency in housing. Therefore, some transirional housing
programs are looking to rid themselves of the arbitrary time-limit by converting to permanent
supportive housing. In general, this conversion has been strongly supported by our local
Continuum of Caze. The Lutheran Social Services Rezek House has recently opened provid'mg
12 new units of transitional housing for youth.
Recommendation 9: Development of:
■ 400 units of permanent supportive housing for single adults
■ 200 units of permanent supportive housing for families
■ 50 units of permanent supportive housing for youth
Status: � Since adop6on of the 5-Year Plan, the following permanent supportive housing
projects have either opened, aze under consirucrion, or aze still in pre-development work putting
together tlie financing required to proceed:
• ■ 153 units for single adults
■ 82 units for families
■ 12 units for youth
� RecommendaHon 10: Support continued legislaHve funding dedicated to the
preservarion of e�sting federally subsidized low income
housing.
Status: 1/2 The State Legislature has allocated a total of $SO,OOQ000 (including
$20,QOO,Q�O allocaYed for the current biennium) for the preserva6on of federally subsidized
housing units. Tlris prograai has been enormously successful. To date, $37,000,000 of state
funding has been committed, which has preserved $186,000,000 in federal subsidies and
leveraged an addirional $63,000,000 in other funding for this purpose. Altogether, over 4,000
units of affordable housing has been preserved for neazly 9,000 people statewide.
Recommendafion l l: County and municipalities should establish a joint policy on
preservation of esisting nonsubsidized low income housing
stock.
Status: 0-� While discussions have taken place which have raised the importance of
preserving our e�sting supply of affordable, non-subsidized housing, agreement on a specific
preservation policy has not been reached.
Recommendation 12: Create an Affordable Housing Owners Advisory Group
. Status: � There has been considerable progress from the County, municipaliries, and lazge
non-profit developers and technical assistance agencies in developing information on sources of
funding and regulatory requirements for developers. However, there has been no progress made
in convening an Advisory Cttoup to provide input and guidance to cities on impediments to
development and recommended solufions. Also, the informarion that is available is scattered and
largely uncoordinated.
Recommendation 13: Encourage development of private market low income
housing by:
■ Adopting a mized use, mixed income policy
■ Bring resources and ezpertise of business community to
integrate more homeless people into the workforce
■ Strengthen the Incentives in the Livable Communiries Act
■ 5upport Habitat for Humanity in doubling its production
capacity locally.
Status: There has been some success in getting municipaliries to adopt mixed use,
mixed income housing. The City of Saint Paul has committed itself to producing 20% of its new
housing to be affordable for people at 50% or less of the azea median income (a.m.i.), with half
of that total affordable to people at 30% or less of the a.m.i. The Community Employment
• Partnership and their creation, Employer Solutions, Inc., has helped to focus the business
community on the mutual benefits of moving people from welfare to work. Habitat for
Huxnanity continues to significantly increase its azea quotas of new housing.
� Homeless 5ervices
Recommendation 14: Increase capacity of agencies to deliver basic services to the
homeless people.
Status: l�t %z It is undeniable that many agencies, beyond those whose missions aze focused on
the homeless, have become more sensitive and awaze of the unique service needs of people who
are homeless or at-risk. We have also seen a nearly 100% increase in fND Continuum of Caze
funding between 1999 and 2001. Neverthelesss, as the housing shortage continues to intensify,
more low income families and individuals become at serious risk of homelessness wlule
homeless prevention dollars have remained relatively static. The net result is that the demand
for emergency shelter, transitional housing and basic services to combat homelessness and to
develop or idenfify housing options for people threatens to overwhelm our service capacity to
respond.
Recommendation 15: More intensive case management, counseling, and financial
management services
Status: � Agencies serving people who aze homeless and those at risk of homelessness
have done very good work expanding the menu of available services. The networks created
through the Family Homeless Prevenrion Providers and the Ramsey County Continuum of Caze
i have promoted timely and effective referrals between agencies to get people in need of services
to the agencies which provide them. As with many of the recommendarions in the Five-Year
Plan, much work needs to be done, particulazly expanding capacity to meet the expanding need.
Recommendation 16: Improve linkages between preperty owners and social services
providers.
Status: In response to the shortage of affordable rental housing, scattered site
transitional housing providers such as the Wilder ROOF Program and housing placement
programs such as the SMKLS Project HOPE have made supportive services to the landlords a
critical piece of their overall service menu. By treating landlords as customers and developing
strong and posidve relationships with the landlords, these agencies aze giving their client
fanulies and individuals with less than stellar histories a chance at housing for which they might
otherwise be considered.
Much more needs to be done to expand the linkage between landlords and sociai services
providers, but a good start has been made.
Recommendation 1'1: Low income, transitional and permanent supportive housing
developers should seek partnerships with veterans services
organizations.
• Status: � Veterans continue to make up a disproportionately lazge shaze of our homeless
single adults (31% of homeless adult men). Some programs like the Dorothy Day Center,
Listening House, and Access have traditionally maintained close and effective relationships with
5
� veterans organizations, this linkage is still not very widespread, much to the detriment of
homeless veterans seeking services.
Recommendation 18: Increase the hours of youth drop-in centers.
Status: 0— There has been no progress in developing the additional resources that would be
required to increase youth drop-in center hours.
Recommendation 19: Create a centralized system of intake, assessment and record
keeping.
Status: 1a5f 1�C Ramsey County has worked closely with the Wilder Reseazch Center and our
shelter and transitional housing providers to improve and standardize our data collecrion system
for homeless people. The system confinues to have significant gaps, particulazly for homeless
single men, but progress is being made. In 2000, Ramsey County significantly upgraded our
efforts to provide a meaningful assessment for applicants to emergency shelter with the goal of
early intervention and referralto needed services.
Recommendation 20: Cultural competencey training is provided to service
providers.
• Status: � the African American Working group was formed following a study showing
the disproportionate use of emergency shelter services by African Axnericans with the vast
majority of shelter, transitional housing and supportive service providers being Caucasian . The
goal of the African American Working Group has been to provide training leading to cultural
competence for our providers. An associated benefit of this study has been to increase the
number of African American and other culturally competent providers entering the service
system in Ramsey County. This will continue to be significant need in Ramsey County for a
long time to come.
Recommendation 21: Ensure needed technical and financial resources are provided
to agencies of color.
Status: � Given the limited resources available to expand the provider community, progress
has been slow in distributing more resources to agencies of color, though there has been some
progress.
FundinE
Recommendation 22: Create a Funders Council
• Status: ��d y�i 1�S 1��( 'The Five-Yeaz Plan Funders Council consisting of
virivally all the housing and homeless services fund'mg enfiries in
Ramsey County has been meeting monthly since May 2000 to
oversee the implementation of the Plan's recommendarions.
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
�
�
Ci�
v
�
�
.�
�
�
�
�
�
�
a�
�
0
�
A
�
�
�
G�
.�
C�
�
�
b.A
�
.�'
�
�
U
�
�
�
�
e�
�
�.
�.
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
� H4USING PLAN
, - , .. . .- - -..
��;
.:��
� �� F
S'
• • • • • • • C "..:
����; �
i ��.
!^
��1•'• • ' � � �� � � � ' c
• • � • • • . �+��' ,
.: a N ''"�;^ E'�,w i
CFfi
�v .�f Y.\Y' 2
s
�rr �
�ri, .^
�
/ 3 y �4
� � � S.
�� �:
A � /y�" �"
zl£� �g.", �g k�
f -a'�azr��Sh$ .- M�-.
� ?u=,i�^w�, AA � .�'
,E :
��� .
� �� R3
... h� " y � .
d'�" mm .(r'°�' �.���� �` .
�� n���,�..
)�� '�,
� s.a
���ws m
` ��`"`��.� �
��� a .," .
��y
`'/�"� �
� � -
,a c ✓� �.,. ,-� � 3 "
,E,,,'>�''.�''�n
�P �
�;�"� .� '-- -�.-�-,
, � `,",iy�� �%a-
,'" i& Y� ; a} _w_a¢T";..
�
: -'�� "'�„+�
':..; „�„.�y '".c. .1 ° .
, 5 �,
,
t���r �ra8—rg� . xi -
PAVL � � I �;.. � :m- � .
� �. �
• •• �N ,+r�� $�, � �
AAAA ���7�y� KS�`_y'��''�y�'��.d+�
L '4'�i '� �'`C+/�Vl'� c✓�,�'y/'��.
6 �' �j ?Y S
I / / KYCF« � ��.''lC � a �n�Wrr� /
�.,' ��''� k° ,�,.�cbf� i �!&Y`q ✓Fl/ �.
St�ate� 3: Ensure
� Availability of Affordable�
Housing
A generally stronger housing market, the aknast total absence of any new
production of rentai housing in any price range, and the redudion in fed-
eral funding for rental assistance are all putting pressure on the portion of
the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In
some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point
where it is no longer affordabie. In others, lack of continuing investment
has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The production of
new affordable housing units has been limited in recent years to for-sale
units affordable to only a fairly narrow segment of the lower income popu-
IaUon.
The availability of safe and decent housing affordable to households who
eam low or modest wages is critical to both the economic health of the
community and the welfare of those households and their neighborhoods.
Businesses, to be successful, need ready access to a pool of potential
employees. The absence of safe, decent and affordable housing nearby— �
especially in a tight labor market mitigates against their being able to
find and atiract ihose employees.
Furthermore, there is clear and convincing evidence that individuals and
families who have stable housing are healthier and are more successfui at
work. Their children do beuer in school. As a resuit, the neighborhoods
they live in are safer, suonger and more likely to be strong centers of com-
murtity life.
The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan
region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of
well-managed low cost housing_ Since there aze chaitenges to that supply,
preservation is the City's primary objedive, though the construction of
new low-cost uniLs wiil be requued as well if redevelopment is to meet the
needs of Saint Paul neighlmrhoods.
- -- Sa�E�lsst�ategyre}ative "
isate� reiated initiatives that emphasize preservation, provide for new con-
s�uction, and encourage much more adequate provision of housing
• opportunities throughout the region. Encouragement of new rental hous-
in� generally, as discussed above, also will contribute to meetin� the need. •
t8
City ofSaint Paul
��
�
6. i The City challenges the region to ensure that each metropoli-
tan community provides a full range of housing choices in ordei
to meet the needs of households at all income levels.
The two centrai cities wiil always have more than a proportionate share
of the region's lower cost housing. It is to the cities that young people
come to go to school, get their first job or buy their first home. It is to the
cities that immigrants first come to settle into a new land. It is in the
cities that people who rely on public transportation find the best service.
Indeed, the vitality of cities depe'nds on the mix of ages, incomes, family
types, races and ethnic groups—and the mix of structures that house
them—that isn't found in suburban communities.
� In recent years, however, the share of the region's lower cost housing
that is located in the central cities has been growing. That has meant
fewer choices for lower income households and fewer workers for sub-
urban businesses. It is the trend of increasing centralization—and fewer
� choices—that should be reversed.
� Specific measures that the City will support inciude:
a. Encourage the Minnesota Legislature to provide adequate funding for
� communitles to meet Livabie Communities goais for affordabie housing
and to adopt the other provisions of the Metropolitan Councii's Housing
� Comprehensive Plan
19
—�
� Specifically:
0
Reform Initiative including an incentive program for communities
lower housing consuuction costs associated with local requirements, ,
reassessment of the state building code, rental housing resources for
replacement housing and rehabilitation, new rental housing resources,
_-- - j funding for homeless assistance, preservation of eacisting federally assist-
ed rental housing and support for new and rehabilitated ownership
hovsing. The City a}so insists that the Metropolitan Council enforce all
agreetraents to provide low-income housing in the municipalities that uti-
lized putriic funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973.
b. The City and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Legislature
to strengthen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to
have a reai impact on the availability of affordabie housing for the met-
ropolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent study
by ihe University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
which indicates that even if all the production goais of the Liveable
CommuniUes Act are met, the zegion will still fall behind in affordable
housing provision by complerion of Livable Communiry Plans.
c. Suc�essful appiicants for regional funds should demonstrate a plan to
produce housing units affordable to households with incomes below 50
percent of the regionai median.
d. The Saint Paul HRA should seek partnerships with suburban com�
nities to offer their eatpertise in the production of quality affordable hous-
ing. Federal funds allocated to impiement the Hollman Consent Decree
represent a valuable means of financing such development and should
be tapped.
e. To the extent thai incentives aze not successful in encouraging the pro-
duction of additional affordabie units in suburban communities, the City
meuopolitan resource sharing mechanisms to stimulate production.
f. Under the leadership of the Metropolitan Council, efforts are being
asade to develop--and seceaing fimding Eo support—a regional replace-
ment housuig poficy and program_ Saint PauI supports these efforts.
6.2 'ihe City should work wdth its public, private and philanthropic
-- part��ers ca-ideatify �d-secure sigt�ificant-addirionai resourcea xo
enable the preserva�on and consuucYion of affordable housing,
both within the city and throughout the region.
The process of financing the constniction, rehabilitation, maintenanc�
and management of affordable housing has undergone a fundamental
20 City of Saint Pau3
� Background on Homeless Shelters,
Services and Transitional Housing
July 11, 2001
Who dces What? Service Population Winter Statns Summer st$tus
Emergency Shelters
Union Gospel Mission
Mary Hall Shelter
Mary Hall ovetIIow
77 beds for men
20 beds for men
15 mats for men
or families
55 beds for families
125 mats for men women
& Families
Full
Full
Full
1Q beds empty maybe
1 bed maybe
intermittent
Ramsey Co Fazn shelter
Dorothy Day
Extended Hours *#
3PCC Church Basements
Sub total
Battered Women Shelters
� Women's Advocates
Eagles Nest
Sub totai
Youth
Ain Dah Yung
LSS Safe house
Sub total
Grand totai of all types
of emergency shelter beds
36 cots for families intermittently fuil
328 general shelter beds for adults
203 (&om May 1- November 1)
50 beds for women and kids
45 beds for women and kids
Full
Full
Full
closed
busiest time of year
often over capacity
occasional opening
96 shelter beds for battered women and their families
10 beds far Teens
6 beds for Teens
Full
Full
Occasionally 1 bed
open
Full
16 shelter beds for teens
4qp *s
315 (Year round)
'* Count is only during the winter months (Novembet 2- Apri130)
�..J
Background on Homeless Shelters,
� Services and Transitional Housing, connnu�
Youth
Ain Dah Yun� has 10 Shelter beds for the 5- 16 year old group and they are constantiy full.
There is a 2- 3 week wait to get in.
Staffing problems are ancient history and not a financial problem any more
Vacancies last a day.
Beveriy Benjamin Transirional housing has 6 beds for the 16 - 22 year old group. It runs full
LSS Safe House on Dayton has a 6 bed capacity and nms full. There is no official waiting list.
They do a first come first serve program. In the first quarter 2001 they iumed away 325
requests. Their busiest day they tumed away 11 unique individuals. They estimate the unique
individuals making the requests to be appro�mately 50% of the above number. .
Their new transitional housine facility located at 501 Asbury will house 12. It filled up in a
month and has 4 people on the waiting list.
Families
� This system is generally adequate (i.e. if it is ok that people sleep on mats on the floor of
the Dorothy Day Center during the winter and out-of-doors in the summer, and on cots in
various church basements year round). It should be noted, there was a point last
September when 45 people were turned away in one night - it may have been an anomaly -
but there are ongoing reports by front line workers who have clients sleeping in vans and
cars and outside.
Ramsey Coua Famil�sheiter is in Maplewood on county property. It has capacity for 70 but
has beds for only 55 as per a promise made by the county to the city of Maplewood to limit the
shelter for the official beds that were transferred from the Lowry Apartments. In fact this
aa►ounted to a loss of 10 beds as the practice had been to be fleltible in the number of emergeacy
shelter guests that were housed in that facility.
The location is both good and bad. Good for children - space to play, and bad in the sense of
being remote &om the location of many services. However the County has placed many servioes
on site. Transportation, and the time it involves, remains a challenge.
Saint Paul Council of Churches runs a network of churches that offer their basements as
shelter for a month at a rime. Two churches with 18 wts each pick up their shelter guests at the
Mary Hall Intake Office each day at 5 30 and retum them to Listening House in the morning at
7: AM. Kids catch. The bus to school from there. Each month the church passes the task to
� another congregation in another location. The program has problems associated with the
mobility and the varying qualities of church basements. The volunteer effort of the
� conSreSations is amazing.
They move people twice a day and feed them twice a day. They get minimai fimding from a
shaky combination of County, StaYe, City, and congregational fimding. Some of the
congregations have less than 100 members.
This program is covering the shortfall created by the closing of the Lowry Shelter and moving of
it to the new Maplewood facility at much less than half the cost per person. In addition it
provides emergency shelter for families that would otherwise be tumed away from year round
from all the sheiters in the city for lack of space. It is not a comfortable situation for the shelter
user and tbat is probably good. People aze motivated to work on their housing and work issues.
The backlog of movement through the official Ramsey Co�mty Family Shelter is limited to 30
days. In this housing mazket it takes longer that 30 days to get into yo�s own place.
Tiris program faces the Determination of Similaz Use permit issue. The cost of making
modificadons will cause a number of churches problems. The process of inspections and
potential property modifications aze viewed with some trepidation by the congregations. We
the public need these churches to continue delivering this service. The oniy action piece here is
to keep our Determination of Similar Use process fle�dble.
� Singie Men
This system is jammed. Crearion of SRO units seems to be the most reasonable approach
to relieving the pressure on the shelters. By housing those who are worldng in their own
nnits, there will be space for those who are experiencing episodic homelessness.
The Union Gosuel Mission has 77 Emergency Shelter beds. Thirty (30) of those aze operated
as &ee beds; the rest are purchased for $6 a night and a number aze paid for a month in advance,
This winter these bartacks style bunkbeds were full nearly every night. On May 5 they tumed
away 8 men. The mission did not operate an overflow on their lobby flow in the winter of `00-
Ol. Conespondingly there were more people using the overflow spaces at the Extended hours
Dorothy Day Center.
In addirion they have 86 of their quasi SRO units (i.e. no independent kiichen facilities
available) available to shelter residents. They have 30 on their waiting list and it wili take 6
months for those men to get into the SRO units. There aze another 55 quasi SRO units that are
reserved for men willing to participate in two evenings per week Bible Study classes. This latter
element is in the process of being introduced and it is too early to evaluate the occupancy of the
program.
The mission has 42 Apartments for graduates of the Christ Center sobriety prograzu. It dces
� have a few vacant units.
Marv Hall
� Tlris program has 20 beds for men fitted into former office spaces of tlris building. The average
use was over 19 beds. Men allowed to stay in these beds are those on the wairing list for the
SRO units up stairs which are operated as two separate programs. Note, that the SRO units
npstairs also permit women. People who stay in the shelter wait 6-8 weeks to get into either
the 75 SRO units or the 80 additional Supportive Housing Units.
In addition, they jam another 15 men into nooks aad crannies of the building throughout the
y�.
These men get only mats to sleep on.
Ramsey county funds Catholic Charities and the City contributes ESG money to shelter these
folks. However, Catholic Charities also subsidize the cost.
Dorothy Day Extended hours
125 mats on the floor between 8:30 PM to 7:AM. Between the first of November and Apri130.
They were essentially full all winter long -(data stili beiag processed) A surprising # worked
(29%}. Most were males (78%). Females totaled 22%. Sixty-three families used this overflow
system the cluldren totaled 14% of the total. Every effort was made to get families into the
church shelters. In I3ovember when they opened the doors, the place filled in a few days. Ttris
past May first when the doors closed, the question was "where did they go? Answer is "check
the bridges, the houses of family and friends." These are ali short term fixes. Overcrowding
wears thin in a short while. During the winter they did turn away 177 people for lack of space.
� Tlus winter they saw 1224 people and provided 20,918 mats. The County and the ESG
program pick up the tab.
Intake
Urnii June 30 the intake continues to be at Mary Hail. (Note: there has been a 30 day extension
to that date) Families arriving after hours are given chairs in the lobby where the SRO and
SHP people enter and leave. Charities no longer wants to continue tlus service at the current
location because they regard the mixing of the vulnerable families and the mostly male
residential populations of the SRO and SHP folks as ]ess than ideal. The new plan is to move
this fimction to Central Methodist Church aY 639 Jackson. As of this date, contract details aze in
the process of being worked out
The issues here is paying for it. VJithout a host agency which can double up on eacisting
facilities, the cost is significantly Irigher.
Transitional Housing
In general this type of housing is designed to house people at an affordable cost for a period of
up to two yeazs wlule they work on the personal barriers that inhibit them from living
independently. Such bazriers might include: lack of a high school educarion, iack of job skills,
problems with chemical dependency, deficits in pazenting, lack of skills in money management
and budgeting, etc.
�
Two models are curreatly in use . The most common is the residential model where p�ple live
� in small communities. They are expected to work on an individualized work plan that will lead
to self sufficiency. Everyone is expected to participate in common programming provided by
the agency operating the transitionai housing. The second model is the placement of individuals
or families in their own scattered site apartment where they ave visited one to two times a week
by a program counselor to review their progress on their personal work plan. While in the
program they benefit from reduced rents
Each agency conducts its own intake. Average length of stay has been 3-4 months though they
have up to two years available. Over the last 5 years the average length of stay has been longer.
The lack of affordable housing options is credited for that increase.
The hansitional housing options in Saint Paul aze the following:
Agency
Emma Norton Residence—
670 No Robert
Home of the Good Shepherd
RoseCenter, Grand Ave
Jendayi Place
� 450 No. grotto, 751 Central,
741 Grotto
Juel Fairbanks
Naomi. Family Center
77 E. 9th, St. Paul 55101
New Beginnings
1161 Weshninister
Theresa Living Center
917 7essamine Ave
YWCA
198 Western
Service Population
Single women
females 18-22
Pregnantteens
Adults in recovery
Women and clrildren
Women and Children
in recovery
# of 6eds/Units
40
7 rooms
16 apartments
2 units, 8 beds
32 rooms 65 beds
16 units
Women and young children 12 rooms
Women and children ?? Apartments
Roof Progr$m Families
A Wilder Program . This is a scattered site transitional housing program that has placed over
200 families over severat yeazs
� G:VSfIDATAVtESEARCH�puGcy sessions�2001 backgroimd.wpd
Participating Churches in the
� St Paul Council of Churches
Emergency Shelters for Families
�
St Peter Claver
370 No Oa�ford
St Paul on the Hill unitarian
1524 Summit Ave
Mount Olivet Baptist Church
531central Ave
Unity Church
732 Hoily
Gloria Dei Lutheran
700 Snelling Ave So
First Presbyterian of
South St Paul
Twin Cities Friends
1725 Grand Ave
Payne Ave Evangelical
Payne Ave PO box 68916
House of Hope
797 Summit
Central Presbytreian
500 Cedar
Central Pazk
639 7ackson St
Dayton Ave Presbyterian
217 Mckubin
St Matthew's Episcopal Chruch
2136 Carter 55108
Fairmont United Methodist
1523 Fairmount Ave
The Saint Paul Cathedral
239 Selby
Grace United Church of Christ
873 Portland
Cretin Derham High School
550 So Albert
Morningstar Baptist
739 Selby
� K:�Shared\FllCOMMON�WPFtLES�SHELBRD\Chwchshelters.wpd
Average Rental Rates
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
� as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/ ��� June, 7une,
Building Type 1999 2000 2001
i
Efficiency Apartment
Efficiency in a House
Efficiency Condo
Efficiency Duplex
i-BR Apartment
i-BR House
1-BR Condo
1-BR Dupiex
2-BR Apar#ment
2-BR House
2-BR Condo
2-BR Dupiex
3-BR Apartment
3-BR House
3-BR Condo
3-BR Duplex
4-BR Apartment
4-BR House
4-BR Condo
4-BR Duplex
$438
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$522
None Listed
$620 *
$577
$641
$957*
$1100*
$665
$653
$1498*
$1025*
$960*
$1568
None listed
None listed
iVone listed
$485
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$583
None Listed
$630*
$671
$725
$795*
$898*
$819
$825
$1386*
$1100*
$1133*
None listed
None listed
None listed
None listed
Previous months' rental rates
Page 1 of 2
$535
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$656
None Listed
$850*
$721
$838
$1197*
$1000*
$982
$i081
$1283
$1100*
$1463
None listed
$2007
None listed
None listed
* The rental number is based on five or fewer listings.
Rental averages can fluctuate wildiy and must be
� regarded as a statistically unreliabie guide for the cost
of this type of housing.
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartoyear.html
7/9/2001
Average rental rates, yeaz to date, Aprii, 2001
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/
Building Type
Efficiency
Apartment
Efficiency in a
House
Efficiency
Condo
Efficiency
Duplex
1-BR
Apartment
7an,
2002
$510
None
listed
None
listed
$475*
$636
None
Feb,
2001
$544
None
listed
None,
listed
None
listed
$680
None
Mar,
2001
$523
None
listed
None
listed
$445*
$683
Apr,
2001
$534
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$689
May,
2001
$ 539
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$661
Page 1 of 2
7un,
2001
$535
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$656
N
•
1-BR House $525* $555* $925* one
listed listed listed
1-BR Condo $875* $790* $g75* None None �g50* �
listed listed
i-BR Dupiex $714 $652 $596 $664 $689 $721
2-BR $788 $856 $843 $844 $823 $838
Apartment
2-BR House $1100* $1195* $1250* $824 $925 $1197*
2-BR Condo $1088* None None � �g�3 $1000*
2-BR Duplex $865 $866 $880 $906 $925 $982
3-BR �ZZ14* $1233* $1224 $1347 $1�65 $1080
Apartment
3-BR House $1068 $1272* $1414* $1,613 $1391 $1283
3-BR Condo $450* �one None None �1100* $1000*
listed listed listed _
3-BR Duplex $1071 $965 $1052 $1,360* $1186 $1453
4-BR None None
Apartment listed �1050* $1850* $1,434* $1250* ���ed •
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartodate.html 7/9l2001
�
CATHOLIC
CHARITIES
Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours
Program Report
Winter 2000-2001
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended I3ours Program
Report Summary
• Brief History. ........................................................................................Page 1
• In the winter of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated people, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this Year .........................................................................................Page 1
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operarional
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Community Card swiped into the computer and a time and date
stamp is aYtached to the guesYs permanent record
Future Recommandations ..........................................................................Page 1
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
✓ Utilize the upstairs of the DDC for addirional shelter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The Dorothy Day Center Mission Statement ...................................................Page 1
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe and hospitable environment white promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a caring community.
•Services .............................................................................................. Page 1
T'he Extended Haaas Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 150 people,
showers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
IntakeProcedure .....................................................................................Page 2
• Intake homs were from 830 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests mn�st card-swipe into the building
• Compl�e Dorothy Day Center Intake, and issue a Community Card.
+ Famiiies witli children, winerable adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests w�ere guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecutively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an approximate nighfly tum-around of 20 guests
SobrietylIntoximeter .................................................................................Page 2
The program required residenis to be sob�. If'eve suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter si�nilar to wha# police departmerns use, and if a ciiern was is intoxicated they were denied services.
Security ............................................................................................Page 2
Intake security was provided by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
•.m. to 11:00 p.�. nightly.
GaseS�udy ..............................................................................................Page 2
Barbara
Thanks..................................................................................................Page 3
• The Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
efforts ofmany people.
Volunteer Organizations ............................................................................Page 3
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paul Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ramsey County Board
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers ...............................................................................Page 3
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Du#Ty Todd HIine Tim Powell
LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop Larry Knutsen Maria Rach
Jim Anderson Andie' Dupre Rock Krueger Tiffany Rathbun
Amy Ashmore Tom Edwazds Dan Lee Steve Rice
Jodie B. Peggy Enright George Leske Kate Ridley
Kate Barton Julie Farley Jessie Mallinger Jack Risvold Family
Dan Beck Henry Fernandez Mike Mallinger Remy Romano
7uan Bettencourt James Freid Mary Ellen Malone Amy Scardilli
Beth Biick Paul Freid Signe Masterson Doug Scherfenberg
� John Boyer Helene Freint Saza McElmury Nicole Schrupp
Shannon Brinker Mona Friedman Nora McGiffert Joe Schweigert
Rod Brozek Pam Gelein Gerald McLemore Mary Sparr
Thomas Bryant Judy Griffus Laura Melnick Ruth Steinberg
Ricardo Callender Heidi H. Rhonda Miller Jerry Sudderth
Khalila Clardy Nancy Hammer Rodger Moe Curtis Toombs
Joe Claus Laura Heridge Monica Nilsson Annabelle Wagner
�dY �PP Scott Hull Katie O'Connor Terry Washington
Wanda Coss Anna Johnsone Chuck Olson Adam Westbrook
Mary Daly Shannon Kennedy Tim Otis
Catt delTosario Richazd Kirby Becky Payne
C�
�
•
Who Stayed in the EHP Program .......................................Page 4
• 1224 Unduplicated Individuals
used the Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Totat Individesals w�re
tumed away from the program
• 67°/a (N=720) were beriveen the
age of 30 and 50
• 29% (N=31'n Reported Working
• 16Y• (N=17� Full-Time Work
• individuals and Families stayed
longer than the previous year.
One-half of the individuals and
families stayed nine nights or
less compared to suc nights the
previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed twa
nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP
Stay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were
Maie
• 22% {N=240) of Residents were
Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 53 Total Families
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24°l0 (N=273) received
Govemment Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having
Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having
Mental Health Issues
+ 30% (N=324) Reported Having
Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (N=172) Reported having
a Case Manager
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
Chartes&Graphes ................................................................................Pages 5
Age, Gender, Employment, Income Source, Medical Issues, Mental Health Issues, Substance Abuse, Case
Manager, and Ethnicity
`I am not a bum; I am a person without a home' ............................................Page 10
By Shannon Mark Kesuxedy
$udget Information ............................._.................,............. Pages 11
u'
L�
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
Final Report
Brief History
In the winter of both 2996/�997 & 1997/1998 Catholic Chazities ran a shelter out of the library at Mary
Hall with a total capacity of fifteen guests.
• In the winter of 1999/2000 Catholic Charities was granted germission to open the Extended Hours
Program at the Dorothy Day Center. 803 unduplicated people received shelter, providing a total of
13,992 floor mats.
• In the winta of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated peaple, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this vear
�
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operational
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Communiry Card swiped into the computer and a
time and date stamp is attached to the guest's permanent record
❖ Women slept in the dinning room, and rnen in the drop-in
❖ Families were strongly encouraged to find shelter alternatives within three days
❖ No T.V.
•'• Sock exchange
Future Recommendations
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
�"' Utilize flie upstairs of #he DDC for additional s$elter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The DoroYhy Dav Center Mission Statement
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe anrd hospitable ¢nvironment while promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a earixg community.
Services
The Extended Hours Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 125 people,
: howers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
• Intake Procedure
• Intake hours were from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests must card-swipe into ti�e buitdiag
• Complete Dorothy Day Center �take, aIId get issued a Commemity Card
• Families with children, winetabte adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests were guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecurively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an appmximate nighUy tum-aroimd of 20 guests
Sobriety/Intoximeter
The progam required residents ta be sober. If we suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter similaz to what police departments use, and if a client was is into�ticated they were denied services.
Security
Intake security was providai by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
a p.m. to 11:00 p.m. nightly.
Case Study
I first met Barbaza in late March. She has a very hazd rime relating to other people. Barbara has many
needs some ta great for us to meet. Barbaza is 24 years old, and has very serious mental health issues. She's
angry most af t2ae time, and does�'t even lmow why? For Barbara, haditional social success is difficult.
I asked Barbaza when the last time someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "People are
always telling me what to do and how I'm supposed to do things." Again, I asked Barbaza when the last time
someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "I can't remember the last time anyoae listened to me."
Bazbara is awaze of h�r m�tal healits, and feels abandoned to tlie s�re�c. She has a ca� manager and
gets a Social Security Disab�ity chec�;., �at sh� needs, the Twiu Cities does noi enough of, affordable
housing!
.
2
� hanks
The Catholic Chariries Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
� efforts of many people.
Dorothy Day Center Staff
Catholic Charities Administration
Ramsey Counry Human Services
Ramsey County Sherif�'s Department
Community Volunteers
Guest Volunteers
Volunteer Organizations
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paui Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ranisey County Boazd
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Duffy
. LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop
Jim Anderson Audie' Dupre
Amy Ashmore
Jodie B.
Kate Barton
Dan Beck
Juan Bettencourt
Beth Blick
7ohn Boyer
Shannon Brinker
Rod Brozek
Thomas Bryant
Ricardo Calleader
Khalila Clardy
Joe Claus
Andy Copp
. Wanda Coss
Mary Daly
Catt delTosario
�
Tom Edwards
Peggy Enright
Julie Farley
Henry Fernandez
7ames Freid
Paul Freid
Helene Freint
Momma Friedman
Pam Gelein
Judy Griffus
I�eidi A.
Nancy Hammer
Laura Heridge
Scott Hull
Anna Johnsone
Shannon Kennedy
Richard Kirby
Todd Kiine
Larry Knutsen
Rock Krueger
Dan Lee
George Leske
Jessie Mallinger
Mike Mallinger
Mary Ellen Malone
Signe Masterson
Sara McElmury
Nora McGiffert
Gerald McLemore
Laura Melnick
Rhonda Miiler
Rodger Moe
Monica Nilsson
Katie O'Connor
Chuck Olson
Tim Otis
Becky Payne
Tim Powell
Maria Rach
Tiffany Rathbun
Steve Rice
Kate Ridley
Jack Risvold Family
Remy Rornano
Amy Scardilli
Doug Scherfenberg
Nicole Schrupp
Joe Schweigert
Mary Sparr
Ruth Steinberg
3erry Sudderth
C�utis Toombs
Annabelle Wagner
Terry Washington
Adam Westbrook
3
Who Stayed in the EHP Program?
. • 1224 Unduplicated Individuals used the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Total Individuals were turned away from the program
• Individuals and Families stayeci tonger than the previous year. One-haif of the individuals
and families stayed nine nights or less compared to six nights the previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed two nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP 5tay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were Male
• 22% (N=240} of Residents were Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 63 Total Families
• 67% (N=720) were between the age of 30 and 50
• • 29% (N=317) Reported Working
• 16% (N=176) Full-Time Work
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24% (N=273) received Government Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having Mentai Health Issues
• 30% (N=324) Reported �Ias�ing Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (1�T=172) Reported having a Case ManagEr
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
�
�
Charts and Graphs
�
Age
Under 18
18to20
21 to 30
31 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 60
61 to 70
71 to 80
Total
8
45
S97
397
323
81
19
3
1073
Age
71 to SO
61 to 70
21 to 30
18 to 20
Under �8
�
•
Gender
Pemaie 241
Male 830
No answer 2
Total 1073
51 to 60
41 to 50
31 to 40
5
0 100 200 300 400
.
Employment
Full-time 176
Part-time �41
None 756
Total 1073
Income Source
None 392
Day Labor 187
� VA 15
Steady Wo 182
Unemploy t6
GA 38
WF g
MFtP lg
SSf 135
SSD 42
Other 37
No answer fi4
Totaf ��35
Charts and Graphs
Income Source
No answei
Othei
SSC
SSI
MFIP
WF
GA
Unemp�oy
Steady Work
VA
Day labor
None
.
:7
0 100 200 300 40p
�
nnedica� �ssues
Yes 381
No 643
No answer 49
Totat 1073
Mentai Issues
Yes gtig
• No 223
No Answer 31
Total 1073
Charts and Graphs
Mental issues
•
Yes No No Answer
� Substance Abuse
No 711
Yes 324
No answer 38
Total 1073
� Case Manager
Yes 851
No 172
No answer 40
Total 1073
•
Charts and Graphs
Substance Abuse
0
No Yes No answer
�
•
L�
Ethnicity
Asian
Biack
Hispanic
lndian
Mixed
Other
White
Tota{
7
500
132
54
15
12
353
1073
Charts and Graphs
0
`� a�r�not a bum; I am a person without a home'
By Shannon Mark Kennedy 39,000 affordable housing units!
• Reflections on a photo exhibit by Joe Rodri-
Guez about homelessness in Ramsey County
Don't you dare stare at me
Look at me
See me
Look me right m the eye
And know me
I am a person
I am not a mentally ill person
T am a person, with mental illness
I am not a drunk
I am a person who drinks too much
I am not a bum
I am a person without a place
to call home
Get a job
Get sober
Get a home
Get a life
Get the hell out of my face
Work with me not on me
• Quit telling me what to do
If I could do it
I would have done it
I don't like asking for your help
And I hate that I need it
But I need a bed
And my kids need a bed
And we all ae�d a place to feel safe
At least for a little while
But when I ask for a bed
You say thexe are no beds
I can curl up on the floor
But when I ask for the floor
You say there is no room on the floor
When I ask what I can do
You say I can leave
There is no housffig1
There are 8U,000 renters and only
And if you ever bought shoes for your kids
Instead of paying rent
And you got evicted
You aze going to have one hell of a time
Getting into those affordable units
If you ever i� a friend and her kids stay
The landlord Snds out
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one ofthose affordable units
If you ever get depressed
Drunk
Quit taking your pills,
Brake a few tlungs because you're pissed off
The world isn't fair
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one of those affordable units.
If you have more than two kids
Aren't the right color
Can't speak English
Just got out of jail
You can forget getting into one of those
Affordable units
When I come to you for help
Don't just look at me
Look me in the eye
Give me my dignity
See my life in my face
Shaze your love
Share your grace
Don't stare at me and look away
Wa1k with me and talk with me
Sing with me and iaugh with me
Then through eyes who lmow who I am
Look at me
- Shan�enn Mark Sennedy, �nneapolis,
is a finaneial assistance manager for
Ranuey Counfy Human ServiceS
•
10
�
.
.
Pioneer Planet Story � Page 1 of 1
<:�I1V'�RTTSf.AtC'�T�
ve ry, Ve ry �/ 1 P�
�P�PL+� --� -� =3'� .AMD iLNl�AMD�iCAAEEB "�FlIIU`i[BUi���Ki�C�tfki"ee�
STORY OP1'IONS
- E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
Pioneer Planer. front
, '�e��s
. Business
, Sports
� Entertainment
, Li�in`=
, Tech
- Water Cooler
, Special Reports
� Classified Ads
, Site index
- Help
, '�e��s Archi�es
� Feedback
Posted: i2:40 p.m. 1'hursday, March 8, Z041
Woman found dead i►� St. Paul alley
LISA DONOVAN ST?,FF VJRITBR
- -- - - — --
Authoriries believe exposure to the coid is to blame in the death
of a woman found in a downtown St. Paul atley overnight.
A man, believed Yo be her companion, was taken to a local
hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia, St. Paui
police said.
"It doesn't look like there was any foul play," said police
department spokesman Michaei Jordan.
A security guard found the pair at 261 E. 5th St. about 12:50
a.m. today.
Lisa Donovan can be reached at Idonovan@pioneerpress.com or
(6il) 228-539I.
, f3ack �u Top
- - - — - -- -- - --
�' 20�i Pior2eerPlanet % SL Pau) (Minnesota) Pioneer Press - �UI Rights Resen�ed
c�yrigJit infarmatian
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/0308body.htm
3/8/2001
i
�
�
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
STORY
OPTIONS
. E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
. Toda.'; Pio�ieer
P re;;
, Pionre� ti
, \e��s
• Business
. SPOrtS
- Entertainment
. Travel
, [.i� in`=
. Tech
- Health
� Water Cooler
� Special Reports
- Classified Ads
� Site index
«'ednesda�, Atarch 1�, 2fl0
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7
homeless people
Incident highlights dangers to dwellers
LISA DONOVAN STAFF WRITER
A fire that broke out eairly Tuesday in the long-vacant Straus
Knitting Mill in St. Paui's Lowertown injured seven homeless
people and prompted questions about the safety of people
iliegally dwelling in empty buildings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears
squatters ignited a pile of rags to wazm themseives in the
basement of the old lrnitting factory on Sibley Street and the
flames spread. Five men and two women were taken to Regions
Hospital, including two who were listed in critical condition.
The early morning blaze had advocates for the homeless and city
fire officials 3ooking at ways to remedy the problem.
Those who work closely with the homeless say iPs a concem
when people seek shelter withouY heat or running water. Fire
officials say it underscores renewed efforts at the Fire
Depariment to better familiarize firefighters with the layout and
use of commercial buildings -- occupied and vacant.
Firefighters didn't Imow people were living inside the old
knitting factory at 350 Sibley Sx, vacant since 1989, until they
were calied to a blaze there Tuesday moming.
"It isn't a good situarion for anyone to be in a building like this,"
said Fire Chief Tim Fulter. "It was clear to me from the pictures
of this piace that people had been in and out of there. There were
beer cans, food wrappers and it appeared other campfires had
been going before."
Locai fue officials recalled the 1999 fire in Worcester, Mass.,
where six firefighters were killed battling a blaze in an
abandoned warehouse that apparently started when two homeless
people knocked over a candle.
This spring, firefighters wiil visit businesses nearest their
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm
Page 1 of 3
3/14/2001
�n��ritrisE�t;_�T>
rire m vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
Help
, \�,�: �rcltite;
Feedback
, I�:�cn ti, To�
stationhouses for a"pre-incident" survey in which exits, utilities
and even the buitding's use witl be noted.
Page � o�"�
1'he visits are separate from the department's "certificate of -
occupancy" renewal inspections conducted by the department's
Fire Prevention Division. The purpose of the renewed visits is to
check on buiiding, fire and life safety code compliance.
According to downtown businessman John Mannillo, who helps
chart the c►ty's vacant properties, there aze perhaps eighY
unoccupied buiidings in downtown St. Paul.
Bill Buth, president of the Building Owners and Managers
Association of St. Paul, said building owners would not oppose
vacant building sweeps, which the Fire Department may conduct
in response to Tuesday's fire.
In Minneapolis, firefighters check vacant and boazded up
bui2dings every weekend year-round to make sure they have not
been broken into or aze occupied by homeless people, said
Minneapolis Fire Department spokesman Jerry Schmitz.
In the winter, crews will atso look for signs of Qeople living in
the buildings, such as footprints in the snow. If there are people
inside, fire crews will notify police.
Twin Ciries shelters tend to fill up quickly in the winYer, and the
homeless are left to roam the streets, ride the bus all night or find
a vacant building to keep wazm and sleep for the night.
Ramsey County reported between 2,596 and 2,847 homeless
people in 1998-99, the most recent figures available. The
number of peopie relying on Mmnesota homeless shelters and
programs on a given nig6t more than doubled in the 1990s,
according to a Wilder Reseazch C+enter survey released last fall.
Advocates say many times, tliese people aze mentaily ill or
slruggling with aa alcohol or drug addiction that leaves them
�
LJ
-- _.. _ . _ . _
Yet these same people are looking for a sense of community and
so will congregate m a vacani building — if only because ii
provides some ldnd of security, said Anne Harris, director of the
Dorothy Day homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul.
"T'here is something to the idea that there is safety in numbers —
but you really don't lmow who it is that's sieeping neaz you. And
then ou have � ' g with no
���Y� �� 'Is rt safe to be in a buildm
�r __ ._ . _-- - - _
Staff Writers Murali Balaji and Amy Mayron contributed to this
report. Lisa Donovan can be reached at
Idonovan(a�pioueerpress com or (651) 228-5591.
�
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm 3/14/2001
�
�
�
_Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on Homeless
� � � Past 30 Days ; - d
� nava a m �,
Kathryn Krile - Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thnrsday, Jnne 28, 2001
From: The New York Times Direct <nytdirect(a?�ytimes.com>
To: <kathryn.lffile@ci.stpaul.mn.us>
Date: 6128i2001 7:11 AM
Snbject: Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thursday, June 28, 2001
National
�$.�+�,, �w
•i
� ■ .,� '
� -
-
; .. ...,.
.:,.;. -
.• .
K � ,.,
• •.�
'; „
��t�vt� °. .
.. , .._. ..
..
C •� � �l
nsssxat�xagris`
�.�,.�,
. .:
.- .�.
�
SF.RV�CE,S`y... ..
�
�,
.�
Page 1 of 3
���
Welcc
Sion Un for Nex
� E-hlal This Articla � Printer-Friendly Forrtmi
� Maet EMeiled Artielea
June28,2001
Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on s�
Homeless
Clic�c here
By STEVEN A. HOLMES Ftc�
� ASHINGTON, June 27 — Reversing the way it handled the
data 10 years ago, the Census Bureau says it will not provide states and ciries w
on their homeless populations.
The bureau has said that nationally 280,527 people — up from 228,621 people in 1990 -
counted in homeless shelters, at soup kitchens, on the streets and at other places identifi�
govemments in 2000.
"Bear in mind, there was good reason after what happened after the '90 census to tlunk t
numbers would be misused," said Edison Gore, deputy chief of the 2000 Decennial Cen
explaining why the bureau did not release the homeless figures. The state and city home
released in 1990 were widely viewed as inaccurate.
The decision against release was made several yeazs ago but was overlooked by many p
been crificized by planners from big cities who say they were urged by the bureau to un�
extraordinary and expensive measures to help count the homeless during the 2000 censu
At the bureau's request, for example, Los Angeles officials
recruited advocates for the homeless, trained them in conducting
the census, provided escorts for census takers in potentially
dangerous places and handed out blankets and hygiene kits to
induce the homeless to cooperate.
"We spent a lot of money on tlus," said Jessica Heinz, an assistant
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines
� A New Look at Ra
� More Census Man�
Intenctive Features
6/28/2001
. Bureau Won't Dishibute Census Data on Homeless
M'T Mo6ile
�rAdv rti�
� NEWSPAPEF
Liome Deliverv
cust«ner semce
YOUR PB6F F
��� �ie
E-Mail Ootions
Laa9slt
city attorney in Los Angeles, "probably about $300,000, and
donated a lot of stuff."
The Census Bureau action was praised by advocates for the
homeless who had lobbied for the bureau not to release separate
figures on homeless people.
Page 2 of 3
Related Sites
These sites aze not gaz
York Times on the Wc
TIIIICS }12S IIO COIIli01 C
content or availability.
U.S. Census Bureau
Markttpi
Search NYTimes.0
Classfieds
AII j,; �
For the most part, advocates for the homeless cooperated with the
TeM Version census 10 years ago. Aftenvard, they said they were appalled
when a count they considered flawed was used by some
lawmakers to azgue for a reduction in spending on programs for
the homeless.
But some city planners azgue that the idea of holding back data
because it could be misinterpreted goes against the bureau's
mission to be #he provider of data, not its censor.
Browse the NYT
Store
All ,�' �
Play the NYT cross
no line
"If the bureau thinks there is going to be a problem and people
will be confused about the homeless population," said 3oseph
Salvo, director of the population division of the New York City Plamiing Department, '°
bureau should educate people, not hold back the data. This could happen with other pop
Should the bureau hold back data on them too?"
The decision is part of what has become a continuing dispute over how to count the cou
� homeless popularion — a group of people that is transient and difficult to count. The bu
counting people who live in shelters, at soup kitchens and at various street locations can
designating as homeless those people who may have lost their homes and aze temporaril
friends or relatives.
In 199Q, some advocates for the homeless, fearful of a large undercount, urged some prc
services to the homeiess to baz census takers from entering shelters and soup kitchens.
"The homeless is not a static population," said Barbara Duffield, education director for t
Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy group based in Washington. "It's very misleadi
such a count; it's virtually impossible and leads to distortion as to the nature of homeles:
magnitude of the problem."
Instead of providing state and local figures, the Census Bureau this year has lumped the
a category of peopie counted in "other non-insritutional goup quarters." In addirion to h
people, tlris category includes displaced people living in temporary shelters after natural
people living in shelters for battered women, and nurses and interns living in dormitorie
and general hospitals.
The bureau has also been criticized for not releasing informarion on why it recommende
census not be adjusted to compensate for people who were missed or counted Ywice.
Some cities, including Los Angeles, have sued the bureau in a bid to force it to release tl
� survey of 314,000 households that was designed to check the accuracy of the census. TY
refused to do so, and critics say it is suppressing the results of the survey because it wou
that adjustment was justified.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/narionaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
_Butea'u �n't Distribute Census Aata on Homeless
Page 3 of 3
Although the dispute of the homeless count is not direcfly related to the issue of adjushr
bureau's action on the homeless has fed the controversy that surrounds the 2000 census.
i "I don't think this is just about the homeless," Ms. Heinz said. "I think iYs the whole thin
is if we hold stuff back that looks like it has problems, then no one will criticize us."
Aome � Back to National � Search � Helu
� E-69ai1 Tt�iB Articie � Prinier-Friendly Formei
� Naaf E-61ailad Attides
��''" Click Here to Receive 50% Off Home Delivery of The
��� �!�
New York Times Newspaper.
�vriaht 2001 The New York Times Comoanv � Privacv Infortnation
�
i
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.html?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
Office of the County Manager
Paul L. Kirkwold, County Manager
TO: COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH
FROM: JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC EVELOP NT
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
RE:
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
JULY 17, 2001
PRESERVATION PROJECTS
Tel: 651-266-8000
Fax: 651-26G8039
e-mail: vnvw.co.ramsey.mn.us
This Memorandum is designed to bring you up to date on the three preservation
projects in which the County HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority) issued Multi-
Family Housing Revenue Bonds at the request of the St. Paul City Council. These
requests came as a result of the City's lack of Housing Revenue Bond Authority and the
desire of the City to insure weil-maintained properties with continued affordability.
SKYLINE TOWER
Total Project Cost: $30.3 Million - Bond Issue: $15.0 Miliion
This property was acquired by a limited pa�tnership, under the auspices of
CommonBond, on February 4, 2000. Since that time, significant rehabilitation has been
undertaken to improve the quality of life for residents in the buifding. Of particular
interest to the County was the addition of the Advantage Center Building, located
adjacent to the fiving tower. This apartment building has had a muftitude of social,
health, and educational services brought on-site to serve this very diverse population.
This financial transaction v✓as undertaken with the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority of the City of St. Paul. I have recently received the financial statements for
Skyline Tower for the first eight months of operations and will be reviewing them shortly.
HANOVEEt TOWNHOMES
Total Project Costs: $5.4 Million - Bond Issue: $3.2 Miilion
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Community Housing Development Corporation (Brighton Development), on May 4,
2001. This 96-unit complex, located at 408 Farrington, is undergoing moderate
rehabilitation at the present time and is progressing as planned. i will be meeting with
the development team on August 9.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
Minnesota's Fiist Home Eule Connty
prm�ed on recycled paper wi[h a minimum o[ IU%post�nsumer conten4
�
Memorandum
July 17, 2001
Page 2
RIVERTOWN COMMONS
(CAPITAL VIEW APARTMENTS)
Total Project Gosts: $8.7 Million - Bond Issue: $5.8 Million
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Gornerstone Group, on May 8, 2001. This 140-unit apartment complex, located at 175
Charles Avenue, is in need of significant rehabilitation, as well as the renovation of
space to accommodate common space for resident activity. The owners have chosen to
be their own construction contractor. Upon review, the new owner has determined that
approximately twenty families residing in tfie property are over income and do not meef
the guidelines for the tax-credit program. The owner is working with the City of St. Paul
to refocate those residents to other availabie properties.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
CONCLUSION
We have regular communication with Tom Sanchez, from St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development (PED), on the status of ail three of these properties.
We believe our involvement has had a positive impact on these properties and has
served fhese diverse populations.
GUIDELINES FOR RAMSEY COUNTY
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
�u�ose
Ramsey County recognizes the need to increase the supply of affordable and
accessible housing, especially for low and moderate-income farrulies and those
cvho need supportive housing services. Ramsey County also realizes that it is
becoming increasingly difficult to produce affordable housing units without
government participation. Land acquisition and construction costs have risen
dramatically while real earnings of lower-income families continue to fall.
Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fltnds will be used in conjunction with
other public and private financing to reduce the gap between capital costs and
revenues. The fund will help assure that housing choice is available to everyone
throughout Ramsey County, including our lowest income households.
Eligibility
Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas which
include any or all of the following items when requesting endowment funds for
capital investment necessary to finance a proposed development.
l. Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation,
2. Construction of residential units,
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forfeited and/or other properties
where there aze unoccupiable units which will be placed back in service
upon completion of the project,
4. Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population, and
5. Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
Administration
The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) staff will
administer the Housing Endowment F�tnd by working directly with
developers in cooperation with municipalities who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities. For projects that will located
within Saint Paul, Ramsey County staff will work with St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development Department staff who will represent developers of
city projects.
2. Proposals will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available.
However, projects that also propose to use funds avaiiable from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development will be encouraged to
coordinate submission annually at the same time that the County HRA or
the City of Saint Paul accepts proposals for Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. The
Ramsey County approval process to award Housing Endowment r'lxnd
projects will also be coordinated with the e�sting super Request for Proposal
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12(19l�0
S://CDBG-HOME/Housin� Endowment Fund
review by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the extent feasible to
avoid unnecessary administrative reviews for project developers.
3. Funding will be balanced geographically between the City of Saint Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
4. Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address the
need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest income
resic3ents and/or those cvith additional need for supportive services. The
County will follow generally accepted underwriting criteria in analyzing
project financing, expense and revenue projections. Developers should have
a successful track record in mixed- and low-income housing, a good credit
history, and demonstrate through adequate reserves that funding will be
adequate to support the project in the event of a problem.
All projects must receive the support of the jurisdiction in which they will
be located. Housing Endowment �nd applications must have the written
support of elected officials; a formal resolution of support for the project
must be in place before funding agreements are executed. Proposers should
have site control prior to requesting Housing Endowment F1ind gap
financing and demonstrate that there will be a net gain of affordable housing
units upon completion of the project.
The HRA staff will provide quarterly reports to the HRA Board on the status
of the fund, including time spent to administer the endowment fund.
Fund Availability and Repayment
The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowment Fund. Developers may apply for up to $20,000 per unit for
units affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $50,000 per unit £or units that will be affordable/accessible for
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income. For those
housing developments that will house the very lowest income families, these
limits assume federally funded project based certificates will be attached to
m��. __ _ �: � _
2. There is no typical affordable kousing development; nor is it likely that a
single £nancing scheme will meet the requirements of all proposals.
However, there is an expectation of repayment of the Housing Endowment
Fund award at the earliest possible time. Terms and conditions of
repayment will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending
upon anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations or
expenses.
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12/19/00
S://CDBG-HOME1Housin� Endo�vment Fund
Office of the County Manager
Faui L. Kirkwold, County Ivianager
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Te1:651-266-8000
Fa�c: 651-266-8039
e-mail: www.co.ramsey.mn.us
COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH �
JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTO i �_���
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP NT J
JULY 13, 2001
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
This Memorandum is to provide you an update on the status of the Housing Endowment Fund
(HEF) as ofthis date.
PROPOSED SUBURBAN PROJECTS
EMMA NORTON RESIDENCE - MAPLEWOOD [$500,000 HEF - ESTIMATEJ
This project consists of thirteen (13) large townhouse style units (new construction) to be built
on a site located at the intersection of Van Dyke / County Road B. This supportive housing
project, with on-site services, is designed to serve large families with multiple social service
needs. The project received full approval of the Maplewood City Council. Originally this project
was scheduled to close and begin construction this month, but an environmental issue, related to
an adjacent property that houses a gas station, has arisen and is currently being investigated. The
primazy funding source is MARIF (Minnesota Families Affordable Rental Investment Fund)
dollars through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The County allocation will be available
at closing, which we hope will take place within the next few months.
ACCESSIBLE SPACE, INC. - ROSEVILLE [�100,000 CDBG /�27�,000 HEF]
This project consists of twenty-two (22) units of new apartment style construction at the
intersection of Lexington Avenue ( Roselawn. These fully accessible apartments are designed to
provide 24-hour service to individuals with serious physical and mental impairments. Many of
the individuals this project would serve might otherwise be in danger of homeiessness. These
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies will be released following approval by
the Roseville City Council to assist with the existing land purchase. However, this project has
also been delayed until next Spring, as Roseville required the proposed developer to secure an
additional piece of land in order to develop the project in the manner in which it had been
proposed. tiUe have advised Accessible Space that we will consider their request from next
yeaz's HEF allocation in order to respond to other requests which may be ready to proceed at an
earlier date.
Minnesota's �st Home Rnle Gounty
printed an recycletl paper wM1h a mmimum of IO%postcanaumer contevt
�
Memorandum
July 13, 2001
Page 2
WEIS BUILDERS - VADNAIS HEIGHTS [DOLLAR AMOUNT UNDETERMINED)
This developer has proposed a 72-unit apartment building at County Road D/ Highway 61 in
Vadnais Heights. Approximately half of the units would have affordable rent. It is within a few
miles of a number of employers who employ persons in need of workforce housing. This
location is just south of Highway 694 and has excellent access to both car and bus transportation.
This is a new proposal, which has yet to be reviewed by the City of Vadnais Heights, but witi
require both a comprehensive plan variance and a zoning vaziance. The developer plans to apply
for 2002 tax crediYs for the project. We are very interested in this proposal by this very
experienced developer and have contacted both the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the
City of Vadnais Heights to advise them of our interest. The appropriate HEF allocation would
not be set until the gap financing might be determined. It is expected ihat our contribution will
be in the $500,000 range, using a combination of HOME (Home Investment Partnership Act)
and HEF dollazs.
POTENTIAL INNER-CITY PROJECTS
CITY OF ST. PAUL
We have not received any formal requests from the City of St. Paul, but we have been working
with Tom Sanchez, St. Paul PED (Planning and Economic Development), on several potential
projects. They aze as follows:
R. S. Eden - Jackson / Arlington. This project consists of 24 units of supportive
housing for previously homeless families. There will be 24-hour on-site
supervision. [$360,000 HEF - Estimate]
Guild Hali - Marshall Avenue across the street from the Technical College. This
projecf consists of the potential addition of 33 SRO (Single Room Occupancy)
- _. ..
- - . _._.__... - - � - ..
uni s o is prope y. ro�ec is m i' b
for HEF.
Passages ApartmenYs - 1264 W. Seventh SYreet. This project is designed Yo
combine commercial space with 12 units of housing to serve previously homeless
youth. A full service educational component and supportive services are
anticipated on-site. Project is being reviewed for financial need for HEF.
HUD 202 - Elderly Arlington / Rice Streets. This project will provide 40 units of
_,._._- --'
senior housing to low-income individuals. Tt is a combined effort of Accessible -
Space and the Wilder Foundation. Project is being reviewed for financial need for
HEF.
While none of these projects, to my understanding, have the approval of the St. Paul City
Council / HRA to proceed at this time, I have been advised that financing should be in place
within the next few months.
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No. 2000—
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting Y�z�
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Developmen�agelof4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
WHEREAS, The lack of affordable housing has been identified as a
serious threat to the health, safety and weli being of the citizens of Ramsey
County; and
WHEREAS, Affordable housing promotes family stability, better schooi
attendance and reduced use of more costly emergency county services; and
WHEREAS, The costs of development of new units of affordable housing
are substantiai; and
WHEREAS, The revenues which can be achieved by developers cannot
fully support the development costs of new affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, Traditional sources of capitai for the development of new
affordabie housing are being utilized; and
WHEREAS, After all of these sources of capital are made available for the
development of new affordable housing units there still remains a substantial
development gap; and
WHEREAS, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has discussed
on three occasions creation of a new fund to increase the supply of affordable
and accessible housing within Ramsey County; and
WHEREAS, The definition of affordable housing shall be housing
designed to serve citizens whose income is at 50 percent or less of the median
income; Now, Therefore, Be It
RAMSEY COUN"I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
zy Bennett
�.."e Haigh
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhardt
Janice Rettman
Ian W iessnei
Rafael E. Orteg Chair,
��ontinued)
B
Bonnie C.Jackeien
Chief Clerk - County Board
ti
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
Presented By
Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000Na�000
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Development Page 2 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners hereby
establishes the Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fund; and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approves the
following "Guidelines For Ramsey Counfy Housing Endowment Fund," designed
to serve as the eligibility, procedural, and administrative guide to tfie operation of
the Fund:
1. Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas
which include any or all of the foilowing items:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation;
Construction of residential units;
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forFeited and/or other properties
where there are unoccupiable units which wilf be pfaced back in
service upon completion of the project;
Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population; and
Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
- - .
-- . . -- .. .
2. The Ramsey Gounty HRA stafF will administer the Housing Endowment
Fund working directly with developers who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities and the HRA staff will work with
St. Paul Pianning and Economic Department staff who will represent
developers of projects in the City of St. Paul.
RAMSEY CQUN"CY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
ny Bennett
.,ge Haigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
7anice Rettman
Jan Wiessner
��
Rafael E. Orte Chai,r
�Continued)
By
Bonnie C. Jackelen
Chief Clerk - Counry Boazd
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey Coun�y Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Hai
Date December 19, 2000No2000-426
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic DevelopmentPage 3 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
3. Proposais will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available with
an effort made to coordinate with the existing super RFP review process
used by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
4. Funding wil( be balanced geographicaliy befween the City of St. Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address
the need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest
income residents and/or those with additional need for supportive
services.
� 6. Ali comp(eted projects must resuit in a net gain of affordable, accessible
housing units.
7. RI! projects must receive the support of the elected officials in of the
jurisdiction in which the project is located. A formal resolution of support
for the project must be in place before funding agreements are executed.
8. The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowmenf Fund monies.
Developers may apply for up to $ 20,000 per unit for units
affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $ 50,OQ0 per unit that wil! be affordable/accessible to
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income.
RAMSEY COINTY BOARD OF COMMTSSTONERS
yEA NAY OTHER
- �ny Bennett
..ae Aaigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
Janice Rcthnan
Jan Wiessner
Itafael E. Orte Chajr
��ont�nued)
By
Bonnie C. 7ackelen
Chief C(erk - County Boazd
Resolution
:.. . .
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No.2000-426
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Sudy Karon, Community & Economic Developmentpage 4 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
10. Housing Endowment Funds awarded are considered loans fo developers
that are expected to be repaid. Specific terms and conditions of repayment
will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon
the anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations
or expenses.
11. HRA staff will provide quarteriy reports to the HRA Soard on the status of
the fund, including time spent to administer the Endowment Fund.
and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners endorses the
County Manager's proposed sfrategy for financing the Ramsey County Housing
Endowment Fund and directs the County Manager to further develop the
proposaf for final approval by the Board; and Be 1t Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissianers authorizes a
loan from the Undesignated General Fund Bafance to the Housing Endowment
make transfers from the Undesignated Generat Furtd Balance to fhe Housing
Endowment Fund, as needed with the understanding that the transfer from the
General Fund Balance will be paid back with interest.
RAMSEY COUN'I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSiONERS
YEA 23AY OTHER
ny Bennett
�ne Haigh �—
7imMcDonough �—
RafaelOrtega X
Victoria Reinhazdt X
Janice RetRnan X
Jan Wiessner X
� Y ��` T 1
� �� ;,
gi �y` �
� y
c�. :e�/ !� � 1�- �. Sv�
����. �
.�
� �
af? ��
h ^"�}'
4 �N
a.^
��
� ;
�
f . �t�,.
w��F .
v�
`� . _:'��^'.
�
,$ 2t
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
_ ��� �
F *; � � � _
i
�+�..� ..�._ � _
\ 5°'.` P k .
�
��'i . �{�(
# _ .
[ ��
�� �. � � v
:.� � � �_.
��
'�'r.,.� L` �
�..;.-
�,_
� . [..:. _ . .,k_.
� , ,�
v
.
M
�
�� � � .
. � ' �
YY. ��� ���
� ��
��y
� � ;
0
d
{ .
� � '
� ei'e� �
�°
�
r {�
� i
�''
�
iy �
w . � ��.3e�5Y 'K
f tM '
�
..., _ � _ -z�
r
� u
Cs'
:` ?
1 ,
Y%
En
N � �
.. .. . ....�.:.�
�
�
�
....
N
�
0
�
�
.....
�
�
�
L
O
�+-
�-
'�
�
A
.1�
�
tQ
N
�
�
3
+�
ca
s
�
�
�
�
�
I
O
�
�
�
�
N
�
c
c
-
�
N
�
c
�
L
`"'
�
4)
Y
L
c �
G
�
C
0)
OL
c� � N N � � O t.c) O
�
�
.
� �
� O
� .�.]
O
� �
� L
� �
L l'6
fl.. �
—
�
fl..
N .�
� �
� �
�
S
� 1
N �
� �
S �
� �
�� VJ
1
� N
.� •�.
t �
'�'� �
� �
O �
A =
O '-
'a �
�.�
�
�
3
�
V �
O �
U �
� �
a� �
� �
�
0
N
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
0
c-�
�
� �
o r .,
� �
� �
�
� � �
� N
G� d .
�
�
O
� �
� c%
�
�
O
�
�
\
0
O
N
\
0
�
Ln
�
.�
U
�
0
m
�
�
�
0
�--�
V
\
0
�
N
�
\
0
�
V
�
� �
L�i
� �
4�-� M �
� W
�
0
�
N
�
�
0
N
�
0
�
�
0
�
V
\
0
�
\
0
c--�
V
0
.�
�
U �
� �
� �
� �
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
'� O
� �
�
■�
�
�
■�
�
�
�
�
�
_
■�
�
O
_
N
�
�
a
�
U
�
h
�
.�
ti
O
�
�
�
�
�
h
�
�
�
�
�
O
�
.s
�
ti
R Q
�Z
�
�
�
t
��
■
�
■
�
_
■�
�
0
�
.�
�
�
'�ou �
•y �
�
.� �
�
��
� U
N "
.�
.. L".
U O
C �
�3 �
E y -�
�
O
�
N
,
0
rn
rn
�
�
�
�
C
�
U
�
(B
�
Q
0
L
a..'
�
�
.�
c
�
O
ti
C
.�
a�
�
c
ca
s
U
�
C
�
�
C
.
�
O
�
N
C
�
L
0
�
�
0
�
m
�
�
O
�
�
�
�
0
�
c
0
�
�
�
0
�
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
° o ° o ° o ° o_ ° o o ° o ° o �
00000000
d�' ('�7 � N N � O �
�ua� a6e�an�/
0 0 0 0 ° o ° o ° o ° o ° o
� � � � � -�cr� � � � °�
o � �
� � o
E�3 N �
N
� tO . ' . . ° � p
� i �' O
i � i ! �� � ��' N
6� t o �
�
r
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
p� l0
� }
C'7
�
rn
�
N
�
�
�
�
rn
r
d
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
ti
�
�
�
_
�
�
�
�
�
W
�
A � '
�1L
�
�
�
U
Ia
�
�
�
�
L
N
�
�
O O
� �
� �
O O O O
Q � Q �
� � � �
a�.e� ��ue�en
�
O
�
N
�
O
Q
T
�
O
Q
0
�
�
0
�
�
0
�l—
a
�
�
N
�
I�
3
�
+�
w
_
�
�
0
�
�
.�L
0
�/
v
O '�
U i"'
� O
s
O N
d � - '�'
-�
�
� �
� �
� � � � - - -em
�� � �
� � � �
� �� �
�
� �
� � N
� � N
� � �
O = � _
O �
O ` p �
O �
O .�. � .��,
(`� �
� �
L
� �
,C .�
O -� ¢
t
�S Q L �'
� �� � �
E��=
a�
�' � � �
3 ~ � _
lt, • • •
■■
■
■ �
■■ � ..
. �
.
..
4)
� �
O �
_ �N
7
� �
O�.N
0 p c�
E
�m�
� � C
m `�
�
�
�
�
4)
� �
L -�C t�.
�
a- o �-°�
Q E a�
� II. U
O O N c
.� � o
��m
m �
N
�
C
O �
¢ O
�
N �
� �
� �
L �
� �
L
�
N
.....
�
�
....
t
�
V
�
•��
�r
• 1��
�
�
�
O
�
�
�
0�
�
LZ..
i
�
s
�
�
.�
�
c�..
.�
....
L
V
�
•��
VI
�
O
�
�
��
�
�
�
L
O
�-
�+-
t�
�
.�
N
(�
�
�
�
N
U
�
CQ
�
O
L
�
O
U
�
�
N
a
�
�
�
O
�
�
0
�
C6
�
cU
�
U
�
�
V
��o
.� c' � �
�
�
� to
� ,:.
c i'
s
U
�
�
O
�
C�6
�
•
1
�
�
._.
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
1.1..
•
�
4�
rr�
L���
�
�
��
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
•
N
O
C�6
O
.�
�
�
,
,
O�
�
�
3
O
U
L
>
O
0
�
�
4�
N
N
L
�
�
�
N
N
a�
N
�
cU
N
�
_
•
.�
.Q7
Z
�
�
0
�
L
�
�
��
�
t
�
N
�
�
�
Z
ZQ
�
L
�
Q
C �
6
�
. �.
�
�
L
�..
��
;�
�ti
; �r
j
I
,
�
I
i
O
O
O
Lf7
u
O O O
O O O
O O O
'cl' C7 N
a �doa�{
�
O
O
d
�
' o
� o
0
N
�
d7
6�
i �
! rn
i �
� �
�
rn
rn
�
L
i �
� �
M
�
�
�
�
�
�
i
67
�
�
I �
�
ti
i �
� �
'�.�7
�
O
�
w
�
�
(Q
t
�
csG
Z
�
_
_
J
�
0
QL
O
1J,..
LL
�
�
0
0
w
Z
�
�
L
O
L
�
a�
�
m
d
�
�
.�
N
I
�
'
c.
�
�
�
�
�.
�
�
3
� o
rn�
� �
• af
N �
,� U
Li. }
a
�
0
�
CtS
�
O�
a�
ac
v
'S N
aG U
❑
�
.n
!6
�
0
��
d �
N
z =
•
'Q
�
w
z
a
¢
c�
�
o �
V � �
� N p �
N (� L �
p CO > c�'a �
� � o o �
o � U L
� V C9 � �
� (� N � �
• • • •
� �� �
��� �
��� �
... �
�
��� ¢
� �F+��� H■+�H��� �� H�H■+�■+�■
�� ��� � � ��� � ����
�/�+�■ �F�/■ �F �� ������■ � ��� �F��
H� ��M�� � H■�■� �� H��■��■H�
� ���� � � � � � � ���
w
� �F ���F �� �F �F �F �F �F �F �� ����
_
�
,-;
�
� �
'.� '�
O k�-� �
t (� � � C
S ' � � U � .� f�6
c� �
3 � � � v rn �
Z ti U � � � �
• • •
.,�. ,.
N
N
N
fE
�
L
U
�
a�
rn
RS
�
•
N
�
i-�
�
�
�
�
�
�
c
tU
s
V
�
� N
-
0 0
��
��
� ��
o °';
�_
�
�
�
a
O
a.
N
N
6�
tB
.�
�. �
�II c
E �
01-7�38'
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research
310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8564
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 23, 2001
TO: Shari Moore, Deputy City Clerk
FROM: Nancy Anderson -'��
SUBJECT: Council Agenda Material - July 18, 2001.
I am forwarding to you the foliowing City Council files, which appeared on the July 18,
2001, City Council Agenda:
C.F. 01-738 (WITHDRAWN)
Policy Session Material - Homelessness
The above items are being submitted to you for your records.
NA
Attachments
. r a�0.W� ��o�
W , � c � �,,�\� •
RESOLUTION
CITY OF�SjAiNT PAUL, MINNESOTA
\S
Refemed To
Date
Fstablishing a source of fusding for the Home Share
2
3 WI�REAS, in the City of Saint Paul there is a significant shortage
4 WHEREAS, many low income persons, the elderly, persons
5 with children are in need of affordable rental housing; and
6 WFIEREAS, Saint Paul seniors are living longer and many need
7 WFIEREAS, many seniors and low income persons own
8 properly maintain theit house, while at the same time, hav
9 and ,
rental units; aad
and low income single parents
support to maintain their independence; and
homes but do not generate enough income to
nal resources for other necessities in their lives;
10 Wf�REAS, a progratn that brings low income ho wners who are "cash poor" and " house rich" together with
11 people who need affordable rental units such as; I income persons, the elderly, persons with physical disabilities,
12 and low income single parenis with children, w d benefit both partiss; and
13 Wf�REAS, the mission of the Home
14 housing together as a creative solution
15 WHEREAS, those im�olved in the
16 housekeeping, snow removal, mea
1'7 WHEREAS, the Home Sl�
18 atmosphere and encourages
19 WHEREAS; the Home
20 been serving the
'rogram is to bring homeowners and persons looking for affordable
proble� of affordable housing; and
Share Program benefit by having assistance wiYh yard work, child caze,
ation and household expenses; and
increases safety and security, lowers housing costs, creates a family
p;and
is run by Neighborhood House, a Saint Paul non-profit organization that has
City for many years; now therefore be it
21 RESOLVED, that e Saint Paul City Council support the Home Share Prograzn, and requests that the Mayor
22 identify financing tions and recommead a funding source for the City of Saint Paul to contribute up to $100,OQ0
23 annually to the p gram beginning in 2001, with anunderstanding that the funding source recommended be a�ailable
24 for ongoing support, considering such soevces as the Civic Organizations Partnership Program (COPP),
25 Community velopment Block Grant money (CDBG), and STARR funds.
Requested bp Deparlment �:
�
:�. .��
Colemau
Council File # b — �
Greeu Sheet # � 0 ��`
,�` sES'�
�
F�n���a����r
�
A � i � �� �, ��, APP�� bY M�Yor for Submission to Counc�
�
APPIm'ed bY Ma9or
�
o1-13Y
�
na�a�yco�: na�
o�-'��$
GREEN SHEET
N{IMBEit FOR
ROUTING
ORDBt
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES
�.���
N� 110402
❑ CRYAT10P1FY ❑ OIYLIHIR _
❑ Ri11NtJGllFRYICF90R ❑ qiRlilJRI.iFRV/IGCTC
❑�1nYartloRlls.RS�CM� ❑
(CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) '
F.slablish an aa�al fandieg snnrce � t�e Home SLaze Progcam slazting in 2001.
PLANNING CAMMISSION
CIB COMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION
RSONAL SERVICE CONiRACfS MUST ANSWER iNE FOLLOVIING QUES7ION5:
Has this person/firtn evervro�lced under a contract for Mis tlepartmeM'!
VES NO
Has t�is perso�rm ever heen a cfly empbyee7
YES NO
Dces this persoNfirtn possess a skill rwt riwmaltypossessetl by any curtent city empbyee?
YES NO
Is this person/firm a targetetl ventloY�
YES NO
Of .�iDt �8711.
Incieases opportunityforl�v iacome citizens tu secune affordable renial housiugwhile aidingseniors who wantto remain intheirhomes
but lack sufficient income.
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION
s�oo,000
C0.5T/REVENUEBUDGETm(CIRCLEON� VES
ncTrvm NurasEre
(E%PWN)
• PACKET MATERIALS FOR HOMELESSNESS POLICY SESSION # ZO
A. Council Research Memo on City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
B. Council Reseazch Memo on Current Issues, including excerpts from two Wilder Reports
1. Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and transitional housing, August
2001.
2. Minnesota statew;de survey of people without permanent shelter: Preliminary findings,
February 2001.
3. Family Housing Fund Homelessness Information
C. Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and City Council on Homelessness in Saint Paul by the
Overnight Shelter Boazd, October 2000
D. Addendum Updating the Yeaz 2000 Overnight Shelter Boatd Report
E. Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Alloca6ons: 1996 - 2000
F. Emergency Shelter Grazit Program Allocarions for 2000 Showing Type of Funding Provided
G. Recommendations from the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Yeaz Housing and Homeless
• Services Report and Plan (adopted by the CiTy Council Apri17, 1999 and Counry Boazd
Apri12Q 1999)
H. Status Report on the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Year Housing and Homeless Services
Report and Plan
L Smnmary of the Continuum of Caze Planning Process
J. Housing Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan: Excepts Pertaining to Homelessness
K. Background on (Saint Paul) Homeless Shelters, Services and Transirional Housing
L. List of Participating Churches in the Saint Paui Council of Churches Emergency Shelter for
. Families
M. Summary of Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
N. Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended hours Program Report Winter 2000 - 2001
O. Materials from the Street Works Collaborafive project
• P. Recent Newspaper Articles on Homelessness
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research Center
Room 310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
612 266-8570
�
�
�
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 12, 2001
TO: Councilmembers
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst /"t��
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst�
RE: City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
Although it seems self-evident to many, it beazs repeating that there are several key areas where
the City has a key role or authority in the issue of homelessness. We have outlined these for you
below.
�a����c.��y�
Police: Often police officers are the first or main point of contact the homeless have with
governmenUquasi-governmental services. The Police could be acting in the capacity of a law
enforcement agent, in cases of panhandling or public drunkenness, or they could be acting to
provide assistance for someone who needs shelter on a cold night. The policies and pmcedures
employed by the Police department profoundly affect the lives of the homeless in Saint Paul, as
they do for all Saint Paulites.
Fire: This last winter, there were several fires, large and small, started by homeless people hying
to stay wann, which became dangerous. A newspaper article in Section P of the materials for the
policy session outlines one such incident. Access to vacant buildings and the safety of people
living in the City, as well as the City's firefighters is a major concern.
HOUSING
Policy: The City establishes housing policy primarily through the Housing Chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan (Section J of the materials for the policy session). These policies aze
carried out through the City's zoning code, its housing regulations, and production activities.
The City also adopted as policy the Saint PauURamsey County Five Yeaz Aousing and Aomeless
Services Report and Pian, which is incorporated into the City's Consolidated Plan for the fedezal
govemment (Section G of the materials for the policy session provides the recommendations
from this report). Homelessness policy is also embodied in the City's Administrative Code in
the establishment of the City's Overnight Shelter Board (attachment to tlus memo).
Production: The City's role in housing production, as it relates to homelessness is, also three-
fold. First, the City can paztner or construct housing which serves the homeless population,
specifically emergency shelters (where you try to go when you've just found yourself on the
streets), transirional housing (where you go after the emergency, but before you've integrated
into "regular" housing), and supportive housing (where you go when you need mare than just
housing; e.g. alcohoUdrug recovery, job skills, life skills, etc.). In this category, we would place
the City's "Emergency Shelter Grant Program." (Attached to this memo aze 3 resolutions, CF #
88-39, CF# 88-40 and CF# 92-529 pertaining to this program. Also, Secdons E and F of the
materials for the policy session provide financial information on the program.) Second, the City
is often a funder or partner in affordable housing production/development, thus increasing the
supply of housing available to people at the lower end of the economic spechum. Lastly, the City �
is often a funder or partner in housing development for all income levels, thus increasing the
housing supply in general.
Regulation: The City's role in housing regulation and enforcement of codes has both direct and
indirect impacts on homelessness. Indirecfly, the level of enforcement activity affects the long
term condition of the City's housing stock, as well as the number of honsing units within the
City. Direcfly, City action's interpreting the zoning, building, Sre, and property maintenance
codes can make some projects to provide housing or temporary shelter for homeless possible, or
unworkable.
�
�
2
�
� J
COMI�GITPEES AND COMIvIISSION3
sion member receive more than two thousand four
hundred dollars ($2,400.00) per annum for atten-
dance at such meetings. The compensation set
forth herein shall be the entire compensation to
commis�on and/or committee members for the per-
formance of their duties.
(Ord. No. 17398, § 1, 9-9-86; C.F. No. 9&375, § 1,
427-931
Chapter 108. Reserved•
Chapter 109. A�rmative Actioa Advisory
Committeet
Sec. 109.01. Created
There is hereby created a Saint Paul Affirma-
tive Action Advisory Committee. The committee
shall rnnsist of seven ('n members representing
protected class groups, three (3) members repre-
senting labor, two (2J city council members, one
member of the civil service commission, one
member of the human rights commission, ane
member from the office of human resources, and
one member from the mayor's office.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84; Ord. No. 17345, § 1,
4-24-86; Ord. No. 17915, § 2, 3-26-92)
Sec. 109.03. Term.
App. C, § 130.01
Members of the committee shall be appointed
within thirty (30) days of the date of the adoption
of the ordinance enacting this chapter and shall
serve for a term of four (4) years, commencing as
of the effective date of ttus chapter, and until their
successors aze appointed and qualify. Thereafter,
four (4) members as designated by the mayor shall
be appointed for a term of one (1) year; four (4)
members as designated by the mayor shall be ap-
pointed for a term of two (2) years; four (4) mem•
bers as desigiated by the mayor shall be appointed
for a term of three (3) years; and four (4) members
as designated by the mayor shall be appointed for
a term of. four (4) years. Subsequent terms shall
all be for a period of four (4) yeazs.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-54; Ord. No. 17626, § 1,
1-19-89)
Sec. 109.04. Rules.
The committee shall select its own chair and
shall adopt its own governing rules. The eom-
mittee shall meet as often as is necessary to ac-
complish its purpose but shall meet at least once
a month for the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84)
Chapter 110. Overnight Shelter Board#
�
Sec. 109.02. Powers aad dnties.
The Saint Paui Affirmative Action Advisory
Committee shall promote aff'umative action mea-
sures to recruit protected class applicants for city
employment; shall recommend to and advise ap
propriate city personnei regarding effective tu-
torsng af a31 agplicants for ciLy emploqment; and
shaIl monitor ti� impiementation of the city's af-
firmative actionprogram and selection procedures
and make recommendations regarding the same
to the mayor and city council.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26•84)
• Editor's note—Section i of Ozd. No. 17259, eaacted Juty
25,1985, repealed the pmvisions formerly codified ay Ch. 108,
§§ 108.01-108.06, derived from Ord. No. 16308, adopted July
19, 1977; and Ord. No. 16699, adopted Sept 9, 1980, end per-
tainin4 to the citY's Pazlring commission.
fLegislative Code refereace—For provisions pertaining
W humaa riBhTs, aee'15He XVIII.
Supp. No. 22
Sec. 110.01. Declaration of policy.
The city councii fmds that changing economic
conditions, government policies and a variety of
other factors have resuited in a substantial in-
crease in the number of homeless persons in the
City of Saint Paul and in the Twin Cities metro-
politan area. On behalf of the people of Saint Paul,
the eouncil acknowledges that as a matter of so•
cial justice every person is entitled to decent, safe
and sanitary shelter. Whiie it recognizes the sal-
utary efforts of a number of private agencies, the
council fmds that there is a need for oversight and
coordination, at both the local and regional levels,
#Editor'e note—Ordinance No. 17292, adopted Sept 17,
1985, provided that its provisions be included inW the Admin-
istrative Cade, but did aot specify the exact meaner of such
inclusioa. At the editor's discretioa, therefore, §§ 1-7 of Ord.
No. 17292 have been �e3 ay Ch. 110, §§ 110.01-130.07.
2688.3
�
�
�
COMMIT3'EES AND COMIvIISSIONS
the board's recommeaded plans and progtams shall
be on file in the office of the city cierk. Within
thirty (30) days of the board's presentation of its
plans and pro�rams, the council shall hold a pub-
lic hearing on the same. Within ninety (90) days
of the board's presentation, the councii shall act
oa the rernmmended plans and programs.
(c) Upon request by the council or its own ini-
tiative the board may provide suppiemental re-
ports to the mayor and the city council. These
reports map incIude requests for emergency ac-
tion by the council.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 4, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.Ob. Term.
Of the members first appointed, three (3) shall
be appointed for a term of one year, four (4) shall
be appointed for a term of two (2) yeazs, and four
(4) shall be appointed far a term of three (3) years.
Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for
three (3) years until a successor is appointed and
qualifies.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 5, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.06. Rules and meetings.
The board shall select its own chair and shall
adopt its own governing rules. The boazd shall
meet as often as is necessary to accomplish its
purpose, but shall meet at least once a month for
the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 6, 9-17-55)
Sec. 110.07. Administrative staff.
The mayor shall provide the boazd with ade-
quate staff from such city departments as he may
direM to enable it to perform its duties under this
chapter.
(Ord. No. 17292, $ 7, 9-17-85)
Chapter 111. Etlucal Practices Board
Sec. 111.01.1. Council findings.
The council of the City of Saint Paul finds that
the civil service rules for the City of Saint Paul
and the city's coliective bazgaining agreements
with organized and represented city employees
Supp. No. 13
§ 111.01.3
contain adequate procedures for reviewing and
handling complaints against most city employees.
However, the council also finds that there aze not
adequate procedures for reviewing and handling
complaints against elected officials and some ap-
pointed employees. Finally, the council finds that
eleeted and appointed officials aze held to a higher
standard of conduct and responsibility due to the
nature of their duties and responsibilities.
(Ord. No. 17638, § 1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.2. Ethical practices board created.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Pairl Ethi-
cal Practices Board. The boazd shall consist of
five (5) members, who shall serve without com-
pensation, agpointed hy the mayor with the con-
sent of the city council. Initially, two (2) members
shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years
each, two (2) members shall be appointed for a
term of two (2) years each and one (1) member
shall be appointed for a term of one (1) yeaz.
Thereafter, members' terms shall be for three (3)
yeazs until their successors are appointed and
qualify.
(b) No member of the board during his or her
term shall:
(1) Hald or campaign for elective office;
(2) Be an officer of any political party, politi-
cal committee or personal campaign com-
mittee;
(3) Permit his or her name to be used to or
make contributions in support of or opposi-
tion to any city candidate or proposition;
(4) Participate in any election campaign.
(Ord. No. 17500, § 1, 10-13-87; Ord. No. 17638, §
1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.3. Limitation on jurisdiction.
The board's jurisdiction over complaints alleg-
ing vio]ations of Saint Paul I,egisiative Code, Chap-
ter 29 and/or Saint Paul Administrative Code,
Chapter 24 by city officials or employees shall be
limited to complaints against public officials as
defined hy Saint Paul Administrative Code, Sec-
tion 24.03Bxlxd).
(Ord. No. 17638, $ 1, 3-23-89)
�
�
�
�
App. C, $ 110.01
ADMINLSTRATIVE CODE
of the efforts to provide overnight shelter to home
less persons. The council hereby declares that it
shall be the public policy of the City of Saint Paul
to assume, those ovexsight and caordination re-
sponsibilities within the city and to esercise, in
partnership with the private sector and other met-
ropolitan units of government, its best efforts to
secure adequate overnight shelter for all home-
less per"sons.
tOrd- No. 17292, § 1, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.02. DeSnitions.
't`he following definitions shall apply to this
chapter:
Adequate shelter. A shelter shall be wnsidered
adequate if it pratects and maintains human
health and dignity and if it pmvides a clean en-
vironment and bedding and adequate security and
supervisian for all residents of the shelter.
Homeiess. A person shall be considered home-
less if
(1) The person has no possessory interest in an
accommodation and Iacks the means neces-
sary to obtain such interest; or
(2) The person has a possessory interest in an
accommodation and:
a The person is unable to secure entry to
that accommodation and lacks the
means necessary to obtain alteraative
accommodations; or
b. Occupation of the accommodation
would likely lead to violence from an-
other occupant and the person lacks the
means necessary to obtain alternative
acrnmmodations.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 2, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.03. Board established.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Paul Over-
night Shelter Board of not to exceed eighteen (18)
members appointed by the mayor with the con-
sent of the city couneil. The board shall consist oF
membera representing or ni� ations wluch pra
vide overnight shelter to the homeless, members
who have demonstratsd a eommitment to advo-
cacy for the homeless, and members drawa from
Supp. No. ZZ
the broader community and whose knowledge and
s1d1Ls would be useful to the board.
(b) The council shall periodically review the op-
erations of the board W ensure that its actions are
in aecord with the declaration of policy and its
pawers and duties as set forth herein.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 3, 9-17-85; Ord. No. 17314, § 1,
12-2455)
Sec. 110.04. Powers and duties.
{� The Saint Paul Overnight Shelter Board
shall determine annually for Saiat Paul the
number of homeless persons desiring overnight
shelter, assess current shelter availability in Saint
�aul, and report on July 1 of each year the results
regarding the same to the mayor and the city
council. Whenever the assessment and report dce-
ument a shortfall in relation to the demand for
shelter beds, the city shall eaercise a leadership
mle in acquiring suffieient resources to provide
the necessary additional shelter spaces.
(b) The board shall also formulate and recom-
mend to the mayor and city council additional
programs or plans, both local and regional in scope,
for securing ovemight shelter for homeless per•
sons. These plans shall include all available re-
sources and involve government as well as pri-
vate entities in their implementation. Copies of
2688.4
\
�5 OF THE COUNCIL OF TFIE CTTY OF SAINT PAUL, 1988 31
�p minutes of al] meetings. Subcommitu• vrriting by a member of the counril of a notice of inteat to amend the same,
n'unction with the director oE the co ahich notice shall contaia the specific proposed amendments. Such notice
)
^ch center to insure that the appropr . shail be served upon each member of the council seven (7) days prior to the
and clerical staff shall be pmvided for tEe submission of an9 resolution amending such rules.
mittee chairs shall be responsible fc: Adopted by the Council Januar913, 1988.
. tbe minutes of subcrommittee meetings, ; ypproved January 19, 1988.
1 be filed mith the city derk as a pubIicmm � (Januazy 23, 1988)
rouncil president.
�articulaz.
id pexsonnel. The council subcommiitee ¢
:sonnel shal] establish prioritized gay75 az� Council File No. 8&39 — By Kiki Sonnea—
3 operating budgets of all city departmen� N'HEREAS. The City of Saint Paul has received $ll5,000 under the
dition the subcommittee shall assume tt� E-�crgencyShelterGraatProgram(ESGP)formallocationtoqualifiedproviders
all capital and operating budget matte- o: assisiance to the homeless; and
accordance with the timetable provided b: 1CHEREAS, The State of Minnesota has also notified the City of Saint Paul
allberesponsiblefortLeconsiderationotar. :Tat ihe city may apply for up to $43,004 of funds from the state's ESGP
sonnel of the city, salary questions and lak- y.ioration on behalf of qualified pmvidess; and
onsible for reviewing all licensing matte-: R'HEREAS, The City of Saiat Paul mishes to assist providers of assistance to
vttee action, except whem full council aMio: :hr homeless to make use of these funds in a way that meets federal and state
time limits which would not allow fo: ;�rgulations as well as locally ideatified priorities; now, therefore, be it
ll, and for overseeing policy development o' RESOLVED, T'hat the City of Saint Paui establishes the process described in
zding legislation on lirnnsing issues. �hibit One as the process for reallocating Emergency Shelter Grant Program
id transportation. The council subcommitte� (unds.
s, and transportation shall assume tEe Adogted by Lhe Council January 12, 1988.
• and recommendation of covncil legislatiw py�roved January 13, 1988.
review proposals for ]egislation relating tc
elevision, cable television, lighting, heating (Janvary 23, 2988)
� other public utifities services subjcc
11 rnview and mommend aIl3imnse
by the city council to public utili;p
�s d representatives. Connci] File No. 88-40 — By Kiki Sonnen—
levelopment. The council subcommittee o: N"HEREAS, The City of Saint Paul is cunently participating in the U.S.
pment shall oversee policy development ani �'partment of Hovsing aad Urban Development Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
lation in these arnas — land use and zoning ProS�am; and
�pment by the Port Authority, the Housing H'HEREAS, The City_ of Saint Paul has been notified b9 the State of
cy and the City Departm¢nt of Planning anc >Smnesota that it is also eligible to participate in the State Emergency Shelter
>roving buildings and especially improving G:an: (£SG) Program, thereby providing additional xesoumes to the City to
3perties. In addition, the subcommittee mr. assisi the hameless; now, therefore be it
oposals that affect these issues. RfSOLVED, 3'hat Mayor George I.atimer, as Chief Officer of the City of
: services. The council subcommittee a. S.iint Paul, is hereby authorized and directed to submit the Saint Paul
�ices shall oversee policy development anc f^ergency Shelter Grant Program application to the State of Minnesota, in such
gislation on issues involving communitc :o:r.� as prescribed by the State regulations; and be it
environment and other human services FURTHER AESOLVED, That the Mayor or his designated representative is
shall serve az a ciearinghouse for revieu a further authorized to submit to the State of Minnesota any assurances,
n addition, the subrnmmiEtee sriall ovene� �r:tifirations, technical changes or addiiional iniormation that may be required
3 irnplement programs ior Sbe impimec . d�ring ibeir rnvievc of tLe Saiat Paul ESG Program application; and be it
�ss of crime prnventi� and srsponse to tk � FL`ATHEg gESpl\7ED,That uponnotification of appzoval of the Saint Paul
ior tiie improved qualitp oi life ia tl� � S:aie £SG prpgrym application, the Council dces hereby authorize the proper
�aittee also may zeview proposals from it,� nt.• v?iiria3s fo esecute the graat agreement and contract between the City of
- rnncern district couacils, business and ci�u b:,is; paul and the State of Minaesota; and be it
�od or community groups. FI`:Alyy RESOLVED, That nor to the
�acil subcommittee on rules and licy st+a: S ; P� expenditure of funds under the
Po a e ESG Program, the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic
d implementation of ihe Council's strategic Drrelopment or his designated represeatative submit to the Couacil a detailed
ity for the review and rnommendation tot�E p:an for the e�cpenditurn of the State ESG Program funds.
idments to the city rnuncil rules of procedure Adopted by the Couacil Janua
:iend to the council general policy guidelims ry 12, 1988.
2s legislative deliberations, and may revien Approved January 13, 1988.
� various boards and coaunissions. (January 23, 1988)
i may be atnended only by the submission io
/
��
�.�:3r.>';���:`;:�:::::> �..:-
�t �.:-.�_ ; -
,�,.,. . . .-... ._. _.
� �c����1�41
�-
� . �
3
j �
,� . �.. . �: �- Y=eseated By
Council File # �a
Green Sheet #
AESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PA�L, Ml�INESOTA
� To ee: Date
RESOLUTION ADOPTING PRIORITIES K
TEIE 1992 EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANf PROGRAM
WHEREAS the G7ry of Saint Paul aanually allocates federal Emergency Shelter Grant
funds ta organizations providing transitional services and shelter services to indi�iduals
who aze homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and
WHEEItEAS the alloration of Emergenry Shelter Grant funds is recommended to the •
(5ty Council by a review committee whose members ue drawn from the (Yty of Saint
PauPs Ho Information Office, Departrnent of Planning and Economic Development,
Iviiunesota Office of Jobs and Training, Saint Paul Area United Way and Ramsey
County Department of Human Services; and
VyHEREAS the U.S. Department of Housing and iJrban Development has issued
guidelines governing the allocation of said funds; and
WFiEREAS those guidelines allow for funds to be used at tfie discretion of loral
governments for (i) operating ar.d maintenance expenses, (2) essential se;vices, (3)
rehabilitation or (4) preventive services; and
. � . - .
�
�
i
:
_
�
. t
_ , ... , . . :; �._:
�
.. • . a
�<:� -
;:;.f .�=.::s�^. . .
` �Adopted by Council: Date
�
�:.,Adoption_CertiPied y Co
�'�; : - � ;.` Secretary ;�_ •
�'.� , BY•
+.. � . �� , ..,i,`S'''3�`' a �K ;'
s
.:1}.. t� .� . n.��f • � / .
:': �'.";,4:':;APProved� �///.� .Dat
�� r"�w�;?� �a�,:, a s;}�`•` =�' / (/y (/ /�� = � ' = ' II (��j�j���/ / ' / � !- - L y���� 1
��S . a2_` . . k 1 42 L f 4t/�(/�/',�Q^ ' , , • ..� � �b`�
APR.1 � 1992
Requested by Department oP: �;'
,. -. "�=-
$y . . . ,
Form Approved by City Attorney ;
. � By: - � � � � _ _.' - , �P�:`,�-
. __ � �
92` counc3l " :
:,':,, t _ .1.
�qi� ,gy;
:,_;::_ :-._._,__ -
� 4Rf �INAL (� 9 S
� .
a
�
.
�
� WHIItEAS the City Council wants to ensure that, within ihe scope of the federat
I guidelines, the funds address critical Iocal needs; and � ....
-.:-� � - _ ' ' . : �:..:._,._,. . - - - ;��.��. • _. _ ; �.�__
NOW THEF2EFORE BE TT RFSOLVED that the City Councl will, ia its allocation of
the 1992 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds, favorably consider those programs wFuch
demonstrate ihe following areas of emphasis:
�
(a) Preventioa of homelessness
(b) Assistance to homeless people in attaining se]f yuffcieacy
(c) Partnership with other non profiu and governmental agendes
(d) Assistaace to victims of domestic abuse
(e) Consistenry with the most recent recommendations of the Ovemight
Shelter Boazd .
(� Provision of funds for program and facility expenses not covered by otfier '
snurces of funds; and
BE TT FTNALLY RESOLVED that applicants who cannot compIy witfi Qty guideIines
and sh11 believe they should receive funding under the program should submit
documentation to that effect and request that the C�ty Councl waive its requirement
i' �
' _, -. - 4�
• ..� ' �.-
. _ ' Yeas a s ' AbserLt�, - _: �:':: . _.- :'.:,':--,j: -� - �7-.;::.� _
- - . _ . . . .- = ;�>.i;:,:..::�o:::.. _ _ - _ - <1i ^"%' -
Requested by Depaztment ofr _ �
q N N fl H
�aopted by counci�: nateApR � 4 1992` -.
- '"":' "Adoption'Certified by Council � -
,Secretary '
DY= —
,,;;.s.; m_<-_....., ;.
'``=�'°'APProved��by
�
-�
. _ _ _ _ - - - _ v - ._y�-
gY= �
� - - r �.;�°'�iv��.... i^-, _ ``'�"
Form Approved= b`y`City Attorney "= `� °`=�'"' '`r
�:'r - ,• � :. ` APProved by 1L
Date APR 1� i992�- councii ���_'.:
.......».,. H�R c� az ` . . _
MEMORANDUM
� DATE: July 13, 2001
TO: Councilmembers � �
pw �r,�'/
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst S�.,
�R
RE: State of Homelessness: Research and Statistics
Demand is increasing
Office of the City Council
Investigation and Research Center
310 City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
The state population increased from 1989 to 1999 by 12 %, the number of inen receiving
shelter services grew (from 1991 to 2000) by 58 %, the number of women grew by 157 %
and the number of children in emergency and transitional housing grew by 250 %.
Although shelter capacity has increased from 1991 to 2000, the number of homeless people
turned away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter capacity.
41 % of homeless adults were released from an institution, homeless program, or treatment
center in the past yeaz, and 49 % of those had no where to go.
Housing affordability and avaiIability declining
� Housing affordability, a combination of low wages and a tight housing market, is a growing
factor in homelessness.
• Average rents in the Twin Cities azea increased 34 % between 1990 and 1999, while the
median household income of renters grew by only 9%.
• To afford an average one bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities azea ($664 in 2000) would
require an hourly wage of $12.70. Of those working, 39 % were earning less than $8 per
hour, and 68 °/a were earning less than $10 per hour.
• 82 % of families oited Iack of affordable housing as reason for seeldng emergency shelter.
(Wilder Reseazch Center Summary, August 2000, "Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitional housing.")
Longer average stays in shelters and transitional honsing {Wilder Research Cenrer summary, August
2000, "Ten year trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and bansitional housing. ')
• The average stay (1999) in Ramsey County emergency shelters for males alone was 20 days,
females alone was 14 days and 18 days for families.
• The average stay in Ramsey County transitional housuYg (1999) for women alone was six
months and for families it was nine months.
All statisrics can befound in the Wilder Research Center's `ilfinnuota statewide survey ofpeople without
permanent sheZter: Preliminary findings, February 2001 " unless otherwise noted.
i
�
WILDER
CENTER
Shelter use in the '90s
Ten-year trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitionai housing
�
s
Since 1991,shelterproviders
have collected common data
elements about single adults and
families who use emergency
shelteis and �ansitional housing
in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
This summary report puts the 1999
results in perspective by showing
trends in shelter use and in the
characteristics of shelter useis
over the past nine years.
Wilder Reseazch Center maintains
a database and prepazes an annual
report for program and policy
planning. The annual reports also
descnbe use of shelters for baitered
women, buY these data aze not part
of the common database because
of safety concerns.
Number of persons using emergency sF�elter, 1991-1999
Unduplicated rnmber of persons each year
6,000 5 �
3,000 2,939
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of stays in emergency shelter,1991-1999
»,000 �0,002
5,500 4,078
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of emergency shelter beds in Ramsey County,1991-1999
(excluding Flexibie and overtlow)
aoo
325
274
200 173
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999
Shdter use in the `90s 1 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
.Steve Rice _ - -�
Halsing lnformatia� �ce;��� �
�City of Saini Paul.�„ ,_ ^4�y�
�The documerrted drop in -���
;shefter use does n� sq�re.�
�Wlth U72 PP,fC2pilOfl Of thOSE' `y
�operating the .sheRets. ;Tt►e ��
�sheRers are running full m��
-� - � � _ . -��~x�
: —.,.� t�>__-.�,
, ; .: _. - ..
easanaly:-Partbf� �
gason for ttie Conflict =`�<
�uveen the dociurierited ;
Irop in and the
necdotal reports is ttiat�w
�ave fewer shefter spaces;
�an in past years, in spite
_-., -�-- -
icomporient is Uiat shetter
=guests car►not move but o1
Fthe shetter at the same -::=�
-speed as y in'past years. ,77
stay longer and fewer new
� peopte get irrto shefter. Th
`sei.nrid Problem r�leds t�
� fCf1�2� (112fiC�. '�1QfE 8f2 _�
fewer units available at ar�
price because Of ihe infltni
new job seekers in the pas
matter of fewer.numbers of�_v
=emergencY shefter, spaces;�
decisions have been � in�
„ tlie private and publie secxors_"�
a�
! Private emergency shefter� �
pProviders volurrtarily reduc�ed�
'their capaeiEy ta mc�re
`manageable levels. Political "'
leaders decided to limit the �=a
number of families served. j
Emergency shelter use
is declining
The total number of persons
using emergency shelters was
relatively stable during the
fust half of the decade but has
dropped steadily in the past
five years to a low of 2,939 in
1999. Moreover, the nvmber
of stays in emergency shelters
has been dropping steadily
throughout the decade. The
decreases are largely attnbWable
to fewer beds (reduced capacity)
at the biggest men's shelter and
a new 30-day Ramsey County
residency requirement for
families entering shelter.
In 1999, the number of persons
using emergency shelters
(2,939) was at the lowest level
in the 1990s, and the number
of stays in emergency shelter
(4,078) was at the same low
point reached in 1998.
Transitional housing
beginning to serve fewer
persons
The total number of persons
shying in hansitional housing
increased every year from 1991
to 1997, matching the increases
in capacity, but then declined
in the past two years.
In 1999, 674 persons used
transitional housing, down
from a high of 1,030 in 1997.
The number of women living
alone had the biggest drop,
from 210 in 1997 to 142 in
1999.
Unduplicated number
of persons using
emergency shelter and
transitional housing
Over the past 10 years, about
30,000 men, women, and
children have used shelter in
Ramsey County.
Number of persons usiog transitional housing, '1991-1999
Unduplicated number of persons per year
�,zoo
.��
1,030
674
2U8_ . _ _
t991 1992 1993 t994 i995 1996 1997 1998 1999
U
.
�
Shelter use in the '90s 2 �[da Research Cenrer, Augvst 1000
N
�
Number of women and children using baaered women's shelters,
7992
���
�,soa
C
■Women 9Children
19,434 adulu (mostly single
men) and 8,235 children have
used emergency shelter.
� 1,885 adults (mostly women)
and 1,023 children have used
transitional housing.
Fewer people using
shelters for battered
women
�
The number of women and
children using battered
women's shelters also
increased each yeaz from 1992
to 1997, but began to decline in
1998.
In 1999, 1,833 women and
children used shelters for
battered women, down from a
high of 2,802 in 1997. (Counts
aze taken as people exit their
shelter stay.)
Since about half of the
homeless women who aze
sheltered in Ramsey Counry
stay in shelte�s for battered
women, it would be helpful to
Imow how many retum to that
setting, and how often, as well
as how many also use
emergency shelter or
hansitional housing. Data thaY
would allow cioss-refe�encing of
records and data sets aze not
available at this time.
Longer average stays in
shelter
Wfrile fewer persons aze using
shelters, on average, they aze
staying longer.
In emergency shelters the
average stay in 1999 was 14
days for females alone and 18
days for families.
_ Helene Fre1nt - " - �� �_=�
MPH, Director, - - ` °��;
� Health Care for the �
�; -°. � -'��� -__� �
;Homeless _�-- R__:_
; Fleafth Care for tt�e � �;�
;lioinetess of Ramsey Courny�
Ehas been sernng the hea�
� _
iumber of tiorrieless
_,._ _._�:;
`visit eight diffefgr'it�site
each week, ineluding�
shefters and drop-iri,c�
The number of famili�
'the large number of ch
�seen in our clinics po'irr
an increasing `problerri:
i It used to be that famili
would leave emefgenc�
°sheRer before the 30`d
'�limit because they had
' housing. But now; fio�
'advocates dread being
for housing assistarice
because there is no ha
to offer, and only a few
, agencies are accepting
housing referrals: =`_� w:
: _ ;:; c ,, > �, - _ . —
��
„ _ , �-->;
- _ _ — 'P;z c_��—
_' _ y;`- Y�=!�v
�" -- - - _��
_ _ - ss,
Shdter use in tbe '90s 3 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
limMderson :-
- Low /ncome arrd Homeless �
- Services Planner, Ramsey �y :
�Cormty Hu►nan Services '� �: ="�
=At first glance, the data - ` ; :�`y�
S ' _ _ _ - ' "�'�'�'
� seem to indicate that the ;; �
�. _ � _ — _ . ,_�,.
:need fa shelter space and �=�;
'iransitional hous'ing is _: ��;:��,
- _ - � _ ..�
�decreasing. This impressiai_':�
� - . -- _:.__ ;� �==_x�
vis extremely misleading.;-��
�The critical shortage of � =�=;
raffordable renta{ hauing'`_�;";
xthraighout the m�ro area``'�;��
�has created a serious logjarii �;
- through-out the sheltef arit! ==°:
Vansitiorial housin s erri.:'
_ 9 �_ : _� �
An erosion in the number of =�
'emergency beds available;'=; r
3 .
�CORlblfl2C� WRh �Of198f S�yS, _�
timeans tliat fewer people are _.;
: g�xting served � a time ' `=' � :;:
when more and more low: _�,'
-income families and singler=s_�:
adults are unable to locate `;=
ar�y form of permanent ;; �-:} s
housing. The resuft is more „�
people becoming chroniplly.,
homeless or very ,. ,. _ �.;
must cominue to develo �:u� `
°- _ - _P���
more emergency shefter : � �
capacity without Iosing sight�
of our long-term goal of ���°=y�
increasi the su of : z�=
�9 PP�Y_ , . _,...=�,
�
affordable permanent.-: -�=°_�
_ _ _ - - .;°i�-F,
. h0using. _
number of days per year in emergency shelter,1992-1999
zo zo
16
�s �$
10 13 14
0
r��
150
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
In hansirional housing, based
on eauts in 1999, aduIt women
stayed about six months and
months. The longer stays also
could help explain why fewer
persons aze being served by the
transitional programs.
In s3�eiteis for battered women,
the average stay was 21 days in
Men alone
Women alone
Families
�
�
emergency shelter in the 1990s
stayed only once or twice, as
the system intends. In 1999,
39 percent of single men, 14
percent of single women, and
IS percent offamilies retumed
to shelter in the same year.
1999 .1-7-days-im k448-.--- '��� proportions �ave been
and I S days in 1996 and 1997. fairly steady throughout the
1990s.
Repeat use of
emergency shelter
twmber of days in transitional housing, 1992-1999
273
Zp5 Families
Single women
182
702
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 9998 1999
�
Shelrer use irt the '90s 4 Wilder Researel+ Center, August 2000
�4 i .
Long-term programs such as
• supportive housing, which
offe�s a permanent place to live
combined with ongoing support
services, might better serve the
100 or so chronic shetter users
in Ramsey County.
Children in shelters
The number of children in the
three types of shelter is also
dropping, from a high of 3,229
in 1995 to 2,037 in 1999.
Nevertheless, children continue
to make up a large proportion
of shelter users. In 1999,
children made up 55 percent of
those in shelters for battered
women, 46 percent in
transitional housing, and 24
• percent in emergency shelters.
About half of the children in
tiansitional housing and
sheltecs for battered women are
of school age (5 and older), a
fairly sYeady proportion
throughoutthe decade.
" In 1999, 68 percent of the
children in emergency shelter
were of school age, up from 61
percent the two previous years
and 54 percent before thai.
•
Perceru of aduits who re-entered Rartuey Courrty shelter within the
same year.1991-1999
50°/,
33% 39% Men alane
25% ts%
14% Fartu'ks
is% �s% w«�, �o�
o%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 '1996 1997 1998 1999
Chiidren as a pe�centage of ati peopie in shelters,1991
100%
sz%
ss%
5o°k ao%
46%
r
23% 24%
0%
1991 '1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
—i—Emergency shefter
�--Transitional housing
--�— Shelters for battered women
Percentage of children in sheiter who were age 5 or older,1992-1999
100%
68% Emergency
53% � shelter
50°k r—�' i--- -y--r_ �.---�
50% 54%Transitbnal
housing
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Shdter nse in the `90s 5 Wilder Rerearch Cenler, Augusr 2000
Men alone in shelter
Men living alone have been the
lazgest group of shelter users
throughout the 1990s, making
up about three-quarters of the
adults in emergency shelter and
about half of ail perso� in
emergency shelter. In
tiansitional housing, men living
alone make up about 10 percent
of all peisons each yeaz.
While single men represent the
largest segnent of emergency
shelter users, data that describe
their bacicgrounds, where they
come from, and their reasons
for seeking shelter aze not
routinely collected at this rime.
Women alone in shelter
Females alone make up about
13 percent of the emergency
sheiter popula6on and a quarter
of the hansitional housing
poputarion.
In 1999, 62 percent of women
alone in emergency shelter
were African-Americans, up
from about 51 percent over the
previous 5 years.
Females alone reporting a stay
at a treatment facility within a
month of entering hansitional
housmg rose sharply from
3 percent in 1991 to about 40
percent in 1995-97, then
dropped back to 33 percent in
1999.
Unduplicated count of persons using emergency shelter, 1991-1999
Men Women Adults
Year Total alone alone with chiidren
1991 5,134 2,990
-- - -- 2�544
1993 5,253 2,7� �
451 523
386 775
316 773
Families in emergency
shelter
The number of families in
emergency shelter has dropped
from a high of 642 in 1992 to
314 in 1999, largely due to a
diversion program and
residency requirements.
In 1999, 78 percent of adults in
families in emergency shelter
aze African-Americans, up
from about 73 percent over the
past 5 years.
Some family advocaYes fear
that the new five-yeaz welfare
limits and welfare-to-work
policies will lead to increased
homelessness for families.
Children Famiiies•
1,170 479
1,770 642
1,453 627
1994 5.105 2,808 408 613 1,276 421
1995 5,284 2,678 415 671 1,520 520
1996 4,439 2,452 378 � ��057 qqp
1997 3,599 2,022 238 427 912 358
1998 3,217 1.733 215 390 B79 296
1999 — - 2. 9 39 1, 194 37 7 12 314
' For this study, a family unit is defined as one or more adults plus o� or more children.
�
.
�
SAelter use in the `90s 6 �lder Research Center, Augart 1000
�
�
�
Percent of families in emergency shelter receiving general
welfare assistance (AFDC, MFIP, or TAN�
�w%
so%
�
�Zx
ss%
35%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 '1999
The percentage of families with
children in emergency shelter
reporting general welfaze
assistance as a source of
income (AFDC, MFIP/TANF)
dropped from 72 percent in
1994 to 35 percent in 1994.
Fewer people from
outside Ramsey County
Another noteworthy shift is
where emergency shelter users
come from and where they last
lived. In the eariy 1990s,
Wiider's annual reports
recommended a shift from an
emergency focus to a
resettlement focus for the
increasing numbeis of out-of-
state persons in shelter, who
apparenUy needed help getting
stabilized in their new
community. The county did
enact a 30.day Ramsey County
residency requirement for those
entering emergency shelters.
Between 1993 and 1999 there
was a gradual decrease in the
proportion of aduits from
outside Minnesota (from 44%
to 30%) and last living outside
Minnesota (from 34% to
23%).
Affordable housing
shortage
The Twin Cities has a severe
shortage of lower-priced
housing. According to the
Family Aousing Fund
(www.�fund.org/ReseazchJ
need.htm), incomes have not
kept pace with rent increases.
Federal housing programs
have been cut back, about
9,000 federally subsidized
hvusing units are at risk of
conversion to market-rate
rents, and vacancy ntes are
just over 1 percent. The
bottom line: "There aze
68,900 renter households with
£ Margaret Lovejoy -_: _ ,_ .=. -== =�;
`Project liome ;_ _ _ . _ �a
- - - _:.�
=�ough Project liome, a --��°'
�==•�-= _° ...- 3�
Fnumber�of chu�ches open," �;
�tl�eir spaces for a a �
�-- ' -
�time ta hol�se ttle ovefflow -�
�_-,;- -_ - '- -.._-- <-�,�
I Sfl@�[2f LfCd�
,_ and angry =
iction fof arry
ousi � .
�!xJ_.�:_
ousirig for a fai
� Paui?' "FI�! -i
��_:.�d.�„ ,..�
hese are the
liild erttering tti
helter for a thirt
��of the church
hshefter..� In th
. .......il..... :.L...4
kare seeing larger femilies�
'staying longer because tt�
' have rjowhere else to go::
TJuly the Project hlome �� �
= church shefter program; i�
>adding '18 additionai beds
; the program - still; our,��
'.: g
� CORY11Uf1KY WI�� fl@� R10fE
Shdter use fn the `90s 7 Wilder Research Center. August 1000
annual incomes below $10,000
in the metropolitan area, but
only 31,200 housing units with
rents affordable at this income
level (rents no more than 30%
of income)."
For perspective, to afford a
typical two-bedroom
apartment renting in St. Paul at
about $770 per month, a
family needs a monthly
income of at least $2,566
($30,800 per year).
The signs of the affordable
housing shortage began to
show up in shelter irends in
1996, when the percentage of
families reporting "lack of
affordable housing" as a
reason for seeldng emergency
sheiter increased to 59 percent,
up from 33 percent the year
before.
Percentage of families in emergency shelter reporting lack of
affordable housing as a reason for seeking sheiter
iBAY�!
50%
0°h
82%
52%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Nofe: °Family° is defrned as one or more adults with one or more
children.
In 1999, 82 percent of families
cited lack of affordable
housing as reason for seeking
emergency shelter, up from 62
percent last year.
Doubling-up (living with
friends or relatives) has
become more common among
families with children in the
past five years, both as the
previous living arcangement
before entering emergency
sheiter (from 63% in 1995 to
81% in 1999) and as the next
living arrangement after
leaving emergency shelter
(from 12% in 1995 to 25% in
1999).
The shortage in affordable
housing may be contributing to
longer stays in emergency
shelters, transirional housing,
and shelters for battered
women.
more
summary presents highlights irom finergency Shelters, Transition Housing, and Battered Women Shelters, a report
3red by Wilder Research Center in Augus[ 2�0. For copies of this wmmary or the full report, contac[ Wilder Research
�r or find both versions onGne at www/wilder.org/tesearcfi�"" '
_ —
Richard Chase
2000
�
�
�
Shdter use in the `90s 8 �lder Ruearch Center, August 2000
WILDER
i
On the night of October 26,
2000, over 50Q interviewers
surveyed 2,480 of Minnesota's
homeless adults and youth,
including a representative
sample of those receiving
shelter and transitional housing
services, plus 468 people in
unsheltered locations.
This preview offers an early
look at selected findings from
these interviews. A series of
compiete reports on the study
will be issued later this spring.
CENTER
More a�e ttomeless. On any givea night, an estimated 8,600 people are
lromeless in M'umesota. This is nearly 2S times the estimate made in
October 1991. The estimate is based on:
■ 7,121 homeless men, women, unaccompanied youth, and children who
were staying in Minnesota's shelters and transitionai housing programs on the
night of October 26, 2000
■ 51 who were in detox facilities on the same night
• An estimated additional 1,424 m unsheltered locations
More are working. In nine years the proportion of homeless adulu working
full- or part-time has more U�an doubled from 19 percent in 1991 to 41 percent
in 2000. The proportion working full-time has more than tripled from 7.5
percent to 26 percent. Over one-quarter of ail homeless adults now repoR
their main source of income is from steady employment. However, 68 percent
eam less than $t0 an hour, and 39 percent earn Iess than $8 an hour. To afford
an aveiage one-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities area ($664 in 2000)
would require an hourly wage of about $12.70.
�ore are people of Color. While the overall racial composition of Minnesota's adult population is about 94
percent white, the homeless adult population is 34 percent white, 47 percent Afr'scan American, I i percent
American Indian, 1 perceni Asian, and 8 percent other (including mixed race). People of color now make up
66 percent of homeless adults, up from 59 percent in 1991. Youth of color are also disproportionatety
represented among the homeless, though noi to the same extent.
More are Children. Homeless children today oumumber Minnesota's enrire homeless population in 1991. On
the night of the survey, 3,122 children were in sheiters, ttznsirional housing, or on the streets with their
parents. In 2000, one-third of all homeless adults - 10 percent of inen and 66 percent of women - had at least
one child under 18 with them. These homeless children are at significant risk of serious health, emotionai,
and behavioral problems. School-age chiidren aze also at higher risk for schooi problems or repeating a gtade,
and more pazents report ihese problems in 2000 than in 1997.
More are mentaNy ili. Thirty-eight percent of homeless adults have serious mental iilness, up from 32 percent
in 1997, which was also an increase from 1994. Oflrer aspects of health remained fairiy steady, pver ane-third
reported that they needed to see a doctor for a physicai health problem, and 30 percent for an emotionai or
mental health problem, and more than half had dental problems that needed attenrion. 19 percent had been
diagnosed with aicohol abuse disorder, and 13 percent with drug abuse disorder, both slightly down from
1997. Chiidhood sexual abuse (24%) and physical abuse (33%) are about as common among homeless adults
as in 1997, but the prevalence among homeless youth has grown to 2g percent for sexuai abuse and 47 percent
for physical abuse.
�
Mimewta statewide uryey p( people witlwut permanen� sry¢Iter: preliminary findi�gs. February 2000
1
�.,._.
a,000
3.000
2,000
t,oao
How many people are homeless in
MinnesoW?
recent night, is 21,329.
On the night of October 26, 2000, Minnesota's
18% shelcers and hansitional housing programs
were Pmvidia8 g!�ry' P� � s�a.y for
7,121 homeless men, women, unaceo�panie�
youth, and children. An additiona151 homeless
peopie were sfaying in detox facilities. Using
conservative estimates based on studies done
elsewhere of the harder-to-find homeless, another
1,424 people were staying in places not meant
for human habitation (such as in cazs, under
brid8es, aad �n abanQoned buildings), and
anoiher 12,733 were "doubling up" temporarily
with family or friends. The total estimat�d
number of people homeless or prepriously
housed in Minnesota on tlris night, or any oiher
Homekss people tn Yinnesota shelqrs,
i98'E �DOp
� AAen � Women t►ChHdren � ��� �
than the total for people of al] ages nine years
ago. While the total state population grew (from
1989 to 1999) by about 12 percent, the number
of inen receiving sheiter services has grown
(from 1991 to 2000) by 58 percent, the number
of sheltered women has gown by 157 percent,
and the nnmber of children in emergency and
hansitional housing has increased by 257
percent.
Most of this increase has been in people using
hansitional housing. Emergency shelters served
44 percent more people in 2000 than in 1991 and
battered women's shelters served 73 percent
more, while hansitional housing services
increased by 366 percent, or more than
quadrupled.
lt may fairly be asked whether the growth in the
number of sheltered homeless people simply
reflects a growth in the capacity of the system m
serve them. Perhaps the actual number of
homeless people stayed the same over the 1990s,
while more shelter providers reached a higher
and Irigher proportion of ihem. However, shelter
census reports collected quarterly by the state
show that the number ofhomeless people tumed
away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter
capacit}: The evidence indicates that the total
number of homeless in the state has incieased at
s
�
sourek w.a�� Cerner; aata provided br sneKer least as fast as the estimates in this study.
• Nar. Nov. Nar. Nov.
1991 1994 1997 2D00
Since the stat¢wide homeless survey was {u� 5 ��� ��� ��� 3 •�� 5,017 5,559_ 7,544
conducted in OcWber 1991, t�e total aumber o# r � P� �— -- � 676 4fi7 1025
homeless people ieceiving s�elter lias grown }�y
149 percent — or more �a �nbled. '�
number of homeless chik� ��� LS more
- ---
Tumawaysas%oftapacity b.396 i3.5% 8.4% 13.6%
sarroc x�erResearclr (,��. �on data Ir�m
f k � - _
.
Mflr1E5018 Sf82EWIdE S1�IfEy 0( �pP�Q 1�7U10U1 pE(III811�[ 5��{�: ��IR11113ly fMIdII1�5� F��{I2Iyt �
2
ass� �ssa ��� z000
g-
�
�
�
Who is homeless in Minnesota?
✓ Avesage age: 40 for men, 32 for women,
15 to 16 for youth.
: ✓ Minorities are greatly and increasingiy
over-represented.
� ✓ Most are not newcomers to Minnesota.
Homeless adults (age 18 and older) had an
average age of 36 (40 for men, 32 for women).
People age 55 and over made up 5 percent of the
homeless adult population. The oldest person
interviewed was 80. Unaccompanied youth (age
17 and younger) had an average age of 15.7; the
youngest was 10. Compared to 1997, youth were
about the same age in 2000, and homeless adults
were slighdy older.
Both adults and youth were approximately evenly
split between men and women. Among aduiis,
men predominated in emeigency shelteis and in
non-sheltered locations, and women were the
majority in transitional housing and battered
women's shelters. The gender gap narrowed
somewhat in 2000.
Homeiess adults, Minnesota adults,
Racial and cultural minorities were more likely
than whites to be homeless. The table below
shows the racial distribution of surveyed adults
and youth, and the 1999 (most recent available)
estimates for the total Minnesota population in
the same age ianges.
Compared to 1997, the 2000 adult homeless
population was more concentrated among minority
grouQ membets, white the youth popularion was
slighUy more white.
Twenty-four percent of homeless aduits had less
than a high school education, and 48 pereent had
completed high school or a GED but no more.
28 percent had some amount of post-secondary
education. These figures show a rise in educafion
level from 1997, when 30 percent had not
completed high school or a GED.
Sixteen percent of homeless adults, and 31 percent
of adult men, were veterans, up from 13 percent
and 26 percent in 1997.
3eventy-two percent of homeless adults had lived
in Minnesota for the past three yeazs or more. Of
those who had lived in Minnesota for two years
or less, 32 percent had lived in Minnesota before.
These figures are unchanged from 1997.
Homelessyarth Minnesotayouth
(age 10-1�, (age 10-1n.
�. � 1999
__ 46.7% -- 2.6% Afripn American 24.9% 4.0%
- -- —
-----
---- - 20.096
10.5% - —
_ 0.9% American indian - 1.9%
� 0.9% _ 2J% �--- AsianiPacific. 0.5% � ~ 4.1% i^
34_3 __ 94.4% � __ �;? 45.3 -` 90.0% .____
7.6% — _ ._._ _.-- --
— - - Otl�er, inciuding mixed race e 39ti
6.5% 1.7%
Nispanic or Lat� origin 6.6% �
2.5%
{may be of arry racial group) -
Sour�es: Homefess data from Wilder Researd� Center, 1999 popu/ation estirrr�tes fiom the State Qerrroyraphic Centerat
Minrresota Planning. (Data on mixed race is not availabk for U�e gerreral p�pu�ation)
Mimesota statewide s�rvey p( people witlwu[ permanent yielter: preliminary ('mdinys, Fepnrary pppp
3
P :'
EmploymeM and income
✓ Empioyment continues to grow sharply.
✓ 26% are working fuH time,
✓ Wage rates and moMhfy iecomes remate
; low.
� ✓ HousMg affordability fs a growfig factor
in homelessness,
Forty-one percent of adults were employed, and
26 percent were employed fiill time. 29 percent
of adults reported steady employment as their
main source of income. All of these are
S�8n��1Y �$� tham in 1997, when 34 perce�
were working (17% full time) and 23 percent had
a steady job as their primary source of income_
These figiu�es have risen steadily since 1991, when
only 19 percem were working (8% full time).
Pwnru workiny
41%
i£rnWos,ea pFua�ime
Mdn sourmd lawme Is siead�
�mpioymaet
ax
�as> >sea �s�r �oo
Of those who were working 39 pe�nt wene
earning less than $8 per hou� aad gg g�o�
wer+e eaming-iess drea SIU per ho� lGfost (57�f )
had been irt tf�r primary, �ob for at least three
months.
The average mont}ily income of a!1 homeless
adulu, from atl sources, was $622, pne.third
had incomes above $700 per month. Adjusting
for inflation, incomes in 2000 were very similar
to 1947.
Asked to name tl� biggest barriers or pmblems
to getting a job now, unempioyed homeless
adutts focused first on lack of transportation
(25%, up from 21 % in 1997), physical health
(24%, up from 19%), and lack of housing (22%,
up from 12%). Among pazents, the top barrier
was inability to find or afford child care (41%).
Housing affordability
As this survey itlushaces, homelessness involves
many factors beyond the purely financial.
However, the gap between wages and honsing
costs plays an increasing role in Minnesota
homelessness.
This gap was higlilighted in a January 2001
report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
The report stated that avecage rents in the Twin
Ci6es area increased 34 percent between 1990
and 1999, while the median household income of
renteas 8rew by only 9 percent. Rents rose most
sh�p1Y in the last few years, and the reatal
mazket is projected to become even Lighter
during the decade to come.
The Legislative AudiWr's report estimated that
the aveiage rent in the Twin Cities area was ${�64
for a oae-bedmom aparnne� a�d $813 for a two-
be�m �rtme� in 2000.
T� comaaonty accepted defmition of housing
affordabiliry is � m�e tharz 3a p� of
�nc+�e fa� kr�winaome:.iiouseholds-becaase, -
above tius amount, not enough money remains to
weather financial setbacks.
�
��
��
Mmnesota statewide swey of people witlaut Permaneht shelter: Retimaiary frd'�S. Fehniary Z000
4
1891 1994 tg97 2000
�
�
�
More than 10 percent of working homeless adults
eazn less than $6.00 per hour. At this pay rate,
even two full-time workers in the same
household would pay 32 percent of their income
for a typical one-bedroom apartment, or 39
percent for a twabedroom apartment. A single
adult would spend 48 percent of income for a
typical efficiency apartment, at $504 monthly
rent
Over one-third of Minnesota's working homeless
adults earn $6.00 to $7.70 per hour. A full-time
worker in this pay iange could afford a mont}ily
rent of $312 to E400. A typical one-bedroom
aparcment in the Twin Cities metropolitan area
would take 50 to 64 percent of their income.
About one-third of working homeless adults earn
$7.70 to $9.60 per hour, making rents of $400 to
$500 affordable. 7'he average one-bedroom
apartment would cost 40 to 50 percent of the
monthly income of a full-time worker in this
renge.
More than 20 percent of working homeless aze
eaming $9.60 to $12.00 per hour. In this iange,
they couid afford $500 to $625 per month for
housing, which is sti111ess than the average rent
for a one-bedroom apartment.
A significant proportion of homeless adults
report problems with credit, evictions, or bad
rental history, and over half say the lack of
affordable housing is a barrier to getting housing.
If a person is evicted, the resulring unlawful
detainer remains in their record for yeazs, and
makes it almost impossible to compete with other
renters in a tight housing market. In this way,
high rents and low vacancy cates o}}� ���
with 1ow wages to create a cycle that is difficult
to break.
Housing history and reasons for
hometessness
✓ 60% of adults are homeless for the first
fime.
✓ Flaif hare been homeless for 6 months or
less.
✓ Many were abused or institutionalized as
children.
✓ 41°k of homeless adults were released
irom an institution, homeless program, or
treatrnent center in the past year, and 49°/a
of those had no stable place to go.
� A growing proportion of homeless youth
have a history of sexuai or physical
abuse.
✓ Reports of "survival sex," in exchange for
bastc necessities, are becomtng more
common among homeless youth.
Among aduits, 60 percent were experiencing
homelessness for the fust time. Half had been
without regular housing for six months or less,
although 16 percent had been homeless for three
years or longer. 56 percent of youth reported
being in their first experience of homelessness.
Half had been homeless for three months or less,
and 12 percent had been homeless for one yeaz or
longer.
Compared to 1997, slightly more adults had been
homeless before. The current homeless episode
was somewhat longer in 2000. For youth, about
the same proportion were homeless for the first
time in 2000 and the avenge length of time for
which they had been homeless was somewhat
shorter than in 1997.
The main reasons adults said they left their last
housing included a mix of economic and
personal reasons. The main reasons cited were:
Minnewta sfatewide siryey ot people witlwu[ perrr�anent sheltw: qQliminary faidings, febn��r 2ppp
5
evicted (33%); unable ta afford rent (23%); abuse
(18%); other relationship problem (28%);
drinking or drug problem (21 %); substandard or
unsafe houssng (IS%); and violence in the
neighborhood (€4°l0).
Nineteen percea# mf �'e� youth 1e8 home
becausc of abuse, and ov� �f (Sie/u) because of
other relationship problems. Their main reasons
for not retuming home were: at least one adu�t in
the household wonY tol�ate their being around
(50%); adulu in the household dont attend to
their basic needs (30%); alcohol or drug use by a
parent or other household member (30%); the
danger oYphysicai abuse (24%); not enough
space for everyone (21%}.
Many homeless adults had troubled cln7dhoods.
Twenty-eight percent had at Ieast one Idnd of
institutional placement as a child, and at least 8
percent had been homeless as a child. 1'he most
common institutional placemems were foster
homes (16°!�), dete�off centeis (12°/a), and
facili6es for people with mental disorders (6%j.
Other traumatic childhood e�eriences inciuded
childhood physical abuse (25% of inen, 40
percent of women) and childhood sexual abuse
(12% men, 37% women). All of these rates were
almost exactty $ie same as ia 1997 oxcept for
Traunatie eh�wod ezperiences d tamalps
adWts
G�e or more
institutionalplac�neMS z. 26%
Sez�ailyabused - `s . 24%
�OSt2rhane - _ =,- te94
Detentioneerner ,�,•�: 12%
Hom _:.: . �-
e�ss =� 89G
Faciiitybr p�ie w�iC�
menialdisorders �6%
childhood physical abuse of inen, which was
down from 28 percent to 25 percent.
Among youth, the prevalence of physical abuse
rose from 1997 to 2000, from 32 percent to 40
percent for males and from 43 percent to 53
P� � femaies. Siaulazly, the number
reporfing sexaat abuse rose &om 6 percent to 14
percent for males and from 37 percent to 4t
perceni for femates. More homeless youth also
said they had engaged in "survival sex" (in
exehange for shelter, clothing, food, or other
necessihes) — that proportion rose from 10
perceat in 1997 to 15 percent in 2000. Fewer
youth in 2000 were parerrts (8%, down from 17%
in 199'n.
Forty-four percent of adults had lived in some
kind of institution or ueat�nent facility as an
adult. Forty-one percent had ban released from
an rostitution or from a housing facility or
PI'oSaae ia the past year. Of these, 49 percent
repoLted that they did not have a stable place to
live when they left.
Pinancial factois were by far the most common
current barrier to hausing cit¢d by homeless
adults• Over haif (54%) of all homeless people
�'�fY "�e is no housing I can afford" as a
main reasoa preventing them from $ettinS
��S �a! Other major barriers i�lude credit
renhllvstory (20% overatl; 13% of parems), a
criminal background (21 % overall, 8% of
Parents), court eviction or bad rental history
(24% ovecall, 31°�b of�}, �d the cost of
apPb�=►n feES (18�fO ovaall, 24% of parents).
�
�
�
Mimewta statewide siryey of people witlou[ permmieM shek�: Reiimmary fmd"ngs. Febn�ary 2DOD
6
F' _ _. _ _
.�
.
�
Families with children
✓ One-third of homeless adutis (10% of inen
and 66% of women) have children with
them.
� An increasing percentage of homeless
parents report their children have leaming
and scfioof probfems.
✓ Serious physical, emotional and
behaviorai probiems are much more
common among homeless chtldren than
among Mlnnesota chiidren in general.
On the night of ihe survey, 3,122 childten under
age 18 were in shelters, tcansitional housing, or
on the streets with their parents.
Thirty-four percent of homeless adults (10% of
men and 66% of women) had children age 17 or
younger with them. 'i'tris is about the same
proportion as in 1997. Parents were more likely
to be served in battered women's shelters or
transitional housing, where they made up 56
percent and 45 percent of the households, than in
emergency shelters (23%) or on the streets (9%).
On average, parenLs had 2 to 3 children with
them. The ave:age age of children was 7(np
slighUy from 1997), and one-third were age 4 or
younger. About half (53%) of families had been
homeless for six months or less, while 29 percent
had been homeless for a yeaz or longer.
Nine unaccompanied youth had children of their
own with them (4.5% of ail homeless youth
surveyed, down from 12% in 1997).
Homeless pazents reported that their children
faced a variety of problems. 16 percent reported
having a child with a serious health problem, and
21 percent a child with a serious emotional or
behavior problem.
Wobiems aF homeless eldidren
Leaming or schooi probiem s
41 °k
PareMS unable m obtain needed , w 32%
dvid care past year -
Repeated a grade , 2g°h
EmotionalorbehaNOrproblem 21°k
Chronic or seyere physical
heallhproblem F 16°
Unabie tu obhin needed
denhlcarepastyear ' 14°
Tmuble at[ending schooi
duePOhomelessness - t3 �� O
Skippedmealsinpastmonth 11°,6
Unable to obtain needed
heafM� care past year 10%
Ofparents with school-age children, 41 percent
had a child with leaming or school problems (up
from 36% in 1997). Twenty-six percent had a
child who had repeated at least one giade (up
from 20% in 1997). Thirteen percent had a child
who had trouble going to school because of their
housing situation, the same proportion as in
1997.
During the previous 12 months, 10 percent of
parents had been unable to obtain needed health
caze for their children,l4 percent had been
unable to obtain needed dental care, and 32
percent had been unable to obtain needed child
care. During just the past month, 11 percent
reported their children had skipped meals
because there wasn't enough money to buy food.
Mimesota statewide swey o/ peopk witlaut permanen� shelter: Retiminary fmdings. Fepn�ary Zppp
7
r . .. ._ �.. _ _ .
Fewer homeless parents reported being unable to
obtain chiid care (down from 46% in 1997 to
32% in 2000).
Among the homeless, parents are more likely
than single �lis to be peopk of color. They are
less I�cely ta �ve bee� Sa�le� for over a ytaz,
iess likely to have had rec�i dcetg or �coh��t
treatrnent or a serious meuial health diagoosis,
and less likely to have a Irigh schooY education.
1'hey are equally likely to have been living in
Minnesota for at least two yeazs, or to be
worldng full-time.
Services used �d serrices needed
� Fiomeless aduits mainly report receiving
basic survivai services for health care,
food, and dothi�g.
✓ The matn service needs they report are
for bnger-term issues — help 8nding
jobs and Hnandal �sistance,
� Transportaiion appears to be a more
serious problem �an in the past.
� For homeless yoath, !he 9reatest reported
needs are far a job, school or traintng,
and S�ncial assistance. Food also
appears to be a growing need.
Nearly ali ihe services most ftequentty used by
homeless aduhs address immediate and ba�c
needs (medec�l, food, cloihing}. The, most
o repo services used_in the previous
month: publicly funded medical benefits of
vazious types (59��0), Food Stamps (41%)
clothing shelves (40%), hot meai progams (3�%�,
drop-in centers (25%), food shelves (24°An), aod
�ansportation assistance (21°./�j. Notable changes
(of more than three perc�ge points either way)
since iS97: Food S�s (uF froa�e 3�'�a � 4��i.�,
hot rneat-Prv�� $�s 6o�ar 2TX� t�
Of all the services they had received in the past
month, adults reported the following as the most
helpfui: Medical Assistance (29%), Food Stamps
(24%) free or almost free clothing shelves (17%)
hot meal programs (16%), droP centers (13%),
and housing assistance (12%).
Most helpful aervkss roceired by aduMs
� _� s���_---:�
3�i�-
- ��;
_ ;��_:���=
. . : ��:.
��..s..�
The services homeless youth received were quite
different. The most couanonly mentioned kinds
were drop-in centeis (35%), outreach services
(35%), Medical Assistance (29%), hot meal
Programs (20%), transportation assistance (20%),
food sheives (18%), free or atmost free clottring
shelves (18%), Food Stamps (18%), and job
assistance (18%).
Youth said that ihe most helpful services were
droP-in centets, cited by 38 percent {up from
23% in 199'7}, outreach services, cited by 31
Assistance (cited by 25%,-the same as in 199'n.
Youth aLso reported getting more help in 2000
from food shelves and hot meal programs. Job
training was considered one of tl� most heipfui
� 5 Y �' 4 Perc�t m 3fl00, down from
�3 par� im 1997.
were aslced about their main needs, ,
- �e�e fs�i� fioiismg. Adults most frequernly
memioneci a job (36%), fimneial assisTance (2p%),
Mimesota s[atewide suvey of people wilhaR Permanen[ shett�: Prelimmary fed"mgs. Fe6ruary Z000
8
i
LJ
�
�_ ... _.
: transportation (18%), school or training (I1%),
and medicai care (11%). Fourteen percent of
parents mentioned child caze. These aze similaz
to 1997 figures, with a four-point rise in
. transportation needs and a three-point drop in
school or �aining needs.
�
�
Youth most often mentioned a job (35%), school
or training (30%), financial assistance (26%),
food (16%), and clothing (13%). The oniy
notable change from 1997 was an increase in the
men6on of food, up from 12 percent to 16 percent.
Twenty-four percent of adults, and 63 percent of
families, were receiving MFIp (welfare) benefits
at the time of the survey. Seventy-fow percent
of families had received MFIP during the past 12
months. Of these, 21 percent had lost MFIP
benefits during that time, and 31 percent had
been sanctioned. For comparison, figures from
the Minnesota Departiment of Human Services
show that 25 percent of the general MFIP
population were sanctioned over the coucse of a
compaiable 12-month period. Twenty-eight
percent of homeless MFIP recipients were
exempt from work requirements at the time of
the interview, compared with 22 percent of the
generai NffIP population at any given time.
Physical and mernal health
✓
✓
✓
35°k ot homeless adu@s say they need
professional care for a physlcai health
problem. Over half need dentai work.
37°� vlsited an emergency room in the
past 6 months, an average of 2.5 times.
38% have a diagnosed mentat iliness, up
from 32°k in 1997.
✓ 15°k t�ave a"dual diagnosis" of inental
iliness and alcohol or drug disorder.
✓ 32°� consider themselves aicohoiic or
chemically dependent
On the day of the survey, 35 percent of homeless
adults said they needed to see a health professional
for a physicat health problem, 30 pe�ent for an
emotional or mental heaith problem, and 13
percem for an aicohol or drug problem. Fifty-
four percent needed to see a dentist. These rates
are close to those reported in 1997.
Half (51 %) had received care for at least one
illness during the previous 12 months, and 37
percent had received care in an emergency room
during the previous six months. People who had
used the emergency room avecaged 2.5 visits
during this period.
Twenry-eight percent reported various barrieTs
that kept them from getting needed heaith care.
The main bazrieis reported were no money (33%)
and no insutance (28"/0).
Mental illness affects a growing proportion of
homeless Minnesotans. Thirty-eight percent (up
from 32% in 1997) had been told by a doctor or
nurse, within ffie past two yeazs, that they had
schizophrenia, manic-depression, some other
type of delusional disorder, major depression,
anti-social personality disorder, or post-traumatic
stress disocdez Twenty-nine nercent har�
received outpatient care for mental health
probiems at some time in their lives, and 18
percent had previously lived in a facility for
people with mentai health probiems.
Mimeuta statewide swey of people wiUwut permanent shelter: Pretiminary findings. Febnwry 2000
9
��.
Fifteen percent had a dual diagnosis of at least
one mental illness and a drug or alcohol disorder.
Nineteen percem had been diagnosed with
aicohol a�xtise disorder, and 13 percent with drug
abuse disorder (both vay ciase to 19971evels).
Thirty-two pa�cent caffii� �'eemselves aicoh�lic
or chemicatly dependent, atsout tl� �mc ��
1997. Thirty-eight percent had been in a drug or
alcohol treatme� facility, 19 percent within the
past two yeazs. Thirty-orn percent had ever been
in an alcohol or drug outpatient treatinem
Pro�•
Of ihe 5 percent of homeless adults whose most
recent ins�itutionat experie�e had beea a drug or
alcohol trraatme¢t face7ity, lnst over hatf {51 %)
had had no stable place to live when they left the
facility, although 70 percent had been offered
follow-up or aftercare.
For slightly fewer than 2 percent of homeless
adults, the most recent institutional stay was in a
mental hospital, and 45 percent of those had been
released �vethomt a s�le place to stay. Just over
half (52%) had beemm offered follow-up or
aftercaze.
Tednical notes
This report presents preliminary findings from a
survey of homeless people conducted by wlder
Research Center, with the help of more than 500
ttained voluoteers, � October 26, 2000. Fifty-three
Pe�o2 of the known adutt population of homeless
sheiters and �stionaE hoysing progams
Participated in this simey.
Hecause i�g-term homeless individuals have a
greater chance of being homeless on aay given
survey date than do people who are homeless for
only a brief time, they appeaz more numerous in a
single-night count than they would over the coiuse
of a year. The resulu descnbe those who are
homeless at any given time, some of their
experiences prior to losing their housing, and the
kinds of help they might need.
The fmdings aze representative of the wtal sheitered
populati� of the state, and of the non-sheltered
individuals who were conbcted They do not
re�uesent the imlmown number of unsheltered
homeless who could not be located, nor do they
represern those at imminent risk of losing housing or
dwse who aze doubled up with iti�ds � fami�y,
ARer imerviewing a random sample of sheltered
adults, interviews were weighted to reflect the
lmowa popnlati� of 3,820 sheltered adulu across
�he staze on the date of the survey. The 381
! not weighted because there is no imown populati�
to compaze them with, The totai weighted adult
�1e size is therefore the 3,820 weighted shekered
a�lts �us t6e 38i imweighted non-sheltered adulu,
ar 4,201_ T6e sampie of 209 �maccompanied youth
is �mweiglrted because, as with the non-sheltered
adulu, the tarat popuiation is � lmowa (A full
description of wei8�$ ��o�r.is fwmd-in
the APFendia of the 1997 report, available from
wtder Research Center.)
Mimewta slatewide swey of PeoP1e witl�out permanerq sheHer: Preliminary f�d'egs. Febn�ary 2000
10
i
i
�
- r- �
.
� Defmitions
i
This study uses a definition of homelessness
closely based on the one established by Congess
for progruns operated by the U.S. Depanment of
Housing and Urban Development
A 6omeless individual is anyone who (1) lacks a
fixed, regulaz; and adequate nighttime residence
or (2) has a primary nighttime residence that is a
supervised, publicly or privately opetated
temporary living accommodation, including
emerge�y sheltets, transitional housing, battered
women's sheltecs; or any place not meant for
human habitation.
The two categories of people included in the
federal definition but not included in this survey
are: (1) those at risk of immediate evicrion and
(2) those recently homeless but now in
supportive housing that is not time-limited.
A� . Walk m or referred by a social
service agency
Homeless youth, in this study, aze those who
currently have no parental, substitate, foster, or
institutional home to w}rich they can safely go.
They aze unaccompanied by an aduit and have
spent at least one night either in a formal
emeigency sheher, improvised shelter, doubled-
up, or on the street
"Street" homelessness (non-sheltered): Wilder
Research Center worked with street outrezch
workers throughout the state to locate people in
non-sheltered locations including hot meal sites,
drop-in centeis, encampments, and other outdoor
locations. Non-sheltered persons stay in cars,
abandoned buildings, tents or makeshift shelters,
or hallways of apartment buildings. They may
aiso spend the night in places open 24 hours a
day or on a bus or tiain. Some go back and forth
beriveen non-sheitered sites and emergency
shelteis on different nights.
Battered women's
Emerqency shelters sheiters 7ransitionai housirq
. If space is limited, may be
selected by lottery___ —,.
Services • Safe sleeping space
. Most open only evenings and
overnight rarely available for
peopie who work nights and sleep
days
. Some sites provide other services
like hot meals, health care,
employment and/a housing
information, and connections to
other services
�
Lergtl� . Up to 30 days
oi stay
• Walk in or referred
by an agency w
advocate
• Safe refuge fa
women and their
thitdren when fleeing
an abusive situation
• legatadvocacyand
moral support for
women while they
work on a longer-term
soluGon to their
situalion
. Untii safe housing
can be artanged;
uwaily up to 30 days
• Walk in or referred by a
social service agency or
shelter program
• Housing and wpport
services
• Must be willing to work
with a case manager to set
family and housing
stability goals to prevent
future homelessness
. Most are famity-focuse�,
but some serve other
sP�� PoP�s such
as veterans, singie aduits,
or persons with special
. Up to 24 morrths
Mimesota statewide s�rrey of people witlaut permanent shelter: Refiminary fuMirgs, February 200D
71
7'his document is available online at
www wilder.org/reseazch.
For more information about the study, contact
Greg Owen at 651-647-4612 or Ellen Sheiton at
651-637-2470.
Wilder Research Center
Suite 210
1295 Bandana Bouiavard North
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651-647-4600
reseuch@wilder.org
, �ra�EasT H
Wl LDFR
FOUIVDAT101�
ProjeCt staff
Greg Owen, study director
June Heineman
Ellen Shelton
Justine Nelson-Chris6nedaughter
Deir�e Hinz
Stud� finders
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Minnesota Departrnent af Children, Families &
Leazning
Minnesota Departmem af Ecoaomic Secwity
Minnesota Departrnent of Health
M�nnesota Departrnent of Human Services
Mianesota Departrnent of Vetecans� Affairs
14l"mnesota Veterans' Home Board
Family Housing Fund
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
Amherst H. wlder Foundation
FelltLQly 1�]
�
` J
�
MnnesoU slatewide swey of peopM witlaut permm�e�u shelter: PretimirrotY fmdirgs. febn�ary 2000
12
"`Family Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 1 of 3
.
FAMILY HOUSING FUND
BACKTO HOME
�
.
ABOUiJ1fFORDABLE A60UiTHE PROGRAMS PUBLKEDlKAT10Pt POLICY LIfYKS SEARCH
HOIKIt`G FUPlD bR£SEARCH INffIATIVES -0
Children P:n the i';is f'o� ;?nmcle.._�c.�
u
By any conventional measure, the Twin Ciries' economy is
soaring. Thousands of jobs aze being created each year, the
unemployment rate continues to hover azound two percent,
and property values are rising throughout the cities and the
suburbs.
S In the midst of fhis prosperity, one indicator of the azea's well-
� being is growing faz worse: the increasing number of children
who aze homeless. This year, as the metro area faces a severe
shortage of affordable housing, thousands of Twin Ciries
children and their parents will spend time in homeless shelters and other emergency housing
because they have no permanent place to live.
�
�'{Ot37C1C�>fIE'�� ]ISISUl1a CElt�(�fCil l� fl>Lil�r
Homelessness among people of all ages has risen sharply in the Twin Cities metropolitan
azea. From 1987 to 1999, the number of people living in metro-azea temporary housing, such
as emergency shelters and transitional housing, has more than tripled.
The sheer increase in homelessness does not tell the whole story, however. More than ever
before in the Twin Cities, a homeless person is likely to be a child. During the same 12-year
period, the number of children living in temporary housing grew more than seven times,
from 244 on one night in 1987 to 1,770 on one night in 1999.(1) The average age of a
homeless child in the Twin Cities is just six and a half.(2)
The sharp increase in homelessness
oN=,-r;icHZ: OUNTOF<HI�RRENt�1h:f7Rp-.44�AS:iELT� �s �ongchildrenandfamiliesis
��oo straining public and private agencies'
ability to provide emergency shelter to
"� all who need it. For example, in
' Hennepin County, shelters are full
; ,, a every night, and the County is sending
more families to motels to spend the
�� � � � night. If trends continue, this year
` ' 6,000 chiidren will spend time in
�^..^:°.-�,rw�,�.�, �,-.,�.*::.;.�,.:^.;�,k<„•.�,:M:,�-=,�,r„�,��,�.ry-'�, publicandprivatesheltersinHennepin
County alone.
}'si,�o3cie..,3_., h�i,tn� citildreis'. I�c.ait}, a��:i <l"�•(oun�ent
� The jump in family homelessness comes just as new evidence is �- "^ i�ssvess
emer in about the harmful effects of homelessness on '+F�ecT > c-:ioaerv•z
g g �re�.�
children's health and development. Recent studies show that �_, �, ,,�«, �, ,,,� „
http://www. fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
'l�amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Research -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 2 of 3
� Homelessness harnu children's physical health. Homeless
children aze more likely than housed children to suffer &om
chronic illnesses such as cazdiac disease, neurological disorders,
and asthma Homeless children aze also at high risk of
infectious disease, such as respiratory infections and
tuberculosis. Poor nutrition contributes to homeless children's
health problems. Homeless children aze six times more likely
than others to have stunted growth and seven rimes more likely
to be anemic.
�
�
6on.tc...hd.tr�v fu�..
. : ��mn �n� �� �rrcw�
mlcaRw-,
. z wnc, �he wc orah+cwmi+
. � �,�r� �hc m4 �s.n�ad gro»<n
. -;:au+��rc,s.nr�.�anu
Homelessness interferes with children's development. Most
yoti�e�ess�ess homeless pre-schoolers experience a major developmental
n��e�sc-,t4aerr; delay, such as delayed speech. Older homeless children
�evEZ�en�� �;T experience four times the rate of developmental delays, twice
c..��,� �„ �n�.�w��e n,M,n, the rate of learning disabiliries and three times the rate of
�.u.a �h�w�m i�,�r. emotional and behavioral problems as housed children.
� J umes ehcn2e uf dcrxMpmevcii
,�� Homelessness prevents children
from performing well in school. In
�? timc�. ih, r.uc af'�eom:ng addirion to their developmental
'�� problems, homeless children
. �,n,es,n�,,,rof�n,ar;o,,,�,,,J experience frequent moves that
k�,���3i ���«. make it hard for them to keep up in
school. Almost half of homeless
children attend two different schools in one yeaz, and more than
a quarter attend three or more schools in a year. As a result,
three-quarters of homeless children perform below grade level in
reading, and more than half perform below grade level in math.
(3)
i;a.'rc:i.� ii� 1toz�tcle..ne>� linl.cd tr, aClor�+:�hlc hi,i�.ina
.
yCrn:L:55NESs
A%FEC�': C�+il`Jft£N'S
:<aooi
P;RF�7[iMAl�t<E
� i('. nf hoorlas �ildrea aucM
�v.� ��r mavr uM�+l. m mx ��ar
� ?h". unnul Il;rr.i <,c mur �chu��a
,o ou. vtu
� 7;"Sofhot�ctnechrldrstl�csn
hcl.�. }v+�.4 k�al mxc+diny
� is°'. urnonxa�y ��ukfral.ltex
bcl�n. �tadc Ie� ef cn nw�h
The long-term causes of homelessness are complex: poverty, family violence, chronic
conditions such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and crises such as job loss, illness,
or divorce. However, because these aze constant, ongoing social conditions, they cannot
explain the recent sharp increase in homelessness in the Twin Cities. What has changed in
recent yeazs is the escalating shortage of affordable housing.
In the early 1990s, rental housing was plentiful, with vacancy rates above seven percent.
However, for the past three years, the Twin Cities' rental vacancy rate has remained below
rivo percent, driving rent increases well above the inflation rafe. The housing shortage is
crearing a new class of working homeless families. According to the Wilder Reseazch
Center, in 1997, one-fourth of inetro-area homeless families with children received most of
their income from working. Of these, over half were earning more than $1,000 per month.(4)
Yet, with so little housing available, many families with some money or a voucher for
housing still cannot find a unit. They are homeless only because of the shortage of housing
and escalating rents.
We have seen that good economic times alone will not guarantee a home for every child in
Yhe Twin CiTies. Without a significant increase in the affordable housing supply, children
will continue to pay the price for homelessness.
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
�'amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 3 of 3
� 1. Office of Economic Qpporiunity, Minnesota Department of Children, Families &
Learning, Quarterly Shelter Survey, 1985-1999.
2. Wilder Reseazch Center, Minnesota Statewide Survey of Persoru Without
Permanent Shelter, Volume L• Adulfs and their Children, 1998.
3. Better Homes Fund, Homeless Children: America's New Outcasts, 1999; Housing
America, There's No Place Like Home: How America's Housing Crisis Threatens Our
Children, 1999; Family Housing Fund, Homelessness and Its EfJ'ects on
Children, 1999.
4. Based on data from Wilder Reseazch Center's Statewide Survey of Persons Without
Permanent Shelter.
i i��r ���c;� ��:fz;r:.�..::i< i
Family Housing Fund, Home[essness and Its Effects on Children, 1999. Available from
Family Housing Fund: 801 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1840, Minneapolis, MN 55402,
www.flifiuid.or�
The Better Homes Fund, America's New Outcasts: Homeless Children, 1999. Available from
the Better Homes Fund: 181 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459-3344, www.tbhf.orQ
Housing America and Doc4Kids Project, There's No Place Like Home: How America's
� Housing Crisis Threatens Our Children, 1999. Available &om Housing America: 126 Ayde
Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, www.iQC.orp/housin�america/report.html
***
This publication is part of a Public Education Initiative on affordable housing sponsored by
the Family Housing Fund. The Family Housing Fund is a private, nonprof:t corporation
whose mission is to preserve and expand quality affordable housingfor low- and moderate-
income families in the seven county metropolitan area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The
Public Education Initiative provides informational materials on a variety of issues related to
affordable housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Family Housing Fund, Midwest Plaza West, Suite 1840, 801 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
MN 55402, Tel: 612-375-9644, Fas: 612-375-9648, www.fhfund.orQ
December 1999
To download a copy of this fact sheet as a.pdf file, click here. To read .pdf files, you will
need to install Adobe� Acrobat� Reader, which is available for downloading for free by
clicking here.
�
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm 3/13/2001
� Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and the City Council
On Homelessness in Saint Paul
by
The Overnight Shelter Board
Members
•
Jim Anderson Jeanne Katz
David Cobb Kristin Livdahl
3ames Denno Signe Masterson
Perry deStefano Bob Odman
Allen Hester Ana Seifert
Leonard Jackson John Van Hecke
October, Z000
This report is submitted pursuant to Ordinance 17292 (Council File 85-i 17b}, which cails for a
assessment current shelter availability, anti to recommend programs or plans to provide ovemight
shelter for homeless persons.
�
Report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City Council
. Year 2000
Description of fhe Shelter System
The emergency shelter system in St Paul and Ramsey County is the product of private and public
efforts to assist homeless people. It operates at one levet in the summer (31 I beds 94%
occupied) and expands to larger capacity in the winter(456 beds). It generally runs full year
round.
The emergency shelter locations and sponsors aze:
The Union Gospei Mission - 82 beds summer plus the additional 25 mats winter
The Family Sheiter (formerly Lowry Shelter) - 55 beds for families and single women
Mary Hall - 20 beds for single men
The Council of Churches church network -18 beds for families in 1999, now increased to
36 beds
Dorothy Day extended hours program -120 floor mats for men women and occasionally
children. (Sometimes called "Safe Waiting")
How the system functioned in 1999 through September of 2000
Not everyone gets into shelter. Some are turned down because there is no room availabie. This
. happened to 49 people on September 5, 2000. Others are rejected because they appear to have
wasted their own resources. They aze not tracked and we do not know �chere they go.
Hennepin County social workers often ask why so many homeless come from Ramsey County.
Ramsey County staff speculate that a large uncounted number simply do not apply for
emergency shelter because the "chronic word on_the street is that the beds are full." That
speculation seems verified by the fact that the "1999 overflow strategy" of providing 120 mats
on the floor of the Dorothy Day center filied on a matter of days in December 1999. (November
1 is the projected start for the overflow shelter space.)
Projections for the Winter season of 2000 -2001
This level of emergency shelter appeazs to be barely adequate for the anticipated 2000-2001
�vinter crush. Though the number of spaces aze the same as last year, procedures are in place to
improve the referral to shelter ihat had some failures in the 1999-2000 w�inter season. Assuming
a safisfactory connection between homeless individuats and vacancies in the system, the system
as a whole may still experience ciays in which there is no more space. (Unseasonably cold
weather befote Idovember 1 will most certainly cause this to happen.) However, on the whole,
most should be able to get indoors during bad weather. Stated differentl}�, it is fair to say that the
projected margin of safety in the number of emergency shelter beds is dan�erously thin.
�
� Who pays for Emergency Shelter?
Emergency shelter costs money ($2.1 million per yeat in our City and Count}�).
Ramsey County picks up the largest amount of that cost ($914,546).
The private sector ( lazgely faith-based communities, private donors, and the United Way)
holds second place with approximately $676,482 in supporting the emergency sheiters.
Federal and state sources provide $264,484
User fees of $101,1$1 round out the field.
�io�•ing on from Emergency Shelter
Not everyone who gets into shelter moves out to their own apartment or into transitional housing.
The reason is there is not enough of either resource. The length of stay is limited to 30 days in a
calendar quarter, or until they have a source of income and begin to pay the per diem cost of $32.
As a consequence, many return to the streets (see Wilder Report dated August 2000
http://www.wilder.org/research/reports/pdf/ramseyshelter9-OO.pdfl, some directly and others
after a short term stay with an acquaintance or friend. The amazing fact is that not more return to
shelter in spite of the shortage of housing in all price ranges.
Challenges facing our community relative to sheltering homeless people and assisting them
� to change their circumstances.
Challenge 1
The lack of affordable housing for those with incomes below $6/hr -$12/ hr is a cork in the
emergency shelter bottle. It keeps people in emergency sheiters and transitional housing longer
and reduces the number of people served. A# the same time more and more people (singles and
families) are turned ativay from emergency sheiter. Emergency shelter intake is actively
encouraoin� families to double up in the private sector, whenever it appeazs to be feasible over
the short ierm.
The affordable housin� problem is esacerbaied by shortage of rental inventon� in the City of
Saint Paul and its surroundin� suburban communities. The shortage is creating pressure on
those at the median income and lotiver income levels as rents across the board rise faster that
incomes. Higher income peo�Ia are renting Iower sYrata units just to ensure possession of a unit.
The suppiy of advertized units in Saint Paul has remained below 1% of the totai 1990 census
count durin� the first 9 months of the year 2000. The demand for units has created a ripple
effect which has forced rents upwazd on formerly affordable units. The rise has been at
compounding 10% rates over the last 3 yeazs. The Housing Information Center Reports
occurrences of single step rent increases of $40, $50 up to $200 a month. �'Jorking poor aze
being squeezed in this market.
� Recommendation 1
That the City and County continue to create rental units affordable to households �vith incomes
� belo�v 50 % of the metropolitan median ($15.79/hr for a family of four). In reality every East
Metro community needs to live up to their responsibility in this regazd. It should be noted that
the 1,200 -1,500 new housing starts in Saint Paul anticipated before the end of 200] will have
20% of the units priced for families and individuals �vith incomes at or below• 50% of the median
income. Haif of those lower rent units will be priced as affordable to those with incomes at 30%
of the median income. Ttus is a strong step in the right direction. However, these units alone will
not resolve homelessness in the east metro region. Other cities throughout Ransey County aze
encouraged to follow suite.
Challenge 2
The City of Saint Paul count of vacant buildings is approximately 440. Most of those buildings
aze in various states of disrepair. The vast majority of those buildings are in private hands and
are reoccupied each year. On average, the city loses about 35 units per yeaz between private and
city sponsored demolitions (see 1999 vacant building report in the appendix). The owners of
those buildings frequentiy do not have an active plan for their renovation. Frequently personal
circumstances such as finances, personal wiil, clouded titles, institutional expansion etc. cause
these units to remain vacant and often in disrepair for extended periods. In a number of
instances, structures are demolished under the vacant building ordinance rather than steered into
redevelopment as affordable housing.
Recommendation 2
� Given the shortage of the supply of affordable units, the City should begin an aggressive effort
to determine whether there aze other strategies that can achieve rennovation of those structures
that aze on the potential demolition list. Possibly a private-public partnership with the
professional landlord community can evaluate the various altemative approaches to saving
vacant housing structures and retum them to occupied status in the shortest possible time.
Challenge 3
The number of emerQency shelter beds that we have available is not adequate durin� the summer
months when we have peak demand for families. Nor is it adequate in the winter even with the
seasonally espanded capacit}�. Up to 120 people per night slept on mats on the floor of the
Dorothy Day center in their "extended hours" program from December 1949 through Apri12000.
A surprising nucnber of people using the floor mats had steady incomes. This is not a
satisfactory long term solution for the overfiow to our system. Our city needs creative
approaches to provide a more stable alternative for the non-transient members of this population.
Recommendation 3
That the City and County continue to maintain support for existing shelters and safe «,�aiting
options. Ho�vever, �ce need additional emergency shelter. `�'e encourage them to look for ways
� to pro��ide additional shelter for at least those homeless people with steady incomes.
i
Challenge 4
A number of social service providers have been effective in restricting the flo�v of families and
individuals who are in precarious economic situations from becoming homeless. Among them
are programs
that pay delinquent utility bills,
provide rental deposits for people moving out of shelters,
provide free fumiture, provide free basic used fumiture,
offer eviction prevention counseling, etc.
There is a two edged benefit to this effort. It diverts people from emergency sheiter, and it
provides low income people with hope as they struggle to live their lives in a productive fashion
Recommendation 4
The Ovemight Shelter Board encourages continued support (both economic and policy) by the
City, the County and the foundations of our community for policies and practices, such as those
listed above, that keep families and individuals in their current units out of emergency shelter.
The cost of doing so is often less that shelter stays and helps maintain the integrity of the families
benefited..
* PERSPECTIVES OF SEI2VICE PROVIDERS WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS
POPULATION
Comment �vas invited by the Overnignt Shelter Boazd from a vaziety of service programs in Saint
Paul. The perspectives of a health caze program, a drop-in-center, a case manager at a Single
Room Occupancy facility and of emergency shelter overflow program aze shared below.
Perspectives from Health Pro��iders
Identifred ueeds of Saint Pa�i!'s Hon:eless
- By Helene Freint, Director of Health Care for the Homeless
Health Caze for the Homeless (HCH) provides medical and mental health services in 9 different
sites in Ramsey County. HouseCalls works to prevent families in crisis from losing their
housing. We are in a unique position to speak about the needs of homeless and near-homeless
people because we meet them in so many different situations.
The first and most pressing need of everyone we meet is for housing. Many of HouseCalls'
families aze living in substandard, unacceptable conditions. Yet_ Yhey are lucky to have a home
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 4
.
tl�at they can afford. Some homeless single adults are ���orking full time and they still can't
� afford mazket rate renu. Homeless children who go off to school after spending the night in a
makeshift "shelter" church basement need a home so they can do their best.
Mental health issues aze prevalent in all of our sites. Homeless single adults and mothers with
children need easier access to mental health services. Single mothers are of particular concern
because they aze raising children. These women need support to cope and succeed. Fortunately
HCH has psychiatrists and a psychologist, supported by public heaith nurses with expertise in
mental health to address some of the need. Other homeless providers need training and
assistance in dealing with mental il]ness. Children need mental health services to address the
issues that develop from growing up without routine and stability.
Higher numbers of chronic disease patients aze seeking caze at our HCH clinics. They need
primary care, medications, nutrition and patient education. Trying to control diabetes and high
blood pressure while you are homeless is terrifically challenging. Access to podiatry care is
needed to address the frequent foot problems that aze inherent to the homeless lifestyle.
Recuperative space is needed for patients who require a wazm and dry place to heal from an
illness. Local hospitals need support for placing homeless patients once they are ready for
discharge. The St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Public Health supports one bed at the
Union Gospel Mission through HCH for such a purpose but the need exceeds the one bed
currentty available. St. Paui needs respite for women.
• This summazizes the most urgent needs of the homeless patients and clients �vho we meet in our
programs. The emergency service support provided by the Shelter Boazd is essential to the
community. Thank you for your attention to these concems.
Perspectives from a Drop in and Counseting Center
Service Gaps Experienced By Hon:eless People
-by Rosmarie Reoer-Rumsey, Director of Listenin� House
In spite of the many services available to poor people, some small barriers continue to obstruct
fonvard pro�ress by homeless and low income people in our city.
The bi� ticket items like housing, employment and health caze, �vhile being addressed, have a long
way to go. in ad�ition, ihere are other "gaps in service" can hold up progress. People can get very
ciose to res€rlving their issue, and discover there is "one more fee or expense" necessary to get that
job, house or medication. In response, Listening House of St. Paul started a small, circular fund
to address some of these gaps. Many requests are turned down because of our limited budget and
the nature of a circulaz fund, which is only available as guests pay us back. The examples below and
K:\sihhv\s�repOrt00 Paee 5
• `
our experience of them tell volumes about the challenges faced by our low income guests:
� Employment:
Transportation: This is a problem, especially when work is temporar}� and when the job site is
in the suburbs. Listening House guests must confirm employment and sien a loan agreement
agreeing to paying us back before a bus card is purchased. (Our retum rate of payment for bus
cards has been poor - 32%.)
• Gas Money: Retum rate is excellent (80%)
• Union Dzies: Construction companies have hired a number of guests, many cvho were union
trades people at one time. Union dues must be current before workers aze allowed to start on
site. (Return rate of payment for union dues (3) has been good - rivo of three guests returned the
money.)
• Tools: (Especially for carpenters) Two requests - both paid back w�ithin one month of
empioyment.
• Clothingandshoes: Greatest number ofrequests are for uniforms (usually white tops with biack
pants for food service) and steel toed boots. (Retum rate of payment has been good - 58%)
• Lodging: Guests have often requested the $ 4.50 needed at the Union Gospel Mission for a bed.
Having a place for a restful sleep and waking on time to get to work may mean the difference
between keeping the job or being let go. Checks aze 1-2 weeks afrer employment begins.
(Retum rate on payment - excellent - 70%)
Housing:
• Application Fees: Listening House does not assist with application fees.
• Partial deposits/rent: We have mostly assisted long time guests who we l:now well. Return
� payment 100%.
Motel fees: We no longer assist with motel fees - we assisted three people, none of whom
returned payment.
• Tent: We have helped two people (non-veterans) buy a tent (50% pay back)
Storage:
This is a huge problem! Lockers/storage is available for a limited time at the Dorothy Day Center,
but �vith greater numbers of people �vithout shelter for longer periods of time, storaee limits have
expired. Families uzth more and larger bags have an exasperating rime gettin� around to the needed
services �zth no piace to set their bags. Listening House offers storage for t�co �r only - our
time limits were primarily dictated by space (we don't have any) and the inereasin� problem with
mice (due to food in the bags.) �
Miscellaneous:
• Co peryrnent for Prescription hledication: Guests who have medicare often do not have
medication coveraae. Other guests have insurance coverage but cannot afford the co-payment
to�vard ttae medicatian. The Healthcare for the Homeless team can assist people without
covera�e, but cannot always help insured individuals. Additionally, the Healthcare team cannot
purchase any prescribed nazcotic. (Retum payment has been excellent for this request.)
• Lai�ndry Fncilities: Ventin� problems (and expensive repair costs) have caused The Dorothy
Day to stop offering this service. There is no convenient downto�rn iaundromat and money
K:\s�h\w\s�report00 Pa�e 6
�
c��ould be an issue even if there was a private facility. Our experience is that poor peopie aze
� most offended by the smells of poverty. Positive job interviews are nearly impossible without
clean clothes. Repairing this lost service would be greatiy appreciated!
Perspectives from a Case Manager at a Supportive Housing Site
Homelessness - IVI:y?
- by Robert Giles II - Case Manager Coordinator at Mary Hall Supportive Housing and SRO
Programs
There are many different reasons why there is so much homelessness. We can say
because of welfaze reform, racism, economics, mental illness, chemical dependency, family .
issues, criminal history, and ne�v immigrants.
Because of the housing shortage, landlords can pick and choose to whom they want to rent.
They are able to set higher and higher income standards to insure the payment of the rent.
Frequently, the renters are asked to produce a deposit, the first months rent and the last months
rent. The simple $500 apartment becomes $I,500 expense in the first month that you move in.
What person, working minimum wage would be able to afford paying that, all at one time? This
exampie is basically for a single person who wants to live in a nice apartment - not an apartment
that is days away from being torn down for housing code violations.
Those with borderline mental illness or retardation are not eligible for a Rule 36 housing facility.
� So you have people with mild mental health issues also trying to find housin�. As a rule, they aze
not the ones picked by the landlords as the new renter. A present day puzzle that troubles many
is the fact that immigrants from Africa on assistance (read steady income) seem to be favored
over a low income, minimum wage eaming African-Americans. This has led to confusion.
The incomes aze rou�tily the same. The color is the same, yet , they still fzel discriminated
against.
There is no available low-income housing. The affordable units that exist ha��e a waiting lists
that vary from several months to yeazs. Agencies such as Wilder, Catholic Charities, etc. are
doino the best they can but local government must do more. There are man}� ���ays the local
govemment could get involved and assist the housing pro�rams to provide more affordable
housing. I could go on, and on to address the barriers faced by the person who has been
incazcerated and has to start over; the person who has been in treatment for alcohol or drugs and
discovers there are not enough sober houses. Where does he/she go? All we can do is pray that
God will provide.
Perspectives from an Emergency Overflow Shelter Administrator
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 7
�
"�Vhat Do the Homeless Say They Need?"
� -by Steven Kearney, Program Supervisor porothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program 1999-2000
To open...you shouid know that I concur with the general consensus that emergency shelter
facilities are not the ans�ver to the housing shortage and homeless problems that �r�e have
developed in this country. Sheiters are strictly a band-aide being appiied to a gaping wound.
The oniy true cure to the plight of the homeless is safe, respectable and affordable housing. In
spite of this fact, secure waiting and shelter facilities are indeed an important link in the
continuum of caze for the homeless and poverty stricken. In many cases that I have personaily
counseled and mana�ed, the provision of basic shelter was the first and most important step to
stabilization.
The problem of homelessness is not a problem that we can blame on any one politician, group
of politicians or administration throughout the course of U.S. history. Extensive homelessness as
«�e I:now it today is something that took many generations of class and racial poverty to develop.
This problem will take a concerted effort on the part of many govemmental and social bodies to
correct. There is no instant cure for this social ailment.
It is important that we listen to what the homeless peopie have to say about their own situation
and needs. In our lofty positions as caze givers, and as social workers, we ha��e a tendency to
develop opinions, and plans, based more on the statistics and measurements that we make than
on the things the people we serve have to say to us about what they need. The one request I heaz
� most frequently when listening to homeless people talk about their most urgent need is a"decent
place to stay every night." A place that is secure, safe, wann, clean, friendly, supportive, and
restfui. The homeless are telling me they need to know that each night they can count on that
place that wzll afford to them the opportunity to stabilize and begin to build some structure; a
place to receive a little food, a shower, a guarantee that it will be there for them each night. They
need a dependabie place so that when they make plans for the future, the}� will not be facing an
ever changin� source of shelter from one day to the next.
In closing...�Ve need to accept the fact that becoming homeless is a process, and so getting out of
the nrt of homelessness is a process as well. The majority of the homeless people I interview and
�� ork ���ith tell me that they have a problem with some of the thin�s we, as social workers, say
about them. One major point they make boils down to this. We should ���om• less about the idea
of "�varehousing" people and focus more on how we can provide a decent place for them to get
their footine re-established. "If I could have a jail cell sized room in a buildin� of five hundred
rooms, �vhere I ha��e a door I can lock, a window I can open and look out of, a sink I can wash
my face in, a kitchen I can cook in, and a shower down the hail I can bathe in, I would not feel
de�raded in any �vay. I need a safe and decent place to live." These �vords come from Rodney, a
man who has been stru;glin� with mental illness and the need for an affordable place to live for
four years. He is stiil looking.
K:\s\hhv\s\report00
Pa�z 8
��
. Emergency Shelter Expenses in 1999
for St Paul and Ramsey County
Agency Budget Donations User
Private and Fees*
United Way
Union $331,000 $258,000 $73,000
Gospel Mission
Mary Hall $174,598 $ 15,435 $13,342
Lowry Family Shelter
$823,787 $ 37,752 $14,839
$178,760* *
Church Overflow
System $ 74,000 $ 35,000
Dorothy Day
Overflow $101,295 - - - -
Luiheran Social Service
� Safe House $280,450 $ 63,000 --
$ 30,450**
Ain Dah Yung
Youth
Shelter $321,553 $ 58,337 --
�
FederallState
ESG
FEMA
$30,000
$53,838
$64,800
$187,000
$90,484
Ramsey
County
�
$115,821
$538,598
$ 39,000
$48,483
$172,712
Total S2,118,598 32% 5% 19% 43%
ESG = Emergency Shelter Grant. This is federal money that is distributed to Emer�ency
Sheiters by the City of Saint Paul
FEMA = Federai Emergency Management Agency. These aze federai Grants to localities to
defray emergency shelter and food costs .
* Shelter Guests at times pay for their own shelter costs
* * United Way contribution
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 9
•
September Rents in St Paul
�zoo
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Rental costs over time in Saint
Paul
The rents shown are the average costs of
the different size of apartments
(determined by the number of
bedrooms) in September of each
respective year.
One bedroom rents rose by 11.7 % and
then by a compounded 12.4% from one
September to the next.
("-� 3 Br Rent � 2 Br Rent
,'_�_I 1 Br Rent
Two bedroom rents rose by 10.8% and
were followed by a compounding 9.5%
Three bedroom rents showed a 23.7 % increase, follo�ved by a compounding increase of
5.9 % increase in September 2000.
• Count of Advertized units in
Count of Advertized Units the Saint Paul Pioneer Press
,00
SD
60
40
20
n
� 1 bedroom
3 bedroom
K:\sih\w\s\report00
2 bedroom
The count of units a�•ailable for study
have dropped steadily from 1994.
In September 2000, the supply of all
uniYs advertized with prices in the St
Paul Pioneer Press �cas only 55% of its
peak in September 1994.
The current level of advertized units is
at 0.3% on the units tabulated in the
1990 census.
Pase 10
.
1998 1999 2000
1998 �999 2000
Clearly many unadvertized units are available, but tight market conditions have made
� advertizing unecessary.
Recent national housing reports highlighting the shortage of affordable hovsing for low
income households:
OLit Of RQQC/L:
Tlre Gap Between Hotrsing Cvsts and Income of Poor Peop[e in the United States
available at
http:/hvww.nlihc.or�/,
Included datl on Twin Cities is at
httn:/hvww.niihc.ore/c¢i-bin/data pl�getstate=on&getmsa=on&msa=minneanolisstoaul&stlte—vIN
Tl:e I�idening Gap: Neiv Findin�s on Housing Affordability in An:erica
http://www.huduser.org/nublications/affhsg/gan html
lYaitino in Virin: A�r Undate on America's Rental Hotrsing Crisis
htfiJhv�ytiv.huduser.org/nublications/af#hsg/waiting html
.
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa;e I1
` J
Update to the year 2000 report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City
� Council
�ast Yeazs report declared that the system seem to be harely adequate to meet the demand for
shelter. That prediction proved true. The `�vinter safety valve program" �ow as the Extended
Hours Program at i�e Doroth}� Day ��andied more p�pie than in previous years. They
aLs° tumed awaY t 77 i�vi�als in spite of 8ie fact that the capacity had swelled to 150 people
per nighx In some cases "hnning p�ple away" was for lack of space. Others turned away were
those shelter seekers who failed to pass the .1 breathalyzer test.
With one of the tightest housing markets in the United States, the corresponding upward
pressure on rents and sale prices adds to the numbers of homeless. Full time work at entry level
wages will not guarentee you access to a unit and eacit from emergency shelter. This problem is
expected to continue for the forseeable future.
Projections for the Winter of 2001-2002
It would appeaz that with nationai and regional economics slowing down, Saint Paut and
Ramsey county will experience more people out of work, short of cash for rent, and eventually
out of their apartments and houses. The present capacity of the shelter system will probably fali
short of ineeting the demand more often than it did last winter.
� The recommendations of the ihis body last October remain valid in the minds of the Overnight
Shelter Boazd members. To reiterate, those recommendarions are:
1) That the polirical bodies of the City and County Continue to create rental units
affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the metropolitan median income
($17.95 for a family of four).
2) That the city shou�d begin an aggressive effort to deYermine whether there are
add�ti�a1 shafegies that can achieve renovatian of �ose structures that are on the
potential demolition list.
3) That the City and County continue to support existing shelters and safe waiting
programs and find ways to create additional sheiter or at least an improved housing
alternative for Yhose with steady incomes in the emergency shelters
4) 'That the City, the County, and the community foundadons of �e east metro continue
to support and inerease their contriburions to homeless preveation strategies that keep
P�F� �� exi�g homes. Prevention is lsss cast�y to the public sector and reduces
ihe 3isre��c� m faani}ias.
�
•
Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Aliocations
ESG funds are federal funds passed through the city to subgrentee recipients
1896 1997 1998 1999 2000
Ain Dah Yung Teen Sheiter ES
C Charities Mary Haii Men's Shelter ES
C Charities Dorolhy Day Shelter ES
C Charities Fumiture Warehouse R
C Charities Ramsey County Emergency Shelter �
Cathoiic Charities Eviction Preventio p
Emma Norton Transitional T �I
Episcopal Community Service p �'
Home of Good Shepherd RoseCenter T '
Face to Face S.Zone p ;;
House Calls/W.Side heafth p ij
Josephs coat p
Listening House drop in sheiter p
LSS Teen Safie House ES ��
Project hope/SMRLS P il
St Pauf Councii of Churches Em shelter ;
St Paul Foundation Supplement p i;
St Paul Foundation deposit progra p
St Paul Fndtn E. Shel Support ES j'
Theresa Living Center T
� uvin City Community Voice Mail R
Ider Family Serv p
Wilder SRO Resident Support p
Wilder Naomi p
Women OfNations p
YWCA T
Saint Paul HIO p
Annuai totals
$7,000
$40,000
t�fA
NA
$21,000
NA
$7,000
$15,000
$5,000
$20,000
$25,000
NA
$10,000
$20,000
$16,400
NA
NA
$23,200
N�4
$5,000
NA
NA
$10,000
$1�,000
NA
$2Q,000
NA
2�asoo
$7,000
$30,000
Na
$5,000
530,000
NA
$10,000
$15,000
$5,000
NA
$25,000
$5,000
$14,000
$22,000
$16,400
NA
$13,752
$11,150
NA
$10,000
$5,000
$10,000
$10,000
NA
NA
$25,000
NA
269301.6
$11,440
$30,000
NA
$27,000
$42,000
NA
$15,000
s2o,000
$21,800
iVA
$32,090
NA
$3�,00�
$22,000
$16,450
NA
NA
$27,000
NA
$10,000
$6,250
NA
$10,500
NA
$14,398
$3�,D00
$6,562
372400
$10,000
$15,00�
$52,800
$12,000
NA
$33,000
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$23,006
$15, 000
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
$27,000
$6,500
$5,500
NA
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
NA
336300
$10,000
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
NA
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$25,OD0
$22,000
$22,400
$30,000
NA
$30,000
NA
$10,000
$6,415
NA
$0
NA
NA
$'I1,585
NA
336300
ES Referrs to Emergency Shelter
NA Generaily means that this program did not apply for funds
There was one case where HUD questioned the eligibility of the program from this funding source
P Referrs to fiomeless PreveMion services
R Referrs fo Reintegration Services
T Re#errs to Transitional Housing
s
��
�ecipient Agency
HIC Administration
Project Hope/SMRLS
Listening House
LSS Safe House
Cath Chrty DD shelter
Cath Chrty Mary Hall overflo
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,m
Ain Dah Yung
St Paul Councif fo Chnaches
TCcommunity Voice Maii
Cath Chrty Fumiture
St Paul Foundation
House Calls
Theresa 4iving Center
YWCA
Home/RoseCenter
Emma Norton
Totat
% or the whoie
i
City of St Paui Emergency Shelter Grants
Distributed in response to a Public Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Shelter Board
Grants year 2000
$17,700 a
$22,000 c
$25,000 ds
$22,000 es
$52,800 es
$15,000 es
$30,000 es
$10,000 es
$30,000 es
$6,415 ms
$15,000 ms
$30,000 ms
$35,000 ms
$10,OOQ th
$11,585 th
$6,500 th
$15,000 th
$354,000
5.00%
6.21 %
7.06%
45.14°10
24.41 %
12.17%
Grant summary
by Mission
$17,700 Administration
$22,000 Counseling
$25,000 Day Shefter
$159,800 Emergency Shelter
$86,415 Material Support
$43,085 Transitional Housing
�
Recipient Agency
Cify of St Paul Emergency Shelter Grents
Distributed in response to a Pubiic Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Sheiter Board
Grants year 2000 Grent Categories
Matntloperation Essent Serv Prevention
Ain Dah Yung $10,000 �-
Cafh Chrty Mary Hall overflow $15,000
Cath Chrty DD shetter $52,800
Cath Chrty Fumiture $15,000
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,mp $30,000
Emma Norton $15,000
Home/RoseCenter $6,500
House Calls $35,000
Listening House $25,000
LSS Safe Mouse $22,000
Projeci Hope/SMRLS $22,000
St Paul Council fo Chruches $30,000
St Paul Foundation $30,000
Theresa Living Cennter $10,000
TCcommunity Voice Mail $6,415
YWCA $11,585
HIO Admin $17,700
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
$7,500
$6,50D
$7,000
$i2,500
$10,OOD
$27,275
$10,000
$6,475
$11,585
$7,500
$13,000
$9,500
$12,000
$35,000
$2,000
$30,000
Rehab Admin •
$3,000
$2,725
97,700
�
Total $354,000 $22�,575 $42,000 $67,000 $0 $23,425
0
. . _ o
�
t
�
�
ST . PAUL/RAMSEY COUNTY
FIVE YEAR
HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERSI'ICES
REPORT AND PLAN
�
r • - --
Prepared by
FYve Xear PZan Oversigiit Committee
August�998
�
.
Appendix C
List of Recommendations
t>
2)
Establish a St. Paul/Ramsey County Landlord-Tenant Ed:rcation and
Dispute Resolution Cenfer
Establish a Youth Coordinating Board in Ramsey Coz�nty
3) Support and Expand Ef}'orls to Reduce Disparities in Housing and
Homeless Services Provided to People of Color
4) Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statetivide Homeless Prevention
Planning Council
EMERGENCYSAELTER
A11�'D AFFORDA$LE HOUSING
EMERGENCYSHELTER
5) Support the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners' Decision to
�wn and Qperate the New Family Service Center
6) Provide Emergency Shelter with a Fam
Reunification Fo for
�
�
7) Develop Additional Emergency Shelter Options for Homeless Yozath
When Family Reunif:cation E are Exhausted
8) Devetop a fQ-bed �helter fear Minor Parents and Their Children
�
.
1
A
�
9)
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitiona! Housing for Families
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitional Hozrsing for Sit�gte Adzrlts
♦ Develop .i0 Units of Transitional Housing for Yozrth
PERMANENT HOUSING
10) Support the Preservation of Existing Subsidized Ho:rsing
�
11) Develop Mechanisms to Bring the Resources and Expertise of the
Business Community to Bear to Integrate the Homeless in the Workforce
12) Create an Affordable Hozrsing Owners' Consortium
13) Double the Current Cappcity of Habitat for Hzrmanity
14) Investigate the Feasibility of Establishing a Section 8 Homeownership
Program in Ramsey County -
�
.
2
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
15)
♦ Develop �t00 Units of Permanent Supportive Ho:�sing for Single
fldulrs
♦ Develop 2�Q IJnits of Permanent Supportive Ho:rsing for
Families
♦ Develop 50 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for
Youth
HOMELESS SERVICES
16) Increase Capacity to Deliver Basic Services Essential to Breaking
the CycPe of Homelessness
27) IdenFify dYays to Provide More Intensive Case Management,
Counseling and Financial Management Services
t$) f»eprave Linkages Between Property Oivners and Social
Servzce Praviders
19) Seek Partnerships ivith Yeterans Service Organizations
20) Increase the Hozers and Days Youth Drop-in Centers are Open
�
�
�
�
3
, 21) Study the Feasibility of Creating a Centralized Systern of Intake,
� Assessment and Record Keeping
22) Provide Cultzrral Competency Training to Service Providers
23) Provide the Necessary Technical and Financial Resozrrces
to Agencies of Color -
IMPLEMENTATION
24) City and County StaffShozrld be Given the Responsibility to
Coordinate and Oversee the Implementation of the Five Year Plan
� 25) Create a Funders' Council
��
:
�
• Saint PauURamsey County 5-Year Low Income Housing
And Homeless Services
Report and Plan
A Status Report
(July 2001)
In April 1999, the Saint Paul City Council and the Ramsey County Boazd of Commissioners
adopted and endorsed the recommendarions contained in the Saint PauURamsey County Five-
Year Low Income Housing and Home[ess Services Report and Pla►r.
26 months later, this Status Report takes a look at the progress made towazd meeting those
recommendations, both as recognirion for the work that has been done and as a forceful
reminder of all that remains unfulfilled.
The Five-Yeaz Plan sets forth recommenda6ons that, taken together, seek to make significant
inroads toward:
■ Preventing homelessness
■ Assisting those who are or will become homeless; and
■ Filling the needs for housing and homeless services identitied during the
planning process
• The recommenda6ons have been grouped under four broad categories:
■ Homeless Prevention
■ Shelter and Housing
■ Homeless Services
■ Funding
This report takes a closer look at those four categories of recommendarions. As a guide to
monitoring our progess, a fairly arbitrary system of zero to four stars will be employed as
follows:
Zero Stars = No progress
� One Star = Begivning steps; much work to be done
� Two Stars = Moderate Progress
Three Stazs = Good Progress; not quite finished
Four Stars = Recommendation accomplished
C�
• Homeless Prevention:
Recommendation 1: Establish a Landlord-Tenant Education and Dispute
Resolufion Program.
Status: � The services envisioned by this recommendarion eicist in
our communities. However, they aze not integrated or effecrively
linked to ensure accessibility or easy referral.
Recommendation 2: Improve coordination of youth services in Ramsey County
Status: � Services for homeless youth, in general, haue improved in
both scope and effectiveness due to the dedicated work of agency
staff and volunteers. Nevertheless, only beginuing progress has
been made in improving coordination of services, particulazly
between agencies exclusively working with homeless youth and
broader mainstream youth services providers.
Recommendation 3: Reduce disparities in housing and homeless services provided
to people of calor.
� Status: 0-� Some progress has been made increasing access to
transirional housing and permanent supportive housing for people
of color, but the incidence of homelessness for people of color
remains unacceptably high and points to services and housing
inequity throughout the system.
Recommendation 4: Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statewide Homeless
Prevention Planning Council.
Status: b�i 1� Although a sepazate Homeless Prevention Planning
Council that includes local provider agencies has not been
established, the State Interagency Task Force on Homelessness
consisting of statewide representarives from DHS, DCFL and
Mf��IFA has been working on the issue of better pre-release housing
plazuiing for at-risk persons approaching release from jails and
treatment facilities.
C �
J
• Shelter and Housine:
Recommendation 5: Shelter for homeless youth focused on family reunification.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth
Recommendation 6: Ezpanded shelter space for homeless youth where family
reunification is not an option.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth.
Recommendation 7: Development of 10 bed shelter for minor parents and their
Cluldren.
Status: � There have been plans developed by a local non-profit organization in partnership
with a church congregation to build and run a shelter for minor parents and their ldds. The
project has not started yet, nor has a site been identified.
Recommendation 8: Development of:
■ 100 units of transitional housing for families
■ 100 units of transitional housing for single adults
• ■ 50 units of transitional housing for youth
Status: �'/z Since the adoption of tkris Five-Year P1an, the afFordable rental housing shortage
has continued to worsen. As a result, for some people with poor rental histories, criminal
backgrounds, or chronic or reciuring disabilities, transitional housing limited to 24 months has
not been sufficient to establish self-sufficiency in housing. Therefore, some transirional housing
programs are looking to rid themselves of the arbitrary time-limit by converting to permanent
supportive housing. In general, this conversion has been strongly supported by our local
Continuum of Caze. The Lutheran Social Services Rezek House has recently opened provid'mg
12 new units of transitional housing for youth.
Recommendation 9: Development of:
■ 400 units of permanent supportive housing for single adults
■ 200 units of permanent supportive housing for families
■ 50 units of permanent supportive housing for youth
Status: � Since adop6on of the 5-Year Plan, the following permanent supportive housing
projects have either opened, aze under consirucrion, or aze still in pre-development work putting
together tlie financing required to proceed:
• ■ 153 units for single adults
■ 82 units for families
■ 12 units for youth
� RecommendaHon 10: Support continued legislaHve funding dedicated to the
preservarion of e�sting federally subsidized low income
housing.
Status: 1/2 The State Legislature has allocated a total of $SO,OOQ000 (including
$20,QOO,Q�O allocaYed for the current biennium) for the preserva6on of federally subsidized
housing units. Tlris prograai has been enormously successful. To date, $37,000,000 of state
funding has been committed, which has preserved $186,000,000 in federal subsidies and
leveraged an addirional $63,000,000 in other funding for this purpose. Altogether, over 4,000
units of affordable housing has been preserved for neazly 9,000 people statewide.
Recommendafion l l: County and municipalities should establish a joint policy on
preservation of esisting nonsubsidized low income housing
stock.
Status: 0-� While discussions have taken place which have raised the importance of
preserving our e�sting supply of affordable, non-subsidized housing, agreement on a specific
preservation policy has not been reached.
Recommendation 12: Create an Affordable Housing Owners Advisory Group
. Status: � There has been considerable progress from the County, municipaliries, and lazge
non-profit developers and technical assistance agencies in developing information on sources of
funding and regulatory requirements for developers. However, there has been no progress made
in convening an Advisory Cttoup to provide input and guidance to cities on impediments to
development and recommended solufions. Also, the informarion that is available is scattered and
largely uncoordinated.
Recommendation 13: Encourage development of private market low income
housing by:
■ Adopting a mized use, mixed income policy
■ Bring resources and ezpertise of business community to
integrate more homeless people into the workforce
■ Strengthen the Incentives in the Livable Communiries Act
■ 5upport Habitat for Humanity in doubling its production
capacity locally.
Status: There has been some success in getting municipaliries to adopt mixed use,
mixed income housing. The City of Saint Paul has committed itself to producing 20% of its new
housing to be affordable for people at 50% or less of the azea median income (a.m.i.), with half
of that total affordable to people at 30% or less of the a.m.i. The Community Employment
• Partnership and their creation, Employer Solutions, Inc., has helped to focus the business
community on the mutual benefits of moving people from welfare to work. Habitat for
Huxnanity continues to significantly increase its azea quotas of new housing.
� Homeless 5ervices
Recommendation 14: Increase capacity of agencies to deliver basic services to the
homeless people.
Status: l�t %z It is undeniable that many agencies, beyond those whose missions aze focused on
the homeless, have become more sensitive and awaze of the unique service needs of people who
are homeless or at-risk. We have also seen a nearly 100% increase in fND Continuum of Caze
funding between 1999 and 2001. Neverthelesss, as the housing shortage continues to intensify,
more low income families and individuals become at serious risk of homelessness wlule
homeless prevention dollars have remained relatively static. The net result is that the demand
for emergency shelter, transitional housing and basic services to combat homelessness and to
develop or idenfify housing options for people threatens to overwhelm our service capacity to
respond.
Recommendation 15: More intensive case management, counseling, and financial
management services
Status: � Agencies serving people who aze homeless and those at risk of homelessness
have done very good work expanding the menu of available services. The networks created
through the Family Homeless Prevenrion Providers and the Ramsey County Continuum of Caze
i have promoted timely and effective referrals between agencies to get people in need of services
to the agencies which provide them. As with many of the recommendarions in the Five-Year
Plan, much work needs to be done, particulazly expanding capacity to meet the expanding need.
Recommendation 16: Improve linkages between preperty owners and social services
providers.
Status: In response to the shortage of affordable rental housing, scattered site
transitional housing providers such as the Wilder ROOF Program and housing placement
programs such as the SMKLS Project HOPE have made supportive services to the landlords a
critical piece of their overall service menu. By treating landlords as customers and developing
strong and posidve relationships with the landlords, these agencies aze giving their client
fanulies and individuals with less than stellar histories a chance at housing for which they might
otherwise be considered.
Much more needs to be done to expand the linkage between landlords and sociai services
providers, but a good start has been made.
Recommendation 1'1: Low income, transitional and permanent supportive housing
developers should seek partnerships with veterans services
organizations.
• Status: � Veterans continue to make up a disproportionately lazge shaze of our homeless
single adults (31% of homeless adult men). Some programs like the Dorothy Day Center,
Listening House, and Access have traditionally maintained close and effective relationships with
5
� veterans organizations, this linkage is still not very widespread, much to the detriment of
homeless veterans seeking services.
Recommendation 18: Increase the hours of youth drop-in centers.
Status: 0— There has been no progress in developing the additional resources that would be
required to increase youth drop-in center hours.
Recommendation 19: Create a centralized system of intake, assessment and record
keeping.
Status: 1a5f 1�C Ramsey County has worked closely with the Wilder Reseazch Center and our
shelter and transitional housing providers to improve and standardize our data collecrion system
for homeless people. The system confinues to have significant gaps, particulazly for homeless
single men, but progress is being made. In 2000, Ramsey County significantly upgraded our
efforts to provide a meaningful assessment for applicants to emergency shelter with the goal of
early intervention and referralto needed services.
Recommendation 20: Cultural competencey training is provided to service
providers.
• Status: � the African American Working group was formed following a study showing
the disproportionate use of emergency shelter services by African Axnericans with the vast
majority of shelter, transitional housing and supportive service providers being Caucasian . The
goal of the African American Working Group has been to provide training leading to cultural
competence for our providers. An associated benefit of this study has been to increase the
number of African American and other culturally competent providers entering the service
system in Ramsey County. This will continue to be significant need in Ramsey County for a
long time to come.
Recommendation 21: Ensure needed technical and financial resources are provided
to agencies of color.
Status: � Given the limited resources available to expand the provider community, progress
has been slow in distributing more resources to agencies of color, though there has been some
progress.
FundinE
Recommendation 22: Create a Funders Council
• Status: ��d y�i 1�S 1��( 'The Five-Yeaz Plan Funders Council consisting of
virivally all the housing and homeless services fund'mg enfiries in
Ramsey County has been meeting monthly since May 2000 to
oversee the implementation of the Plan's recommendarions.
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
�
�
Ci�
v
�
�
.�
�
�
�
�
�
�
a�
�
0
�
A
�
�
�
G�
.�
C�
�
�
b.A
�
.�'
�
�
U
�
�
�
�
e�
�
�.
�.
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
� H4USING PLAN
, - , .. . .- - -..
��;
.:��
� �� F
S'
• • • • • • • C "..:
����; �
i ��.
!^
��1•'• • ' � � �� � � � ' c
• • � • • • . �+��' ,
.: a N ''"�;^ E'�,w i
CFfi
�v .�f Y.\Y' 2
s
�rr �
�ri, .^
�
/ 3 y �4
� � � S.
�� �:
A � /y�" �"
zl£� �g.", �g k�
f -a'�azr��Sh$ .- M�-.
� ?u=,i�^w�, AA � .�'
,E :
��� .
� �� R3
... h� " y � .
d'�" mm .(r'°�' �.���� �` .
�� n���,�..
)�� '�,
� s.a
���ws m
` ��`"`��.� �
��� a .," .
��y
`'/�"� �
� � -
,a c ✓� �.,. ,-� � 3 "
,E,,,'>�''.�''�n
�P �
�;�"� .� '-- -�.-�-,
, � `,",iy�� �%a-
,'" i& Y� ; a} _w_a¢T";..
�
: -'�� "'�„+�
':..; „�„.�y '".c. .1 ° .
, 5 �,
,
t���r �ra8—rg� . xi -
PAVL � � I �;.. � :m- � .
� �. �
• •• �N ,+r�� $�, � �
AAAA ���7�y� KS�`_y'��''�y�'��.d+�
L '4'�i '� �'`C+/�Vl'� c✓�,�'y/'��.
6 �' �j ?Y S
I / / KYCF« � ��.''lC � a �n�Wrr� /
�.,' ��''� k° ,�,.�cbf� i �!&Y`q ✓Fl/ �.
St�ate� 3: Ensure
� Availability of Affordable�
Housing
A generally stronger housing market, the aknast total absence of any new
production of rentai housing in any price range, and the redudion in fed-
eral funding for rental assistance are all putting pressure on the portion of
the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In
some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point
where it is no longer affordabie. In others, lack of continuing investment
has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The production of
new affordable housing units has been limited in recent years to for-sale
units affordable to only a fairly narrow segment of the lower income popu-
IaUon.
The availability of safe and decent housing affordable to households who
eam low or modest wages is critical to both the economic health of the
community and the welfare of those households and their neighborhoods.
Businesses, to be successful, need ready access to a pool of potential
employees. The absence of safe, decent and affordable housing nearby— �
especially in a tight labor market mitigates against their being able to
find and atiract ihose employees.
Furthermore, there is clear and convincing evidence that individuals and
families who have stable housing are healthier and are more successfui at
work. Their children do beuer in school. As a resuit, the neighborhoods
they live in are safer, suonger and more likely to be strong centers of com-
murtity life.
The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan
region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of
well-managed low cost housing_ Since there aze chaitenges to that supply,
preservation is the City's primary objedive, though the construction of
new low-cost uniLs wiil be requued as well if redevelopment is to meet the
needs of Saint Paul neighlmrhoods.
- -- Sa�E�lsst�ategyre}ative "
isate� reiated initiatives that emphasize preservation, provide for new con-
s�uction, and encourage much more adequate provision of housing
• opportunities throughout the region. Encouragement of new rental hous-
in� generally, as discussed above, also will contribute to meetin� the need. •
t8
City ofSaint Paul
��
�
6. i The City challenges the region to ensure that each metropoli-
tan community provides a full range of housing choices in ordei
to meet the needs of households at all income levels.
The two centrai cities wiil always have more than a proportionate share
of the region's lower cost housing. It is to the cities that young people
come to go to school, get their first job or buy their first home. It is to the
cities that immigrants first come to settle into a new land. It is in the
cities that people who rely on public transportation find the best service.
Indeed, the vitality of cities depe'nds on the mix of ages, incomes, family
types, races and ethnic groups—and the mix of structures that house
them—that isn't found in suburban communities.
� In recent years, however, the share of the region's lower cost housing
that is located in the central cities has been growing. That has meant
fewer choices for lower income households and fewer workers for sub-
urban businesses. It is the trend of increasing centralization—and fewer
� choices—that should be reversed.
� Specific measures that the City will support inciude:
a. Encourage the Minnesota Legislature to provide adequate funding for
� communitles to meet Livabie Communities goais for affordabie housing
and to adopt the other provisions of the Metropolitan Councii's Housing
� Comprehensive Plan
19
—�
� Specifically:
0
Reform Initiative including an incentive program for communities
lower housing consuuction costs associated with local requirements, ,
reassessment of the state building code, rental housing resources for
replacement housing and rehabilitation, new rental housing resources,
_-- - j funding for homeless assistance, preservation of eacisting federally assist-
ed rental housing and support for new and rehabilitated ownership
hovsing. The City a}so insists that the Metropolitan Council enforce all
agreetraents to provide low-income housing in the municipalities that uti-
lized putriic funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973.
b. The City and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Legislature
to strengthen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to
have a reai impact on the availability of affordabie housing for the met-
ropolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent study
by ihe University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
which indicates that even if all the production goais of the Liveable
CommuniUes Act are met, the zegion will still fall behind in affordable
housing provision by complerion of Livable Communiry Plans.
c. Suc�essful appiicants for regional funds should demonstrate a plan to
produce housing units affordable to households with incomes below 50
percent of the regionai median.
d. The Saint Paul HRA should seek partnerships with suburban com�
nities to offer their eatpertise in the production of quality affordable hous-
ing. Federal funds allocated to impiement the Hollman Consent Decree
represent a valuable means of financing such development and should
be tapped.
e. To the extent thai incentives aze not successful in encouraging the pro-
duction of additional affordabie units in suburban communities, the City
meuopolitan resource sharing mechanisms to stimulate production.
f. Under the leadership of the Metropolitan Council, efforts are being
asade to develop--and seceaing fimding Eo support—a regional replace-
ment housuig poficy and program_ Saint PauI supports these efforts.
6.2 'ihe City should work wdth its public, private and philanthropic
-- part��ers ca-ideatify �d-secure sigt�ificant-addirionai resourcea xo
enable the preserva�on and consuucYion of affordable housing,
both within the city and throughout the region.
The process of financing the constniction, rehabilitation, maintenanc�
and management of affordable housing has undergone a fundamental
20 City of Saint Pau3
� Background on Homeless Shelters,
Services and Transitional Housing
July 11, 2001
Who dces What? Service Population Winter Statns Summer st$tus
Emergency Shelters
Union Gospel Mission
Mary Hall Shelter
Mary Hall ovetIIow
77 beds for men
20 beds for men
15 mats for men
or families
55 beds for families
125 mats for men women
& Families
Full
Full
Full
1Q beds empty maybe
1 bed maybe
intermittent
Ramsey Co Fazn shelter
Dorothy Day
Extended Hours *#
3PCC Church Basements
Sub total
Battered Women Shelters
� Women's Advocates
Eagles Nest
Sub totai
Youth
Ain Dah Yung
LSS Safe house
Sub total
Grand totai of all types
of emergency shelter beds
36 cots for families intermittently fuil
328 general shelter beds for adults
203 (&om May 1- November 1)
50 beds for women and kids
45 beds for women and kids
Full
Full
Full
closed
busiest time of year
often over capacity
occasional opening
96 shelter beds for battered women and their families
10 beds far Teens
6 beds for Teens
Full
Full
Occasionally 1 bed
open
Full
16 shelter beds for teens
4qp *s
315 (Year round)
'* Count is only during the winter months (Novembet 2- Apri130)
�..J
Background on Homeless Shelters,
� Services and Transitional Housing, connnu�
Youth
Ain Dah Yun� has 10 Shelter beds for the 5- 16 year old group and they are constantiy full.
There is a 2- 3 week wait to get in.
Staffing problems are ancient history and not a financial problem any more
Vacancies last a day.
Beveriy Benjamin Transirional housing has 6 beds for the 16 - 22 year old group. It runs full
LSS Safe House on Dayton has a 6 bed capacity and nms full. There is no official waiting list.
They do a first come first serve program. In the first quarter 2001 they iumed away 325
requests. Their busiest day they tumed away 11 unique individuals. They estimate the unique
individuals making the requests to be appro�mately 50% of the above number. .
Their new transitional housine facility located at 501 Asbury will house 12. It filled up in a
month and has 4 people on the waiting list.
Families
� This system is generally adequate (i.e. if it is ok that people sleep on mats on the floor of
the Dorothy Day Center during the winter and out-of-doors in the summer, and on cots in
various church basements year round). It should be noted, there was a point last
September when 45 people were turned away in one night - it may have been an anomaly -
but there are ongoing reports by front line workers who have clients sleeping in vans and
cars and outside.
Ramsey Coua Famil�sheiter is in Maplewood on county property. It has capacity for 70 but
has beds for only 55 as per a promise made by the county to the city of Maplewood to limit the
shelter for the official beds that were transferred from the Lowry Apartments. In fact this
aa►ounted to a loss of 10 beds as the practice had been to be fleltible in the number of emergeacy
shelter guests that were housed in that facility.
The location is both good and bad. Good for children - space to play, and bad in the sense of
being remote &om the location of many services. However the County has placed many servioes
on site. Transportation, and the time it involves, remains a challenge.
Saint Paul Council of Churches runs a network of churches that offer their basements as
shelter for a month at a rime. Two churches with 18 wts each pick up their shelter guests at the
Mary Hall Intake Office each day at 5 30 and retum them to Listening House in the morning at
7: AM. Kids catch. The bus to school from there. Each month the church passes the task to
� another congregation in another location. The program has problems associated with the
mobility and the varying qualities of church basements. The volunteer effort of the
� conSreSations is amazing.
They move people twice a day and feed them twice a day. They get minimai fimding from a
shaky combination of County, StaYe, City, and congregational fimding. Some of the
congregations have less than 100 members.
This program is covering the shortfall created by the closing of the Lowry Shelter and moving of
it to the new Maplewood facility at much less than half the cost per person. In addition it
provides emergency shelter for families that would otherwise be tumed away from year round
from all the sheiters in the city for lack of space. It is not a comfortable situation for the shelter
user and tbat is probably good. People aze motivated to work on their housing and work issues.
The backlog of movement through the official Ramsey Co�mty Family Shelter is limited to 30
days. In this housing mazket it takes longer that 30 days to get into yo�s own place.
Tiris program faces the Determination of Similaz Use permit issue. The cost of making
modificadons will cause a number of churches problems. The process of inspections and
potential property modifications aze viewed with some trepidation by the congregations. We
the public need these churches to continue delivering this service. The oniy action piece here is
to keep our Determination of Similar Use process fle�dble.
� Singie Men
This system is jammed. Crearion of SRO units seems to be the most reasonable approach
to relieving the pressure on the shelters. By housing those who are worldng in their own
nnits, there will be space for those who are experiencing episodic homelessness.
The Union Gosuel Mission has 77 Emergency Shelter beds. Thirty (30) of those aze operated
as &ee beds; the rest are purchased for $6 a night and a number aze paid for a month in advance,
This winter these bartacks style bunkbeds were full nearly every night. On May 5 they tumed
away 8 men. The mission did not operate an overflow on their lobby flow in the winter of `00-
Ol. Conespondingly there were more people using the overflow spaces at the Extended hours
Dorothy Day Center.
In addirion they have 86 of their quasi SRO units (i.e. no independent kiichen facilities
available) available to shelter residents. They have 30 on their waiting list and it wili take 6
months for those men to get into the SRO units. There aze another 55 quasi SRO units that are
reserved for men willing to participate in two evenings per week Bible Study classes. This latter
element is in the process of being introduced and it is too early to evaluate the occupancy of the
program.
The mission has 42 Apartments for graduates of the Christ Center sobriety prograzu. It dces
� have a few vacant units.
Marv Hall
� Tlris program has 20 beds for men fitted into former office spaces of tlris building. The average
use was over 19 beds. Men allowed to stay in these beds are those on the wairing list for the
SRO units up stairs which are operated as two separate programs. Note, that the SRO units
npstairs also permit women. People who stay in the shelter wait 6-8 weeks to get into either
the 75 SRO units or the 80 additional Supportive Housing Units.
In addition, they jam another 15 men into nooks aad crannies of the building throughout the
y�.
These men get only mats to sleep on.
Ramsey county funds Catholic Charities and the City contributes ESG money to shelter these
folks. However, Catholic Charities also subsidize the cost.
Dorothy Day Extended hours
125 mats on the floor between 8:30 PM to 7:AM. Between the first of November and Apri130.
They were essentially full all winter long -(data stili beiag processed) A surprising # worked
(29%}. Most were males (78%). Females totaled 22%. Sixty-three families used this overflow
system the cluldren totaled 14% of the total. Every effort was made to get families into the
church shelters. In I3ovember when they opened the doors, the place filled in a few days. Ttris
past May first when the doors closed, the question was "where did they go? Answer is "check
the bridges, the houses of family and friends." These are ali short term fixes. Overcrowding
wears thin in a short while. During the winter they did turn away 177 people for lack of space.
� Tlus winter they saw 1224 people and provided 20,918 mats. The County and the ESG
program pick up the tab.
Intake
Urnii June 30 the intake continues to be at Mary Hail. (Note: there has been a 30 day extension
to that date) Families arriving after hours are given chairs in the lobby where the SRO and
SHP people enter and leave. Charities no longer wants to continue tlus service at the current
location because they regard the mixing of the vulnerable families and the mostly male
residential populations of the SRO and SHP folks as ]ess than ideal. The new plan is to move
this fimction to Central Methodist Church aY 639 Jackson. As of this date, contract details aze in
the process of being worked out
The issues here is paying for it. VJithout a host agency which can double up on eacisting
facilities, the cost is significantly Irigher.
Transitional Housing
In general this type of housing is designed to house people at an affordable cost for a period of
up to two yeazs wlule they work on the personal barriers that inhibit them from living
independently. Such bazriers might include: lack of a high school educarion, iack of job skills,
problems with chemical dependency, deficits in pazenting, lack of skills in money management
and budgeting, etc.
�
Two models are curreatly in use . The most common is the residential model where p�ple live
� in small communities. They are expected to work on an individualized work plan that will lead
to self sufficiency. Everyone is expected to participate in common programming provided by
the agency operating the transitionai housing. The second model is the placement of individuals
or families in their own scattered site apartment where they ave visited one to two times a week
by a program counselor to review their progress on their personal work plan. While in the
program they benefit from reduced rents
Each agency conducts its own intake. Average length of stay has been 3-4 months though they
have up to two years available. Over the last 5 years the average length of stay has been longer.
The lack of affordable housing options is credited for that increase.
The hansitional housing options in Saint Paul aze the following:
Agency
Emma Norton Residence—
670 No Robert
Home of the Good Shepherd
RoseCenter, Grand Ave
Jendayi Place
� 450 No. grotto, 751 Central,
741 Grotto
Juel Fairbanks
Naomi. Family Center
77 E. 9th, St. Paul 55101
New Beginnings
1161 Weshninister
Theresa Living Center
917 7essamine Ave
YWCA
198 Western
Service Population
Single women
females 18-22
Pregnantteens
Adults in recovery
Women and clrildren
Women and Children
in recovery
# of 6eds/Units
40
7 rooms
16 apartments
2 units, 8 beds
32 rooms 65 beds
16 units
Women and young children 12 rooms
Women and children ?? Apartments
Roof Progr$m Families
A Wilder Program . This is a scattered site transitional housing program that has placed over
200 families over severat yeazs
� G:VSfIDATAVtESEARCH�puGcy sessions�2001 backgroimd.wpd
Participating Churches in the
� St Paul Council of Churches
Emergency Shelters for Families
�
St Peter Claver
370 No Oa�ford
St Paul on the Hill unitarian
1524 Summit Ave
Mount Olivet Baptist Church
531central Ave
Unity Church
732 Hoily
Gloria Dei Lutheran
700 Snelling Ave So
First Presbyterian of
South St Paul
Twin Cities Friends
1725 Grand Ave
Payne Ave Evangelical
Payne Ave PO box 68916
House of Hope
797 Summit
Central Presbytreian
500 Cedar
Central Pazk
639 7ackson St
Dayton Ave Presbyterian
217 Mckubin
St Matthew's Episcopal Chruch
2136 Carter 55108
Fairmont United Methodist
1523 Fairmount Ave
The Saint Paul Cathedral
239 Selby
Grace United Church of Christ
873 Portland
Cretin Derham High School
550 So Albert
Morningstar Baptist
739 Selby
� K:�Shared\FllCOMMON�WPFtLES�SHELBRD\Chwchshelters.wpd
Average Rental Rates
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
� as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/ ��� June, 7une,
Building Type 1999 2000 2001
i
Efficiency Apartment
Efficiency in a House
Efficiency Condo
Efficiency Duplex
i-BR Apartment
i-BR House
1-BR Condo
1-BR Dupiex
2-BR Apar#ment
2-BR House
2-BR Condo
2-BR Dupiex
3-BR Apartment
3-BR House
3-BR Condo
3-BR Duplex
4-BR Apartment
4-BR House
4-BR Condo
4-BR Duplex
$438
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$522
None Listed
$620 *
$577
$641
$957*
$1100*
$665
$653
$1498*
$1025*
$960*
$1568
None listed
None listed
iVone listed
$485
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$583
None Listed
$630*
$671
$725
$795*
$898*
$819
$825
$1386*
$1100*
$1133*
None listed
None listed
None listed
None listed
Previous months' rental rates
Page 1 of 2
$535
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$656
None Listed
$850*
$721
$838
$1197*
$1000*
$982
$i081
$1283
$1100*
$1463
None listed
$2007
None listed
None listed
* The rental number is based on five or fewer listings.
Rental averages can fluctuate wildiy and must be
� regarded as a statistically unreliabie guide for the cost
of this type of housing.
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartoyear.html
7/9/2001
Average rental rates, yeaz to date, Aprii, 2001
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/
Building Type
Efficiency
Apartment
Efficiency in a
House
Efficiency
Condo
Efficiency
Duplex
1-BR
Apartment
7an,
2002
$510
None
listed
None
listed
$475*
$636
None
Feb,
2001
$544
None
listed
None,
listed
None
listed
$680
None
Mar,
2001
$523
None
listed
None
listed
$445*
$683
Apr,
2001
$534
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$689
May,
2001
$ 539
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$661
Page 1 of 2
7un,
2001
$535
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$656
N
•
1-BR House $525* $555* $925* one
listed listed listed
1-BR Condo $875* $790* $g75* None None �g50* �
listed listed
i-BR Dupiex $714 $652 $596 $664 $689 $721
2-BR $788 $856 $843 $844 $823 $838
Apartment
2-BR House $1100* $1195* $1250* $824 $925 $1197*
2-BR Condo $1088* None None � �g�3 $1000*
2-BR Duplex $865 $866 $880 $906 $925 $982
3-BR �ZZ14* $1233* $1224 $1347 $1�65 $1080
Apartment
3-BR House $1068 $1272* $1414* $1,613 $1391 $1283
3-BR Condo $450* �one None None �1100* $1000*
listed listed listed _
3-BR Duplex $1071 $965 $1052 $1,360* $1186 $1453
4-BR None None
Apartment listed �1050* $1850* $1,434* $1250* ���ed •
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartodate.html 7/9l2001
�
CATHOLIC
CHARITIES
Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours
Program Report
Winter 2000-2001
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended I3ours Program
Report Summary
• Brief History. ........................................................................................Page 1
• In the winter of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated people, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this Year .........................................................................................Page 1
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operarional
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Community Card swiped into the computer and a time and date
stamp is aYtached to the guesYs permanent record
Future Recommandations ..........................................................................Page 1
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
✓ Utilize the upstairs of the DDC for addirional shelter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The Dorothy Day Center Mission Statement ...................................................Page 1
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe and hospitable environment white promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a caring community.
•Services .............................................................................................. Page 1
T'he Extended Haaas Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 150 people,
showers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
IntakeProcedure .....................................................................................Page 2
• Intake homs were from 830 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests mn�st card-swipe into the building
• Compl�e Dorothy Day Center Intake, and issue a Community Card.
+ Famiiies witli children, winerable adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests w�ere guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecutively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an approximate nighfly tum-around of 20 guests
SobrietylIntoximeter .................................................................................Page 2
The program required residenis to be sob�. If'eve suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter si�nilar to wha# police departmerns use, and if a ciiern was is intoxicated they were denied services.
Security ............................................................................................Page 2
Intake security was provided by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
•.m. to 11:00 p.�. nightly.
GaseS�udy ..............................................................................................Page 2
Barbara
Thanks..................................................................................................Page 3
• The Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
efforts ofmany people.
Volunteer Organizations ............................................................................Page 3
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paul Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ramsey County Board
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers ...............................................................................Page 3
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Du#Ty Todd HIine Tim Powell
LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop Larry Knutsen Maria Rach
Jim Anderson Andie' Dupre Rock Krueger Tiffany Rathbun
Amy Ashmore Tom Edwazds Dan Lee Steve Rice
Jodie B. Peggy Enright George Leske Kate Ridley
Kate Barton Julie Farley Jessie Mallinger Jack Risvold Family
Dan Beck Henry Fernandez Mike Mallinger Remy Romano
7uan Bettencourt James Freid Mary Ellen Malone Amy Scardilli
Beth Biick Paul Freid Signe Masterson Doug Scherfenberg
� John Boyer Helene Freint Saza McElmury Nicole Schrupp
Shannon Brinker Mona Friedman Nora McGiffert Joe Schweigert
Rod Brozek Pam Gelein Gerald McLemore Mary Sparr
Thomas Bryant Judy Griffus Laura Melnick Ruth Steinberg
Ricardo Callender Heidi H. Rhonda Miller Jerry Sudderth
Khalila Clardy Nancy Hammer Rodger Moe Curtis Toombs
Joe Claus Laura Heridge Monica Nilsson Annabelle Wagner
�dY �PP Scott Hull Katie O'Connor Terry Washington
Wanda Coss Anna Johnsone Chuck Olson Adam Westbrook
Mary Daly Shannon Kennedy Tim Otis
Catt delTosario Richazd Kirby Becky Payne
C�
�
•
Who Stayed in the EHP Program .......................................Page 4
• 1224 Unduplicated Individuals
used the Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Totat Individesals w�re
tumed away from the program
• 67°/a (N=720) were beriveen the
age of 30 and 50
• 29% (N=31'n Reported Working
• 16Y• (N=17� Full-Time Work
• individuals and Families stayed
longer than the previous year.
One-half of the individuals and
families stayed nine nights or
less compared to suc nights the
previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed twa
nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP
Stay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were
Maie
• 22% {N=240) of Residents were
Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 53 Total Families
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24°l0 (N=273) received
Govemment Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having
Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having
Mental Health Issues
+ 30% (N=324) Reported Having
Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (N=172) Reported having
a Case Manager
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
Chartes&Graphes ................................................................................Pages 5
Age, Gender, Employment, Income Source, Medical Issues, Mental Health Issues, Substance Abuse, Case
Manager, and Ethnicity
`I am not a bum; I am a person without a home' ............................................Page 10
By Shannon Mark Kesuxedy
$udget Information ............................._.................,............. Pages 11
u'
L�
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
Final Report
Brief History
In the winter of both 2996/�997 & 1997/1998 Catholic Chazities ran a shelter out of the library at Mary
Hall with a total capacity of fifteen guests.
• In the winter of 1999/2000 Catholic Charities was granted germission to open the Extended Hours
Program at the Dorothy Day Center. 803 unduplicated people received shelter, providing a total of
13,992 floor mats.
• In the winta of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated peaple, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this vear
�
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operational
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Communiry Card swiped into the computer and a
time and date stamp is attached to the guest's permanent record
❖ Women slept in the dinning room, and rnen in the drop-in
❖ Families were strongly encouraged to find shelter alternatives within three days
❖ No T.V.
•'• Sock exchange
Future Recommendations
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
�"' Utilize flie upstairs of #he DDC for additional s$elter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The DoroYhy Dav Center Mission Statement
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe anrd hospitable ¢nvironment while promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a earixg community.
Services
The Extended Hours Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 125 people,
: howers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
• Intake Procedure
• Intake hours were from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests must card-swipe into ti�e buitdiag
• Complete Dorothy Day Center �take, aIId get issued a Commemity Card
• Families with children, winetabte adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests were guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecurively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an appmximate nighUy tum-aroimd of 20 guests
Sobriety/Intoximeter
The progam required residents ta be sober. If we suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter similaz to what police departments use, and if a client was is into�ticated they were denied services.
Security
Intake security was providai by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
a p.m. to 11:00 p.m. nightly.
Case Study
I first met Barbaza in late March. She has a very hazd rime relating to other people. Barbara has many
needs some ta great for us to meet. Barbaza is 24 years old, and has very serious mental health issues. She's
angry most af t2ae time, and does�'t even lmow why? For Barbara, haditional social success is difficult.
I asked Barbaza when the last time someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "People are
always telling me what to do and how I'm supposed to do things." Again, I asked Barbaza when the last time
someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "I can't remember the last time anyoae listened to me."
Bazbara is awaze of h�r m�tal healits, and feels abandoned to tlie s�re�c. She has a ca� manager and
gets a Social Security Disab�ity chec�;., �at sh� needs, the Twiu Cities does noi enough of, affordable
housing!
.
2
� hanks
The Catholic Chariries Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
� efforts of many people.
Dorothy Day Center Staff
Catholic Charities Administration
Ramsey Counry Human Services
Ramsey County Sherif�'s Department
Community Volunteers
Guest Volunteers
Volunteer Organizations
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paui Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ranisey County Boazd
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Duffy
. LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop
Jim Anderson Audie' Dupre
Amy Ashmore
Jodie B.
Kate Barton
Dan Beck
Juan Bettencourt
Beth Blick
7ohn Boyer
Shannon Brinker
Rod Brozek
Thomas Bryant
Ricardo Calleader
Khalila Clardy
Joe Claus
Andy Copp
. Wanda Coss
Mary Daly
Catt delTosario
�
Tom Edwards
Peggy Enright
Julie Farley
Henry Fernandez
7ames Freid
Paul Freid
Helene Freint
Momma Friedman
Pam Gelein
Judy Griffus
I�eidi A.
Nancy Hammer
Laura Heridge
Scott Hull
Anna Johnsone
Shannon Kennedy
Richard Kirby
Todd Kiine
Larry Knutsen
Rock Krueger
Dan Lee
George Leske
Jessie Mallinger
Mike Mallinger
Mary Ellen Malone
Signe Masterson
Sara McElmury
Nora McGiffert
Gerald McLemore
Laura Melnick
Rhonda Miiler
Rodger Moe
Monica Nilsson
Katie O'Connor
Chuck Olson
Tim Otis
Becky Payne
Tim Powell
Maria Rach
Tiffany Rathbun
Steve Rice
Kate Ridley
Jack Risvold Family
Remy Rornano
Amy Scardilli
Doug Scherfenberg
Nicole Schrupp
Joe Schweigert
Mary Sparr
Ruth Steinberg
3erry Sudderth
C�utis Toombs
Annabelle Wagner
Terry Washington
Adam Westbrook
3
Who Stayed in the EHP Program?
. • 1224 Unduplicated Individuals used the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Total Individuals were turned away from the program
• Individuals and Families stayeci tonger than the previous year. One-haif of the individuals
and families stayed nine nights or less compared to six nights the previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed two nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP 5tay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were Male
• 22% (N=240} of Residents were Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 63 Total Families
• 67% (N=720) were between the age of 30 and 50
• • 29% (N=317) Reported Working
• 16% (N=176) Full-Time Work
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24% (N=273) received Government Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having Mentai Health Issues
• 30% (N=324) Reported �Ias�ing Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (1�T=172) Reported having a Case ManagEr
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
�
�
Charts and Graphs
�
Age
Under 18
18to20
21 to 30
31 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 60
61 to 70
71 to 80
Total
8
45
S97
397
323
81
19
3
1073
Age
71 to SO
61 to 70
21 to 30
18 to 20
Under �8
�
•
Gender
Pemaie 241
Male 830
No answer 2
Total 1073
51 to 60
41 to 50
31 to 40
5
0 100 200 300 400
.
Employment
Full-time 176
Part-time �41
None 756
Total 1073
Income Source
None 392
Day Labor 187
� VA 15
Steady Wo 182
Unemploy t6
GA 38
WF g
MFtP lg
SSf 135
SSD 42
Other 37
No answer fi4
Totaf ��35
Charts and Graphs
Income Source
No answei
Othei
SSC
SSI
MFIP
WF
GA
Unemp�oy
Steady Work
VA
Day labor
None
.
:7
0 100 200 300 40p
�
nnedica� �ssues
Yes 381
No 643
No answer 49
Totat 1073
Mentai Issues
Yes gtig
• No 223
No Answer 31
Total 1073
Charts and Graphs
Mental issues
•
Yes No No Answer
� Substance Abuse
No 711
Yes 324
No answer 38
Total 1073
� Case Manager
Yes 851
No 172
No answer 40
Total 1073
•
Charts and Graphs
Substance Abuse
0
No Yes No answer
�
•
L�
Ethnicity
Asian
Biack
Hispanic
lndian
Mixed
Other
White
Tota{
7
500
132
54
15
12
353
1073
Charts and Graphs
0
`� a�r�not a bum; I am a person without a home'
By Shannon Mark Kennedy 39,000 affordable housing units!
• Reflections on a photo exhibit by Joe Rodri-
Guez about homelessness in Ramsey County
Don't you dare stare at me
Look at me
See me
Look me right m the eye
And know me
I am a person
I am not a mentally ill person
T am a person, with mental illness
I am not a drunk
I am a person who drinks too much
I am not a bum
I am a person without a place
to call home
Get a job
Get sober
Get a home
Get a life
Get the hell out of my face
Work with me not on me
• Quit telling me what to do
If I could do it
I would have done it
I don't like asking for your help
And I hate that I need it
But I need a bed
And my kids need a bed
And we all ae�d a place to feel safe
At least for a little while
But when I ask for a bed
You say thexe are no beds
I can curl up on the floor
But when I ask for the floor
You say there is no room on the floor
When I ask what I can do
You say I can leave
There is no housffig1
There are 8U,000 renters and only
And if you ever bought shoes for your kids
Instead of paying rent
And you got evicted
You aze going to have one hell of a time
Getting into those affordable units
If you ever i� a friend and her kids stay
The landlord Snds out
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one ofthose affordable units
If you ever get depressed
Drunk
Quit taking your pills,
Brake a few tlungs because you're pissed off
The world isn't fair
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one of those affordable units.
If you have more than two kids
Aren't the right color
Can't speak English
Just got out of jail
You can forget getting into one of those
Affordable units
When I come to you for help
Don't just look at me
Look me in the eye
Give me my dignity
See my life in my face
Shaze your love
Share your grace
Don't stare at me and look away
Wa1k with me and talk with me
Sing with me and iaugh with me
Then through eyes who lmow who I am
Look at me
- Shan�enn Mark Sennedy, �nneapolis,
is a finaneial assistance manager for
Ranuey Counfy Human ServiceS
•
10
�
.
.
Pioneer Planet Story � Page 1 of 1
<:�I1V'�RTTSf.AtC'�T�
ve ry, Ve ry �/ 1 P�
�P�PL+� --� -� =3'� .AMD iLNl�AMD�iCAAEEB "�FlIIU`i[BUi���Ki�C�tfki"ee�
STORY OP1'IONS
- E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
Pioneer Planer. front
, '�e��s
. Business
, Sports
� Entertainment
, Li�in`=
, Tech
- Water Cooler
, Special Reports
� Classified Ads
, Site index
- Help
, '�e��s Archi�es
� Feedback
Posted: i2:40 p.m. 1'hursday, March 8, Z041
Woman found dead i►� St. Paul alley
LISA DONOVAN ST?,FF VJRITBR
- -- - - — --
Authoriries believe exposure to the coid is to blame in the death
of a woman found in a downtown St. Paul atley overnight.
A man, believed Yo be her companion, was taken to a local
hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia, St. Paui
police said.
"It doesn't look like there was any foul play," said police
department spokesman Michaei Jordan.
A security guard found the pair at 261 E. 5th St. about 12:50
a.m. today.
Lisa Donovan can be reached at Idonovan@pioneerpress.com or
(6il) 228-539I.
, f3ack �u Top
- - - — - -- -- - --
�' 20�i Pior2eerPlanet % SL Pau) (Minnesota) Pioneer Press - �UI Rights Resen�ed
c�yrigJit infarmatian
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/0308body.htm
3/8/2001
i
�
�
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
STORY
OPTIONS
. E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
. Toda.'; Pio�ieer
P re;;
, Pionre� ti
, \e��s
• Business
. SPOrtS
- Entertainment
. Travel
, [.i� in`=
. Tech
- Health
� Water Cooler
� Special Reports
- Classified Ads
� Site index
«'ednesda�, Atarch 1�, 2fl0
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7
homeless people
Incident highlights dangers to dwellers
LISA DONOVAN STAFF WRITER
A fire that broke out eairly Tuesday in the long-vacant Straus
Knitting Mill in St. Paui's Lowertown injured seven homeless
people and prompted questions about the safety of people
iliegally dwelling in empty buildings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears
squatters ignited a pile of rags to wazm themseives in the
basement of the old lrnitting factory on Sibley Street and the
flames spread. Five men and two women were taken to Regions
Hospital, including two who were listed in critical condition.
The early morning blaze had advocates for the homeless and city
fire officials 3ooking at ways to remedy the problem.
Those who work closely with the homeless say iPs a concem
when people seek shelter withouY heat or running water. Fire
officials say it underscores renewed efforts at the Fire
Depariment to better familiarize firefighters with the layout and
use of commercial buildings -- occupied and vacant.
Firefighters didn't Imow people were living inside the old
knitting factory at 350 Sibley Sx, vacant since 1989, until they
were calied to a blaze there Tuesday moming.
"It isn't a good situarion for anyone to be in a building like this,"
said Fire Chief Tim Fulter. "It was clear to me from the pictures
of this piace that people had been in and out of there. There were
beer cans, food wrappers and it appeared other campfires had
been going before."
Locai fue officials recalled the 1999 fire in Worcester, Mass.,
where six firefighters were killed battling a blaze in an
abandoned warehouse that apparently started when two homeless
people knocked over a candle.
This spring, firefighters wiil visit businesses nearest their
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm
Page 1 of 3
3/14/2001
�n��ritrisE�t;_�T>
rire m vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
Help
, \�,�: �rcltite;
Feedback
, I�:�cn ti, To�
stationhouses for a"pre-incident" survey in which exits, utilities
and even the buitding's use witl be noted.
Page � o�"�
1'he visits are separate from the department's "certificate of -
occupancy" renewal inspections conducted by the department's
Fire Prevention Division. The purpose of the renewed visits is to
check on buiiding, fire and life safety code compliance.
According to downtown businessman John Mannillo, who helps
chart the c►ty's vacant properties, there aze perhaps eighY
unoccupied buiidings in downtown St. Paul.
Bill Buth, president of the Building Owners and Managers
Association of St. Paul, said building owners would not oppose
vacant building sweeps, which the Fire Department may conduct
in response to Tuesday's fire.
In Minneapolis, firefighters check vacant and boazded up
bui2dings every weekend year-round to make sure they have not
been broken into or aze occupied by homeless people, said
Minneapolis Fire Department spokesman Jerry Schmitz.
In the winter, crews will atso look for signs of Qeople living in
the buildings, such as footprints in the snow. If there are people
inside, fire crews will notify police.
Twin Ciries shelters tend to fill up quickly in the winYer, and the
homeless are left to roam the streets, ride the bus all night or find
a vacant building to keep wazm and sleep for the night.
Ramsey County reported between 2,596 and 2,847 homeless
people in 1998-99, the most recent figures available. The
number of peopie relying on Mmnesota homeless shelters and
programs on a given nig6t more than doubled in the 1990s,
according to a Wilder Reseazch C+enter survey released last fall.
Advocates say many times, tliese people aze mentaily ill or
slruggling with aa alcohol or drug addiction that leaves them
�
LJ
-- _.. _ . _ . _
Yet these same people are looking for a sense of community and
so will congregate m a vacani building — if only because ii
provides some ldnd of security, said Anne Harris, director of the
Dorothy Day homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul.
"T'here is something to the idea that there is safety in numbers —
but you really don't lmow who it is that's sieeping neaz you. And
then ou have � ' g with no
���Y� �� 'Is rt safe to be in a buildm
�r __ ._ . _-- - - _
Staff Writers Murali Balaji and Amy Mayron contributed to this
report. Lisa Donovan can be reached at
Idonovan(a�pioueerpress com or (651) 228-5591.
�
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm 3/14/2001
�
�
�
_Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on Homeless
� � � Past 30 Days ; - d
� nava a m �,
Kathryn Krile - Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thnrsday, Jnne 28, 2001
From: The New York Times Direct <nytdirect(a?�ytimes.com>
To: <kathryn.lffile@ci.stpaul.mn.us>
Date: 6128i2001 7:11 AM
Snbject: Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thursday, June 28, 2001
National
�$.�+�,, �w
•i
� ■ .,� '
� -
-
; .. ...,.
.:,.;. -
.• .
K � ,.,
• •.�
'; „
��t�vt� °. .
.. , .._. ..
..
C •� � �l
nsssxat�xagris`
�.�,.�,
. .:
.- .�.
�
SF.RV�CE,S`y... ..
�
�,
.�
Page 1 of 3
���
Welcc
Sion Un for Nex
� E-hlal This Articla � Printer-Friendly Forrtmi
� Maet EMeiled Artielea
June28,2001
Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on s�
Homeless
Clic�c here
By STEVEN A. HOLMES Ftc�
� ASHINGTON, June 27 — Reversing the way it handled the
data 10 years ago, the Census Bureau says it will not provide states and ciries w
on their homeless populations.
The bureau has said that nationally 280,527 people — up from 228,621 people in 1990 -
counted in homeless shelters, at soup kitchens, on the streets and at other places identifi�
govemments in 2000.
"Bear in mind, there was good reason after what happened after the '90 census to tlunk t
numbers would be misused," said Edison Gore, deputy chief of the 2000 Decennial Cen
explaining why the bureau did not release the homeless figures. The state and city home
released in 1990 were widely viewed as inaccurate.
The decision against release was made several yeazs ago but was overlooked by many p
been crificized by planners from big cities who say they were urged by the bureau to un�
extraordinary and expensive measures to help count the homeless during the 2000 censu
At the bureau's request, for example, Los Angeles officials
recruited advocates for the homeless, trained them in conducting
the census, provided escorts for census takers in potentially
dangerous places and handed out blankets and hygiene kits to
induce the homeless to cooperate.
"We spent a lot of money on tlus," said Jessica Heinz, an assistant
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines
� A New Look at Ra
� More Census Man�
Intenctive Features
6/28/2001
. Bureau Won't Dishibute Census Data on Homeless
M'T Mo6ile
�rAdv rti�
� NEWSPAPEF
Liome Deliverv
cust«ner semce
YOUR PB6F F
��� �ie
E-Mail Ootions
Laa9slt
city attorney in Los Angeles, "probably about $300,000, and
donated a lot of stuff."
The Census Bureau action was praised by advocates for the
homeless who had lobbied for the bureau not to release separate
figures on homeless people.
Page 2 of 3
Related Sites
These sites aze not gaz
York Times on the Wc
TIIIICS }12S IIO COIIli01 C
content or availability.
U.S. Census Bureau
Markttpi
Search NYTimes.0
Classfieds
AII j,; �
For the most part, advocates for the homeless cooperated with the
TeM Version census 10 years ago. Aftenvard, they said they were appalled
when a count they considered flawed was used by some
lawmakers to azgue for a reduction in spending on programs for
the homeless.
But some city planners azgue that the idea of holding back data
because it could be misinterpreted goes against the bureau's
mission to be #he provider of data, not its censor.
Browse the NYT
Store
All ,�' �
Play the NYT cross
no line
"If the bureau thinks there is going to be a problem and people
will be confused about the homeless population," said 3oseph
Salvo, director of the population division of the New York City Plamiing Department, '°
bureau should educate people, not hold back the data. This could happen with other pop
Should the bureau hold back data on them too?"
The decision is part of what has become a continuing dispute over how to count the cou
� homeless popularion — a group of people that is transient and difficult to count. The bu
counting people who live in shelters, at soup kitchens and at various street locations can
designating as homeless those people who may have lost their homes and aze temporaril
friends or relatives.
In 199Q, some advocates for the homeless, fearful of a large undercount, urged some prc
services to the homeiess to baz census takers from entering shelters and soup kitchens.
"The homeless is not a static population," said Barbara Duffield, education director for t
Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy group based in Washington. "It's very misleadi
such a count; it's virtually impossible and leads to distortion as to the nature of homeles:
magnitude of the problem."
Instead of providing state and local figures, the Census Bureau this year has lumped the
a category of peopie counted in "other non-insritutional goup quarters." In addirion to h
people, tlris category includes displaced people living in temporary shelters after natural
people living in shelters for battered women, and nurses and interns living in dormitorie
and general hospitals.
The bureau has also been criticized for not releasing informarion on why it recommende
census not be adjusted to compensate for people who were missed or counted Ywice.
Some cities, including Los Angeles, have sued the bureau in a bid to force it to release tl
� survey of 314,000 households that was designed to check the accuracy of the census. TY
refused to do so, and critics say it is suppressing the results of the survey because it wou
that adjustment was justified.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/narionaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
_Butea'u �n't Distribute Census Aata on Homeless
Page 3 of 3
Although the dispute of the homeless count is not direcfly related to the issue of adjushr
bureau's action on the homeless has fed the controversy that surrounds the 2000 census.
i "I don't think this is just about the homeless," Ms. Heinz said. "I think iYs the whole thin
is if we hold stuff back that looks like it has problems, then no one will criticize us."
Aome � Back to National � Search � Helu
� E-69ai1 Tt�iB Articie � Prinier-Friendly Formei
� Naaf E-61ailad Attides
��''" Click Here to Receive 50% Off Home Delivery of The
��� �!�
New York Times Newspaper.
�vriaht 2001 The New York Times Comoanv � Privacv Infortnation
�
i
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.html?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
Office of the County Manager
Paul L. Kirkwold, County Manager
TO: COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH
FROM: JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC EVELOP NT
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
RE:
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
JULY 17, 2001
PRESERVATION PROJECTS
Tel: 651-266-8000
Fax: 651-26G8039
e-mail: vnvw.co.ramsey.mn.us
This Memorandum is designed to bring you up to date on the three preservation
projects in which the County HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority) issued Multi-
Family Housing Revenue Bonds at the request of the St. Paul City Council. These
requests came as a result of the City's lack of Housing Revenue Bond Authority and the
desire of the City to insure weil-maintained properties with continued affordability.
SKYLINE TOWER
Total Project Cost: $30.3 Million - Bond Issue: $15.0 Miliion
This property was acquired by a limited pa�tnership, under the auspices of
CommonBond, on February 4, 2000. Since that time, significant rehabilitation has been
undertaken to improve the quality of life for residents in the buifding. Of particular
interest to the County was the addition of the Advantage Center Building, located
adjacent to the fiving tower. This apartment building has had a muftitude of social,
health, and educational services brought on-site to serve this very diverse population.
This financial transaction v✓as undertaken with the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority of the City of St. Paul. I have recently received the financial statements for
Skyline Tower for the first eight months of operations and will be reviewing them shortly.
HANOVEEt TOWNHOMES
Total Project Costs: $5.4 Million - Bond Issue: $3.2 Miilion
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Community Housing Development Corporation (Brighton Development), on May 4,
2001. This 96-unit complex, located at 408 Farrington, is undergoing moderate
rehabilitation at the present time and is progressing as planned. i will be meeting with
the development team on August 9.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
Minnesota's Fiist Home Eule Connty
prm�ed on recycled paper wi[h a minimum o[ IU%post�nsumer conten4
�
Memorandum
July 17, 2001
Page 2
RIVERTOWN COMMONS
(CAPITAL VIEW APARTMENTS)
Total Project Gosts: $8.7 Million - Bond Issue: $5.8 Million
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Gornerstone Group, on May 8, 2001. This 140-unit apartment complex, located at 175
Charles Avenue, is in need of significant rehabilitation, as well as the renovation of
space to accommodate common space for resident activity. The owners have chosen to
be their own construction contractor. Upon review, the new owner has determined that
approximately twenty families residing in tfie property are over income and do not meef
the guidelines for the tax-credit program. The owner is working with the City of St. Paul
to refocate those residents to other availabie properties.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
CONCLUSION
We have regular communication with Tom Sanchez, from St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development (PED), on the status of ail three of these properties.
We believe our involvement has had a positive impact on these properties and has
served fhese diverse populations.
GUIDELINES FOR RAMSEY COUNTY
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
�u�ose
Ramsey County recognizes the need to increase the supply of affordable and
accessible housing, especially for low and moderate-income farrulies and those
cvho need supportive housing services. Ramsey County also realizes that it is
becoming increasingly difficult to produce affordable housing units without
government participation. Land acquisition and construction costs have risen
dramatically while real earnings of lower-income families continue to fall.
Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fltnds will be used in conjunction with
other public and private financing to reduce the gap between capital costs and
revenues. The fund will help assure that housing choice is available to everyone
throughout Ramsey County, including our lowest income households.
Eligibility
Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas which
include any or all of the following items when requesting endowment funds for
capital investment necessary to finance a proposed development.
l. Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation,
2. Construction of residential units,
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forfeited and/or other properties
where there aze unoccupiable units which will be placed back in service
upon completion of the project,
4. Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population, and
5. Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
Administration
The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) staff will
administer the Housing Endowment F�tnd by working directly with
developers in cooperation with municipalities who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities. For projects that will located
within Saint Paul, Ramsey County staff will work with St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development Department staff who will represent developers of
city projects.
2. Proposals will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available.
However, projects that also propose to use funds avaiiable from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development will be encouraged to
coordinate submission annually at the same time that the County HRA or
the City of Saint Paul accepts proposals for Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. The
Ramsey County approval process to award Housing Endowment r'lxnd
projects will also be coordinated with the e�sting super Request for Proposal
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12(19l�0
S://CDBG-HOME/Housin� Endowment Fund
review by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the extent feasible to
avoid unnecessary administrative reviews for project developers.
3. Funding will be balanced geographically between the City of Saint Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
4. Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address the
need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest income
resic3ents and/or those cvith additional need for supportive services. The
County will follow generally accepted underwriting criteria in analyzing
project financing, expense and revenue projections. Developers should have
a successful track record in mixed- and low-income housing, a good credit
history, and demonstrate through adequate reserves that funding will be
adequate to support the project in the event of a problem.
All projects must receive the support of the jurisdiction in which they will
be located. Housing Endowment �nd applications must have the written
support of elected officials; a formal resolution of support for the project
must be in place before funding agreements are executed. Proposers should
have site control prior to requesting Housing Endowment F1ind gap
financing and demonstrate that there will be a net gain of affordable housing
units upon completion of the project.
The HRA staff will provide quarterly reports to the HRA Board on the status
of the fund, including time spent to administer the endowment fund.
Fund Availability and Repayment
The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowment Fund. Developers may apply for up to $20,000 per unit for
units affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $50,000 per unit £or units that will be affordable/accessible for
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income. For those
housing developments that will house the very lowest income families, these
limits assume federally funded project based certificates will be attached to
m��. __ _ �: � _
2. There is no typical affordable kousing development; nor is it likely that a
single £nancing scheme will meet the requirements of all proposals.
However, there is an expectation of repayment of the Housing Endowment
Fund award at the earliest possible time. Terms and conditions of
repayment will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending
upon anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations or
expenses.
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12/19/00
S://CDBG-HOME1Housin� Endo�vment Fund
Office of the County Manager
Faui L. Kirkwold, County Ivianager
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Te1:651-266-8000
Fa�c: 651-266-8039
e-mail: www.co.ramsey.mn.us
COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH �
JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTO i �_���
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP NT J
JULY 13, 2001
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
This Memorandum is to provide you an update on the status of the Housing Endowment Fund
(HEF) as ofthis date.
PROPOSED SUBURBAN PROJECTS
EMMA NORTON RESIDENCE - MAPLEWOOD [$500,000 HEF - ESTIMATEJ
This project consists of thirteen (13) large townhouse style units (new construction) to be built
on a site located at the intersection of Van Dyke / County Road B. This supportive housing
project, with on-site services, is designed to serve large families with multiple social service
needs. The project received full approval of the Maplewood City Council. Originally this project
was scheduled to close and begin construction this month, but an environmental issue, related to
an adjacent property that houses a gas station, has arisen and is currently being investigated. The
primazy funding source is MARIF (Minnesota Families Affordable Rental Investment Fund)
dollars through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The County allocation will be available
at closing, which we hope will take place within the next few months.
ACCESSIBLE SPACE, INC. - ROSEVILLE [�100,000 CDBG /�27�,000 HEF]
This project consists of twenty-two (22) units of new apartment style construction at the
intersection of Lexington Avenue ( Roselawn. These fully accessible apartments are designed to
provide 24-hour service to individuals with serious physical and mental impairments. Many of
the individuals this project would serve might otherwise be in danger of homeiessness. These
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies will be released following approval by
the Roseville City Council to assist with the existing land purchase. However, this project has
also been delayed until next Spring, as Roseville required the proposed developer to secure an
additional piece of land in order to develop the project in the manner in which it had been
proposed. tiUe have advised Accessible Space that we will consider their request from next
yeaz's HEF allocation in order to respond to other requests which may be ready to proceed at an
earlier date.
Minnesota's �st Home Rnle Gounty
printed an recycletl paper wM1h a mmimum of IO%postcanaumer contevt
�
Memorandum
July 13, 2001
Page 2
WEIS BUILDERS - VADNAIS HEIGHTS [DOLLAR AMOUNT UNDETERMINED)
This developer has proposed a 72-unit apartment building at County Road D/ Highway 61 in
Vadnais Heights. Approximately half of the units would have affordable rent. It is within a few
miles of a number of employers who employ persons in need of workforce housing. This
location is just south of Highway 694 and has excellent access to both car and bus transportation.
This is a new proposal, which has yet to be reviewed by the City of Vadnais Heights, but witi
require both a comprehensive plan variance and a zoning vaziance. The developer plans to apply
for 2002 tax crediYs for the project. We are very interested in this proposal by this very
experienced developer and have contacted both the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the
City of Vadnais Heights to advise them of our interest. The appropriate HEF allocation would
not be set until the gap financing might be determined. It is expected ihat our contribution will
be in the $500,000 range, using a combination of HOME (Home Investment Partnership Act)
and HEF dollazs.
POTENTIAL INNER-CITY PROJECTS
CITY OF ST. PAUL
We have not received any formal requests from the City of St. Paul, but we have been working
with Tom Sanchez, St. Paul PED (Planning and Economic Development), on several potential
projects. They aze as follows:
R. S. Eden - Jackson / Arlington. This project consists of 24 units of supportive
housing for previously homeless families. There will be 24-hour on-site
supervision. [$360,000 HEF - Estimate]
Guild Hali - Marshall Avenue across the street from the Technical College. This
projecf consists of the potential addition of 33 SRO (Single Room Occupancy)
- _. ..
- - . _._.__... - - � - ..
uni s o is prope y. ro�ec is m i' b
for HEF.
Passages ApartmenYs - 1264 W. Seventh SYreet. This project is designed Yo
combine commercial space with 12 units of housing to serve previously homeless
youth. A full service educational component and supportive services are
anticipated on-site. Project is being reviewed for financial need for HEF.
HUD 202 - Elderly Arlington / Rice Streets. This project will provide 40 units of
_,._._- --'
senior housing to low-income individuals. Tt is a combined effort of Accessible -
Space and the Wilder Foundation. Project is being reviewed for financial need for
HEF.
While none of these projects, to my understanding, have the approval of the St. Paul City
Council / HRA to proceed at this time, I have been advised that financing should be in place
within the next few months.
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No. 2000—
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting Y�z�
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Developmen�agelof4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
WHEREAS, The lack of affordable housing has been identified as a
serious threat to the health, safety and weli being of the citizens of Ramsey
County; and
WHEREAS, Affordable housing promotes family stability, better schooi
attendance and reduced use of more costly emergency county services; and
WHEREAS, The costs of development of new units of affordable housing
are substantiai; and
WHEREAS, The revenues which can be achieved by developers cannot
fully support the development costs of new affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, Traditional sources of capitai for the development of new
affordabie housing are being utilized; and
WHEREAS, After all of these sources of capital are made available for the
development of new affordable housing units there still remains a substantial
development gap; and
WHEREAS, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has discussed
on three occasions creation of a new fund to increase the supply of affordable
and accessible housing within Ramsey County; and
WHEREAS, The definition of affordable housing shall be housing
designed to serve citizens whose income is at 50 percent or less of the median
income; Now, Therefore, Be It
RAMSEY COUN"I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
zy Bennett
�.."e Haigh
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhardt
Janice Rettman
Ian W iessnei
Rafael E. Orteg Chair,
��ontinued)
B
Bonnie C.Jackeien
Chief Clerk - County Board
ti
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
Presented By
Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000Na�000
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Development Page 2 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners hereby
establishes the Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fund; and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approves the
following "Guidelines For Ramsey Counfy Housing Endowment Fund," designed
to serve as the eligibility, procedural, and administrative guide to tfie operation of
the Fund:
1. Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas
which include any or all of the foilowing items:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation;
Construction of residential units;
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forFeited and/or other properties
where there are unoccupiable units which wilf be pfaced back in
service upon completion of the project;
Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population; and
Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
- - .
-- . . -- .. .
2. The Ramsey Gounty HRA stafF will administer the Housing Endowment
Fund working directly with developers who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities and the HRA staff will work with
St. Paul Pianning and Economic Department staff who will represent
developers of projects in the City of St. Paul.
RAMSEY CQUN"CY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
ny Bennett
.,ge Haigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
7anice Rettman
Jan Wiessner
��
Rafael E. Orte Chai,r
�Continued)
By
Bonnie C. Jackelen
Chief Clerk - Counry Boazd
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey Coun�y Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Hai
Date December 19, 2000No2000-426
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic DevelopmentPage 3 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
3. Proposais will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available with
an effort made to coordinate with the existing super RFP review process
used by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
4. Funding wil( be balanced geographicaliy befween the City of St. Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address
the need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest
income residents and/or those with additional need for supportive
services.
� 6. Ali comp(eted projects must resuit in a net gain of affordable, accessible
housing units.
7. RI! projects must receive the support of the elected officials in of the
jurisdiction in which the project is located. A formal resolution of support
for the project must be in place before funding agreements are executed.
8. The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowmenf Fund monies.
Developers may apply for up to $ 20,000 per unit for units
affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $ 50,OQ0 per unit that wil! be affordable/accessible to
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income.
RAMSEY COINTY BOARD OF COMMTSSTONERS
yEA NAY OTHER
- �ny Bennett
..ae Aaigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
Janice Rcthnan
Jan Wiessner
Itafael E. Orte Chajr
��ont�nued)
By
Bonnie C. 7ackelen
Chief C(erk - County Boazd
Resolution
:.. . .
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No.2000-426
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Sudy Karon, Community & Economic Developmentpage 4 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
10. Housing Endowment Funds awarded are considered loans fo developers
that are expected to be repaid. Specific terms and conditions of repayment
will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon
the anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations
or expenses.
11. HRA staff will provide quarteriy reports to the HRA Soard on the status of
the fund, including time spent to administer the Endowment Fund.
and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners endorses the
County Manager's proposed sfrategy for financing the Ramsey County Housing
Endowment Fund and directs the County Manager to further develop the
proposaf for final approval by the Board; and Be 1t Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissianers authorizes a
loan from the Undesignated General Fund Bafance to the Housing Endowment
make transfers from the Undesignated Generat Furtd Balance to fhe Housing
Endowment Fund, as needed with the understanding that the transfer from the
General Fund Balance will be paid back with interest.
RAMSEY COUN'I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSiONERS
YEA 23AY OTHER
ny Bennett
�ne Haigh �—
7imMcDonough �—
RafaelOrtega X
Victoria Reinhazdt X
Janice RetRnan X
Jan Wiessner X
� Y ��` T 1
� �� ;,
gi �y` �
� y
c�. :e�/ !� � 1�- �. Sv�
����. �
.�
� �
af? ��
h ^"�}'
4 �N
a.^
��
� ;
�
f . �t�,.
w��F .
v�
`� . _:'��^'.
�
,$ 2t
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
_ ��� �
F *; � � � _
i
�+�..� ..�._ � _
\ 5°'.` P k .
�
��'i . �{�(
# _ .
[ ��
�� �. � � v
:.� � � �_.
��
'�'r.,.� L` �
�..;.-
�,_
� . [..:. _ . .,k_.
� , ,�
v
.
M
�
�� � � .
. � ' �
YY. ��� ���
� ��
��y
� � ;
0
d
{ .
� � '
� ei'e� �
�°
�
r {�
� i
�''
�
iy �
w . � ��.3e�5Y 'K
f tM '
�
..., _ � _ -z�
r
� u
Cs'
:` ?
1 ,
Y%
En
N � �
.. .. . ....�.:.�
�
�
�
....
N
�
0
�
�
.....
�
�
�
L
O
�+-
�-
'�
�
A
.1�
�
tQ
N
�
�
3
+�
ca
s
�
�
�
�
�
I
O
�
�
�
�
N
�
c
c
-
�
N
�
c
�
L
`"'
�
4)
Y
L
c �
G
�
C
0)
OL
c� � N N � � O t.c) O
�
�
.
� �
� O
� .�.]
O
� �
� L
� �
L l'6
fl.. �
—
�
fl..
N .�
� �
� �
�
S
� 1
N �
� �
S �
� �
�� VJ
1
� N
.� •�.
t �
'�'� �
� �
O �
A =
O '-
'a �
�.�
�
�
3
�
V �
O �
U �
� �
a� �
� �
�
0
N
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
0
c-�
�
� �
o r .,
� �
� �
�
� � �
� N
G� d .
�
�
O
� �
� c%
�
�
O
�
�
\
0
O
N
\
0
�
Ln
�
.�
U
�
0
m
�
�
�
0
�--�
V
\
0
�
N
�
\
0
�
V
�
� �
L�i
� �
4�-� M �
� W
�
0
�
N
�
�
0
N
�
0
�
�
0
�
V
\
0
�
\
0
c--�
V
0
.�
�
U �
� �
� �
� �
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
'� O
� �
�
■�
�
�
■�
�
�
�
�
�
_
■�
�
O
_
N
�
�
a
�
U
�
h
�
.�
ti
O
�
�
�
�
�
h
�
�
�
�
�
O
�
.s
�
ti
R Q
�Z
�
�
�
t
��
■
�
■
�
_
■�
�
0
�
.�
�
�
'�ou �
•y �
�
.� �
�
��
� U
N "
.�
.. L".
U O
C �
�3 �
E y -�
�
O
�
N
,
0
rn
rn
�
�
�
�
C
�
U
�
(B
�
Q
0
L
a..'
�
�
.�
c
�
O
ti
C
.�
a�
�
c
ca
s
U
�
C
�
�
C
.
�
O
�
N
C
�
L
0
�
�
0
�
m
�
�
O
�
�
�
�
0
�
c
0
�
�
�
0
�
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
° o ° o ° o ° o_ ° o o ° o ° o �
00000000
d�' ('�7 � N N � O �
�ua� a6e�an�/
0 0 0 0 ° o ° o ° o ° o ° o
� � � � � -�cr� � � � °�
o � �
� � o
E�3 N �
N
� tO . ' . . ° � p
� i �' O
i � i ! �� � ��' N
6� t o �
�
r
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
p� l0
� }
C'7
�
rn
�
N
�
�
�
�
rn
r
d
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
ti
�
�
�
_
�
�
�
�
�
W
�
A � '
�1L
�
�
�
U
Ia
�
�
�
�
L
N
�
�
O O
� �
� �
O O O O
Q � Q �
� � � �
a�.e� ��ue�en
�
O
�
N
�
O
Q
T
�
O
Q
0
�
�
0
�
�
0
�l—
a
�
�
N
�
I�
3
�
+�
w
_
�
�
0
�
�
.�L
0
�/
v
O '�
U i"'
� O
s
O N
d � - '�'
-�
�
� �
� �
� � � � - - -em
�� � �
� � � �
� �� �
�
� �
� � N
� � N
� � �
O = � _
O �
O ` p �
O �
O .�. � .��,
(`� �
� �
L
� �
,C .�
O -� ¢
t
�S Q L �'
� �� � �
E��=
a�
�' � � �
3 ~ � _
lt, • • •
■■
■
■ �
■■ � ..
. �
.
..
4)
� �
O �
_ �N
7
� �
O�.N
0 p c�
E
�m�
� � C
m `�
�
�
�
�
4)
� �
L -�C t�.
�
a- o �-°�
Q E a�
� II. U
O O N c
.� � o
��m
m �
N
�
C
O �
¢ O
�
N �
� �
� �
L �
� �
L
�
N
.....
�
�
....
t
�
V
�
•��
�r
• 1��
�
�
�
O
�
�
�
0�
�
LZ..
i
�
s
�
�
.�
�
c�..
.�
....
L
V
�
•��
VI
�
O
�
�
��
�
�
�
L
O
�-
�+-
t�
�
.�
N
(�
�
�
�
N
U
�
CQ
�
O
L
�
O
U
�
�
N
a
�
�
�
O
�
�
0
�
C6
�
cU
�
U
�
�
V
��o
.� c' � �
�
�
� to
� ,:.
c i'
s
U
�
�
O
�
C�6
�
•
1
�
�
._.
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
1.1..
•
�
4�
rr�
L���
�
�
��
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
•
N
O
C�6
O
.�
�
�
,
,
O�
�
�
3
O
U
L
>
O
0
�
�
4�
N
N
L
�
�
�
N
N
a�
N
�
cU
N
�
_
•
.�
.Q7
Z
�
�
0
�
L
�
�
��
�
t
�
N
�
�
�
Z
ZQ
�
L
�
Q
C �
6
�
. �.
�
�
L
�..
��
;�
�ti
; �r
j
I
,
�
I
i
O
O
O
Lf7
u
O O O
O O O
O O O
'cl' C7 N
a �doa�{
�
O
O
d
�
' o
� o
0
N
�
d7
6�
i �
! rn
i �
� �
�
rn
rn
�
L
i �
� �
M
�
�
�
�
�
�
i
67
�
�
I �
�
ti
i �
� �
'�.�7
�
O
�
w
�
�
(Q
t
�
csG
Z
�
_
_
J
�
0
QL
O
1J,..
LL
�
�
0
0
w
Z
�
�
L
O
L
�
a�
�
m
d
�
�
.�
N
I
�
'
c.
�
�
�
�
�.
�
�
3
� o
rn�
� �
• af
N �
,� U
Li. }
a
�
0
�
CtS
�
O�
a�
ac
v
'S N
aG U
❑
�
.n
!6
�
0
��
d �
N
z =
•
'Q
�
w
z
a
¢
c�
�
o �
V � �
� N p �
N (� L �
p CO > c�'a �
� � o o �
o � U L
� V C9 � �
� (� N � �
• • • •
� �� �
��� �
��� �
... �
�
��� ¢
� �F+��� H■+�H��� �� H�H■+�■+�■
�� ��� � � ��� � ����
�/�+�■ �F�/■ �F �� ������■ � ��� �F��
H� ��M�� � H■�■� �� H��■��■H�
� ���� � � � � � � ���
w
� �F ���F �� �F �F �F �F �F �F �� ����
_
�
,-;
�
� �
'.� '�
O k�-� �
t (� � � C
S ' � � U � .� f�6
c� �
3 � � � v rn �
Z ti U � � � �
• • •
.,�. ,.
N
N
N
fE
�
L
U
�
a�
rn
RS
�
•
N
�
i-�
�
�
�
�
�
�
c
tU
s
V
�
� N
-
0 0
��
��
� ��
o °';
�_
�
�
�
a
O
a.
N
N
6�
tB
.�
�. �
�II c
E �
01-7�38'
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research
310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 266-8564
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 23, 2001
TO: Shari Moore, Deputy City Clerk
FROM: Nancy Anderson -'��
SUBJECT: Council Agenda Material - July 18, 2001.
I am forwarding to you the foliowing City Council files, which appeared on the July 18,
2001, City Council Agenda:
C.F. 01-738 (WITHDRAWN)
Policy Session Material - Homelessness
The above items are being submitted to you for your records.
NA
Attachments
. r a�0.W� ��o�
W , � c � �,,�\� •
RESOLUTION
CITY OF�SjAiNT PAUL, MINNESOTA
\S
Refemed To
Date
Fstablishing a source of fusding for the Home Share
2
3 WI�REAS, in the City of Saint Paul there is a significant shortage
4 WHEREAS, many low income persons, the elderly, persons
5 with children are in need of affordable rental housing; and
6 WFIEREAS, Saint Paul seniors are living longer and many need
7 WFIEREAS, many seniors and low income persons own
8 properly maintain theit house, while at the same time, hav
9 and ,
rental units; aad
and low income single parents
support to maintain their independence; and
homes but do not generate enough income to
nal resources for other necessities in their lives;
10 Wf�REAS, a progratn that brings low income ho wners who are "cash poor" and " house rich" together with
11 people who need affordable rental units such as; I income persons, the elderly, persons with physical disabilities,
12 and low income single parenis with children, w d benefit both partiss; and
13 Wf�REAS, the mission of the Home
14 housing together as a creative solution
15 WHEREAS, those im�olved in the
16 housekeeping, snow removal, mea
1'7 WHEREAS, the Home Sl�
18 atmosphere and encourages
19 WHEREAS; the Home
20 been serving the
'rogram is to bring homeowners and persons looking for affordable
proble� of affordable housing; and
Share Program benefit by having assistance wiYh yard work, child caze,
ation and household expenses; and
increases safety and security, lowers housing costs, creates a family
p;and
is run by Neighborhood House, a Saint Paul non-profit organization that has
City for many years; now therefore be it
21 RESOLVED, that e Saint Paul City Council support the Home Share Prograzn, and requests that the Mayor
22 identify financing tions and recommead a funding source for the City of Saint Paul to contribute up to $100,OQ0
23 annually to the p gram beginning in 2001, with anunderstanding that the funding source recommended be a�ailable
24 for ongoing support, considering such soevces as the Civic Organizations Partnership Program (COPP),
25 Community velopment Block Grant money (CDBG), and STARR funds.
Requested bp Deparlment �:
�
:�. .��
Colemau
Council File # b — �
Greeu Sheet # � 0 ��`
,�` sES'�
�
F�n���a����r
�
A � i � �� �, ��, APP�� bY M�Yor for Submission to Counc�
�
APPIm'ed bY Ma9or
�
o1-13Y
�
na�a�yco�: na�
o�-'��$
GREEN SHEET
N{IMBEit FOR
ROUTING
ORDBt
TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES
�.���
N� 110402
❑ CRYAT10P1FY ❑ OIYLIHIR _
❑ Ri11NtJGllFRYICF90R ❑ qiRlilJRI.iFRV/IGCTC
❑�1nYartloRlls.RS�CM� ❑
(CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) '
F.slablish an aa�al fandieg snnrce � t�e Home SLaze Progcam slazting in 2001.
PLANNING CAMMISSION
CIB COMMITTEE
CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION
RSONAL SERVICE CONiRACfS MUST ANSWER iNE FOLLOVIING QUES7ION5:
Has this person/firtn evervro�lced under a contract for Mis tlepartmeM'!
VES NO
Has t�is perso�rm ever heen a cfly empbyee7
YES NO
Dces this persoNfirtn possess a skill rwt riwmaltypossessetl by any curtent city empbyee?
YES NO
Is this person/firm a targetetl ventloY�
YES NO
Of .�iDt �8711.
Incieases opportunityforl�v iacome citizens tu secune affordable renial housiugwhile aidingseniors who wantto remain intheirhomes
but lack sufficient income.
AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION
s�oo,000
C0.5T/REVENUEBUDGETm(CIRCLEON� VES
ncTrvm NurasEre
(E%PWN)
• PACKET MATERIALS FOR HOMELESSNESS POLICY SESSION # ZO
A. Council Research Memo on City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
B. Council Reseazch Memo on Current Issues, including excerpts from two Wilder Reports
1. Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and transitional housing, August
2001.
2. Minnesota statew;de survey of people without permanent shelter: Preliminary findings,
February 2001.
3. Family Housing Fund Homelessness Information
C. Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and City Council on Homelessness in Saint Paul by the
Overnight Shelter Boazd, October 2000
D. Addendum Updating the Yeaz 2000 Overnight Shelter Boatd Report
E. Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Alloca6ons: 1996 - 2000
F. Emergency Shelter Grazit Program Allocarions for 2000 Showing Type of Funding Provided
G. Recommendations from the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Yeaz Housing and Homeless
• Services Report and Plan (adopted by the CiTy Council Apri17, 1999 and Counry Boazd
Apri12Q 1999)
H. Status Report on the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Five Year Housing and Homeless Services
Report and Plan
L Smnmary of the Continuum of Caze Planning Process
J. Housing Chapter of the City's Comprehensive Plan: Excepts Pertaining to Homelessness
K. Background on (Saint Paul) Homeless Shelters, Services and Transirional Housing
L. List of Participating Churches in the Saint Paui Council of Churches Emergency Shelter for
. Families
M. Summary of Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
N. Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended hours Program Report Winter 2000 - 2001
O. Materials from the Street Works Collaborafive project
• P. Recent Newspaper Articles on Homelessness
City of Saint Paul
City Council Research Center
Room 310 City Haii
Saint Paul, MN 55102
612 266-8570
�
�
�
INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MEMORANDUM
DATE: July 12, 2001
TO: Councilmembers
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst /"t��
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst�
RE: City Role and Authority on Homelessness Issues
Although it seems self-evident to many, it beazs repeating that there are several key areas where
the City has a key role or authority in the issue of homelessness. We have outlined these for you
below.
�a����c.��y�
Police: Often police officers are the first or main point of contact the homeless have with
governmenUquasi-governmental services. The Police could be acting in the capacity of a law
enforcement agent, in cases of panhandling or public drunkenness, or they could be acting to
provide assistance for someone who needs shelter on a cold night. The policies and pmcedures
employed by the Police department profoundly affect the lives of the homeless in Saint Paul, as
they do for all Saint Paulites.
Fire: This last winter, there were several fires, large and small, started by homeless people hying
to stay wann, which became dangerous. A newspaper article in Section P of the materials for the
policy session outlines one such incident. Access to vacant buildings and the safety of people
living in the City, as well as the City's firefighters is a major concern.
HOUSING
Policy: The City establishes housing policy primarily through the Housing Chapter of the
Comprehensive Plan (Section J of the materials for the policy session). These policies aze
carried out through the City's zoning code, its housing regulations, and production activities.
The City also adopted as policy the Saint PauURamsey County Five Yeaz Aousing and Aomeless
Services Report and Pian, which is incorporated into the City's Consolidated Plan for the fedezal
govemment (Section G of the materials for the policy session provides the recommendations
from this report). Homelessness policy is also embodied in the City's Administrative Code in
the establishment of the City's Overnight Shelter Board (attachment to tlus memo).
Production: The City's role in housing production, as it relates to homelessness is, also three-
fold. First, the City can paztner or construct housing which serves the homeless population,
specifically emergency shelters (where you try to go when you've just found yourself on the
streets), transirional housing (where you go after the emergency, but before you've integrated
into "regular" housing), and supportive housing (where you go when you need mare than just
housing; e.g. alcohoUdrug recovery, job skills, life skills, etc.). In this category, we would place
the City's "Emergency Shelter Grant Program." (Attached to this memo aze 3 resolutions, CF #
88-39, CF# 88-40 and CF# 92-529 pertaining to this program. Also, Secdons E and F of the
materials for the policy session provide financial information on the program.) Second, the City
is often a funder or partner in affordable housing production/development, thus increasing the
supply of housing available to people at the lower end of the economic spechum. Lastly, the City �
is often a funder or partner in housing development for all income levels, thus increasing the
housing supply in general.
Regulation: The City's role in housing regulation and enforcement of codes has both direct and
indirect impacts on homelessness. Indirecfly, the level of enforcement activity affects the long
term condition of the City's housing stock, as well as the number of honsing units within the
City. Direcfly, City action's interpreting the zoning, building, Sre, and property maintenance
codes can make some projects to provide housing or temporary shelter for homeless possible, or
unworkable.
�
�
2
�
� J
COMI�GITPEES AND COMIvIISSION3
sion member receive more than two thousand four
hundred dollars ($2,400.00) per annum for atten-
dance at such meetings. The compensation set
forth herein shall be the entire compensation to
commis�on and/or committee members for the per-
formance of their duties.
(Ord. No. 17398, § 1, 9-9-86; C.F. No. 9&375, § 1,
427-931
Chapter 108. Reserved•
Chapter 109. A�rmative Actioa Advisory
Committeet
Sec. 109.01. Created
There is hereby created a Saint Paul Affirma-
tive Action Advisory Committee. The committee
shall rnnsist of seven ('n members representing
protected class groups, three (3) members repre-
senting labor, two (2J city council members, one
member of the civil service commission, one
member of the human rights commission, ane
member from the office of human resources, and
one member from the mayor's office.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84; Ord. No. 17345, § 1,
4-24-86; Ord. No. 17915, § 2, 3-26-92)
Sec. 109.03. Term.
App. C, § 130.01
Members of the committee shall be appointed
within thirty (30) days of the date of the adoption
of the ordinance enacting this chapter and shall
serve for a term of four (4) years, commencing as
of the effective date of ttus chapter, and until their
successors aze appointed and qualify. Thereafter,
four (4) members as designated by the mayor shall
be appointed for a term of one (1) year; four (4)
members as designated by the mayor shall be ap-
pointed for a term of two (2) years; four (4) mem•
bers as desigiated by the mayor shall be appointed
for a term of three (3) years; and four (4) members
as designated by the mayor shall be appointed for
a term of. four (4) years. Subsequent terms shall
all be for a period of four (4) yeazs.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-54; Ord. No. 17626, § 1,
1-19-89)
Sec. 109.04. Rules.
The committee shall select its own chair and
shall adopt its own governing rules. The eom-
mittee shall meet as often as is necessary to ac-
complish its purpose but shall meet at least once
a month for the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26-84)
Chapter 110. Overnight Shelter Board#
�
Sec. 109.02. Powers aad dnties.
The Saint Paui Affirmative Action Advisory
Committee shall promote aff'umative action mea-
sures to recruit protected class applicants for city
employment; shall recommend to and advise ap
propriate city personnei regarding effective tu-
torsng af a31 agplicants for ciLy emploqment; and
shaIl monitor ti� impiementation of the city's af-
firmative actionprogram and selection procedures
and make recommendations regarding the same
to the mayor and city council.
(Ord. No. 17150, 7-26•84)
• Editor's note—Section i of Ozd. No. 17259, eaacted Juty
25,1985, repealed the pmvisions formerly codified ay Ch. 108,
§§ 108.01-108.06, derived from Ord. No. 16308, adopted July
19, 1977; and Ord. No. 16699, adopted Sept 9, 1980, end per-
tainin4 to the citY's Pazlring commission.
fLegislative Code refereace—For provisions pertaining
W humaa riBhTs, aee'15He XVIII.
Supp. No. 22
Sec. 110.01. Declaration of policy.
The city councii fmds that changing economic
conditions, government policies and a variety of
other factors have resuited in a substantial in-
crease in the number of homeless persons in the
City of Saint Paul and in the Twin Cities metro-
politan area. On behalf of the people of Saint Paul,
the eouncil acknowledges that as a matter of so•
cial justice every person is entitled to decent, safe
and sanitary shelter. Whiie it recognizes the sal-
utary efforts of a number of private agencies, the
council fmds that there is a need for oversight and
coordination, at both the local and regional levels,
#Editor'e note—Ordinance No. 17292, adopted Sept 17,
1985, provided that its provisions be included inW the Admin-
istrative Cade, but did aot specify the exact meaner of such
inclusioa. At the editor's discretioa, therefore, §§ 1-7 of Ord.
No. 17292 have been �e3 ay Ch. 110, §§ 110.01-130.07.
2688.3
�
�
�
COMMIT3'EES AND COMIvIISSIONS
the board's recommeaded plans and progtams shall
be on file in the office of the city cierk. Within
thirty (30) days of the board's presentation of its
plans and pro�rams, the council shall hold a pub-
lic hearing on the same. Within ninety (90) days
of the board's presentation, the councii shall act
oa the rernmmended plans and programs.
(c) Upon request by the council or its own ini-
tiative the board may provide suppiemental re-
ports to the mayor and the city council. These
reports map incIude requests for emergency ac-
tion by the council.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 4, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.Ob. Term.
Of the members first appointed, three (3) shall
be appointed for a term of one year, four (4) shall
be appointed for a term of two (2) yeazs, and four
(4) shall be appointed far a term of three (3) years.
Thereafter, the term of each member shall be for
three (3) years until a successor is appointed and
qualifies.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 5, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.06. Rules and meetings.
The board shall select its own chair and shall
adopt its own governing rules. The boazd shall
meet as often as is necessary to accomplish its
purpose, but shall meet at least once a month for
the first six (6) months.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 6, 9-17-55)
Sec. 110.07. Administrative staff.
The mayor shall provide the boazd with ade-
quate staff from such city departments as he may
direM to enable it to perform its duties under this
chapter.
(Ord. No. 17292, $ 7, 9-17-85)
Chapter 111. Etlucal Practices Board
Sec. 111.01.1. Council findings.
The council of the City of Saint Paul finds that
the civil service rules for the City of Saint Paul
and the city's coliective bazgaining agreements
with organized and represented city employees
Supp. No. 13
§ 111.01.3
contain adequate procedures for reviewing and
handling complaints against most city employees.
However, the council also finds that there aze not
adequate procedures for reviewing and handling
complaints against elected officials and some ap-
pointed employees. Finally, the council finds that
eleeted and appointed officials aze held to a higher
standard of conduct and responsibility due to the
nature of their duties and responsibilities.
(Ord. No. 17638, § 1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.2. Ethical practices board created.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Pairl Ethi-
cal Practices Board. The boazd shall consist of
five (5) members, who shall serve without com-
pensation, agpointed hy the mayor with the con-
sent of the city council. Initially, two (2) members
shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years
each, two (2) members shall be appointed for a
term of two (2) years each and one (1) member
shall be appointed for a term of one (1) yeaz.
Thereafter, members' terms shall be for three (3)
yeazs until their successors are appointed and
qualify.
(b) No member of the board during his or her
term shall:
(1) Hald or campaign for elective office;
(2) Be an officer of any political party, politi-
cal committee or personal campaign com-
mittee;
(3) Permit his or her name to be used to or
make contributions in support of or opposi-
tion to any city candidate or proposition;
(4) Participate in any election campaign.
(Ord. No. 17500, § 1, 10-13-87; Ord. No. 17638, §
1, 3-23-89)
Sec. 111.01.3. Limitation on jurisdiction.
The board's jurisdiction over complaints alleg-
ing vio]ations of Saint Paul I,egisiative Code, Chap-
ter 29 and/or Saint Paul Administrative Code,
Chapter 24 by city officials or employees shall be
limited to complaints against public officials as
defined hy Saint Paul Administrative Code, Sec-
tion 24.03Bxlxd).
(Ord. No. 17638, $ 1, 3-23-89)
�
�
�
�
App. C, $ 110.01
ADMINLSTRATIVE CODE
of the efforts to provide overnight shelter to home
less persons. The council hereby declares that it
shall be the public policy of the City of Saint Paul
to assume, those ovexsight and caordination re-
sponsibilities within the city and to esercise, in
partnership with the private sector and other met-
ropolitan units of government, its best efforts to
secure adequate overnight shelter for all home-
less per"sons.
tOrd- No. 17292, § 1, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.02. DeSnitions.
't`he following definitions shall apply to this
chapter:
Adequate shelter. A shelter shall be wnsidered
adequate if it pratects and maintains human
health and dignity and if it pmvides a clean en-
vironment and bedding and adequate security and
supervisian for all residents of the shelter.
Homeiess. A person shall be considered home-
less if
(1) The person has no possessory interest in an
accommodation and Iacks the means neces-
sary to obtain such interest; or
(2) The person has a possessory interest in an
accommodation and:
a The person is unable to secure entry to
that accommodation and lacks the
means necessary to obtain alteraative
accommodations; or
b. Occupation of the accommodation
would likely lead to violence from an-
other occupant and the person lacks the
means necessary to obtain alternative
acrnmmodations.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 2, 9-17-85)
Sec. 110.03. Board established.
(a) There is hereby created a Saint Paul Over-
night Shelter Board of not to exceed eighteen (18)
members appointed by the mayor with the con-
sent of the city couneil. The board shall consist oF
membera representing or ni� ations wluch pra
vide overnight shelter to the homeless, members
who have demonstratsd a eommitment to advo-
cacy for the homeless, and members drawa from
Supp. No. ZZ
the broader community and whose knowledge and
s1d1Ls would be useful to the board.
(b) The council shall periodically review the op-
erations of the board W ensure that its actions are
in aecord with the declaration of policy and its
pawers and duties as set forth herein.
(Ord. No. 17292, § 3, 9-17-85; Ord. No. 17314, § 1,
12-2455)
Sec. 110.04. Powers and duties.
{� The Saint Paul Overnight Shelter Board
shall determine annually for Saiat Paul the
number of homeless persons desiring overnight
shelter, assess current shelter availability in Saint
�aul, and report on July 1 of each year the results
regarding the same to the mayor and the city
council. Whenever the assessment and report dce-
ument a shortfall in relation to the demand for
shelter beds, the city shall eaercise a leadership
mle in acquiring suffieient resources to provide
the necessary additional shelter spaces.
(b) The board shall also formulate and recom-
mend to the mayor and city council additional
programs or plans, both local and regional in scope,
for securing ovemight shelter for homeless per•
sons. These plans shall include all available re-
sources and involve government as well as pri-
vate entities in their implementation. Copies of
2688.4
\
�5 OF THE COUNCIL OF TFIE CTTY OF SAINT PAUL, 1988 31
�p minutes of al] meetings. Subcommitu• vrriting by a member of the counril of a notice of inteat to amend the same,
n'unction with the director oE the co ahich notice shall contaia the specific proposed amendments. Such notice
)
^ch center to insure that the appropr . shail be served upon each member of the council seven (7) days prior to the
and clerical staff shall be pmvided for tEe submission of an9 resolution amending such rules.
mittee chairs shall be responsible fc: Adopted by the Council Januar913, 1988.
. tbe minutes of subcrommittee meetings, ; ypproved January 19, 1988.
1 be filed mith the city derk as a pubIicmm � (Januazy 23, 1988)
rouncil president.
�articulaz.
id pexsonnel. The council subcommiitee ¢
:sonnel shal] establish prioritized gay75 az� Council File No. 8&39 — By Kiki Sonnea—
3 operating budgets of all city departmen� N'HEREAS. The City of Saint Paul has received $ll5,000 under the
dition the subcommittee shall assume tt� E-�crgencyShelterGraatProgram(ESGP)formallocationtoqualifiedproviders
all capital and operating budget matte- o: assisiance to the homeless; and
accordance with the timetable provided b: 1CHEREAS, The State of Minnesota has also notified the City of Saint Paul
allberesponsiblefortLeconsiderationotar. :Tat ihe city may apply for up to $43,004 of funds from the state's ESGP
sonnel of the city, salary questions and lak- y.ioration on behalf of qualified pmvidess; and
onsible for reviewing all licensing matte-: R'HEREAS, The City of Saiat Paul mishes to assist providers of assistance to
vttee action, except whem full council aMio: :hr homeless to make use of these funds in a way that meets federal and state
time limits which would not allow fo: ;�rgulations as well as locally ideatified priorities; now, therefore, be it
ll, and for overseeing policy development o' RESOLVED, T'hat the City of Saint Paui establishes the process described in
zding legislation on lirnnsing issues. �hibit One as the process for reallocating Emergency Shelter Grant Program
id transportation. The council subcommitte� (unds.
s, and transportation shall assume tEe Adogted by Lhe Council January 12, 1988.
• and recommendation of covncil legislatiw py�roved January 13, 1988.
review proposals for ]egislation relating tc
elevision, cable television, lighting, heating (Janvary 23, 2988)
� other public utifities services subjcc
11 rnview and mommend aIl3imnse
by the city council to public utili;p
�s d representatives. Connci] File No. 88-40 — By Kiki Sonnen—
levelopment. The council subcommittee o: N"HEREAS, The City of Saint Paul is cunently participating in the U.S.
pment shall oversee policy development ani �'partment of Hovsing aad Urban Development Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
lation in these arnas — land use and zoning ProS�am; and
�pment by the Port Authority, the Housing H'HEREAS, The City_ of Saint Paul has been notified b9 the State of
cy and the City Departm¢nt of Planning anc >Smnesota that it is also eligible to participate in the State Emergency Shelter
>roving buildings and especially improving G:an: (£SG) Program, thereby providing additional xesoumes to the City to
3perties. In addition, the subcommittee mr. assisi the hameless; now, therefore be it
oposals that affect these issues. RfSOLVED, 3'hat Mayor George I.atimer, as Chief Officer of the City of
: services. The council subcommittee a. S.iint Paul, is hereby authorized and directed to submit the Saint Paul
�ices shall oversee policy development anc f^ergency Shelter Grant Program application to the State of Minnesota, in such
gislation on issues involving communitc :o:r.� as prescribed by the State regulations; and be it
environment and other human services FURTHER AESOLVED, That the Mayor or his designated representative is
shall serve az a ciearinghouse for revieu a further authorized to submit to the State of Minnesota any assurances,
n addition, the subrnmmiEtee sriall ovene� �r:tifirations, technical changes or addiiional iniormation that may be required
3 irnplement programs ior Sbe impimec . d�ring ibeir rnvievc of tLe Saiat Paul ESG Program application; and be it
�ss of crime prnventi� and srsponse to tk � FL`ATHEg gESpl\7ED,That uponnotification of appzoval of the Saint Paul
ior tiie improved qualitp oi life ia tl� � S:aie £SG prpgrym application, the Council dces hereby authorize the proper
�aittee also may zeview proposals from it,� nt.• v?iiria3s fo esecute the graat agreement and contract between the City of
- rnncern district couacils, business and ci�u b:,is; paul and the State of Minaesota; and be it
�od or community groups. FI`:Alyy RESOLVED, That nor to the
�acil subcommittee on rules and licy st+a: S ; P� expenditure of funds under the
Po a e ESG Program, the Director of the Department of Planning and Economic
d implementation of ihe Council's strategic Drrelopment or his designated represeatative submit to the Couacil a detailed
ity for the review and rnommendation tot�E p:an for the e�cpenditurn of the State ESG Program funds.
idments to the city rnuncil rules of procedure Adopted by the Couacil Janua
:iend to the council general policy guidelims ry 12, 1988.
2s legislative deliberations, and may revien Approved January 13, 1988.
� various boards and coaunissions. (January 23, 1988)
i may be atnended only by the submission io
/
��
�.�:3r.>';���:`;:�:::::> �..:-
�t �.:-.�_ ; -
,�,.,. . . .-... ._. _.
� �c����1�41
�-
� . �
3
j �
,� . �.. . �: �- Y=eseated By
Council File # �a
Green Sheet #
AESOLUTION
CITY OF SAINT PA�L, Ml�INESOTA
� To ee: Date
RESOLUTION ADOPTING PRIORITIES K
TEIE 1992 EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANf PROGRAM
WHEREAS the G7ry of Saint Paul aanually allocates federal Emergency Shelter Grant
funds ta organizations providing transitional services and shelter services to indi�iduals
who aze homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; and
WHEEItEAS the alloration of Emergenry Shelter Grant funds is recommended to the •
(5ty Council by a review committee whose members ue drawn from the (Yty of Saint
PauPs Ho Information Office, Departrnent of Planning and Economic Development,
Iviiunesota Office of Jobs and Training, Saint Paul Area United Way and Ramsey
County Department of Human Services; and
VyHEREAS the U.S. Department of Housing and iJrban Development has issued
guidelines governing the allocation of said funds; and
WFiEREAS those guidelines allow for funds to be used at tfie discretion of loral
governments for (i) operating ar.d maintenance expenses, (2) essential se;vices, (3)
rehabilitation or (4) preventive services; and
. � . - .
�
�
i
:
_
�
. t
_ , ... , . . :; �._:
�
.. • . a
�<:� -
;:;.f .�=.::s�^. . .
` �Adopted by Council: Date
�
�:.,Adoption_CertiPied y Co
�'�; : - � ;.` Secretary ;�_ •
�'.� , BY•
+.. � . �� , ..,i,`S'''3�`' a �K ;'
s
.:1}.. t� .� . n.��f • � / .
:': �'.";,4:':;APProved� �///.� .Dat
�� r"�w�;?� �a�,:, a s;}�`•` =�' / (/y (/ /�� = � ' = ' II (��j�j���/ / ' / � !- - L y���� 1
��S . a2_` . . k 1 42 L f 4t/�(/�/',�Q^ ' , , • ..� � �b`�
APR.1 � 1992
Requested by Department oP: �;'
,. -. "�=-
$y . . . ,
Form Approved by City Attorney ;
. � By: - � � � � _ _.' - , �P�:`,�-
. __ � �
92` counc3l " :
:,':,, t _ .1.
�qi� ,gy;
:,_;::_ :-._._,__ -
� 4Rf �INAL (� 9 S
� .
a
�
.
�
� WHIItEAS the City Council wants to ensure that, within ihe scope of the federat
I guidelines, the funds address critical Iocal needs; and � ....
-.:-� � - _ ' ' . : �:..:._,._,. . - - - ;��.��. • _. _ ; �.�__
NOW THEF2EFORE BE TT RFSOLVED that the City Councl will, ia its allocation of
the 1992 Emergency Shelter Grant Funds, favorably consider those programs wFuch
demonstrate ihe following areas of emphasis:
�
(a) Preventioa of homelessness
(b) Assistance to homeless people in attaining se]f yuffcieacy
(c) Partnership with other non profiu and governmental agendes
(d) Assistaace to victims of domestic abuse
(e) Consistenry with the most recent recommendations of the Ovemight
Shelter Boazd .
(� Provision of funds for program and facility expenses not covered by otfier '
snurces of funds; and
BE TT FTNALLY RESOLVED that applicants who cannot compIy witfi Qty guideIines
and sh11 believe they should receive funding under the program should submit
documentation to that effect and request that the C�ty Councl waive its requirement
i' �
' _, -. - 4�
• ..� ' �.-
. _ ' Yeas a s ' AbserLt�, - _: �:':: . _.- :'.:,':--,j: -� - �7-.;::.� _
- - . _ . . . .- = ;�>.i;:,:..::�o:::.. _ _ - _ - <1i ^"%' -
Requested by Depaztment ofr _ �
q N N fl H
�aopted by counci�: nateApR � 4 1992` -.
- '"":' "Adoption'Certified by Council � -
,Secretary '
DY= —
,,;;.s.; m_<-_....., ;.
'``=�'°'APProved��by
�
-�
. _ _ _ _ - - - _ v - ._y�-
gY= �
� - - r �.;�°'�iv��.... i^-, _ ``'�"
Form Approved= b`y`City Attorney "= `� °`=�'"' '`r
�:'r - ,• � :. ` APProved by 1L
Date APR 1� i992�- councii ���_'.:
.......».,. H�R c� az ` . . _
MEMORANDUM
� DATE: July 13, 2001
TO: Councilmembers � �
pw �r,�'/
FROM: Marcia Moermond, Policy Analyst �
Katie Krile, Policy Analyst S�.,
�R
RE: State of Homelessness: Research and Statistics
Demand is increasing
Office of the City Council
Investigation and Research Center
310 City Hall
Saint Paul, MN 55102
The state population increased from 1989 to 1999 by 12 %, the number of inen receiving
shelter services grew (from 1991 to 2000) by 58 %, the number of women grew by 157 %
and the number of children in emergency and transitional housing grew by 250 %.
Although shelter capacity has increased from 1991 to 2000, the number of homeless people
turned away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter capacity.
41 % of homeless adults were released from an institution, homeless program, or treatment
center in the past yeaz, and 49 % of those had no where to go.
Housing affordability and avaiIability declining
� Housing affordability, a combination of low wages and a tight housing market, is a growing
factor in homelessness.
• Average rents in the Twin Cities azea increased 34 % between 1990 and 1999, while the
median household income of renters grew by only 9%.
• To afford an average one bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities azea ($664 in 2000) would
require an hourly wage of $12.70. Of those working, 39 % were earning less than $8 per
hour, and 68 °/a were earning less than $10 per hour.
• 82 % of families oited Iack of affordable housing as reason for seeldng emergency shelter.
(Wilder Reseazch Center Summary, August 2000, "Ten-yeaz trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitional housing.")
Longer average stays in shelters and transitional honsing {Wilder Research Cenrer summary, August
2000, "Ten year trends in Ramsey County emergency shelter and bansitional housing. ')
• The average stay (1999) in Ramsey County emergency shelters for males alone was 20 days,
females alone was 14 days and 18 days for families.
• The average stay in Ramsey County transitional housuYg (1999) for women alone was six
months and for families it was nine months.
All statisrics can befound in the Wilder Research Center's `ilfinnuota statewide survey ofpeople without
permanent sheZter: Preliminary findings, February 2001 " unless otherwise noted.
i
�
WILDER
CENTER
Shelter use in the '90s
Ten-year trends in Ramsey County
emergency shelter and transitionai housing
�
s
Since 1991,shelterproviders
have collected common data
elements about single adults and
families who use emergency
shelteis and �ansitional housing
in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
This summary report puts the 1999
results in perspective by showing
trends in shelter use and in the
characteristics of shelter useis
over the past nine years.
Wilder Reseazch Center maintains
a database and prepazes an annual
report for program and policy
planning. The annual reports also
descnbe use of shelters for baitered
women, buY these data aze not part
of the common database because
of safety concerns.
Number of persons using emergency sF�elter, 1991-1999
Unduplicated rnmber of persons each year
6,000 5 �
3,000 2,939
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of stays in emergency shelter,1991-1999
»,000 �0,002
5,500 4,078
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Number of emergency shelter beds in Ramsey County,1991-1999
(excluding Flexibie and overtlow)
aoo
325
274
200 173
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1996 1999
Shdter use in the `90s 1 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
.Steve Rice _ - -�
Halsing lnformatia� �ce;��� �
�City of Saini Paul.�„ ,_ ^4�y�
�The documerrted drop in -���
;shefter use does n� sq�re.�
�Wlth U72 PP,fC2pilOfl Of thOSE' `y
�operating the .sheRets. ;Tt►e ��
�sheRers are running full m��
-� - � � _ . -��~x�
: —.,.� t�>__-.�,
, ; .: _. - ..
easanaly:-Partbf� �
gason for ttie Conflict =`�<
�uveen the dociurierited ;
Irop in and the
necdotal reports is ttiat�w
�ave fewer shefter spaces;
�an in past years, in spite
_-., -�-- -
icomporient is Uiat shetter
=guests car►not move but o1
Fthe shetter at the same -::=�
-speed as y in'past years. ,77
stay longer and fewer new
� peopte get irrto shefter. Th
`sei.nrid Problem r�leds t�
� fCf1�2� (112fiC�. '�1QfE 8f2 _�
fewer units available at ar�
price because Of ihe infltni
new job seekers in the pas
matter of fewer.numbers of�_v
=emergencY shefter, spaces;�
decisions have been � in�
„ tlie private and publie secxors_"�
a�
! Private emergency shefter� �
pProviders volurrtarily reduc�ed�
'their capaeiEy ta mc�re
`manageable levels. Political "'
leaders decided to limit the �=a
number of families served. j
Emergency shelter use
is declining
The total number of persons
using emergency shelters was
relatively stable during the
fust half of the decade but has
dropped steadily in the past
five years to a low of 2,939 in
1999. Moreover, the nvmber
of stays in emergency shelters
has been dropping steadily
throughout the decade. The
decreases are largely attnbWable
to fewer beds (reduced capacity)
at the biggest men's shelter and
a new 30-day Ramsey County
residency requirement for
families entering shelter.
In 1999, the number of persons
using emergency shelters
(2,939) was at the lowest level
in the 1990s, and the number
of stays in emergency shelter
(4,078) was at the same low
point reached in 1998.
Transitional housing
beginning to serve fewer
persons
The total number of persons
shying in hansitional housing
increased every year from 1991
to 1997, matching the increases
in capacity, but then declined
in the past two years.
In 1999, 674 persons used
transitional housing, down
from a high of 1,030 in 1997.
The number of women living
alone had the biggest drop,
from 210 in 1997 to 142 in
1999.
Unduplicated number
of persons using
emergency shelter and
transitional housing
Over the past 10 years, about
30,000 men, women, and
children have used shelter in
Ramsey County.
Number of persons usiog transitional housing, '1991-1999
Unduplicated number of persons per year
�,zoo
.��
1,030
674
2U8_ . _ _
t991 1992 1993 t994 i995 1996 1997 1998 1999
U
.
�
Shelter use in the '90s 2 �[da Research Cenrer, Augvst 1000
N
�
Number of women and children using baaered women's shelters,
7992
���
�,soa
C
■Women 9Children
19,434 adulu (mostly single
men) and 8,235 children have
used emergency shelter.
� 1,885 adults (mostly women)
and 1,023 children have used
transitional housing.
Fewer people using
shelters for battered
women
�
The number of women and
children using battered
women's shelters also
increased each yeaz from 1992
to 1997, but began to decline in
1998.
In 1999, 1,833 women and
children used shelters for
battered women, down from a
high of 2,802 in 1997. (Counts
aze taken as people exit their
shelter stay.)
Since about half of the
homeless women who aze
sheltered in Ramsey Counry
stay in shelte�s for battered
women, it would be helpful to
Imow how many retum to that
setting, and how often, as well
as how many also use
emergency shelter or
hansitional housing. Data thaY
would allow cioss-refe�encing of
records and data sets aze not
available at this time.
Longer average stays in
shelter
Wfrile fewer persons aze using
shelters, on average, they aze
staying longer.
In emergency shelters the
average stay in 1999 was 14
days for females alone and 18
days for families.
_ Helene Fre1nt - " - �� �_=�
MPH, Director, - - ` °��;
� Health Care for the �
�; -°. � -'��� -__� �
;Homeless _�-- R__:_
; Fleafth Care for tt�e � �;�
;lioinetess of Ramsey Courny�
Ehas been sernng the hea�
� _
iumber of tiorrieless
_,._ _._�:;
`visit eight diffefgr'it�site
each week, ineluding�
shefters and drop-iri,c�
The number of famili�
'the large number of ch
�seen in our clinics po'irr
an increasing `problerri:
i It used to be that famili
would leave emefgenc�
°sheRer before the 30`d
'�limit because they had
' housing. But now; fio�
'advocates dread being
for housing assistarice
because there is no ha
to offer, and only a few
, agencies are accepting
housing referrals: =`_� w:
: _ ;:; c ,, > �, - _ . —
��
„ _ , �-->;
- _ _ — 'P;z c_��—
_' _ y;`- Y�=!�v
�" -- - - _��
_ _ - ss,
Shdter use in tbe '90s 3 Wilder Research Center, August 2000
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
limMderson :-
- Low /ncome arrd Homeless �
- Services Planner, Ramsey �y :
�Cormty Hu►nan Services '� �: ="�
=At first glance, the data - ` ; :�`y�
S ' _ _ _ - ' "�'�'�'
� seem to indicate that the ;; �
�. _ � _ — _ . ,_�,.
:need fa shelter space and �=�;
'iransitional hous'ing is _: ��;:��,
- _ - � _ ..�
�decreasing. This impressiai_':�
� - . -- _:.__ ;� �==_x�
vis extremely misleading.;-��
�The critical shortage of � =�=;
raffordable renta{ hauing'`_�;";
xthraighout the m�ro area``'�;��
�has created a serious logjarii �;
- through-out the sheltef arit! ==°:
Vansitiorial housin s erri.:'
_ 9 �_ : _� �
An erosion in the number of =�
'emergency beds available;'=; r
3 .
�CORlblfl2C� WRh �Of198f S�yS, _�
timeans tliat fewer people are _.;
: g�xting served � a time ' `=' � :;:
when more and more low: _�,'
-income families and singler=s_�:
adults are unable to locate `;=
ar�y form of permanent ;; �-:} s
housing. The resuft is more „�
people becoming chroniplly.,
homeless or very ,. ,. _ �.;
must cominue to develo �:u� `
°- _ - _P���
more emergency shefter : � �
capacity without Iosing sight�
of our long-term goal of ���°=y�
increasi the su of : z�=
�9 PP�Y_ , . _,...=�,
�
affordable permanent.-: -�=°_�
_ _ _ - - .;°i�-F,
. h0using. _
number of days per year in emergency shelter,1992-1999
zo zo
16
�s �$
10 13 14
0
r��
150
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
In hansirional housing, based
on eauts in 1999, aduIt women
stayed about six months and
months. The longer stays also
could help explain why fewer
persons aze being served by the
transitional programs.
In s3�eiteis for battered women,
the average stay was 21 days in
Men alone
Women alone
Families
�
�
emergency shelter in the 1990s
stayed only once or twice, as
the system intends. In 1999,
39 percent of single men, 14
percent of single women, and
IS percent offamilies retumed
to shelter in the same year.
1999 .1-7-days-im k448-.--- '��� proportions �ave been
and I S days in 1996 and 1997. fairly steady throughout the
1990s.
Repeat use of
emergency shelter
twmber of days in transitional housing, 1992-1999
273
Zp5 Families
Single women
182
702
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 9998 1999
�
Shelrer use irt the '90s 4 Wilder Researel+ Center, August 2000
�4 i .
Long-term programs such as
• supportive housing, which
offe�s a permanent place to live
combined with ongoing support
services, might better serve the
100 or so chronic shetter users
in Ramsey County.
Children in shelters
The number of children in the
three types of shelter is also
dropping, from a high of 3,229
in 1995 to 2,037 in 1999.
Nevertheless, children continue
to make up a large proportion
of shelter users. In 1999,
children made up 55 percent of
those in shelters for battered
women, 46 percent in
transitional housing, and 24
• percent in emergency shelters.
About half of the children in
tiansitional housing and
sheltecs for battered women are
of school age (5 and older), a
fairly sYeady proportion
throughoutthe decade.
" In 1999, 68 percent of the
children in emergency shelter
were of school age, up from 61
percent the two previous years
and 54 percent before thai.
•
Perceru of aduits who re-entered Rartuey Courrty shelter within the
same year.1991-1999
50°/,
33% 39% Men alane
25% ts%
14% Fartu'ks
is% �s% w«�, �o�
o%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 '1996 1997 1998 1999
Chiidren as a pe�centage of ati peopie in shelters,1991
100%
sz%
ss%
5o°k ao%
46%
r
23% 24%
0%
1991 '1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
—i—Emergency shefter
�--Transitional housing
--�— Shelters for battered women
Percentage of children in sheiter who were age 5 or older,1992-1999
100%
68% Emergency
53% � shelter
50°k r—�' i--- -y--r_ �.---�
50% 54%Transitbnal
housing
0
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Shdter nse in the `90s 5 Wilder Rerearch Cenler, Augusr 2000
Men alone in shelter
Men living alone have been the
lazgest group of shelter users
throughout the 1990s, making
up about three-quarters of the
adults in emergency shelter and
about half of ail perso� in
emergency shelter. In
tiansitional housing, men living
alone make up about 10 percent
of all peisons each yeaz.
While single men represent the
largest segnent of emergency
shelter users, data that describe
their bacicgrounds, where they
come from, and their reasons
for seeking shelter aze not
routinely collected at this rime.
Women alone in shelter
Females alone make up about
13 percent of the emergency
sheiter popula6on and a quarter
of the hansitional housing
poputarion.
In 1999, 62 percent of women
alone in emergency shelter
were African-Americans, up
from about 51 percent over the
previous 5 years.
Females alone reporting a stay
at a treatment facility within a
month of entering hansitional
housmg rose sharply from
3 percent in 1991 to about 40
percent in 1995-97, then
dropped back to 33 percent in
1999.
Unduplicated count of persons using emergency shelter, 1991-1999
Men Women Adults
Year Total alone alone with chiidren
1991 5,134 2,990
-- - -- 2�544
1993 5,253 2,7� �
451 523
386 775
316 773
Families in emergency
shelter
The number of families in
emergency shelter has dropped
from a high of 642 in 1992 to
314 in 1999, largely due to a
diversion program and
residency requirements.
In 1999, 78 percent of adults in
families in emergency shelter
aze African-Americans, up
from about 73 percent over the
past 5 years.
Some family advocaYes fear
that the new five-yeaz welfare
limits and welfare-to-work
policies will lead to increased
homelessness for families.
Children Famiiies•
1,170 479
1,770 642
1,453 627
1994 5.105 2,808 408 613 1,276 421
1995 5,284 2,678 415 671 1,520 520
1996 4,439 2,452 378 � ��057 qqp
1997 3,599 2,022 238 427 912 358
1998 3,217 1.733 215 390 B79 296
1999 — - 2. 9 39 1, 194 37 7 12 314
' For this study, a family unit is defined as one or more adults plus o� or more children.
�
.
�
SAelter use in the `90s 6 �lder Research Center, Augart 1000
�
�
�
Percent of families in emergency shelter receiving general
welfare assistance (AFDC, MFIP, or TAN�
�w%
so%
�
�Zx
ss%
35%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 '1999
The percentage of families with
children in emergency shelter
reporting general welfaze
assistance as a source of
income (AFDC, MFIP/TANF)
dropped from 72 percent in
1994 to 35 percent in 1994.
Fewer people from
outside Ramsey County
Another noteworthy shift is
where emergency shelter users
come from and where they last
lived. In the eariy 1990s,
Wiider's annual reports
recommended a shift from an
emergency focus to a
resettlement focus for the
increasing numbeis of out-of-
state persons in shelter, who
apparenUy needed help getting
stabilized in their new
community. The county did
enact a 30.day Ramsey County
residency requirement for those
entering emergency shelters.
Between 1993 and 1999 there
was a gradual decrease in the
proportion of aduits from
outside Minnesota (from 44%
to 30%) and last living outside
Minnesota (from 34% to
23%).
Affordable housing
shortage
The Twin Cities has a severe
shortage of lower-priced
housing. According to the
Family Aousing Fund
(www.�fund.org/ReseazchJ
need.htm), incomes have not
kept pace with rent increases.
Federal housing programs
have been cut back, about
9,000 federally subsidized
hvusing units are at risk of
conversion to market-rate
rents, and vacancy ntes are
just over 1 percent. The
bottom line: "There aze
68,900 renter households with
£ Margaret Lovejoy -_: _ ,_ .=. -== =�;
`Project liome ;_ _ _ . _ �a
- - - _:.�
=�ough Project liome, a --��°'
�==•�-= _° ...- 3�
Fnumber�of chu�ches open," �;
�tl�eir spaces for a a �
�-- ' -
�time ta hol�se ttle ovefflow -�
�_-,;- -_ - '- -.._-- <-�,�
I Sfl@�[2f LfCd�
,_ and angry =
iction fof arry
ousi � .
�!xJ_.�:_
ousirig for a fai
� Paui?' "FI�! -i
��_:.�d.�„ ,..�
hese are the
liild erttering tti
helter for a thirt
��of the church
hshefter..� In th
. .......il..... :.L...4
kare seeing larger femilies�
'staying longer because tt�
' have rjowhere else to go::
TJuly the Project hlome �� �
= church shefter program; i�
>adding '18 additionai beds
; the program - still; our,��
'.: g
� CORY11Uf1KY WI�� fl@� R10fE
Shdter use fn the `90s 7 Wilder Research Center. August 1000
annual incomes below $10,000
in the metropolitan area, but
only 31,200 housing units with
rents affordable at this income
level (rents no more than 30%
of income)."
For perspective, to afford a
typical two-bedroom
apartment renting in St. Paul at
about $770 per month, a
family needs a monthly
income of at least $2,566
($30,800 per year).
The signs of the affordable
housing shortage began to
show up in shelter irends in
1996, when the percentage of
families reporting "lack of
affordable housing" as a
reason for seeldng emergency
sheiter increased to 59 percent,
up from 33 percent the year
before.
Percentage of families in emergency shelter reporting lack of
affordable housing as a reason for seeking sheiter
iBAY�!
50%
0°h
82%
52%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Nofe: °Family° is defrned as one or more adults with one or more
children.
In 1999, 82 percent of families
cited lack of affordable
housing as reason for seeking
emergency shelter, up from 62
percent last year.
Doubling-up (living with
friends or relatives) has
become more common among
families with children in the
past five years, both as the
previous living arcangement
before entering emergency
sheiter (from 63% in 1995 to
81% in 1999) and as the next
living arrangement after
leaving emergency shelter
(from 12% in 1995 to 25% in
1999).
The shortage in affordable
housing may be contributing to
longer stays in emergency
shelters, transirional housing,
and shelters for battered
women.
more
summary presents highlights irom finergency Shelters, Transition Housing, and Battered Women Shelters, a report
3red by Wilder Research Center in Augus[ 2�0. For copies of this wmmary or the full report, contac[ Wilder Research
�r or find both versions onGne at www/wilder.org/tesearcfi�"" '
_ —
Richard Chase
2000
�
�
�
Shdter use in the `90s 8 �lder Ruearch Center, August 2000
WILDER
i
On the night of October 26,
2000, over 50Q interviewers
surveyed 2,480 of Minnesota's
homeless adults and youth,
including a representative
sample of those receiving
shelter and transitional housing
services, plus 468 people in
unsheltered locations.
This preview offers an early
look at selected findings from
these interviews. A series of
compiete reports on the study
will be issued later this spring.
CENTER
More a�e ttomeless. On any givea night, an estimated 8,600 people are
lromeless in M'umesota. This is nearly 2S times the estimate made in
October 1991. The estimate is based on:
■ 7,121 homeless men, women, unaccompanied youth, and children who
were staying in Minnesota's shelters and transitionai housing programs on the
night of October 26, 2000
■ 51 who were in detox facilities on the same night
• An estimated additional 1,424 m unsheltered locations
More are working. In nine years the proportion of homeless adulu working
full- or part-time has more U�an doubled from 19 percent in 1991 to 41 percent
in 2000. The proportion working full-time has more than tripled from 7.5
percent to 26 percent. Over one-quarter of ail homeless adults now repoR
their main source of income is from steady employment. However, 68 percent
eam less than $t0 an hour, and 39 percent earn Iess than $8 an hour. To afford
an aveiage one-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities area ($664 in 2000)
would require an hourly wage of about $12.70.
�ore are people of Color. While the overall racial composition of Minnesota's adult population is about 94
percent white, the homeless adult population is 34 percent white, 47 percent Afr'scan American, I i percent
American Indian, 1 perceni Asian, and 8 percent other (including mixed race). People of color now make up
66 percent of homeless adults, up from 59 percent in 1991. Youth of color are also disproportionatety
represented among the homeless, though noi to the same extent.
More are Children. Homeless children today oumumber Minnesota's enrire homeless population in 1991. On
the night of the survey, 3,122 children were in sheiters, ttznsirional housing, or on the streets with their
parents. In 2000, one-third of all homeless adults - 10 percent of inen and 66 percent of women - had at least
one child under 18 with them. These homeless children are at significant risk of serious health, emotionai,
and behavioral problems. School-age chiidren aze also at higher risk for schooi problems or repeating a gtade,
and more pazents report ihese problems in 2000 than in 1997.
More are mentaNy ili. Thirty-eight percent of homeless adults have serious mental iilness, up from 32 percent
in 1997, which was also an increase from 1994. Oflrer aspects of health remained fairiy steady, pver ane-third
reported that they needed to see a doctor for a physicai health problem, and 30 percent for an emotionai or
mental health problem, and more than half had dental problems that needed attenrion. 19 percent had been
diagnosed with aicohol abuse disorder, and 13 percent with drug abuse disorder, both slightly down from
1997. Chiidhood sexual abuse (24%) and physical abuse (33%) are about as common among homeless adults
as in 1997, but the prevalence among homeless youth has grown to 2g percent for sexuai abuse and 47 percent
for physical abuse.
�
Mimewta statewide uryey p( people witlwut permanen� sry¢Iter: preliminary findi�gs. February 2000
1
�.,._.
a,000
3.000
2,000
t,oao
How many people are homeless in
MinnesoW?
recent night, is 21,329.
On the night of October 26, 2000, Minnesota's
18% shelcers and hansitional housing programs
were Pmvidia8 g!�ry' P� � s�a.y for
7,121 homeless men, women, unaceo�panie�
youth, and children. An additiona151 homeless
peopie were sfaying in detox facilities. Using
conservative estimates based on studies done
elsewhere of the harder-to-find homeless, another
1,424 people were staying in places not meant
for human habitation (such as in cazs, under
brid8es, aad �n abanQoned buildings), and
anoiher 12,733 were "doubling up" temporarily
with family or friends. The total estimat�d
number of people homeless or prepriously
housed in Minnesota on tlris night, or any oiher
Homekss people tn Yinnesota shelqrs,
i98'E �DOp
� AAen � Women t►ChHdren � ��� �
than the total for people of al] ages nine years
ago. While the total state population grew (from
1989 to 1999) by about 12 percent, the number
of inen receiving sheiter services has grown
(from 1991 to 2000) by 58 percent, the number
of sheltered women has gown by 157 percent,
and the nnmber of children in emergency and
hansitional housing has increased by 257
percent.
Most of this increase has been in people using
hansitional housing. Emergency shelters served
44 percent more people in 2000 than in 1991 and
battered women's shelters served 73 percent
more, while hansitional housing services
increased by 366 percent, or more than
quadrupled.
lt may fairly be asked whether the growth in the
number of sheltered homeless people simply
reflects a growth in the capacity of the system m
serve them. Perhaps the actual number of
homeless people stayed the same over the 1990s,
while more shelter providers reached a higher
and Irigher proportion of ihem. However, shelter
census reports collected quarterly by the state
show that the number ofhomeless people tumed
away for lack of capacity grew faster than shelter
capacit}: The evidence indicates that the total
number of homeless in the state has incieased at
s
�
sourek w.a�� Cerner; aata provided br sneKer least as fast as the estimates in this study.
• Nar. Nov. Nar. Nov.
1991 1994 1997 2D00
Since the stat¢wide homeless survey was {u� 5 ��� ��� ��� 3 •�� 5,017 5,559_ 7,544
conducted in OcWber 1991, t�e total aumber o# r � P� �— -- � 676 4fi7 1025
homeless people ieceiving s�elter lias grown }�y
149 percent — or more �a �nbled. '�
number of homeless chik� ��� LS more
- ---
Tumawaysas%oftapacity b.396 i3.5% 8.4% 13.6%
sarroc x�erResearclr (,��. �on data Ir�m
f k � - _
.
Mflr1E5018 Sf82EWIdE S1�IfEy 0( �pP�Q 1�7U10U1 pE(III811�[ 5��{�: ��IR11113ly fMIdII1�5� F��{I2Iyt �
2
ass� �ssa ��� z000
g-
�
�
�
Who is homeless in Minnesota?
✓ Avesage age: 40 for men, 32 for women,
15 to 16 for youth.
: ✓ Minorities are greatly and increasingiy
over-represented.
� ✓ Most are not newcomers to Minnesota.
Homeless adults (age 18 and older) had an
average age of 36 (40 for men, 32 for women).
People age 55 and over made up 5 percent of the
homeless adult population. The oldest person
interviewed was 80. Unaccompanied youth (age
17 and younger) had an average age of 15.7; the
youngest was 10. Compared to 1997, youth were
about the same age in 2000, and homeless adults
were slighdy older.
Both adults and youth were approximately evenly
split between men and women. Among aduiis,
men predominated in emeigency shelteis and in
non-sheltered locations, and women were the
majority in transitional housing and battered
women's shelters. The gender gap narrowed
somewhat in 2000.
Homeiess adults, Minnesota adults,
Racial and cultural minorities were more likely
than whites to be homeless. The table below
shows the racial distribution of surveyed adults
and youth, and the 1999 (most recent available)
estimates for the total Minnesota population in
the same age ianges.
Compared to 1997, the 2000 adult homeless
population was more concentrated among minority
grouQ membets, white the youth popularion was
slighUy more white.
Twenty-four percent of homeless aduits had less
than a high school education, and 48 pereent had
completed high school or a GED but no more.
28 percent had some amount of post-secondary
education. These figures show a rise in educafion
level from 1997, when 30 percent had not
completed high school or a GED.
Sixteen percent of homeless adults, and 31 percent
of adult men, were veterans, up from 13 percent
and 26 percent in 1997.
3eventy-two percent of homeless adults had lived
in Minnesota for the past three yeazs or more. Of
those who had lived in Minnesota for two years
or less, 32 percent had lived in Minnesota before.
These figures are unchanged from 1997.
Homelessyarth Minnesotayouth
(age 10-1�, (age 10-1n.
�. � 1999
__ 46.7% -- 2.6% Afripn American 24.9% 4.0%
- -- —
-----
---- - 20.096
10.5% - —
_ 0.9% American indian - 1.9%
� 0.9% _ 2J% �--- AsianiPacific. 0.5% � ~ 4.1% i^
34_3 __ 94.4% � __ �;? 45.3 -` 90.0% .____
7.6% — _ ._._ _.-- --
— - - Otl�er, inciuding mixed race e 39ti
6.5% 1.7%
Nispanic or Lat� origin 6.6% �
2.5%
{may be of arry racial group) -
Sour�es: Homefess data from Wilder Researd� Center, 1999 popu/ation estirrr�tes fiom the State Qerrroyraphic Centerat
Minrresota Planning. (Data on mixed race is not availabk for U�e gerreral p�pu�ation)
Mimesota statewide s�rvey p( people witlwu[ permanent yielter: preliminary ('mdinys, Fepnrary pppp
3
P :'
EmploymeM and income
✓ Empioyment continues to grow sharply.
✓ 26% are working fuH time,
✓ Wage rates and moMhfy iecomes remate
; low.
� ✓ HousMg affordability fs a growfig factor
in homelessness,
Forty-one percent of adults were employed, and
26 percent were employed fiill time. 29 percent
of adults reported steady employment as their
main source of income. All of these are
S�8n��1Y �$� tham in 1997, when 34 perce�
were working (17% full time) and 23 percent had
a steady job as their primary source of income_
These figiu�es have risen steadily since 1991, when
only 19 percem were working (8% full time).
Pwnru workiny
41%
i£rnWos,ea pFua�ime
Mdn sourmd lawme Is siead�
�mpioymaet
ax
�as> >sea �s�r �oo
Of those who were working 39 pe�nt wene
earning less than $8 per hou� aad gg g�o�
wer+e eaming-iess drea SIU per ho� lGfost (57�f )
had been irt tf�r primary, �ob for at least three
months.
The average mont}ily income of a!1 homeless
adulu, from atl sources, was $622, pne.third
had incomes above $700 per month. Adjusting
for inflation, incomes in 2000 were very similar
to 1947.
Asked to name tl� biggest barriers or pmblems
to getting a job now, unempioyed homeless
adutts focused first on lack of transportation
(25%, up from 21 % in 1997), physical health
(24%, up from 19%), and lack of housing (22%,
up from 12%). Among pazents, the top barrier
was inability to find or afford child care (41%).
Housing affordability
As this survey itlushaces, homelessness involves
many factors beyond the purely financial.
However, the gap between wages and honsing
costs plays an increasing role in Minnesota
homelessness.
This gap was higlilighted in a January 2001
report by the Office of the Legislative Auditor.
The report stated that avecage rents in the Twin
Ci6es area increased 34 percent between 1990
and 1999, while the median household income of
renteas 8rew by only 9 percent. Rents rose most
sh�p1Y in the last few years, and the reatal
mazket is projected to become even Lighter
during the decade to come.
The Legislative AudiWr's report estimated that
the aveiage rent in the Twin Cities area was ${�64
for a oae-bedmom aparnne� a�d $813 for a two-
be�m �rtme� in 2000.
T� comaaonty accepted defmition of housing
affordabiliry is � m�e tharz 3a p� of
�nc+�e fa� kr�winaome:.iiouseholds-becaase, -
above tius amount, not enough money remains to
weather financial setbacks.
�
��
��
Mmnesota statewide swey of people witlaut Permaneht shelter: Retimaiary frd'�S. Fehniary Z000
4
1891 1994 tg97 2000
�
�
�
More than 10 percent of working homeless adults
eazn less than $6.00 per hour. At this pay rate,
even two full-time workers in the same
household would pay 32 percent of their income
for a typical one-bedroom apartment, or 39
percent for a twabedroom apartment. A single
adult would spend 48 percent of income for a
typical efficiency apartment, at $504 monthly
rent
Over one-third of Minnesota's working homeless
adults earn $6.00 to $7.70 per hour. A full-time
worker in this pay iange could afford a mont}ily
rent of $312 to E400. A typical one-bedroom
aparcment in the Twin Cities metropolitan area
would take 50 to 64 percent of their income.
About one-third of working homeless adults earn
$7.70 to $9.60 per hour, making rents of $400 to
$500 affordable. 7'he average one-bedroom
apartment would cost 40 to 50 percent of the
monthly income of a full-time worker in this
renge.
More than 20 percent of working homeless aze
eaming $9.60 to $12.00 per hour. In this iange,
they couid afford $500 to $625 per month for
housing, which is sti111ess than the average rent
for a one-bedroom apartment.
A significant proportion of homeless adults
report problems with credit, evictions, or bad
rental history, and over half say the lack of
affordable housing is a barrier to getting housing.
If a person is evicted, the resulring unlawful
detainer remains in their record for yeazs, and
makes it almost impossible to compete with other
renters in a tight housing market. In this way,
high rents and low vacancy cates o}}� ���
with 1ow wages to create a cycle that is difficult
to break.
Housing history and reasons for
hometessness
✓ 60% of adults are homeless for the first
fime.
✓ Flaif hare been homeless for 6 months or
less.
✓ Many were abused or institutionalized as
children.
✓ 41°k of homeless adults were released
irom an institution, homeless program, or
treatrnent center in the past year, and 49°/a
of those had no stable place to go.
� A growing proportion of homeless youth
have a history of sexuai or physical
abuse.
✓ Reports of "survival sex," in exchange for
bastc necessities, are becomtng more
common among homeless youth.
Among aduits, 60 percent were experiencing
homelessness for the fust time. Half had been
without regular housing for six months or less,
although 16 percent had been homeless for three
years or longer. 56 percent of youth reported
being in their first experience of homelessness.
Half had been homeless for three months or less,
and 12 percent had been homeless for one yeaz or
longer.
Compared to 1997, slightly more adults had been
homeless before. The current homeless episode
was somewhat longer in 2000. For youth, about
the same proportion were homeless for the first
time in 2000 and the avenge length of time for
which they had been homeless was somewhat
shorter than in 1997.
The main reasons adults said they left their last
housing included a mix of economic and
personal reasons. The main reasons cited were:
Minnewta sfatewide siryey ot people witlwu[ perrr�anent sheltw: qQliminary faidings, febn��r 2ppp
5
evicted (33%); unable ta afford rent (23%); abuse
(18%); other relationship problem (28%);
drinking or drug problem (21 %); substandard or
unsafe houssng (IS%); and violence in the
neighborhood (€4°l0).
Nineteen percea# mf �'e� youth 1e8 home
becausc of abuse, and ov� �f (Sie/u) because of
other relationship problems. Their main reasons
for not retuming home were: at least one adu�t in
the household wonY tol�ate their being around
(50%); adulu in the household dont attend to
their basic needs (30%); alcohol or drug use by a
parent or other household member (30%); the
danger oYphysicai abuse (24%); not enough
space for everyone (21%}.
Many homeless adults had troubled cln7dhoods.
Twenty-eight percent had at Ieast one Idnd of
institutional placement as a child, and at least 8
percent had been homeless as a child. 1'he most
common institutional placemems were foster
homes (16°!�), dete�off centeis (12°/a), and
facili6es for people with mental disorders (6%j.
Other traumatic childhood e�eriences inciuded
childhood physical abuse (25% of inen, 40
percent of women) and childhood sexual abuse
(12% men, 37% women). All of these rates were
almost exactty $ie same as ia 1997 oxcept for
Traunatie eh�wod ezperiences d tamalps
adWts
G�e or more
institutionalplac�neMS z. 26%
Sez�ailyabused - `s . 24%
�OSt2rhane - _ =,- te94
Detentioneerner ,�,•�: 12%
Hom _:.: . �-
e�ss =� 89G
Faciiitybr p�ie w�iC�
menialdisorders �6%
childhood physical abuse of inen, which was
down from 28 percent to 25 percent.
Among youth, the prevalence of physical abuse
rose from 1997 to 2000, from 32 percent to 40
percent for males and from 43 percent to 53
P� � femaies. Siaulazly, the number
reporfing sexaat abuse rose &om 6 percent to 14
percent for males and from 37 percent to 4t
perceni for femates. More homeless youth also
said they had engaged in "survival sex" (in
exehange for shelter, clothing, food, or other
necessihes) — that proportion rose from 10
perceat in 1997 to 15 percent in 2000. Fewer
youth in 2000 were parerrts (8%, down from 17%
in 199'n.
Forty-four percent of adults had lived in some
kind of institution or ueat�nent facility as an
adult. Forty-one percent had ban released from
an rostitution or from a housing facility or
PI'oSaae ia the past year. Of these, 49 percent
repoLted that they did not have a stable place to
live when they left.
Pinancial factois were by far the most common
current barrier to hausing cit¢d by homeless
adults• Over haif (54%) of all homeless people
�'�fY "�e is no housing I can afford" as a
main reasoa preventing them from $ettinS
��S �a! Other major barriers i�lude credit
renhllvstory (20% overatl; 13% of parems), a
criminal background (21 % overall, 8% of
Parents), court eviction or bad rental history
(24% ovecall, 31°�b of�}, �d the cost of
apPb�=►n feES (18�fO ovaall, 24% of parents).
�
�
�
Mimewta statewide siryey of people witlou[ permmieM shek�: Reiimmary fmd"ngs. Febn�ary 2DOD
6
F' _ _. _ _
.�
.
�
Families with children
✓ One-third of homeless adutis (10% of inen
and 66% of women) have children with
them.
� An increasing percentage of homeless
parents report their children have leaming
and scfioof probfems.
✓ Serious physical, emotional and
behaviorai probiems are much more
common among homeless chtldren than
among Mlnnesota chiidren in general.
On the night of ihe survey, 3,122 childten under
age 18 were in shelters, tcansitional housing, or
on the streets with their parents.
Thirty-four percent of homeless adults (10% of
men and 66% of women) had children age 17 or
younger with them. 'i'tris is about the same
proportion as in 1997. Parents were more likely
to be served in battered women's shelters or
transitional housing, where they made up 56
percent and 45 percent of the households, than in
emergency shelters (23%) or on the streets (9%).
On average, parenLs had 2 to 3 children with
them. The ave:age age of children was 7(np
slighUy from 1997), and one-third were age 4 or
younger. About half (53%) of families had been
homeless for six months or less, while 29 percent
had been homeless for a yeaz or longer.
Nine unaccompanied youth had children of their
own with them (4.5% of ail homeless youth
surveyed, down from 12% in 1997).
Homeless pazents reported that their children
faced a variety of problems. 16 percent reported
having a child with a serious health problem, and
21 percent a child with a serious emotional or
behavior problem.
Wobiems aF homeless eldidren
Leaming or schooi probiem s
41 °k
PareMS unable m obtain needed , w 32%
dvid care past year -
Repeated a grade , 2g°h
EmotionalorbehaNOrproblem 21°k
Chronic or seyere physical
heallhproblem F 16°
Unabie tu obhin needed
denhlcarepastyear ' 14°
Tmuble at[ending schooi
duePOhomelessness - t3 �� O
Skippedmealsinpastmonth 11°,6
Unable to obtain needed
heafM� care past year 10%
Ofparents with school-age children, 41 percent
had a child with leaming or school problems (up
from 36% in 1997). Twenty-six percent had a
child who had repeated at least one giade (up
from 20% in 1997). Thirteen percent had a child
who had trouble going to school because of their
housing situation, the same proportion as in
1997.
During the previous 12 months, 10 percent of
parents had been unable to obtain needed health
caze for their children,l4 percent had been
unable to obtain needed dental care, and 32
percent had been unable to obtain needed child
care. During just the past month, 11 percent
reported their children had skipped meals
because there wasn't enough money to buy food.
Mimesota statewide swey o/ peopk witlaut permanen� shelter: Retiminary fmdings. Fepn�ary Zppp
7
r . .. ._ �.. _ _ .
Fewer homeless parents reported being unable to
obtain chiid care (down from 46% in 1997 to
32% in 2000).
Among the homeless, parents are more likely
than single �lis to be peopk of color. They are
less I�cely ta �ve bee� Sa�le� for over a ytaz,
iess likely to have had rec�i dcetg or �coh��t
treatrnent or a serious meuial health diagoosis,
and less likely to have a Irigh schooY education.
1'hey are equally likely to have been living in
Minnesota for at least two yeazs, or to be
worldng full-time.
Services used �d serrices needed
� Fiomeless aduits mainly report receiving
basic survivai services for health care,
food, and dothi�g.
✓ The matn service needs they report are
for bnger-term issues — help 8nding
jobs and Hnandal �sistance,
� Transportaiion appears to be a more
serious problem �an in the past.
� For homeless yoath, !he 9reatest reported
needs are far a job, school or traintng,
and S�ncial assistance. Food also
appears to be a growing need.
Nearly ali ihe services most ftequentty used by
homeless aduhs address immediate and ba�c
needs (medec�l, food, cloihing}. The, most
o repo services used_in the previous
month: publicly funded medical benefits of
vazious types (59��0), Food Stamps (41%)
clothing shelves (40%), hot meai progams (3�%�,
drop-in centers (25%), food shelves (24°An), aod
�ansportation assistance (21°./�j. Notable changes
(of more than three perc�ge points either way)
since iS97: Food S�s (uF froa�e 3�'�a � 4��i.�,
hot rneat-Prv�� $�s 6o�ar 2TX� t�
Of all the services they had received in the past
month, adults reported the following as the most
helpfui: Medical Assistance (29%), Food Stamps
(24%) free or almost free clothing shelves (17%)
hot meal programs (16%), droP centers (13%),
and housing assistance (12%).
Most helpful aervkss roceired by aduMs
� _� s���_---:�
3�i�-
- ��;
_ ;��_:���=
. . : ��:.
��..s..�
The services homeless youth received were quite
different. The most couanonly mentioned kinds
were drop-in centeis (35%), outreach services
(35%), Medical Assistance (29%), hot meal
Programs (20%), transportation assistance (20%),
food sheives (18%), free or atmost free clottring
shelves (18%), Food Stamps (18%), and job
assistance (18%).
Youth said that ihe most helpful services were
droP-in centets, cited by 38 percent {up from
23% in 199'7}, outreach services, cited by 31
Assistance (cited by 25%,-the same as in 199'n.
Youth aLso reported getting more help in 2000
from food shelves and hot meal programs. Job
training was considered one of tl� most heipfui
� 5 Y �' 4 Perc�t m 3fl00, down from
�3 par� im 1997.
were aslced about their main needs, ,
- �e�e fs�i� fioiismg. Adults most frequernly
memioneci a job (36%), fimneial assisTance (2p%),
Mimesota s[atewide suvey of people wilhaR Permanen[ shett�: Prelimmary fed"mgs. Fe6ruary Z000
8
i
LJ
�
�_ ... _.
: transportation (18%), school or training (I1%),
and medicai care (11%). Fourteen percent of
parents mentioned child caze. These aze similaz
to 1997 figures, with a four-point rise in
. transportation needs and a three-point drop in
school or �aining needs.
�
�
Youth most often mentioned a job (35%), school
or training (30%), financial assistance (26%),
food (16%), and clothing (13%). The oniy
notable change from 1997 was an increase in the
men6on of food, up from 12 percent to 16 percent.
Twenty-four percent of adults, and 63 percent of
families, were receiving MFIp (welfare) benefits
at the time of the survey. Seventy-fow percent
of families had received MFIP during the past 12
months. Of these, 21 percent had lost MFIP
benefits during that time, and 31 percent had
been sanctioned. For comparison, figures from
the Minnesota Departiment of Human Services
show that 25 percent of the general MFIP
population were sanctioned over the coucse of a
compaiable 12-month period. Twenty-eight
percent of homeless MFIP recipients were
exempt from work requirements at the time of
the interview, compared with 22 percent of the
generai NffIP population at any given time.
Physical and mernal health
✓
✓
✓
35°k ot homeless adu@s say they need
professional care for a physlcai health
problem. Over half need dentai work.
37°� vlsited an emergency room in the
past 6 months, an average of 2.5 times.
38% have a diagnosed mentat iliness, up
from 32°k in 1997.
✓ 15°k t�ave a"dual diagnosis" of inental
iliness and alcohol or drug disorder.
✓ 32°� consider themselves aicohoiic or
chemically dependent
On the day of the survey, 35 percent of homeless
adults said they needed to see a health professional
for a physicat health problem, 30 pe�ent for an
emotional or mental heaith problem, and 13
percem for an aicohol or drug problem. Fifty-
four percent needed to see a dentist. These rates
are close to those reported in 1997.
Half (51 %) had received care for at least one
illness during the previous 12 months, and 37
percent had received care in an emergency room
during the previous six months. People who had
used the emergency room avecaged 2.5 visits
during this period.
Twenry-eight percent reported various barrieTs
that kept them from getting needed heaith care.
The main bazrieis reported were no money (33%)
and no insutance (28"/0).
Mental illness affects a growing proportion of
homeless Minnesotans. Thirty-eight percent (up
from 32% in 1997) had been told by a doctor or
nurse, within ffie past two yeazs, that they had
schizophrenia, manic-depression, some other
type of delusional disorder, major depression,
anti-social personality disorder, or post-traumatic
stress disocdez Twenty-nine nercent har�
received outpatient care for mental health
probiems at some time in their lives, and 18
percent had previously lived in a facility for
people with mentai health probiems.
Mimeuta statewide swey of people wiUwut permanent shelter: Pretiminary findings. Febnwry 2000
9
��.
Fifteen percent had a dual diagnosis of at least
one mental illness and a drug or alcohol disorder.
Nineteen percem had been diagnosed with
aicohol a�xtise disorder, and 13 percent with drug
abuse disorder (both vay ciase to 19971evels).
Thirty-two pa�cent caffii� �'eemselves aicoh�lic
or chemicatly dependent, atsout tl� �mc ��
1997. Thirty-eight percent had been in a drug or
alcohol treatme� facility, 19 percent within the
past two yeazs. Thirty-orn percent had ever been
in an alcohol or drug outpatient treatinem
Pro�•
Of ihe 5 percent of homeless adults whose most
recent ins�itutionat experie�e had beea a drug or
alcohol trraatme¢t face7ity, lnst over hatf {51 %)
had had no stable place to live when they left the
facility, although 70 percent had been offered
follow-up or aftercare.
For slightly fewer than 2 percent of homeless
adults, the most recent institutional stay was in a
mental hospital, and 45 percent of those had been
released �vethomt a s�le place to stay. Just over
half (52%) had beemm offered follow-up or
aftercaze.
Tednical notes
This report presents preliminary findings from a
survey of homeless people conducted by wlder
Research Center, with the help of more than 500
ttained voluoteers, � October 26, 2000. Fifty-three
Pe�o2 of the known adutt population of homeless
sheiters and �stionaE hoysing progams
Participated in this simey.
Hecause i�g-term homeless individuals have a
greater chance of being homeless on aay given
survey date than do people who are homeless for
only a brief time, they appeaz more numerous in a
single-night count than they would over the coiuse
of a year. The resulu descnbe those who are
homeless at any given time, some of their
experiences prior to losing their housing, and the
kinds of help they might need.
The fmdings aze representative of the wtal sheitered
populati� of the state, and of the non-sheltered
individuals who were conbcted They do not
re�uesent the imlmown number of unsheltered
homeless who could not be located, nor do they
represern those at imminent risk of losing housing or
dwse who aze doubled up with iti�ds � fami�y,
ARer imerviewing a random sample of sheltered
adults, interviews were weighted to reflect the
lmowa popnlati� of 3,820 sheltered adulu across
�he staze on the date of the survey. The 381
! not weighted because there is no imown populati�
to compaze them with, The totai weighted adult
�1e size is therefore the 3,820 weighted shekered
a�lts �us t6e 38i imweighted non-sheltered adulu,
ar 4,201_ T6e sampie of 209 �maccompanied youth
is �mweiglrted because, as with the non-sheltered
adulu, the tarat popuiation is � lmowa (A full
description of wei8�$ ��o�r.is fwmd-in
the APFendia of the 1997 report, available from
wtder Research Center.)
Mimewta slatewide swey of PeoP1e witl�out permanerq sheHer: Preliminary f�d'egs. Febn�ary 2000
10
i
i
�
- r- �
.
� Defmitions
i
This study uses a definition of homelessness
closely based on the one established by Congess
for progruns operated by the U.S. Depanment of
Housing and Urban Development
A 6omeless individual is anyone who (1) lacks a
fixed, regulaz; and adequate nighttime residence
or (2) has a primary nighttime residence that is a
supervised, publicly or privately opetated
temporary living accommodation, including
emerge�y sheltets, transitional housing, battered
women's sheltecs; or any place not meant for
human habitation.
The two categories of people included in the
federal definition but not included in this survey
are: (1) those at risk of immediate evicrion and
(2) those recently homeless but now in
supportive housing that is not time-limited.
A� . Walk m or referred by a social
service agency
Homeless youth, in this study, aze those who
currently have no parental, substitate, foster, or
institutional home to w}rich they can safely go.
They aze unaccompanied by an aduit and have
spent at least one night either in a formal
emeigency sheher, improvised shelter, doubled-
up, or on the street
"Street" homelessness (non-sheltered): Wilder
Research Center worked with street outrezch
workers throughout the state to locate people in
non-sheltered locations including hot meal sites,
drop-in centeis, encampments, and other outdoor
locations. Non-sheltered persons stay in cars,
abandoned buildings, tents or makeshift shelters,
or hallways of apartment buildings. They may
aiso spend the night in places open 24 hours a
day or on a bus or tiain. Some go back and forth
beriveen non-sheitered sites and emergency
shelteis on different nights.
Battered women's
Emerqency shelters sheiters 7ransitionai housirq
. If space is limited, may be
selected by lottery___ —,.
Services • Safe sleeping space
. Most open only evenings and
overnight rarely available for
peopie who work nights and sleep
days
. Some sites provide other services
like hot meals, health care,
employment and/a housing
information, and connections to
other services
�
Lergtl� . Up to 30 days
oi stay
• Walk in or referred
by an agency w
advocate
• Safe refuge fa
women and their
thitdren when fleeing
an abusive situation
• legatadvocacyand
moral support for
women while they
work on a longer-term
soluGon to their
situalion
. Untii safe housing
can be artanged;
uwaily up to 30 days
• Walk in or referred by a
social service agency or
shelter program
• Housing and wpport
services
• Must be willing to work
with a case manager to set
family and housing
stability goals to prevent
future homelessness
. Most are famity-focuse�,
but some serve other
sP�� PoP�s such
as veterans, singie aduits,
or persons with special
. Up to 24 morrths
Mimesota statewide s�rrey of people witlaut permanent shelter: Refiminary fuMirgs, February 200D
71
7'his document is available online at
www wilder.org/reseazch.
For more information about the study, contact
Greg Owen at 651-647-4612 or Ellen Sheiton at
651-637-2470.
Wilder Research Center
Suite 210
1295 Bandana Bouiavard North
Saint Paul, MN 55108
651-647-4600
reseuch@wilder.org
, �ra�EasT H
Wl LDFR
FOUIVDAT101�
ProjeCt staff
Greg Owen, study director
June Heineman
Ellen Shelton
Justine Nelson-Chris6nedaughter
Deir�e Hinz
Stud� finders
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
Minnesota Departrnent af Children, Families &
Leazning
Minnesota Departmem af Ecoaomic Secwity
Minnesota Departrnent of Health
M�nnesota Departrnent of Human Services
Mianesota Departrnent of Vetecans� Affairs
14l"mnesota Veterans' Home Board
Family Housing Fund
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund
Amherst H. wlder Foundation
FelltLQly 1�]
�
` J
�
MnnesoU slatewide swey of peopM witlaut permm�e�u shelter: PretimirrotY fmdirgs. febn�ary 2000
12
"`Family Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 1 of 3
.
FAMILY HOUSING FUND
BACKTO HOME
�
.
ABOUiJ1fFORDABLE A60UiTHE PROGRAMS PUBLKEDlKAT10Pt POLICY LIfYKS SEARCH
HOIKIt`G FUPlD bR£SEARCH INffIATIVES -0
Children P:n the i';is f'o� ;?nmcle.._�c.�
u
By any conventional measure, the Twin Ciries' economy is
soaring. Thousands of jobs aze being created each year, the
unemployment rate continues to hover azound two percent,
and property values are rising throughout the cities and the
suburbs.
S In the midst of fhis prosperity, one indicator of the azea's well-
� being is growing faz worse: the increasing number of children
who aze homeless. This year, as the metro area faces a severe
shortage of affordable housing, thousands of Twin Ciries
children and their parents will spend time in homeless shelters and other emergency housing
because they have no permanent place to live.
�
�'{Ot37C1C�>fIE'�� ]ISISUl1a CElt�(�fCil l� fl>Lil�r
Homelessness among people of all ages has risen sharply in the Twin Cities metropolitan
azea. From 1987 to 1999, the number of people living in metro-azea temporary housing, such
as emergency shelters and transitional housing, has more than tripled.
The sheer increase in homelessness does not tell the whole story, however. More than ever
before in the Twin Cities, a homeless person is likely to be a child. During the same 12-year
period, the number of children living in temporary housing grew more than seven times,
from 244 on one night in 1987 to 1,770 on one night in 1999.(1) The average age of a
homeless child in the Twin Cities is just six and a half.(2)
The sharp increase in homelessness
oN=,-r;icHZ: OUNTOF<HI�RRENt�1h:f7Rp-.44�AS:iELT� �s �ongchildrenandfamiliesis
��oo straining public and private agencies'
ability to provide emergency shelter to
"� all who need it. For example, in
' Hennepin County, shelters are full
; ,, a every night, and the County is sending
more families to motels to spend the
�� � � � night. If trends continue, this year
` ' 6,000 chiidren will spend time in
�^..^:°.-�,rw�,�.�, �,-.,�.*::.;.�,.:^.;�,k<„•.�,:M:,�-=,�,r„�,��,�.ry-'�, publicandprivatesheltersinHennepin
County alone.
}'si,�o3cie..,3_., h�i,tn� citildreis'. I�c.ait}, a��:i <l"�•(oun�ent
� The jump in family homelessness comes just as new evidence is �- "^ i�ssvess
emer in about the harmful effects of homelessness on '+F�ecT > c-:ioaerv•z
g g �re�.�
children's health and development. Recent studies show that �_, �, ,,�«, �, ,,,� „
http://www. fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
'l�amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Research -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 2 of 3
� Homelessness harnu children's physical health. Homeless
children aze more likely than housed children to suffer &om
chronic illnesses such as cazdiac disease, neurological disorders,
and asthma Homeless children aze also at high risk of
infectious disease, such as respiratory infections and
tuberculosis. Poor nutrition contributes to homeless children's
health problems. Homeless children aze six times more likely
than others to have stunted growth and seven rimes more likely
to be anemic.
�
�
6on.tc...hd.tr�v fu�..
. : ��mn �n� �� �rrcw�
mlcaRw-,
. z wnc, �he wc orah+cwmi+
. � �,�r� �hc m4 �s.n�ad gro»<n
. -;:au+��rc,s.nr�.�anu
Homelessness interferes with children's development. Most
yoti�e�ess�ess homeless pre-schoolers experience a major developmental
n��e�sc-,t4aerr; delay, such as delayed speech. Older homeless children
�evEZ�en�� �;T experience four times the rate of developmental delays, twice
c..��,� �„ �n�.�w��e n,M,n, the rate of learning disabiliries and three times the rate of
�.u.a �h�w�m i�,�r. emotional and behavioral problems as housed children.
� J umes ehcn2e uf dcrxMpmevcii
,�� Homelessness prevents children
from performing well in school. In
�? timc�. ih, r.uc af'�eom:ng addirion to their developmental
'�� problems, homeless children
. �,n,es,n�,,,rof�n,ar;o,,,�,,,J experience frequent moves that
k�,���3i ���«. make it hard for them to keep up in
school. Almost half of homeless
children attend two different schools in one yeaz, and more than
a quarter attend three or more schools in a year. As a result,
three-quarters of homeless children perform below grade level in
reading, and more than half perform below grade level in math.
(3)
i;a.'rc:i.� ii� 1toz�tcle..ne>� linl.cd tr, aClor�+:�hlc hi,i�.ina
.
yCrn:L:55NESs
A%FEC�': C�+il`Jft£N'S
:<aooi
P;RF�7[iMAl�t<E
� i('. nf hoorlas �ildrea aucM
�v.� ��r mavr uM�+l. m mx ��ar
� ?h". unnul Il;rr.i <,c mur �chu��a
,o ou. vtu
� 7;"Sofhot�ctnechrldrstl�csn
hcl.�. }v+�.4 k�al mxc+diny
� is°'. urnonxa�y ��ukfral.ltex
bcl�n. �tadc Ie� ef cn nw�h
The long-term causes of homelessness are complex: poverty, family violence, chronic
conditions such as chemical dependency or mental illness, and crises such as job loss, illness,
or divorce. However, because these aze constant, ongoing social conditions, they cannot
explain the recent sharp increase in homelessness in the Twin Cities. What has changed in
recent yeazs is the escalating shortage of affordable housing.
In the early 1990s, rental housing was plentiful, with vacancy rates above seven percent.
However, for the past three years, the Twin Cities' rental vacancy rate has remained below
rivo percent, driving rent increases well above the inflation rafe. The housing shortage is
crearing a new class of working homeless families. According to the Wilder Reseazch
Center, in 1997, one-fourth of inetro-area homeless families with children received most of
their income from working. Of these, over half were earning more than $1,000 per month.(4)
Yet, with so little housing available, many families with some money or a voucher for
housing still cannot find a unit. They are homeless only because of the shortage of housing
and escalating rents.
We have seen that good economic times alone will not guarantee a home for every child in
Yhe Twin CiTies. Without a significant increase in the affordable housing supply, children
will continue to pay the price for homelessness.
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm
3/13/2001
�'amily Housing Fund- Public Education and Reseazch -CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE F.. Page 3 of 3
� 1. Office of Economic Qpporiunity, Minnesota Department of Children, Families &
Learning, Quarterly Shelter Survey, 1985-1999.
2. Wilder Reseazch Center, Minnesota Statewide Survey of Persoru Without
Permanent Shelter, Volume L• Adulfs and their Children, 1998.
3. Better Homes Fund, Homeless Children: America's New Outcasts, 1999; Housing
America, There's No Place Like Home: How America's Housing Crisis Threatens Our
Children, 1999; Family Housing Fund, Homelessness and Its EfJ'ects on
Children, 1999.
4. Based on data from Wilder Reseazch Center's Statewide Survey of Persons Without
Permanent Shelter.
i i��r ���c;� ��:fz;r:.�..::i< i
Family Housing Fund, Home[essness and Its Effects on Children, 1999. Available from
Family Housing Fund: 801 Nicollet Mall, Suite 1840, Minneapolis, MN 55402,
www.flifiuid.or�
The Better Homes Fund, America's New Outcasts: Homeless Children, 1999. Available from
the Better Homes Fund: 181 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459-3344, www.tbhf.orQ
Housing America and Doc4Kids Project, There's No Place Like Home: How America's
� Housing Crisis Threatens Our Children, 1999. Available &om Housing America: 126 Ayde
Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, www.iQC.orp/housin�america/report.html
***
This publication is part of a Public Education Initiative on affordable housing sponsored by
the Family Housing Fund. The Family Housing Fund is a private, nonprof:t corporation
whose mission is to preserve and expand quality affordable housingfor low- and moderate-
income families in the seven county metropolitan area of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. The
Public Education Initiative provides informational materials on a variety of issues related to
affordable housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Family Housing Fund, Midwest Plaza West, Suite 1840, 801 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis,
MN 55402, Tel: 612-375-9644, Fas: 612-375-9648, www.fhfund.orQ
December 1999
To download a copy of this fact sheet as a.pdf file, click here. To read .pdf files, you will
need to install Adobe� Acrobat� Reader, which is available for downloading for free by
clicking here.
�
http://www.fhfund.org/Research/familyhomelessness.htm 3/13/2001
� Year 2000 Report to the Mayor and the City Council
On Homelessness in Saint Paul
by
The Overnight Shelter Board
Members
•
Jim Anderson Jeanne Katz
David Cobb Kristin Livdahl
3ames Denno Signe Masterson
Perry deStefano Bob Odman
Allen Hester Ana Seifert
Leonard Jackson John Van Hecke
October, Z000
This report is submitted pursuant to Ordinance 17292 (Council File 85-i 17b}, which cails for a
assessment current shelter availability, anti to recommend programs or plans to provide ovemight
shelter for homeless persons.
�
Report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City Council
. Year 2000
Description of fhe Shelter System
The emergency shelter system in St Paul and Ramsey County is the product of private and public
efforts to assist homeless people. It operates at one levet in the summer (31 I beds 94%
occupied) and expands to larger capacity in the winter(456 beds). It generally runs full year
round.
The emergency shelter locations and sponsors aze:
The Union Gospei Mission - 82 beds summer plus the additional 25 mats winter
The Family Sheiter (formerly Lowry Shelter) - 55 beds for families and single women
Mary Hall - 20 beds for single men
The Council of Churches church network -18 beds for families in 1999, now increased to
36 beds
Dorothy Day extended hours program -120 floor mats for men women and occasionally
children. (Sometimes called "Safe Waiting")
How the system functioned in 1999 through September of 2000
Not everyone gets into shelter. Some are turned down because there is no room availabie. This
. happened to 49 people on September 5, 2000. Others are rejected because they appear to have
wasted their own resources. They aze not tracked and we do not know �chere they go.
Hennepin County social workers often ask why so many homeless come from Ramsey County.
Ramsey County staff speculate that a large uncounted number simply do not apply for
emergency shelter because the "chronic word on_the street is that the beds are full." That
speculation seems verified by the fact that the "1999 overflow strategy" of providing 120 mats
on the floor of the Dorothy Day center filied on a matter of days in December 1999. (November
1 is the projected start for the overflow shelter space.)
Projections for the Winter season of 2000 -2001
This level of emergency shelter appeazs to be barely adequate for the anticipated 2000-2001
�vinter crush. Though the number of spaces aze the same as last year, procedures are in place to
improve the referral to shelter ihat had some failures in the 1999-2000 w�inter season. Assuming
a safisfactory connection between homeless individuats and vacancies in the system, the system
as a whole may still experience ciays in which there is no more space. (Unseasonably cold
weather befote Idovember 1 will most certainly cause this to happen.) However, on the whole,
most should be able to get indoors during bad weather. Stated differentl}�, it is fair to say that the
projected margin of safety in the number of emergency shelter beds is dan�erously thin.
�
� Who pays for Emergency Shelter?
Emergency shelter costs money ($2.1 million per yeat in our City and Count}�).
Ramsey County picks up the largest amount of that cost ($914,546).
The private sector ( lazgely faith-based communities, private donors, and the United Way)
holds second place with approximately $676,482 in supporting the emergency sheiters.
Federal and state sources provide $264,484
User fees of $101,1$1 round out the field.
�io�•ing on from Emergency Shelter
Not everyone who gets into shelter moves out to their own apartment or into transitional housing.
The reason is there is not enough of either resource. The length of stay is limited to 30 days in a
calendar quarter, or until they have a source of income and begin to pay the per diem cost of $32.
As a consequence, many return to the streets (see Wilder Report dated August 2000
http://www.wilder.org/research/reports/pdf/ramseyshelter9-OO.pdfl, some directly and others
after a short term stay with an acquaintance or friend. The amazing fact is that not more return to
shelter in spite of the shortage of housing in all price ranges.
Challenges facing our community relative to sheltering homeless people and assisting them
� to change their circumstances.
Challenge 1
The lack of affordable housing for those with incomes below $6/hr -$12/ hr is a cork in the
emergency shelter bottle. It keeps people in emergency sheiters and transitional housing longer
and reduces the number of people served. A# the same time more and more people (singles and
families) are turned ativay from emergency sheiter. Emergency shelter intake is actively
encouraoin� families to double up in the private sector, whenever it appeazs to be feasible over
the short ierm.
The affordable housin� problem is esacerbaied by shortage of rental inventon� in the City of
Saint Paul and its surroundin� suburban communities. The shortage is creating pressure on
those at the median income and lotiver income levels as rents across the board rise faster that
incomes. Higher income peo�Ia are renting Iower sYrata units just to ensure possession of a unit.
The suppiy of advertized units in Saint Paul has remained below 1% of the totai 1990 census
count durin� the first 9 months of the year 2000. The demand for units has created a ripple
effect which has forced rents upwazd on formerly affordable units. The rise has been at
compounding 10% rates over the last 3 yeazs. The Housing Information Center Reports
occurrences of single step rent increases of $40, $50 up to $200 a month. �'Jorking poor aze
being squeezed in this market.
� Recommendation 1
That the City and County continue to create rental units affordable to households �vith incomes
� belo�v 50 % of the metropolitan median ($15.79/hr for a family of four). In reality every East
Metro community needs to live up to their responsibility in this regazd. It should be noted that
the 1,200 -1,500 new housing starts in Saint Paul anticipated before the end of 200] will have
20% of the units priced for families and individuals �vith incomes at or below• 50% of the median
income. Haif of those lower rent units will be priced as affordable to those with incomes at 30%
of the median income. Ttus is a strong step in the right direction. However, these units alone will
not resolve homelessness in the east metro region. Other cities throughout Ransey County aze
encouraged to follow suite.
Challenge 2
The City of Saint Paul count of vacant buildings is approximately 440. Most of those buildings
aze in various states of disrepair. The vast majority of those buildings are in private hands and
are reoccupied each year. On average, the city loses about 35 units per yeaz between private and
city sponsored demolitions (see 1999 vacant building report in the appendix). The owners of
those buildings frequentiy do not have an active plan for their renovation. Frequently personal
circumstances such as finances, personal wiil, clouded titles, institutional expansion etc. cause
these units to remain vacant and often in disrepair for extended periods. In a number of
instances, structures are demolished under the vacant building ordinance rather than steered into
redevelopment as affordable housing.
Recommendation 2
� Given the shortage of the supply of affordable units, the City should begin an aggressive effort
to determine whether there aze other strategies that can achieve rennovation of those structures
that aze on the potential demolition list. Possibly a private-public partnership with the
professional landlord community can evaluate the various altemative approaches to saving
vacant housing structures and retum them to occupied status in the shortest possible time.
Challenge 3
The number of emerQency shelter beds that we have available is not adequate durin� the summer
months when we have peak demand for families. Nor is it adequate in the winter even with the
seasonally espanded capacit}�. Up to 120 people per night slept on mats on the floor of the
Dorothy Day center in their "extended hours" program from December 1949 through Apri12000.
A surprising nucnber of people using the floor mats had steady incomes. This is not a
satisfactory long term solution for the overfiow to our system. Our city needs creative
approaches to provide a more stable alternative for the non-transient members of this population.
Recommendation 3
That the City and County continue to maintain support for existing shelters and safe «,�aiting
options. Ho�vever, �ce need additional emergency shelter. `�'e encourage them to look for ways
� to pro��ide additional shelter for at least those homeless people with steady incomes.
i
Challenge 4
A number of social service providers have been effective in restricting the flo�v of families and
individuals who are in precarious economic situations from becoming homeless. Among them
are programs
that pay delinquent utility bills,
provide rental deposits for people moving out of shelters,
provide free fumiture, provide free basic used fumiture,
offer eviction prevention counseling, etc.
There is a two edged benefit to this effort. It diverts people from emergency sheiter, and it
provides low income people with hope as they struggle to live their lives in a productive fashion
Recommendation 4
The Ovemight Shelter Board encourages continued support (both economic and policy) by the
City, the County and the foundations of our community for policies and practices, such as those
listed above, that keep families and individuals in their current units out of emergency shelter.
The cost of doing so is often less that shelter stays and helps maintain the integrity of the families
benefited..
* PERSPECTIVES OF SEI2VICE PROVIDERS WORKING WITH THE HOMELESS
POPULATION
Comment �vas invited by the Overnignt Shelter Boazd from a vaziety of service programs in Saint
Paul. The perspectives of a health caze program, a drop-in-center, a case manager at a Single
Room Occupancy facility and of emergency shelter overflow program aze shared below.
Perspectives from Health Pro��iders
Identifred ueeds of Saint Pa�i!'s Hon:eless
- By Helene Freint, Director of Health Care for the Homeless
Health Caze for the Homeless (HCH) provides medical and mental health services in 9 different
sites in Ramsey County. HouseCalls works to prevent families in crisis from losing their
housing. We are in a unique position to speak about the needs of homeless and near-homeless
people because we meet them in so many different situations.
The first and most pressing need of everyone we meet is for housing. Many of HouseCalls'
families aze living in substandard, unacceptable conditions. Yet_ Yhey are lucky to have a home
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 4
.
tl�at they can afford. Some homeless single adults are ���orking full time and they still can't
� afford mazket rate renu. Homeless children who go off to school after spending the night in a
makeshift "shelter" church basement need a home so they can do their best.
Mental health issues aze prevalent in all of our sites. Homeless single adults and mothers with
children need easier access to mental health services. Single mothers are of particular concern
because they aze raising children. These women need support to cope and succeed. Fortunately
HCH has psychiatrists and a psychologist, supported by public heaith nurses with expertise in
mental health to address some of the need. Other homeless providers need training and
assistance in dealing with mental il]ness. Children need mental health services to address the
issues that develop from growing up without routine and stability.
Higher numbers of chronic disease patients aze seeking caze at our HCH clinics. They need
primary care, medications, nutrition and patient education. Trying to control diabetes and high
blood pressure while you are homeless is terrifically challenging. Access to podiatry care is
needed to address the frequent foot problems that aze inherent to the homeless lifestyle.
Recuperative space is needed for patients who require a wazm and dry place to heal from an
illness. Local hospitals need support for placing homeless patients once they are ready for
discharge. The St. Paul Ramsey County Department of Public Health supports one bed at the
Union Gospel Mission through HCH for such a purpose but the need exceeds the one bed
currentty available. St. Paui needs respite for women.
• This summazizes the most urgent needs of the homeless patients and clients �vho we meet in our
programs. The emergency service support provided by the Shelter Boazd is essential to the
community. Thank you for your attention to these concems.
Perspectives from a Drop in and Counseting Center
Service Gaps Experienced By Hon:eless People
-by Rosmarie Reoer-Rumsey, Director of Listenin� House
In spite of the many services available to poor people, some small barriers continue to obstruct
fonvard pro�ress by homeless and low income people in our city.
The bi� ticket items like housing, employment and health caze, �vhile being addressed, have a long
way to go. in ad�ition, ihere are other "gaps in service" can hold up progress. People can get very
ciose to res€rlving their issue, and discover there is "one more fee or expense" necessary to get that
job, house or medication. In response, Listening House of St. Paul started a small, circular fund
to address some of these gaps. Many requests are turned down because of our limited budget and
the nature of a circulaz fund, which is only available as guests pay us back. The examples below and
K:\sihhv\s�repOrt00 Paee 5
• `
our experience of them tell volumes about the challenges faced by our low income guests:
� Employment:
Transportation: This is a problem, especially when work is temporar}� and when the job site is
in the suburbs. Listening House guests must confirm employment and sien a loan agreement
agreeing to paying us back before a bus card is purchased. (Our retum rate of payment for bus
cards has been poor - 32%.)
• Gas Money: Retum rate is excellent (80%)
• Union Dzies: Construction companies have hired a number of guests, many cvho were union
trades people at one time. Union dues must be current before workers aze allowed to start on
site. (Return rate of payment for union dues (3) has been good - rivo of three guests returned the
money.)
• Tools: (Especially for carpenters) Two requests - both paid back w�ithin one month of
empioyment.
• Clothingandshoes: Greatest number ofrequests are for uniforms (usually white tops with biack
pants for food service) and steel toed boots. (Retum rate of payment has been good - 58%)
• Lodging: Guests have often requested the $ 4.50 needed at the Union Gospel Mission for a bed.
Having a place for a restful sleep and waking on time to get to work may mean the difference
between keeping the job or being let go. Checks aze 1-2 weeks afrer employment begins.
(Retum rate on payment - excellent - 70%)
Housing:
• Application Fees: Listening House does not assist with application fees.
• Partial deposits/rent: We have mostly assisted long time guests who we l:now well. Return
� payment 100%.
Motel fees: We no longer assist with motel fees - we assisted three people, none of whom
returned payment.
• Tent: We have helped two people (non-veterans) buy a tent (50% pay back)
Storage:
This is a huge problem! Lockers/storage is available for a limited time at the Dorothy Day Center,
but �vith greater numbers of people �vithout shelter for longer periods of time, storaee limits have
expired. Families uzth more and larger bags have an exasperating rime gettin� around to the needed
services �zth no piace to set their bags. Listening House offers storage for t�co �r only - our
time limits were primarily dictated by space (we don't have any) and the inereasin� problem with
mice (due to food in the bags.) �
Miscellaneous:
• Co peryrnent for Prescription hledication: Guests who have medicare often do not have
medication coveraae. Other guests have insurance coverage but cannot afford the co-payment
to�vard ttae medicatian. The Healthcare for the Homeless team can assist people without
covera�e, but cannot always help insured individuals. Additionally, the Healthcare team cannot
purchase any prescribed nazcotic. (Retum payment has been excellent for this request.)
• Lai�ndry Fncilities: Ventin� problems (and expensive repair costs) have caused The Dorothy
Day to stop offering this service. There is no convenient downto�rn iaundromat and money
K:\s�h\w\s�report00 Pa�e 6
�
c��ould be an issue even if there was a private facility. Our experience is that poor peopie aze
� most offended by the smells of poverty. Positive job interviews are nearly impossible without
clean clothes. Repairing this lost service would be greatiy appreciated!
Perspectives from a Case Manager at a Supportive Housing Site
Homelessness - IVI:y?
- by Robert Giles II - Case Manager Coordinator at Mary Hall Supportive Housing and SRO
Programs
There are many different reasons why there is so much homelessness. We can say
because of welfaze reform, racism, economics, mental illness, chemical dependency, family .
issues, criminal history, and ne�v immigrants.
Because of the housing shortage, landlords can pick and choose to whom they want to rent.
They are able to set higher and higher income standards to insure the payment of the rent.
Frequently, the renters are asked to produce a deposit, the first months rent and the last months
rent. The simple $500 apartment becomes $I,500 expense in the first month that you move in.
What person, working minimum wage would be able to afford paying that, all at one time? This
exampie is basically for a single person who wants to live in a nice apartment - not an apartment
that is days away from being torn down for housing code violations.
Those with borderline mental illness or retardation are not eligible for a Rule 36 housing facility.
� So you have people with mild mental health issues also trying to find housin�. As a rule, they aze
not the ones picked by the landlords as the new renter. A present day puzzle that troubles many
is the fact that immigrants from Africa on assistance (read steady income) seem to be favored
over a low income, minimum wage eaming African-Americans. This has led to confusion.
The incomes aze rou�tily the same. The color is the same, yet , they still fzel discriminated
against.
There is no available low-income housing. The affordable units that exist ha��e a waiting lists
that vary from several months to yeazs. Agencies such as Wilder, Catholic Charities, etc. are
doino the best they can but local government must do more. There are man}� ���ays the local
govemment could get involved and assist the housing pro�rams to provide more affordable
housing. I could go on, and on to address the barriers faced by the person who has been
incazcerated and has to start over; the person who has been in treatment for alcohol or drugs and
discovers there are not enough sober houses. Where does he/she go? All we can do is pray that
God will provide.
Perspectives from an Emergency Overflow Shelter Administrator
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 7
�
"�Vhat Do the Homeless Say They Need?"
� -by Steven Kearney, Program Supervisor porothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program 1999-2000
To open...you shouid know that I concur with the general consensus that emergency shelter
facilities are not the ans�ver to the housing shortage and homeless problems that �r�e have
developed in this country. Sheiters are strictly a band-aide being appiied to a gaping wound.
The oniy true cure to the plight of the homeless is safe, respectable and affordable housing. In
spite of this fact, secure waiting and shelter facilities are indeed an important link in the
continuum of caze for the homeless and poverty stricken. In many cases that I have personaily
counseled and mana�ed, the provision of basic shelter was the first and most important step to
stabilization.
The problem of homelessness is not a problem that we can blame on any one politician, group
of politicians or administration throughout the course of U.S. history. Extensive homelessness as
«�e I:now it today is something that took many generations of class and racial poverty to develop.
This problem will take a concerted effort on the part of many govemmental and social bodies to
correct. There is no instant cure for this social ailment.
It is important that we listen to what the homeless peopie have to say about their own situation
and needs. In our lofty positions as caze givers, and as social workers, we ha��e a tendency to
develop opinions, and plans, based more on the statistics and measurements that we make than
on the things the people we serve have to say to us about what they need. The one request I heaz
� most frequently when listening to homeless people talk about their most urgent need is a"decent
place to stay every night." A place that is secure, safe, wann, clean, friendly, supportive, and
restfui. The homeless are telling me they need to know that each night they can count on that
place that wzll afford to them the opportunity to stabilize and begin to build some structure; a
place to receive a little food, a shower, a guarantee that it will be there for them each night. They
need a dependabie place so that when they make plans for the future, the}� will not be facing an
ever changin� source of shelter from one day to the next.
In closing...�Ve need to accept the fact that becoming homeless is a process, and so getting out of
the nrt of homelessness is a process as well. The majority of the homeless people I interview and
�� ork ���ith tell me that they have a problem with some of the thin�s we, as social workers, say
about them. One major point they make boils down to this. We should ���om• less about the idea
of "�varehousing" people and focus more on how we can provide a decent place for them to get
their footine re-established. "If I could have a jail cell sized room in a buildin� of five hundred
rooms, �vhere I ha��e a door I can lock, a window I can open and look out of, a sink I can wash
my face in, a kitchen I can cook in, and a shower down the hail I can bathe in, I would not feel
de�raded in any �vay. I need a safe and decent place to live." These �vords come from Rodney, a
man who has been stru;glin� with mental illness and the need for an affordable place to live for
four years. He is stiil looking.
K:\s\hhv\s\report00
Pa�z 8
��
. Emergency Shelter Expenses in 1999
for St Paul and Ramsey County
Agency Budget Donations User
Private and Fees*
United Way
Union $331,000 $258,000 $73,000
Gospel Mission
Mary Hall $174,598 $ 15,435 $13,342
Lowry Family Shelter
$823,787 $ 37,752 $14,839
$178,760* *
Church Overflow
System $ 74,000 $ 35,000
Dorothy Day
Overflow $101,295 - - - -
Luiheran Social Service
� Safe House $280,450 $ 63,000 --
$ 30,450**
Ain Dah Yung
Youth
Shelter $321,553 $ 58,337 --
�
FederallState
ESG
FEMA
$30,000
$53,838
$64,800
$187,000
$90,484
Ramsey
County
�
$115,821
$538,598
$ 39,000
$48,483
$172,712
Total S2,118,598 32% 5% 19% 43%
ESG = Emergency Shelter Grant. This is federal money that is distributed to Emer�ency
Sheiters by the City of Saint Paul
FEMA = Federai Emergency Management Agency. These aze federai Grants to localities to
defray emergency shelter and food costs .
* Shelter Guests at times pay for their own shelter costs
* * United Way contribution
K:\s�h\w\s�report00
Pa�e 9
•
September Rents in St Paul
�zoo
1000
800
600
400
200
0
Rental costs over time in Saint
Paul
The rents shown are the average costs of
the different size of apartments
(determined by the number of
bedrooms) in September of each
respective year.
One bedroom rents rose by 11.7 % and
then by a compounded 12.4% from one
September to the next.
("-� 3 Br Rent � 2 Br Rent
,'_�_I 1 Br Rent
Two bedroom rents rose by 10.8% and
were followed by a compounding 9.5%
Three bedroom rents showed a 23.7 % increase, follo�ved by a compounding increase of
5.9 % increase in September 2000.
• Count of Advertized units in
Count of Advertized Units the Saint Paul Pioneer Press
,00
SD
60
40
20
n
� 1 bedroom
3 bedroom
K:\sih\w\s\report00
2 bedroom
The count of units a�•ailable for study
have dropped steadily from 1994.
In September 2000, the supply of all
uniYs advertized with prices in the St
Paul Pioneer Press �cas only 55% of its
peak in September 1994.
The current level of advertized units is
at 0.3% on the units tabulated in the
1990 census.
Pase 10
.
1998 1999 2000
1998 �999 2000
Clearly many unadvertized units are available, but tight market conditions have made
� advertizing unecessary.
Recent national housing reports highlighting the shortage of affordable hovsing for low
income households:
OLit Of RQQC/L:
Tlre Gap Between Hotrsing Cvsts and Income of Poor Peop[e in the United States
available at
http:/hvww.nlihc.or�/,
Included datl on Twin Cities is at
httn:/hvww.niihc.ore/c¢i-bin/data pl�getstate=on&getmsa=on&msa=minneanolisstoaul&stlte—vIN
Tl:e I�idening Gap: Neiv Findin�s on Housing Affordability in An:erica
http://www.huduser.org/nublications/affhsg/gan html
lYaitino in Virin: A�r Undate on America's Rental Hotrsing Crisis
htfiJhv�ytiv.huduser.org/nublications/af#hsg/waiting html
.
K:\s\h\w\s�report00
Pa;e I1
` J
Update to the year 2000 report of the Overnight Shelter Board to the City
� Council
�ast Yeazs report declared that the system seem to be harely adequate to meet the demand for
shelter. That prediction proved true. The `�vinter safety valve program" �ow as the Extended
Hours Program at i�e Doroth}� Day ��andied more p�pie than in previous years. They
aLs° tumed awaY t 77 i�vi�als in spite of 8ie fact that the capacity had swelled to 150 people
per nighx In some cases "hnning p�ple away" was for lack of space. Others turned away were
those shelter seekers who failed to pass the .1 breathalyzer test.
With one of the tightest housing markets in the United States, the corresponding upward
pressure on rents and sale prices adds to the numbers of homeless. Full time work at entry level
wages will not guarentee you access to a unit and eacit from emergency shelter. This problem is
expected to continue for the forseeable future.
Projections for the Winter of 2001-2002
It would appeaz that with nationai and regional economics slowing down, Saint Paut and
Ramsey county will experience more people out of work, short of cash for rent, and eventually
out of their apartments and houses. The present capacity of the shelter system will probably fali
short of ineeting the demand more often than it did last winter.
� The recommendations of the ihis body last October remain valid in the minds of the Overnight
Shelter Boazd members. To reiterate, those recommendarions are:
1) That the polirical bodies of the City and County Continue to create rental units
affordable to households with incomes below 50% of the metropolitan median income
($17.95 for a family of four).
2) That the city shou�d begin an aggressive effort to deYermine whether there are
add�ti�a1 shafegies that can achieve renovatian of �ose structures that are on the
potential demolition list.
3) That the City and County continue to support existing shelters and safe waiting
programs and find ways to create additional sheiter or at least an improved housing
alternative for Yhose with steady incomes in the emergency shelters
4) 'That the City, the County, and the community foundadons of �e east metro continue
to support and inerease their contriburions to homeless preveation strategies that keep
P�F� �� exi�g homes. Prevention is lsss cast�y to the public sector and reduces
ihe 3isre��c� m faani}ias.
�
•
Recent History of Emergency Shelter Grant Program Aliocations
ESG funds are federal funds passed through the city to subgrentee recipients
1896 1997 1998 1999 2000
Ain Dah Yung Teen Sheiter ES
C Charities Mary Haii Men's Shelter ES
C Charities Dorolhy Day Shelter ES
C Charities Fumiture Warehouse R
C Charities Ramsey County Emergency Shelter �
Cathoiic Charities Eviction Preventio p
Emma Norton Transitional T �I
Episcopal Community Service p �'
Home of Good Shepherd RoseCenter T '
Face to Face S.Zone p ;;
House Calls/W.Side heafth p ij
Josephs coat p
Listening House drop in sheiter p
LSS Teen Safie House ES ��
Project hope/SMRLS P il
St Pauf Councii of Churches Em shelter ;
St Paul Foundation Supplement p i;
St Paul Foundation deposit progra p
St Paul Fndtn E. Shel Support ES j'
Theresa Living Center T
� uvin City Community Voice Mail R
Ider Family Serv p
Wilder SRO Resident Support p
Wilder Naomi p
Women OfNations p
YWCA T
Saint Paul HIO p
Annuai totals
$7,000
$40,000
t�fA
NA
$21,000
NA
$7,000
$15,000
$5,000
$20,000
$25,000
NA
$10,000
$20,000
$16,400
NA
NA
$23,200
N�4
$5,000
NA
NA
$10,000
$1�,000
NA
$2Q,000
NA
2�asoo
$7,000
$30,000
Na
$5,000
530,000
NA
$10,000
$15,000
$5,000
NA
$25,000
$5,000
$14,000
$22,000
$16,400
NA
$13,752
$11,150
NA
$10,000
$5,000
$10,000
$10,000
NA
NA
$25,000
NA
269301.6
$11,440
$30,000
NA
$27,000
$42,000
NA
$15,000
s2o,000
$21,800
iVA
$32,090
NA
$3�,00�
$22,000
$16,450
NA
NA
$27,000
NA
$10,000
$6,250
NA
$10,500
NA
$14,398
$3�,D00
$6,562
372400
$10,000
$15,00�
$52,800
$12,000
NA
$33,000
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$23,006
$15, 000
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
$27,000
$6,500
$5,500
NA
$10,000
NA
NA
$30,000
NA
336300
$10,000
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
NA
$15,000
NA
$6,500
NA
$35,000
NA
$25,OD0
$22,000
$22,400
$30,000
NA
$30,000
NA
$10,000
$6,415
NA
$0
NA
NA
$'I1,585
NA
336300
ES Referrs to Emergency Shelter
NA Generaily means that this program did not apply for funds
There was one case where HUD questioned the eligibility of the program from this funding source
P Referrs to fiomeless PreveMion services
R Referrs fo Reintegration Services
T Re#errs to Transitional Housing
s
��
�ecipient Agency
HIC Administration
Project Hope/SMRLS
Listening House
LSS Safe House
Cath Chrty DD shelter
Cath Chrty Mary Hall overflo
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,m
Ain Dah Yung
St Paul Councif fo Chnaches
TCcommunity Voice Maii
Cath Chrty Fumiture
St Paul Foundation
House Calls
Theresa 4iving Center
YWCA
Home/RoseCenter
Emma Norton
Totat
% or the whoie
i
City of St Paui Emergency Shelter Grants
Distributed in response to a Public Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Shelter Board
Grants year 2000
$17,700 a
$22,000 c
$25,000 ds
$22,000 es
$52,800 es
$15,000 es
$30,000 es
$10,000 es
$30,000 es
$6,415 ms
$15,000 ms
$30,000 ms
$35,000 ms
$10,OOQ th
$11,585 th
$6,500 th
$15,000 th
$354,000
5.00%
6.21 %
7.06%
45.14°10
24.41 %
12.17%
Grant summary
by Mission
$17,700 Administration
$22,000 Counseling
$25,000 Day Shefter
$159,800 Emergency Shelter
$86,415 Material Support
$43,085 Transitional Housing
�
Recipient Agency
Cify of St Paul Emergency Shelter Grents
Distributed in response to a Pubiic Request For Proposals (RFP)
Recommendations made by the Overnight Sheiter Board
Grants year 2000 Grent Categories
Matntloperation Essent Serv Prevention
Ain Dah Yung $10,000 �-
Cafh Chrty Mary Hall overflow $15,000
Cath Chrty DD shetter $52,800
Cath Chrty Fumiture $15,000
Cath Chrty Family Shelter,mp $30,000
Emma Norton $15,000
Home/RoseCenter $6,500
House Calls $35,000
Listening House $25,000
LSS Safe Mouse $22,000
Projeci Hope/SMRLS $22,000
St Paul Council fo Chruches $30,000
St Paul Foundation $30,000
Theresa Living Cennter $10,000
TCcommunity Voice Mail $6,415
YWCA $11,585
HIO Admin $17,700
$15,000
$52,800
$15,000
$30,000
$7,500
$6,50D
$7,000
$i2,500
$10,OOD
$27,275
$10,000
$6,475
$11,585
$7,500
$13,000
$9,500
$12,000
$35,000
$2,000
$30,000
Rehab Admin •
$3,000
$2,725
97,700
�
Total $354,000 $22�,575 $42,000 $67,000 $0 $23,425
0
. . _ o
�
t
�
�
ST . PAUL/RAMSEY COUNTY
FIVE YEAR
HOUSING AND HOMELESS SERSI'ICES
REPORT AND PLAN
�
r • - --
Prepared by
FYve Xear PZan Oversigiit Committee
August�998
�
.
Appendix C
List of Recommendations
t>
2)
Establish a St. Paul/Ramsey County Landlord-Tenant Ed:rcation and
Dispute Resolution Cenfer
Establish a Youth Coordinating Board in Ramsey Coz�nty
3) Support and Expand Ef}'orls to Reduce Disparities in Housing and
Homeless Services Provided to People of Color
4) Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statetivide Homeless Prevention
Planning Council
EMERGENCYSAELTER
A11�'D AFFORDA$LE HOUSING
EMERGENCYSHELTER
5) Support the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners' Decision to
�wn and Qperate the New Family Service Center
6) Provide Emergency Shelter with a Fam
Reunification Fo for
�
�
7) Develop Additional Emergency Shelter Options for Homeless Yozath
When Family Reunif:cation E are Exhausted
8) Devetop a fQ-bed �helter fear Minor Parents and Their Children
�
.
1
A
�
9)
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitiona! Housing for Families
♦ Develop 100 Units of Transitional Hozrsing for Sit�gte Adzrlts
♦ Develop .i0 Units of Transitional Housing for Yozrth
PERMANENT HOUSING
10) Support the Preservation of Existing Subsidized Ho:rsing
�
11) Develop Mechanisms to Bring the Resources and Expertise of the
Business Community to Bear to Integrate the Homeless in the Workforce
12) Create an Affordable Hozrsing Owners' Consortium
13) Double the Current Cappcity of Habitat for Hzrmanity
14) Investigate the Feasibility of Establishing a Section 8 Homeownership
Program in Ramsey County -
�
.
2
PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
15)
♦ Develop �t00 Units of Permanent Supportive Ho:�sing for Single
fldulrs
♦ Develop 2�Q IJnits of Permanent Supportive Ho:rsing for
Families
♦ Develop 50 Units of Permanent Supportive Housing for
Youth
HOMELESS SERVICES
16) Increase Capacity to Deliver Basic Services Essential to Breaking
the CycPe of Homelessness
27) IdenFify dYays to Provide More Intensive Case Management,
Counseling and Financial Management Services
t$) f»eprave Linkages Between Property Oivners and Social
Servzce Praviders
19) Seek Partnerships ivith Yeterans Service Organizations
20) Increase the Hozers and Days Youth Drop-in Centers are Open
�
�
�
�
3
, 21) Study the Feasibility of Creating a Centralized Systern of Intake,
� Assessment and Record Keeping
22) Provide Cultzrral Competency Training to Service Providers
23) Provide the Necessary Technical and Financial Resozrrces
to Agencies of Color -
IMPLEMENTATION
24) City and County StaffShozrld be Given the Responsibility to
Coordinate and Oversee the Implementation of the Five Year Plan
� 25) Create a Funders' Council
��
:
�
• Saint PauURamsey County 5-Year Low Income Housing
And Homeless Services
Report and Plan
A Status Report
(July 2001)
In April 1999, the Saint Paul City Council and the Ramsey County Boazd of Commissioners
adopted and endorsed the recommendarions contained in the Saint PauURamsey County Five-
Year Low Income Housing and Home[ess Services Report and Pla►r.
26 months later, this Status Report takes a look at the progress made towazd meeting those
recommendations, both as recognirion for the work that has been done and as a forceful
reminder of all that remains unfulfilled.
The Five-Yeaz Plan sets forth recommenda6ons that, taken together, seek to make significant
inroads toward:
■ Preventing homelessness
■ Assisting those who are or will become homeless; and
■ Filling the needs for housing and homeless services identitied during the
planning process
• The recommenda6ons have been grouped under four broad categories:
■ Homeless Prevention
■ Shelter and Housing
■ Homeless Services
■ Funding
This report takes a closer look at those four categories of recommendarions. As a guide to
monitoring our progess, a fairly arbitrary system of zero to four stars will be employed as
follows:
Zero Stars = No progress
� One Star = Begivning steps; much work to be done
� Two Stars = Moderate Progress
Three Stazs = Good Progress; not quite finished
Four Stars = Recommendation accomplished
C�
• Homeless Prevention:
Recommendation 1: Establish a Landlord-Tenant Education and Dispute
Resolufion Program.
Status: � The services envisioned by this recommendarion eicist in
our communities. However, they aze not integrated or effecrively
linked to ensure accessibility or easy referral.
Recommendation 2: Improve coordination of youth services in Ramsey County
Status: � Services for homeless youth, in general, haue improved in
both scope and effectiveness due to the dedicated work of agency
staff and volunteers. Nevertheless, only beginuing progress has
been made in improving coordination of services, particulazly
between agencies exclusively working with homeless youth and
broader mainstream youth services providers.
Recommendation 3: Reduce disparities in housing and homeless services provided
to people of calor.
� Status: 0-� Some progress has been made increasing access to
transirional housing and permanent supportive housing for people
of color, but the incidence of homelessness for people of color
remains unacceptably high and points to services and housing
inequity throughout the system.
Recommendation 4: Urge the Legislature to Establish a Statewide Homeless
Prevention Planning Council.
Status: b�i 1� Although a sepazate Homeless Prevention Planning
Council that includes local provider agencies has not been
established, the State Interagency Task Force on Homelessness
consisting of statewide representarives from DHS, DCFL and
Mf��IFA has been working on the issue of better pre-release housing
plazuiing for at-risk persons approaching release from jails and
treatment facilities.
C �
J
• Shelter and Housine:
Recommendation 5: Shelter for homeless youth focused on family reunification.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth
Recommendation 6: Ezpanded shelter space for homeless youth where family
reunification is not an option.
Status: 0— There has been no expansion of shelter space for homeless youth.
Recommendation 7: Development of 10 bed shelter for minor parents and their
Cluldren.
Status: � There have been plans developed by a local non-profit organization in partnership
with a church congregation to build and run a shelter for minor parents and their ldds. The
project has not started yet, nor has a site been identified.
Recommendation 8: Development of:
■ 100 units of transitional housing for families
■ 100 units of transitional housing for single adults
• ■ 50 units of transitional housing for youth
Status: �'/z Since the adoption of tkris Five-Year P1an, the afFordable rental housing shortage
has continued to worsen. As a result, for some people with poor rental histories, criminal
backgrounds, or chronic or reciuring disabilities, transitional housing limited to 24 months has
not been sufficient to establish self-sufficiency in housing. Therefore, some transirional housing
programs are looking to rid themselves of the arbitrary time-limit by converting to permanent
supportive housing. In general, this conversion has been strongly supported by our local
Continuum of Caze. The Lutheran Social Services Rezek House has recently opened provid'mg
12 new units of transitional housing for youth.
Recommendation 9: Development of:
■ 400 units of permanent supportive housing for single adults
■ 200 units of permanent supportive housing for families
■ 50 units of permanent supportive housing for youth
Status: � Since adop6on of the 5-Year Plan, the following permanent supportive housing
projects have either opened, aze under consirucrion, or aze still in pre-development work putting
together tlie financing required to proceed:
• ■ 153 units for single adults
■ 82 units for families
■ 12 units for youth
� RecommendaHon 10: Support continued legislaHve funding dedicated to the
preservarion of e�sting federally subsidized low income
housing.
Status: 1/2 The State Legislature has allocated a total of $SO,OOQ000 (including
$20,QOO,Q�O allocaYed for the current biennium) for the preserva6on of federally subsidized
housing units. Tlris prograai has been enormously successful. To date, $37,000,000 of state
funding has been committed, which has preserved $186,000,000 in federal subsidies and
leveraged an addirional $63,000,000 in other funding for this purpose. Altogether, over 4,000
units of affordable housing has been preserved for neazly 9,000 people statewide.
Recommendafion l l: County and municipalities should establish a joint policy on
preservation of esisting nonsubsidized low income housing
stock.
Status: 0-� While discussions have taken place which have raised the importance of
preserving our e�sting supply of affordable, non-subsidized housing, agreement on a specific
preservation policy has not been reached.
Recommendation 12: Create an Affordable Housing Owners Advisory Group
. Status: � There has been considerable progress from the County, municipaliries, and lazge
non-profit developers and technical assistance agencies in developing information on sources of
funding and regulatory requirements for developers. However, there has been no progress made
in convening an Advisory Cttoup to provide input and guidance to cities on impediments to
development and recommended solufions. Also, the informarion that is available is scattered and
largely uncoordinated.
Recommendation 13: Encourage development of private market low income
housing by:
■ Adopting a mized use, mixed income policy
■ Bring resources and ezpertise of business community to
integrate more homeless people into the workforce
■ Strengthen the Incentives in the Livable Communiries Act
■ 5upport Habitat for Humanity in doubling its production
capacity locally.
Status: There has been some success in getting municipaliries to adopt mixed use,
mixed income housing. The City of Saint Paul has committed itself to producing 20% of its new
housing to be affordable for people at 50% or less of the azea median income (a.m.i.), with half
of that total affordable to people at 30% or less of the a.m.i. The Community Employment
• Partnership and their creation, Employer Solutions, Inc., has helped to focus the business
community on the mutual benefits of moving people from welfare to work. Habitat for
Huxnanity continues to significantly increase its azea quotas of new housing.
� Homeless 5ervices
Recommendation 14: Increase capacity of agencies to deliver basic services to the
homeless people.
Status: l�t %z It is undeniable that many agencies, beyond those whose missions aze focused on
the homeless, have become more sensitive and awaze of the unique service needs of people who
are homeless or at-risk. We have also seen a nearly 100% increase in fND Continuum of Caze
funding between 1999 and 2001. Neverthelesss, as the housing shortage continues to intensify,
more low income families and individuals become at serious risk of homelessness wlule
homeless prevention dollars have remained relatively static. The net result is that the demand
for emergency shelter, transitional housing and basic services to combat homelessness and to
develop or idenfify housing options for people threatens to overwhelm our service capacity to
respond.
Recommendation 15: More intensive case management, counseling, and financial
management services
Status: � Agencies serving people who aze homeless and those at risk of homelessness
have done very good work expanding the menu of available services. The networks created
through the Family Homeless Prevenrion Providers and the Ramsey County Continuum of Caze
i have promoted timely and effective referrals between agencies to get people in need of services
to the agencies which provide them. As with many of the recommendarions in the Five-Year
Plan, much work needs to be done, particulazly expanding capacity to meet the expanding need.
Recommendation 16: Improve linkages between preperty owners and social services
providers.
Status: In response to the shortage of affordable rental housing, scattered site
transitional housing providers such as the Wilder ROOF Program and housing placement
programs such as the SMKLS Project HOPE have made supportive services to the landlords a
critical piece of their overall service menu. By treating landlords as customers and developing
strong and posidve relationships with the landlords, these agencies aze giving their client
fanulies and individuals with less than stellar histories a chance at housing for which they might
otherwise be considered.
Much more needs to be done to expand the linkage between landlords and sociai services
providers, but a good start has been made.
Recommendation 1'1: Low income, transitional and permanent supportive housing
developers should seek partnerships with veterans services
organizations.
• Status: � Veterans continue to make up a disproportionately lazge shaze of our homeless
single adults (31% of homeless adult men). Some programs like the Dorothy Day Center,
Listening House, and Access have traditionally maintained close and effective relationships with
5
� veterans organizations, this linkage is still not very widespread, much to the detriment of
homeless veterans seeking services.
Recommendation 18: Increase the hours of youth drop-in centers.
Status: 0— There has been no progress in developing the additional resources that would be
required to increase youth drop-in center hours.
Recommendation 19: Create a centralized system of intake, assessment and record
keeping.
Status: 1a5f 1�C Ramsey County has worked closely with the Wilder Reseazch Center and our
shelter and transitional housing providers to improve and standardize our data collecrion system
for homeless people. The system confinues to have significant gaps, particulazly for homeless
single men, but progress is being made. In 2000, Ramsey County significantly upgraded our
efforts to provide a meaningful assessment for applicants to emergency shelter with the goal of
early intervention and referralto needed services.
Recommendation 20: Cultural competencey training is provided to service
providers.
• Status: � the African American Working group was formed following a study showing
the disproportionate use of emergency shelter services by African Axnericans with the vast
majority of shelter, transitional housing and supportive service providers being Caucasian . The
goal of the African American Working Group has been to provide training leading to cultural
competence for our providers. An associated benefit of this study has been to increase the
number of African American and other culturally competent providers entering the service
system in Ramsey County. This will continue to be significant need in Ramsey County for a
long time to come.
Recommendation 21: Ensure needed technical and financial resources are provided
to agencies of color.
Status: � Given the limited resources available to expand the provider community, progress
has been slow in distributing more resources to agencies of color, though there has been some
progress.
FundinE
Recommendation 22: Create a Funders Council
• Status: ��d y�i 1�S 1��( 'The Five-Yeaz Plan Funders Council consisting of
virivally all the housing and homeless services fund'mg enfiries in
Ramsey County has been meeting monthly since May 2000 to
oversee the implementation of the Plan's recommendarions.
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
�
�
Ci�
v
�
�
.�
�
�
�
�
�
�
a�
�
0
�
A
�
�
�
G�
.�
C�
�
�
b.A
�
.�'
�
�
U
�
�
�
�
e�
�
�.
�.
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
� H4USING PLAN
, - , .. . .- - -..
��;
.:��
� �� F
S'
• • • • • • • C "..:
����; �
i ��.
!^
��1•'• • ' � � �� � � � ' c
• • � • • • . �+��' ,
.: a N ''"�;^ E'�,w i
CFfi
�v .�f Y.\Y' 2
s
�rr �
�ri, .^
�
/ 3 y �4
� � � S.
�� �:
A � /y�" �"
zl£� �g.", �g k�
f -a'�azr��Sh$ .- M�-.
� ?u=,i�^w�, AA � .�'
,E :
��� .
� �� R3
... h� " y � .
d'�" mm .(r'°�' �.���� �` .
�� n���,�..
)�� '�,
� s.a
���ws m
` ��`"`��.� �
��� a .," .
��y
`'/�"� �
� � -
,a c ✓� �.,. ,-� � 3 "
,E,,,'>�''.�''�n
�P �
�;�"� .� '-- -�.-�-,
, � `,",iy�� �%a-
,'" i& Y� ; a} _w_a¢T";..
�
: -'�� "'�„+�
':..; „�„.�y '".c. .1 ° .
, 5 �,
,
t���r �ra8—rg� . xi -
PAVL � � I �;.. � :m- � .
� �. �
• •• �N ,+r�� $�, � �
AAAA ���7�y� KS�`_y'��''�y�'��.d+�
L '4'�i '� �'`C+/�Vl'� c✓�,�'y/'��.
6 �' �j ?Y S
I / / KYCF« � ��.''lC � a �n�Wrr� /
�.,' ��''� k° ,�,.�cbf� i �!&Y`q ✓Fl/ �.
St�ate� 3: Ensure
� Availability of Affordable�
Housing
A generally stronger housing market, the aknast total absence of any new
production of rentai housing in any price range, and the redudion in fed-
eral funding for rental assistance are all putting pressure on the portion of
the city's housing stock that is affordable to lower income households. In
some instances, the price of that housing is being bid up to the point
where it is no longer affordabie. In others, lack of continuing investment
has resulted in physical deterioration and demolition. The production of
new affordable housing units has been limited in recent years to for-sale
units affordable to only a fairly narrow segment of the lower income popu-
IaUon.
The availability of safe and decent housing affordable to households who
eam low or modest wages is critical to both the economic health of the
community and the welfare of those households and their neighborhoods.
Businesses, to be successful, need ready access to a pool of potential
employees. The absence of safe, decent and affordable housing nearby— �
especially in a tight labor market mitigates against their being able to
find and atiract ihose employees.
Furthermore, there is clear and convincing evidence that individuals and
families who have stable housing are healthier and are more successfui at
work. Their children do beuer in school. As a resuit, the neighborhoods
they live in are safer, suonger and more likely to be strong centers of com-
murtity life.
The need for such affordable housing exists throughout the metropolitan
region. Relative to most communities, Saint Paul has a large supply of
well-managed low cost housing_ Since there aze chaitenges to that supply,
preservation is the City's primary objedive, though the construction of
new low-cost uniLs wiil be requued as well if redevelopment is to meet the
needs of Saint Paul neighlmrhoods.
- -- Sa�E�lsst�ategyre}ative "
isate� reiated initiatives that emphasize preservation, provide for new con-
s�uction, and encourage much more adequate provision of housing
• opportunities throughout the region. Encouragement of new rental hous-
in� generally, as discussed above, also will contribute to meetin� the need. •
t8
City ofSaint Paul
��
�
6. i The City challenges the region to ensure that each metropoli-
tan community provides a full range of housing choices in ordei
to meet the needs of households at all income levels.
The two centrai cities wiil always have more than a proportionate share
of the region's lower cost housing. It is to the cities that young people
come to go to school, get their first job or buy their first home. It is to the
cities that immigrants first come to settle into a new land. It is in the
cities that people who rely on public transportation find the best service.
Indeed, the vitality of cities depe'nds on the mix of ages, incomes, family
types, races and ethnic groups—and the mix of structures that house
them—that isn't found in suburban communities.
� In recent years, however, the share of the region's lower cost housing
that is located in the central cities has been growing. That has meant
fewer choices for lower income households and fewer workers for sub-
urban businesses. It is the trend of increasing centralization—and fewer
� choices—that should be reversed.
� Specific measures that the City will support inciude:
a. Encourage the Minnesota Legislature to provide adequate funding for
� communitles to meet Livabie Communities goais for affordabie housing
and to adopt the other provisions of the Metropolitan Councii's Housing
� Comprehensive Plan
19
—�
� Specifically:
0
Reform Initiative including an incentive program for communities
lower housing consuuction costs associated with local requirements, ,
reassessment of the state building code, rental housing resources for
replacement housing and rehabilitation, new rental housing resources,
_-- - j funding for homeless assistance, preservation of eacisting federally assist-
ed rental housing and support for new and rehabilitated ownership
hovsing. The City a}so insists that the Metropolitan Council enforce all
agreetraents to provide low-income housing in the municipalities that uti-
lized putriic funds for infrastructure expansion since 1973.
b. The City and its partners should encourage the Minnesota Legislature
to strengthen the Livable Communities Act to make it more likely to
have a reai impact on the availability of affordabie housing for the met-
ropolitan region. This is important given the results of the recent study
by ihe University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
which indicates that even if all the production goais of the Liveable
CommuniUes Act are met, the zegion will still fall behind in affordable
housing provision by complerion of Livable Communiry Plans.
c. Suc�essful appiicants for regional funds should demonstrate a plan to
produce housing units affordable to households with incomes below 50
percent of the regionai median.
d. The Saint Paul HRA should seek partnerships with suburban com�
nities to offer their eatpertise in the production of quality affordable hous-
ing. Federal funds allocated to impiement the Hollman Consent Decree
represent a valuable means of financing such development and should
be tapped.
e. To the extent thai incentives aze not successful in encouraging the pro-
duction of additional affordabie units in suburban communities, the City
meuopolitan resource sharing mechanisms to stimulate production.
f. Under the leadership of the Metropolitan Council, efforts are being
asade to develop--and seceaing fimding Eo support—a regional replace-
ment housuig poficy and program_ Saint PauI supports these efforts.
6.2 'ihe City should work wdth its public, private and philanthropic
-- part��ers ca-ideatify �d-secure sigt�ificant-addirionai resourcea xo
enable the preserva�on and consuucYion of affordable housing,
both within the city and throughout the region.
The process of financing the constniction, rehabilitation, maintenanc�
and management of affordable housing has undergone a fundamental
20 City of Saint Pau3
� Background on Homeless Shelters,
Services and Transitional Housing
July 11, 2001
Who dces What? Service Population Winter Statns Summer st$tus
Emergency Shelters
Union Gospel Mission
Mary Hall Shelter
Mary Hall ovetIIow
77 beds for men
20 beds for men
15 mats for men
or families
55 beds for families
125 mats for men women
& Families
Full
Full
Full
1Q beds empty maybe
1 bed maybe
intermittent
Ramsey Co Fazn shelter
Dorothy Day
Extended Hours *#
3PCC Church Basements
Sub total
Battered Women Shelters
� Women's Advocates
Eagles Nest
Sub totai
Youth
Ain Dah Yung
LSS Safe house
Sub total
Grand totai of all types
of emergency shelter beds
36 cots for families intermittently fuil
328 general shelter beds for adults
203 (&om May 1- November 1)
50 beds for women and kids
45 beds for women and kids
Full
Full
Full
closed
busiest time of year
often over capacity
occasional opening
96 shelter beds for battered women and their families
10 beds far Teens
6 beds for Teens
Full
Full
Occasionally 1 bed
open
Full
16 shelter beds for teens
4qp *s
315 (Year round)
'* Count is only during the winter months (Novembet 2- Apri130)
�..J
Background on Homeless Shelters,
� Services and Transitional Housing, connnu�
Youth
Ain Dah Yun� has 10 Shelter beds for the 5- 16 year old group and they are constantiy full.
There is a 2- 3 week wait to get in.
Staffing problems are ancient history and not a financial problem any more
Vacancies last a day.
Beveriy Benjamin Transirional housing has 6 beds for the 16 - 22 year old group. It runs full
LSS Safe House on Dayton has a 6 bed capacity and nms full. There is no official waiting list.
They do a first come first serve program. In the first quarter 2001 they iumed away 325
requests. Their busiest day they tumed away 11 unique individuals. They estimate the unique
individuals making the requests to be appro�mately 50% of the above number. .
Their new transitional housine facility located at 501 Asbury will house 12. It filled up in a
month and has 4 people on the waiting list.
Families
� This system is generally adequate (i.e. if it is ok that people sleep on mats on the floor of
the Dorothy Day Center during the winter and out-of-doors in the summer, and on cots in
various church basements year round). It should be noted, there was a point last
September when 45 people were turned away in one night - it may have been an anomaly -
but there are ongoing reports by front line workers who have clients sleeping in vans and
cars and outside.
Ramsey Coua Famil�sheiter is in Maplewood on county property. It has capacity for 70 but
has beds for only 55 as per a promise made by the county to the city of Maplewood to limit the
shelter for the official beds that were transferred from the Lowry Apartments. In fact this
aa►ounted to a loss of 10 beds as the practice had been to be fleltible in the number of emergeacy
shelter guests that were housed in that facility.
The location is both good and bad. Good for children - space to play, and bad in the sense of
being remote &om the location of many services. However the County has placed many servioes
on site. Transportation, and the time it involves, remains a challenge.
Saint Paul Council of Churches runs a network of churches that offer their basements as
shelter for a month at a rime. Two churches with 18 wts each pick up their shelter guests at the
Mary Hall Intake Office each day at 5 30 and retum them to Listening House in the morning at
7: AM. Kids catch. The bus to school from there. Each month the church passes the task to
� another congregation in another location. The program has problems associated with the
mobility and the varying qualities of church basements. The volunteer effort of the
� conSreSations is amazing.
They move people twice a day and feed them twice a day. They get minimai fimding from a
shaky combination of County, StaYe, City, and congregational fimding. Some of the
congregations have less than 100 members.
This program is covering the shortfall created by the closing of the Lowry Shelter and moving of
it to the new Maplewood facility at much less than half the cost per person. In addition it
provides emergency shelter for families that would otherwise be tumed away from year round
from all the sheiters in the city for lack of space. It is not a comfortable situation for the shelter
user and tbat is probably good. People aze motivated to work on their housing and work issues.
The backlog of movement through the official Ramsey Co�mty Family Shelter is limited to 30
days. In this housing mazket it takes longer that 30 days to get into yo�s own place.
Tiris program faces the Determination of Similaz Use permit issue. The cost of making
modificadons will cause a number of churches problems. The process of inspections and
potential property modifications aze viewed with some trepidation by the congregations. We
the public need these churches to continue delivering this service. The oniy action piece here is
to keep our Determination of Similar Use process fle�dble.
� Singie Men
This system is jammed. Crearion of SRO units seems to be the most reasonable approach
to relieving the pressure on the shelters. By housing those who are worldng in their own
nnits, there will be space for those who are experiencing episodic homelessness.
The Union Gosuel Mission has 77 Emergency Shelter beds. Thirty (30) of those aze operated
as &ee beds; the rest are purchased for $6 a night and a number aze paid for a month in advance,
This winter these bartacks style bunkbeds were full nearly every night. On May 5 they tumed
away 8 men. The mission did not operate an overflow on their lobby flow in the winter of `00-
Ol. Conespondingly there were more people using the overflow spaces at the Extended hours
Dorothy Day Center.
In addirion they have 86 of their quasi SRO units (i.e. no independent kiichen facilities
available) available to shelter residents. They have 30 on their waiting list and it wili take 6
months for those men to get into the SRO units. There aze another 55 quasi SRO units that are
reserved for men willing to participate in two evenings per week Bible Study classes. This latter
element is in the process of being introduced and it is too early to evaluate the occupancy of the
program.
The mission has 42 Apartments for graduates of the Christ Center sobriety prograzu. It dces
� have a few vacant units.
Marv Hall
� Tlris program has 20 beds for men fitted into former office spaces of tlris building. The average
use was over 19 beds. Men allowed to stay in these beds are those on the wairing list for the
SRO units up stairs which are operated as two separate programs. Note, that the SRO units
npstairs also permit women. People who stay in the shelter wait 6-8 weeks to get into either
the 75 SRO units or the 80 additional Supportive Housing Units.
In addition, they jam another 15 men into nooks aad crannies of the building throughout the
y�.
These men get only mats to sleep on.
Ramsey county funds Catholic Charities and the City contributes ESG money to shelter these
folks. However, Catholic Charities also subsidize the cost.
Dorothy Day Extended hours
125 mats on the floor between 8:30 PM to 7:AM. Between the first of November and Apri130.
They were essentially full all winter long -(data stili beiag processed) A surprising # worked
(29%}. Most were males (78%). Females totaled 22%. Sixty-three families used this overflow
system the cluldren totaled 14% of the total. Every effort was made to get families into the
church shelters. In I3ovember when they opened the doors, the place filled in a few days. Ttris
past May first when the doors closed, the question was "where did they go? Answer is "check
the bridges, the houses of family and friends." These are ali short term fixes. Overcrowding
wears thin in a short while. During the winter they did turn away 177 people for lack of space.
� Tlus winter they saw 1224 people and provided 20,918 mats. The County and the ESG
program pick up the tab.
Intake
Urnii June 30 the intake continues to be at Mary Hail. (Note: there has been a 30 day extension
to that date) Families arriving after hours are given chairs in the lobby where the SRO and
SHP people enter and leave. Charities no longer wants to continue tlus service at the current
location because they regard the mixing of the vulnerable families and the mostly male
residential populations of the SRO and SHP folks as ]ess than ideal. The new plan is to move
this fimction to Central Methodist Church aY 639 Jackson. As of this date, contract details aze in
the process of being worked out
The issues here is paying for it. VJithout a host agency which can double up on eacisting
facilities, the cost is significantly Irigher.
Transitional Housing
In general this type of housing is designed to house people at an affordable cost for a period of
up to two yeazs wlule they work on the personal barriers that inhibit them from living
independently. Such bazriers might include: lack of a high school educarion, iack of job skills,
problems with chemical dependency, deficits in pazenting, lack of skills in money management
and budgeting, etc.
�
Two models are curreatly in use . The most common is the residential model where p�ple live
� in small communities. They are expected to work on an individualized work plan that will lead
to self sufficiency. Everyone is expected to participate in common programming provided by
the agency operating the transitionai housing. The second model is the placement of individuals
or families in their own scattered site apartment where they ave visited one to two times a week
by a program counselor to review their progress on their personal work plan. While in the
program they benefit from reduced rents
Each agency conducts its own intake. Average length of stay has been 3-4 months though they
have up to two years available. Over the last 5 years the average length of stay has been longer.
The lack of affordable housing options is credited for that increase.
The hansitional housing options in Saint Paul aze the following:
Agency
Emma Norton Residence—
670 No Robert
Home of the Good Shepherd
RoseCenter, Grand Ave
Jendayi Place
� 450 No. grotto, 751 Central,
741 Grotto
Juel Fairbanks
Naomi. Family Center
77 E. 9th, St. Paul 55101
New Beginnings
1161 Weshninister
Theresa Living Center
917 7essamine Ave
YWCA
198 Western
Service Population
Single women
females 18-22
Pregnantteens
Adults in recovery
Women and clrildren
Women and Children
in recovery
# of 6eds/Units
40
7 rooms
16 apartments
2 units, 8 beds
32 rooms 65 beds
16 units
Women and young children 12 rooms
Women and children ?? Apartments
Roof Progr$m Families
A Wilder Program . This is a scattered site transitional housing program that has placed over
200 families over severat yeazs
� G:VSfIDATAVtESEARCH�puGcy sessions�2001 backgroimd.wpd
Participating Churches in the
� St Paul Council of Churches
Emergency Shelters for Families
�
St Peter Claver
370 No Oa�ford
St Paul on the Hill unitarian
1524 Summit Ave
Mount Olivet Baptist Church
531central Ave
Unity Church
732 Hoily
Gloria Dei Lutheran
700 Snelling Ave So
First Presbyterian of
South St Paul
Twin Cities Friends
1725 Grand Ave
Payne Ave Evangelical
Payne Ave PO box 68916
House of Hope
797 Summit
Central Presbytreian
500 Cedar
Central Pazk
639 7ackson St
Dayton Ave Presbyterian
217 Mckubin
St Matthew's Episcopal Chruch
2136 Carter 55108
Fairmont United Methodist
1523 Fairmount Ave
The Saint Paul Cathedral
239 Selby
Grace United Church of Christ
873 Portland
Cretin Derham High School
550 So Albert
Morningstar Baptist
739 Selby
� K:�Shared\FllCOMMON�WPFtLES�SHELBRD\Chwchshelters.wpd
Average Rental Rates
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
� as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/ ��� June, 7une,
Building Type 1999 2000 2001
i
Efficiency Apartment
Efficiency in a House
Efficiency Condo
Efficiency Duplex
i-BR Apartment
i-BR House
1-BR Condo
1-BR Dupiex
2-BR Apar#ment
2-BR House
2-BR Condo
2-BR Dupiex
3-BR Apartment
3-BR House
3-BR Condo
3-BR Duplex
4-BR Apartment
4-BR House
4-BR Condo
4-BR Duplex
$438
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$522
None Listed
$620 *
$577
$641
$957*
$1100*
$665
$653
$1498*
$1025*
$960*
$1568
None listed
None listed
iVone listed
$485
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$583
None Listed
$630*
$671
$725
$795*
$898*
$819
$825
$1386*
$1100*
$1133*
None listed
None listed
None listed
None listed
Previous months' rental rates
Page 1 of 2
$535
None listed
None listed
None Listed
$656
None Listed
$850*
$721
$838
$1197*
$1000*
$982
$i081
$1283
$1100*
$1463
None listed
$2007
None listed
None listed
* The rental number is based on five or fewer listings.
Rental averages can fluctuate wildiy and must be
� regarded as a statistically unreliabie guide for the cost
of this type of housing.
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartoyear.html
7/9/2001
Average rental rates, yeaz to date, Aprii, 2001
Average Rental Rates for the City of Saint Paul
as found in the St. Paul Pioneer Press
on the first Sunday of each month
Unit Type/
Building Type
Efficiency
Apartment
Efficiency in a
House
Efficiency
Condo
Efficiency
Duplex
1-BR
Apartment
7an,
2002
$510
None
listed
None
listed
$475*
$636
None
Feb,
2001
$544
None
listed
None,
listed
None
listed
$680
None
Mar,
2001
$523
None
listed
None
listed
$445*
$683
Apr,
2001
$534
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$689
May,
2001
$ 539
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$661
Page 1 of 2
7un,
2001
$535
None
listed
None
listed
None
listed
$656
N
•
1-BR House $525* $555* $925* one
listed listed listed
1-BR Condo $875* $790* $g75* None None �g50* �
listed listed
i-BR Dupiex $714 $652 $596 $664 $689 $721
2-BR $788 $856 $843 $844 $823 $838
Apartment
2-BR House $1100* $1195* $1250* $824 $925 $1197*
2-BR Condo $1088* None None � �g�3 $1000*
2-BR Duplex $865 $866 $880 $906 $925 $982
3-BR �ZZ14* $1233* $1224 $1347 $1�65 $1080
Apartment
3-BR House $1068 $1272* $1414* $1,613 $1391 $1283
3-BR Condo $450* �one None None �1100* $1000*
listed listed listed _
3-BR Duplex $1071 $965 $1052 $1,360* $1186 $1453
4-BR None None
Apartment listed �1050* $1850* $1,434* $1250* ���ed •
http://www.stpaul.gov/housing/yeartodate.html 7/9l2001
�
CATHOLIC
CHARITIES
Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours
Program Report
Winter 2000-2001
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended I3ours Program
Report Summary
• Brief History. ........................................................................................Page 1
• In the winter of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated people, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this Year .........................................................................................Page 1
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operarional
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Community Card swiped into the computer and a time and date
stamp is aYtached to the guesYs permanent record
Future Recommandations ..........................................................................Page 1
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
✓ Utilize the upstairs of the DDC for addirional shelter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The Dorothy Day Center Mission Statement ...................................................Page 1
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe and hospitable environment white promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a caring community.
•Services .............................................................................................. Page 1
T'he Extended Haaas Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 150 people,
showers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
IntakeProcedure .....................................................................................Page 2
• Intake homs were from 830 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests mn�st card-swipe into the building
• Compl�e Dorothy Day Center Intake, and issue a Community Card.
+ Famiiies witli children, winerable adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests w�ere guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecutively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an approximate nighfly tum-around of 20 guests
SobrietylIntoximeter .................................................................................Page 2
The program required residenis to be sob�. If'eve suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter si�nilar to wha# police departmerns use, and if a ciiern was is intoxicated they were denied services.
Security ............................................................................................Page 2
Intake security was provided by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
•.m. to 11:00 p.�. nightly.
GaseS�udy ..............................................................................................Page 2
Barbara
Thanks..................................................................................................Page 3
• The Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
efforts ofmany people.
Volunteer Organizations ............................................................................Page 3
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paul Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ramsey County Board
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers ...............................................................................Page 3
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Du#Ty Todd HIine Tim Powell
LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop Larry Knutsen Maria Rach
Jim Anderson Andie' Dupre Rock Krueger Tiffany Rathbun
Amy Ashmore Tom Edwazds Dan Lee Steve Rice
Jodie B. Peggy Enright George Leske Kate Ridley
Kate Barton Julie Farley Jessie Mallinger Jack Risvold Family
Dan Beck Henry Fernandez Mike Mallinger Remy Romano
7uan Bettencourt James Freid Mary Ellen Malone Amy Scardilli
Beth Biick Paul Freid Signe Masterson Doug Scherfenberg
� John Boyer Helene Freint Saza McElmury Nicole Schrupp
Shannon Brinker Mona Friedman Nora McGiffert Joe Schweigert
Rod Brozek Pam Gelein Gerald McLemore Mary Sparr
Thomas Bryant Judy Griffus Laura Melnick Ruth Steinberg
Ricardo Callender Heidi H. Rhonda Miller Jerry Sudderth
Khalila Clardy Nancy Hammer Rodger Moe Curtis Toombs
Joe Claus Laura Heridge Monica Nilsson Annabelle Wagner
�dY �PP Scott Hull Katie O'Connor Terry Washington
Wanda Coss Anna Johnsone Chuck Olson Adam Westbrook
Mary Daly Shannon Kennedy Tim Otis
Catt delTosario Richazd Kirby Becky Payne
C�
�
•
Who Stayed in the EHP Program .......................................Page 4
• 1224 Unduplicated Individuals
used the Dorothy Day Center
Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Totat Individesals w�re
tumed away from the program
• 67°/a (N=720) were beriveen the
age of 30 and 50
• 29% (N=31'n Reported Working
• 16Y• (N=17� Full-Time Work
• individuals and Families stayed
longer than the previous year.
One-half of the individuals and
families stayed nine nights or
less compared to suc nights the
previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed twa
nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP
Stay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were
Maie
• 22% {N=240) of Residents were
Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 53 Total Families
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24°l0 (N=273) received
Govemment Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having
Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having
Mental Health Issues
+ 30% (N=324) Reported Having
Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (N=172) Reported having
a Case Manager
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
Chartes&Graphes ................................................................................Pages 5
Age, Gender, Employment, Income Source, Medical Issues, Mental Health Issues, Substance Abuse, Case
Manager, and Ethnicity
`I am not a bum; I am a person without a home' ............................................Page 10
By Shannon Mark Kesuxedy
$udget Information ............................._.................,............. Pages 11
u'
L�
�
Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
Final Report
Brief History
In the winter of both 2996/�997 & 1997/1998 Catholic Chazities ran a shelter out of the library at Mary
Hall with a total capacity of fifteen guests.
• In the winter of 1999/2000 Catholic Charities was granted germission to open the Extended Hours
Program at the Dorothy Day Center. 803 unduplicated people received shelter, providing a total of
13,992 floor mats.
• In the winta of 2000/2001 the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program provided shelter for 1,224
unduplicated peaple, providing 20,918 floor mats
New this vear
�
❖ The Dorothy Day Center Community Card is fully operational
❖ All guest get the Dorothy Day Center Communiry Card swiped into the computer and a
time and date stamp is attached to the guest's permanent record
❖ Women slept in the dinning room, and rnen in the drop-in
❖ Families were strongly encouraged to find shelter alternatives within three days
❖ No T.V.
•'• Sock exchange
Future Recommendations
✓ Expand to a year a round shelter program
�"' Utilize flie upstairs of #he DDC for additional s$elter space
✓ Commit to building affordable housing
The DoroYhy Dav Center Mission Statement
The Mission of the Dorothy Day Center is to provide a safe anrd hospitable ¢nvironment while promoting
hope, dignity and a positive change within a earixg community.
Services
The Extended Hours Program provided the following services: emergency overnight shelter for 125 people,
: howers, laundry, storage, snacks and coffee.
• Intake Procedure
• Intake hours were from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Guests must card-swipe into ti�e buitdiag
• Complete Dorothy Day Center �take, aIId get issued a Commemity Card
• Families with children, winetabte adults, senior citizens, and women were guaranteed shelter.
• Guests were guaranteed a mat as long as they kept using the shelter consecurively. If a guest failed to
show up consecutively the spot was given to another guest.
• The program experienced an appmximate nighUy tum-aroimd of 20 guests
Sobriety/Intoximeter
The progam required residents ta be sober. If we suspected that a guest was intoxicated, we used an
intoximeter similaz to what police departments use, and if a client was is into�ticated they were denied services.
Security
Intake security was providai by off-duty Ramsey County Deputy Sheriffs. They were scheduled from 8:00
a p.m. to 11:00 p.m. nightly.
Case Study
I first met Barbaza in late March. She has a very hazd rime relating to other people. Barbara has many
needs some ta great for us to meet. Barbaza is 24 years old, and has very serious mental health issues. She's
angry most af t2ae time, and does�'t even lmow why? For Barbara, haditional social success is difficult.
I asked Barbaza when the last time someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "People are
always telling me what to do and how I'm supposed to do things." Again, I asked Barbaza when the last time
someone sat down and talked with her? She said, "I can't remember the last time anyoae listened to me."
Bazbara is awaze of h�r m�tal healits, and feels abandoned to tlie s�re�c. She has a ca� manager and
gets a Social Security Disab�ity chec�;., �at sh� needs, the Twiu Cities does noi enough of, affordable
housing!
.
2
� hanks
The Catholic Chariries Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program is successful because of the dedicated
� efforts of many people.
Dorothy Day Center Staff
Catholic Charities Administration
Ramsey Counry Human Services
Ramsey County Sherif�'s Department
Community Volunteers
Guest Volunteers
Volunteer Organizations
Saint Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless
Saint Paui Area Coalition of Churches
The Listening House
Catholic Charities Mary Hall
Ranisey County Boazd
Saint Paul City Council
Individual Volunteers
Kenneth Alexander Kathy Duffy
. LisaAmmon Heather Dunlop
Jim Anderson Audie' Dupre
Amy Ashmore
Jodie B.
Kate Barton
Dan Beck
Juan Bettencourt
Beth Blick
7ohn Boyer
Shannon Brinker
Rod Brozek
Thomas Bryant
Ricardo Calleader
Khalila Clardy
Joe Claus
Andy Copp
. Wanda Coss
Mary Daly
Catt delTosario
�
Tom Edwards
Peggy Enright
Julie Farley
Henry Fernandez
7ames Freid
Paul Freid
Helene Freint
Momma Friedman
Pam Gelein
Judy Griffus
I�eidi A.
Nancy Hammer
Laura Heridge
Scott Hull
Anna Johnsone
Shannon Kennedy
Richard Kirby
Todd Kiine
Larry Knutsen
Rock Krueger
Dan Lee
George Leske
Jessie Mallinger
Mike Mallinger
Mary Ellen Malone
Signe Masterson
Sara McElmury
Nora McGiffert
Gerald McLemore
Laura Melnick
Rhonda Miiler
Rodger Moe
Monica Nilsson
Katie O'Connor
Chuck Olson
Tim Otis
Becky Payne
Tim Powell
Maria Rach
Tiffany Rathbun
Steve Rice
Kate Ridley
Jack Risvold Family
Remy Rornano
Amy Scardilli
Doug Scherfenberg
Nicole Schrupp
Joe Schweigert
Mary Sparr
Ruth Steinberg
3erry Sudderth
C�utis Toombs
Annabelle Wagner
Terry Washington
Adam Westbrook
3
Who Stayed in the EHP Program?
. • 1224 Unduplicated Individuals used the Dorothy Day Center Extended Hours Program
• 20,918 Mats were provided
• 177 Total Individuals were turned away from the program
• Individuals and Families stayeci tonger than the previous year. One-haif of the individuals
and families stayed nine nights or less compared to six nights the previous year
• 22% (N=264) People stayed two nights
• 15 Days-Average Length of EHP 5tay
• 78% (N=830) of Residents were Male
• 22% (N=240} of Residents were Female
• 14% (N=154) Children
• 63 Total Families
• 67% (N=720) were between the age of 30 and 50
• • 29% (N=317) Reported Working
• 16% (N=176) Full-Time Work
• 13% (N=141) Part-Time Work
• 24% (N=273) received Government Benefits
• 35% (N=381) Reported having Medical Issues
• 21% (N=223) Reported having Mentai Health Issues
• 30% (N=324) Reported �Ias�ing Substance Abuse Issue
• 16% (1�T=172) Reported having a Case ManagEr
• 66% (N=708) People of Color
�
�
Charts and Graphs
�
Age
Under 18
18to20
21 to 30
31 to 40
41 to 50
51 to 60
61 to 70
71 to 80
Total
8
45
S97
397
323
81
19
3
1073
Age
71 to SO
61 to 70
21 to 30
18 to 20
Under �8
�
•
Gender
Pemaie 241
Male 830
No answer 2
Total 1073
51 to 60
41 to 50
31 to 40
5
0 100 200 300 400
.
Employment
Full-time 176
Part-time �41
None 756
Total 1073
Income Source
None 392
Day Labor 187
� VA 15
Steady Wo 182
Unemploy t6
GA 38
WF g
MFtP lg
SSf 135
SSD 42
Other 37
No answer fi4
Totaf ��35
Charts and Graphs
Income Source
No answei
Othei
SSC
SSI
MFIP
WF
GA
Unemp�oy
Steady Work
VA
Day labor
None
.
:7
0 100 200 300 40p
�
nnedica� �ssues
Yes 381
No 643
No answer 49
Totat 1073
Mentai Issues
Yes gtig
• No 223
No Answer 31
Total 1073
Charts and Graphs
Mental issues
•
Yes No No Answer
� Substance Abuse
No 711
Yes 324
No answer 38
Total 1073
� Case Manager
Yes 851
No 172
No answer 40
Total 1073
•
Charts and Graphs
Substance Abuse
0
No Yes No answer
�
•
L�
Ethnicity
Asian
Biack
Hispanic
lndian
Mixed
Other
White
Tota{
7
500
132
54
15
12
353
1073
Charts and Graphs
0
`� a�r�not a bum; I am a person without a home'
By Shannon Mark Kennedy 39,000 affordable housing units!
• Reflections on a photo exhibit by Joe Rodri-
Guez about homelessness in Ramsey County
Don't you dare stare at me
Look at me
See me
Look me right m the eye
And know me
I am a person
I am not a mentally ill person
T am a person, with mental illness
I am not a drunk
I am a person who drinks too much
I am not a bum
I am a person without a place
to call home
Get a job
Get sober
Get a home
Get a life
Get the hell out of my face
Work with me not on me
• Quit telling me what to do
If I could do it
I would have done it
I don't like asking for your help
And I hate that I need it
But I need a bed
And my kids need a bed
And we all ae�d a place to feel safe
At least for a little while
But when I ask for a bed
You say thexe are no beds
I can curl up on the floor
But when I ask for the floor
You say there is no room on the floor
When I ask what I can do
You say I can leave
There is no housffig1
There are 8U,000 renters and only
And if you ever bought shoes for your kids
Instead of paying rent
And you got evicted
You aze going to have one hell of a time
Getting into those affordable units
If you ever i� a friend and her kids stay
The landlord Snds out
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one ofthose affordable units
If you ever get depressed
Drunk
Quit taking your pills,
Brake a few tlungs because you're pissed off
The world isn't fair
You get evicted
You are going to have one hell of a time
Getting into one of those affordable units.
If you have more than two kids
Aren't the right color
Can't speak English
Just got out of jail
You can forget getting into one of those
Affordable units
When I come to you for help
Don't just look at me
Look me in the eye
Give me my dignity
See my life in my face
Shaze your love
Share your grace
Don't stare at me and look away
Wa1k with me and talk with me
Sing with me and iaugh with me
Then through eyes who lmow who I am
Look at me
- Shan�enn Mark Sennedy, �nneapolis,
is a finaneial assistance manager for
Ranuey Counfy Human ServiceS
•
10
�
.
.
Pioneer Planet Story � Page 1 of 1
<:�I1V'�RTTSf.AtC'�T�
ve ry, Ve ry �/ 1 P�
�P�PL+� --� -� =3'� .AMD iLNl�AMD�iCAAEEB "�FlIIU`i[BUi���Ki�C�tfki"ee�
STORY OP1'IONS
- E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
Pioneer Planer. front
, '�e��s
. Business
, Sports
� Entertainment
, Li�in`=
, Tech
- Water Cooler
, Special Reports
� Classified Ads
, Site index
- Help
, '�e��s Archi�es
� Feedback
Posted: i2:40 p.m. 1'hursday, March 8, Z041
Woman found dead i►� St. Paul alley
LISA DONOVAN ST?,FF VJRITBR
- -- - - — --
Authoriries believe exposure to the coid is to blame in the death
of a woman found in a downtown St. Paul atley overnight.
A man, believed Yo be her companion, was taken to a local
hospital where he is being treated for hypothermia, St. Paui
police said.
"It doesn't look like there was any foul play," said police
department spokesman Michaei Jordan.
A security guard found the pair at 261 E. 5th St. about 12:50
a.m. today.
Lisa Donovan can be reached at Idonovan@pioneerpress.com or
(6il) 228-539I.
, f3ack �u Top
- - - — - -- -- - --
�' 20�i Pior2eerPlanet % SL Pau) (Minnesota) Pioneer Press - �UI Rights Resen�ed
c�yrigJit infarmatian
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/0308body.htm
3/8/2001
i
�
�
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
STORY
OPTIONS
. E-mail to a friend
- Print this article
. Toda.'; Pio�ieer
P re;;
, Pionre� ti
, \e��s
• Business
. SPOrtS
- Entertainment
. Travel
, [.i� in`=
. Tech
- Health
� Water Cooler
� Special Reports
- Classified Ads
� Site index
«'ednesda�, Atarch 1�, 2fl0
Fire in vacant St. Paul building injures 7
homeless people
Incident highlights dangers to dwellers
LISA DONOVAN STAFF WRITER
A fire that broke out eairly Tuesday in the long-vacant Straus
Knitting Mill in St. Paui's Lowertown injured seven homeless
people and prompted questions about the safety of people
iliegally dwelling in empty buildings.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears
squatters ignited a pile of rags to wazm themseives in the
basement of the old lrnitting factory on Sibley Street and the
flames spread. Five men and two women were taken to Regions
Hospital, including two who were listed in critical condition.
The early morning blaze had advocates for the homeless and city
fire officials 3ooking at ways to remedy the problem.
Those who work closely with the homeless say iPs a concem
when people seek shelter withouY heat or running water. Fire
officials say it underscores renewed efforts at the Fire
Depariment to better familiarize firefighters with the layout and
use of commercial buildings -- occupied and vacant.
Firefighters didn't Imow people were living inside the old
knitting factory at 350 Sibley Sx, vacant since 1989, until they
were calied to a blaze there Tuesday moming.
"It isn't a good situarion for anyone to be in a building like this,"
said Fire Chief Tim Fulter. "It was clear to me from the pictures
of this piace that people had been in and out of there. There were
beer cans, food wrappers and it appeared other campfires had
been going before."
Locai fue officials recalled the 1999 fire in Worcester, Mass.,
where six firefighters were killed battling a blaze in an
abandoned warehouse that apparently started when two homeless
people knocked over a candle.
This spring, firefighters wiil visit businesses nearest their
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm
Page 1 of 3
3/14/2001
�n��ritrisE�t;_�T>
rire m vacant St. Paul building injures 7 homeless people (3/14/2001)
Help
, \�,�: �rcltite;
Feedback
, I�:�cn ti, To�
stationhouses for a"pre-incident" survey in which exits, utilities
and even the buitding's use witl be noted.
Page � o�"�
1'he visits are separate from the department's "certificate of -
occupancy" renewal inspections conducted by the department's
Fire Prevention Division. The purpose of the renewed visits is to
check on buiiding, fire and life safety code compliance.
According to downtown businessman John Mannillo, who helps
chart the c►ty's vacant properties, there aze perhaps eighY
unoccupied buiidings in downtown St. Paul.
Bill Buth, president of the Building Owners and Managers
Association of St. Paul, said building owners would not oppose
vacant building sweeps, which the Fire Department may conduct
in response to Tuesday's fire.
In Minneapolis, firefighters check vacant and boazded up
bui2dings every weekend year-round to make sure they have not
been broken into or aze occupied by homeless people, said
Minneapolis Fire Department spokesman Jerry Schmitz.
In the winter, crews will atso look for signs of Qeople living in
the buildings, such as footprints in the snow. If there are people
inside, fire crews will notify police.
Twin Ciries shelters tend to fill up quickly in the winYer, and the
homeless are left to roam the streets, ride the bus all night or find
a vacant building to keep wazm and sleep for the night.
Ramsey County reported between 2,596 and 2,847 homeless
people in 1998-99, the most recent figures available. The
number of peopie relying on Mmnesota homeless shelters and
programs on a given nig6t more than doubled in the 1990s,
according to a Wilder Reseazch C+enter survey released last fall.
Advocates say many times, tliese people aze mentaily ill or
slruggling with aa alcohol or drug addiction that leaves them
�
LJ
-- _.. _ . _ . _
Yet these same people are looking for a sense of community and
so will congregate m a vacani building — if only because ii
provides some ldnd of security, said Anne Harris, director of the
Dorothy Day homeless shelter in downtown St. Paul.
"T'here is something to the idea that there is safety in numbers —
but you really don't lmow who it is that's sieeping neaz you. And
then ou have � ' g with no
���Y� �� 'Is rt safe to be in a buildm
�r __ ._ . _-- - - _
Staff Writers Murali Balaji and Amy Mayron contributed to this
report. Lisa Donovan can be reached at
Idonovan(a�pioueerpress com or (651) 228-5591.
�
http://www.pioneerplanet.com/docs/head2.htm 3/14/2001
�
�
�
_Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on Homeless
� � � Past 30 Days ; - d
� nava a m �,
Kathryn Krile - Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thnrsday, Jnne 28, 2001
From: The New York Times Direct <nytdirect(a?�ytimes.com>
To: <kathryn.lffile@ci.stpaul.mn.us>
Date: 6128i2001 7:11 AM
Snbject: Today's Headlines from NYTimes.com Thursday, June 28, 2001
National
�$.�+�,, �w
•i
� ■ .,� '
� -
-
; .. ...,.
.:,.;. -
.• .
K � ,.,
• •.�
'; „
��t�vt� °. .
.. , .._. ..
..
C •� � �l
nsssxat�xagris`
�.�,.�,
. .:
.- .�.
�
SF.RV�CE,S`y... ..
�
�,
.�
Page 1 of 3
���
Welcc
Sion Un for Nex
� E-hlal This Articla � Printer-Friendly Forrtmi
� Maet EMeiled Artielea
June28,2001
Bureau Won't Distribute Census Data on s�
Homeless
Clic�c here
By STEVEN A. HOLMES Ftc�
� ASHINGTON, June 27 — Reversing the way it handled the
data 10 years ago, the Census Bureau says it will not provide states and ciries w
on their homeless populations.
The bureau has said that nationally 280,527 people — up from 228,621 people in 1990 -
counted in homeless shelters, at soup kitchens, on the streets and at other places identifi�
govemments in 2000.
"Bear in mind, there was good reason after what happened after the '90 census to tlunk t
numbers would be misused," said Edison Gore, deputy chief of the 2000 Decennial Cen
explaining why the bureau did not release the homeless figures. The state and city home
released in 1990 were widely viewed as inaccurate.
The decision against release was made several yeazs ago but was overlooked by many p
been crificized by planners from big cities who say they were urged by the bureau to un�
extraordinary and expensive measures to help count the homeless during the 2000 censu
At the bureau's request, for example, Los Angeles officials
recruited advocates for the homeless, trained them in conducting
the census, provided escorts for census takers in potentially
dangerous places and handed out blankets and hygiene kits to
induce the homeless to cooperate.
"We spent a lot of money on tlus," said Jessica Heinz, an assistant
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines
� A New Look at Ra
� More Census Man�
Intenctive Features
6/28/2001
. Bureau Won't Dishibute Census Data on Homeless
M'T Mo6ile
�rAdv rti�
� NEWSPAPEF
Liome Deliverv
cust«ner semce
YOUR PB6F F
��� �ie
E-Mail Ootions
Laa9slt
city attorney in Los Angeles, "probably about $300,000, and
donated a lot of stuff."
The Census Bureau action was praised by advocates for the
homeless who had lobbied for the bureau not to release separate
figures on homeless people.
Page 2 of 3
Related Sites
These sites aze not gaz
York Times on the Wc
TIIIICS }12S IIO COIIli01 C
content or availability.
U.S. Census Bureau
Markttpi
Search NYTimes.0
Classfieds
AII j,; �
For the most part, advocates for the homeless cooperated with the
TeM Version census 10 years ago. Aftenvard, they said they were appalled
when a count they considered flawed was used by some
lawmakers to azgue for a reduction in spending on programs for
the homeless.
But some city planners azgue that the idea of holding back data
because it could be misinterpreted goes against the bureau's
mission to be #he provider of data, not its censor.
Browse the NYT
Store
All ,�' �
Play the NYT cross
no line
"If the bureau thinks there is going to be a problem and people
will be confused about the homeless population," said 3oseph
Salvo, director of the population division of the New York City Plamiing Department, '°
bureau should educate people, not hold back the data. This could happen with other pop
Should the bureau hold back data on them too?"
The decision is part of what has become a continuing dispute over how to count the cou
� homeless popularion — a group of people that is transient and difficult to count. The bu
counting people who live in shelters, at soup kitchens and at various street locations can
designating as homeless those people who may have lost their homes and aze temporaril
friends or relatives.
In 199Q, some advocates for the homeless, fearful of a large undercount, urged some prc
services to the homeiess to baz census takers from entering shelters and soup kitchens.
"The homeless is not a static population," said Barbara Duffield, education director for t
Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy group based in Washington. "It's very misleadi
such a count; it's virtually impossible and leads to distortion as to the nature of homeles:
magnitude of the problem."
Instead of providing state and local figures, the Census Bureau this year has lumped the
a category of peopie counted in "other non-insritutional goup quarters." In addirion to h
people, tlris category includes displaced people living in temporary shelters after natural
people living in shelters for battered women, and nurses and interns living in dormitorie
and general hospitals.
The bureau has also been criticized for not releasing informarion on why it recommende
census not be adjusted to compensate for people who were missed or counted Ywice.
Some cities, including Los Angeles, have sued the bureau in a bid to force it to release tl
� survey of 314,000 households that was designed to check the accuracy of the census. TY
refused to do so, and critics say it is suppressing the results of the survey because it wou
that adjustment was justified.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/narionaU28CENS.htm1?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
_Butea'u �n't Distribute Census Aata on Homeless
Page 3 of 3
Although the dispute of the homeless count is not direcfly related to the issue of adjushr
bureau's action on the homeless has fed the controversy that surrounds the 2000 census.
i "I don't think this is just about the homeless," Ms. Heinz said. "I think iYs the whole thin
is if we hold stuff back that looks like it has problems, then no one will criticize us."
Aome � Back to National � Search � Helu
� E-69ai1 Tt�iB Articie � Prinier-Friendly Formei
� Naaf E-61ailad Attides
��''" Click Here to Receive 50% Off Home Delivery of The
��� �!�
New York Times Newspaper.
�vriaht 2001 The New York Times Comoanv � Privacv Infortnation
�
i
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/28/nationaU28CENS.html?todaysheadlines 6/28/2001
Office of the County Manager
Paul L. Kirkwold, County Manager
TO: COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH
FROM: JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC EVELOP NT
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
RE:
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
JULY 17, 2001
PRESERVATION PROJECTS
Tel: 651-266-8000
Fax: 651-26G8039
e-mail: vnvw.co.ramsey.mn.us
This Memorandum is designed to bring you up to date on the three preservation
projects in which the County HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority) issued Multi-
Family Housing Revenue Bonds at the request of the St. Paul City Council. These
requests came as a result of the City's lack of Housing Revenue Bond Authority and the
desire of the City to insure weil-maintained properties with continued affordability.
SKYLINE TOWER
Total Project Cost: $30.3 Million - Bond Issue: $15.0 Miliion
This property was acquired by a limited pa�tnership, under the auspices of
CommonBond, on February 4, 2000. Since that time, significant rehabilitation has been
undertaken to improve the quality of life for residents in the buifding. Of particular
interest to the County was the addition of the Advantage Center Building, located
adjacent to the fiving tower. This apartment building has had a muftitude of social,
health, and educational services brought on-site to serve this very diverse population.
This financial transaction v✓as undertaken with the Housing and Redevelopment
Authority of the City of St. Paul. I have recently received the financial statements for
Skyline Tower for the first eight months of operations and will be reviewing them shortly.
HANOVEEt TOWNHOMES
Total Project Costs: $5.4 Million - Bond Issue: $3.2 Miilion
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Community Housing Development Corporation (Brighton Development), on May 4,
2001. This 96-unit complex, located at 408 Farrington, is undergoing moderate
rehabilitation at the present time and is progressing as planned. i will be meeting with
the development team on August 9.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
Minnesota's Fiist Home Eule Connty
prm�ed on recycled paper wi[h a minimum o[ IU%post�nsumer conten4
�
Memorandum
July 17, 2001
Page 2
RIVERTOWN COMMONS
(CAPITAL VIEW APARTMENTS)
Total Project Gosts: $8.7 Million - Bond Issue: $5.8 Million
This property was acquired by a limited partnership, under the auspices of the
Gornerstone Group, on May 8, 2001. This 140-unit apartment complex, located at 175
Charles Avenue, is in need of significant rehabilitation, as well as the renovation of
space to accommodate common space for resident activity. The owners have chosen to
be their own construction contractor. Upon review, the new owner has determined that
approximately twenty families residing in tfie property are over income and do not meef
the guidelines for the tax-credit program. The owner is working with the City of St. Paul
to refocate those residents to other availabie properties.
This financial transaction was undertaken by the Ramsey County HRA.
CONCLUSION
We have regular communication with Tom Sanchez, from St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development (PED), on the status of ail three of these properties.
We believe our involvement has had a positive impact on these properties and has
served fhese diverse populations.
GUIDELINES FOR RAMSEY COUNTY
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
�u�ose
Ramsey County recognizes the need to increase the supply of affordable and
accessible housing, especially for low and moderate-income farrulies and those
cvho need supportive housing services. Ramsey County also realizes that it is
becoming increasingly difficult to produce affordable housing units without
government participation. Land acquisition and construction costs have risen
dramatically while real earnings of lower-income families continue to fall.
Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fltnds will be used in conjunction with
other public and private financing to reduce the gap between capital costs and
revenues. The fund will help assure that housing choice is available to everyone
throughout Ramsey County, including our lowest income households.
Eligibility
Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas which
include any or all of the following items when requesting endowment funds for
capital investment necessary to finance a proposed development.
l. Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation,
2. Construction of residential units,
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forfeited and/or other properties
where there aze unoccupiable units which will be placed back in service
upon completion of the project,
4. Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population, and
5. Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
Administration
The Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) staff will
administer the Housing Endowment F�tnd by working directly with
developers in cooperation with municipalities who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities. For projects that will located
within Saint Paul, Ramsey County staff will work with St. Paul Planning and
Economic Development Department staff who will represent developers of
city projects.
2. Proposals will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available.
However, projects that also propose to use funds avaiiable from the
Department of Housing and Urban Development will be encouraged to
coordinate submission annually at the same time that the County HRA or
the City of Saint Paul accepts proposals for Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership (HOME) funds. The
Ramsey County approval process to award Housing Endowment r'lxnd
projects will also be coordinated with the e�sting super Request for Proposal
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12(19l�0
S://CDBG-HOME/Housin� Endowment Fund
review by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to the extent feasible to
avoid unnecessary administrative reviews for project developers.
3. Funding will be balanced geographically between the City of Saint Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
4. Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address the
need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest income
resic3ents and/or those cvith additional need for supportive services. The
County will follow generally accepted underwriting criteria in analyzing
project financing, expense and revenue projections. Developers should have
a successful track record in mixed- and low-income housing, a good credit
history, and demonstrate through adequate reserves that funding will be
adequate to support the project in the event of a problem.
All projects must receive the support of the jurisdiction in which they will
be located. Housing Endowment �nd applications must have the written
support of elected officials; a formal resolution of support for the project
must be in place before funding agreements are executed. Proposers should
have site control prior to requesting Housing Endowment F1ind gap
financing and demonstrate that there will be a net gain of affordable housing
units upon completion of the project.
The HRA staff will provide quarterly reports to the HRA Board on the status
of the fund, including time spent to administer the endowment fund.
Fund Availability and Repayment
The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowment Fund. Developers may apply for up to $20,000 per unit for
units affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $50,000 per unit £or units that will be affordable/accessible for
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income. For those
housing developments that will house the very lowest income families, these
limits assume federally funded project based certificates will be attached to
m��. __ _ �: � _
2. There is no typical affordable kousing development; nor is it likely that a
single £nancing scheme will meet the requirements of all proposals.
However, there is an expectation of repayment of the Housing Endowment
Fund award at the earliest possible time. Terms and conditions of
repayment will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending
upon anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations or
expenses.
Housin� Endowment Fund Rev. 12/19/00
S://CDBG-HOME1Housin� Endo�vment Fund
Office of the County Manager
Faui L. Kirkwold, County Ivianager
250 Court House
15 West Kellogg Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55102-1614
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Te1:651-266-8000
Fa�c: 651-266-8039
e-mail: www.co.ramsey.mn.us
COMMISSIONER SUSAN M. HAIGH �
JUDY A. KARON, DIRECTO i �_���
COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOP NT J
JULY 13, 2001
HOUSING ENDOWMENT FUND
This Memorandum is to provide you an update on the status of the Housing Endowment Fund
(HEF) as ofthis date.
PROPOSED SUBURBAN PROJECTS
EMMA NORTON RESIDENCE - MAPLEWOOD [$500,000 HEF - ESTIMATEJ
This project consists of thirteen (13) large townhouse style units (new construction) to be built
on a site located at the intersection of Van Dyke / County Road B. This supportive housing
project, with on-site services, is designed to serve large families with multiple social service
needs. The project received full approval of the Maplewood City Council. Originally this project
was scheduled to close and begin construction this month, but an environmental issue, related to
an adjacent property that houses a gas station, has arisen and is currently being investigated. The
primazy funding source is MARIF (Minnesota Families Affordable Rental Investment Fund)
dollars through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The County allocation will be available
at closing, which we hope will take place within the next few months.
ACCESSIBLE SPACE, INC. - ROSEVILLE [�100,000 CDBG /�27�,000 HEF]
This project consists of twenty-two (22) units of new apartment style construction at the
intersection of Lexington Avenue ( Roselawn. These fully accessible apartments are designed to
provide 24-hour service to individuals with serious physical and mental impairments. Many of
the individuals this project would serve might otherwise be in danger of homeiessness. These
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) monies will be released following approval by
the Roseville City Council to assist with the existing land purchase. However, this project has
also been delayed until next Spring, as Roseville required the proposed developer to secure an
additional piece of land in order to develop the project in the manner in which it had been
proposed. tiUe have advised Accessible Space that we will consider their request from next
yeaz's HEF allocation in order to respond to other requests which may be ready to proceed at an
earlier date.
Minnesota's �st Home Rnle Gounty
printed an recycletl paper wM1h a mmimum of IO%postcanaumer contevt
�
Memorandum
July 13, 2001
Page 2
WEIS BUILDERS - VADNAIS HEIGHTS [DOLLAR AMOUNT UNDETERMINED)
This developer has proposed a 72-unit apartment building at County Road D/ Highway 61 in
Vadnais Heights. Approximately half of the units would have affordable rent. It is within a few
miles of a number of employers who employ persons in need of workforce housing. This
location is just south of Highway 694 and has excellent access to both car and bus transportation.
This is a new proposal, which has yet to be reviewed by the City of Vadnais Heights, but witi
require both a comprehensive plan variance and a zoning vaziance. The developer plans to apply
for 2002 tax crediYs for the project. We are very interested in this proposal by this very
experienced developer and have contacted both the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency and the
City of Vadnais Heights to advise them of our interest. The appropriate HEF allocation would
not be set until the gap financing might be determined. It is expected ihat our contribution will
be in the $500,000 range, using a combination of HOME (Home Investment Partnership Act)
and HEF dollazs.
POTENTIAL INNER-CITY PROJECTS
CITY OF ST. PAUL
We have not received any formal requests from the City of St. Paul, but we have been working
with Tom Sanchez, St. Paul PED (Planning and Economic Development), on several potential
projects. They aze as follows:
R. S. Eden - Jackson / Arlington. This project consists of 24 units of supportive
housing for previously homeless families. There will be 24-hour on-site
supervision. [$360,000 HEF - Estimate]
Guild Hali - Marshall Avenue across the street from the Technical College. This
projecf consists of the potential addition of 33 SRO (Single Room Occupancy)
- _. ..
- - . _._.__... - - � - ..
uni s o is prope y. ro�ec is m i' b
for HEF.
Passages ApartmenYs - 1264 W. Seventh SYreet. This project is designed Yo
combine commercial space with 12 units of housing to serve previously homeless
youth. A full service educational component and supportive services are
anticipated on-site. Project is being reviewed for financial need for HEF.
HUD 202 - Elderly Arlington / Rice Streets. This project will provide 40 units of
_,._._- --'
senior housing to low-income individuals. Tt is a combined effort of Accessible -
Space and the Wilder Foundation. Project is being reviewed for financial need for
HEF.
While none of these projects, to my understanding, have the approval of the St. Paul City
Council / HRA to proceed at this time, I have been advised that financing should be in place
within the next few months.
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No. 2000—
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting Y�z�
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Developmen�agelof4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
WHEREAS, The lack of affordable housing has been identified as a
serious threat to the health, safety and weli being of the citizens of Ramsey
County; and
WHEREAS, Affordable housing promotes family stability, better schooi
attendance and reduced use of more costly emergency county services; and
WHEREAS, The costs of development of new units of affordable housing
are substantiai; and
WHEREAS, The revenues which can be achieved by developers cannot
fully support the development costs of new affordable housing units; and
WHEREAS, Traditional sources of capitai for the development of new
affordabie housing are being utilized; and
WHEREAS, After all of these sources of capital are made available for the
development of new affordable housing units there still remains a substantial
development gap; and
WHEREAS, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has discussed
on three occasions creation of a new fund to increase the supply of affordable
and accessible housing within Ramsey County; and
WHEREAS, The definition of affordable housing shall be housing
designed to serve citizens whose income is at 50 percent or less of the median
income; Now, Therefore, Be It
RAMSEY COUN"I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
zy Bennett
�.."e Haigh
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhardt
Janice Rettman
Ian W iessnei
Rafael E. Orteg Chair,
��ontinued)
B
Bonnie C.Jackeien
Chief Clerk - County Board
ti
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey County Commissioners
Presented By
Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000Na�000
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic Development Page 2 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners hereby
establishes the Ramsey County Housing Endowment Fund; and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approves the
following "Guidelines For Ramsey Counfy Housing Endowment Fund," designed
to serve as the eligibility, procedural, and administrative guide to tfie operation of
the Fund:
1. Private for profit and not-for-profit developers may present pro-formas
which include any or all of the foilowing items:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Site acquisition, soil remediation and site preparation;
Construction of residential units;
Acquisition and/or rehabilitation of tax-forFeited and/or other properties
where there are unoccupiable units which wilf be pfaced back in
service upon completion of the project;
Provision of common space for the new units to meet the needs of the
resident population; and
Addressing the special requirements of municipalities.
- - .
-- . . -- .. .
2. The Ramsey Gounty HRA stafF will administer the Housing Endowment
Fund working directly with developers who are proposing projects in
Ramsey County suburban communities and the HRA staff will work with
St. Paul Pianning and Economic Department staff who will represent
developers of projects in the City of St. Paul.
RAMSEY CQUN"CY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
YEA NAY OTHER
ny Bennett
.,ge Haigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
7anice Rettman
Jan Wiessner
��
Rafael E. Orte Chai,r
�Continued)
By
Bonnie C. Jackelen
Chief Clerk - Counry Boazd
Resolution
Board of
Ramsey Coun�y Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Hai
Date December 19, 2000No2000-426
Attention: Budgeting and Accounting
Judy Karon, Community & Economic DevelopmentPage 3 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
3. Proposais will be accepted throughout the year as funding is available with
an effort made to coordinate with the existing super RFP review process
used by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency.
4. Funding wil( be balanced geographicaliy befween the City of St. Paul and
suburban Ramsey County communities.
Projects will be evaluated based upon the extent to which they address
the need for affordable and accessible housing for the County's lowest
income residents and/or those with additional need for supportive
services.
� 6. Ali comp(eted projects must resuit in a net gain of affordable, accessible
housing units.
7. RI! projects must receive the support of the elected officials in of the
jurisdiction in which the project is located. A formal resolution of support
for the project must be in place before funding agreements are executed.
8. The Housing Endowment Fund offers financing of last resort; all other
sources of financing should be exhausted prior to requesting Housing
Endowmenf Fund monies.
Developers may apply for up to $ 20,000 per unit for units
affordable/accessible to households at 50% of the area median income
and up to $ 50,OQ0 per unit that wil! be affordable/accessible to
households with incomes at 30% or less of the median income.
RAMSEY COINTY BOARD OF COMMTSSTONERS
yEA NAY OTHER
- �ny Bennett
..ae Aaigfi
Jim McDonough
Rafael Ortega
Victoria Reinhazdt
Janice Rcthnan
Jan Wiessner
Itafael E. Orte Chajr
��ont�nued)
By
Bonnie C. 7ackelen
Chief C(erk - County Boazd
Resolution
:.. . .
Ramsey County Commissioners
PresentedBy Commissioner Haigh Date December 19, 2000No.2000-426
Attention: gudgeting and Accounting
Sudy Karon, Community & Economic Developmentpage 4 of 4
Connie Peikert, Policy and Planning
Jolly Mangine, Property Management
10. Housing Endowment Funds awarded are considered loans fo developers
that are expected to be repaid. Specific terms and conditions of repayment
will be flexible and considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon
the anticipated project impact on the identified need, overall project
development costs, expense and revenue streams, and unusual situations
or expenses.
11. HRA staff will provide quarteriy reports to the HRA Soard on the status of
the fund, including time spent to administer the Endowment Fund.
and Be It Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners endorses the
County Manager's proposed sfrategy for financing the Ramsey County Housing
Endowment Fund and directs the County Manager to further develop the
proposaf for final approval by the Board; and Be 1t Further
RESOLVED, The Ramsey County Board of Commissianers authorizes a
loan from the Undesignated General Fund Bafance to the Housing Endowment
make transfers from the Undesignated Generat Furtd Balance to fhe Housing
Endowment Fund, as needed with the understanding that the transfer from the
General Fund Balance will be paid back with interest.
RAMSEY COUN'I'Y BOARD OF COMMISSiONERS
YEA 23AY OTHER
ny Bennett
�ne Haigh �—
7imMcDonough �—
RafaelOrtega X
Victoria Reinhazdt X
Janice RetRnan X
Jan Wiessner X
� Y ��` T 1
� �� ;,
gi �y` �
� y
c�. :e�/ !� � 1�- �. Sv�
����. �
.�
� �
af? ��
h ^"�}'
4 �N
a.^
��
� ;
�
f . �t�,.
w��F .
v�
`� . _:'��^'.
�
,$ 2t
�
�
�
�
�
�
0
_ ��� �
F *; � � � _
i
�+�..� ..�._ � _
\ 5°'.` P k .
�
��'i . �{�(
# _ .
[ ��
�� �. � � v
:.� � � �_.
��
'�'r.,.� L` �
�..;.-
�,_
� . [..:. _ . .,k_.
� , ,�
v
.
M
�
�� � � .
. � ' �
YY. ��� ���
� ��
��y
� � ;
0
d
{ .
� � '
� ei'e� �
�°
�
r {�
� i
�''
�
iy �
w . � ��.3e�5Y 'K
f tM '
�
..., _ � _ -z�
r
� u
Cs'
:` ?
1 ,
Y%
En
N � �
.. .. . ....�.:.�
�
�
�
....
N
�
0
�
�
.....
�
�
�
L
O
�+-
�-
'�
�
A
.1�
�
tQ
N
�
�
3
+�
ca
s
�
�
�
�
�
I
O
�
�
�
�
N
�
c
c
-
�
N
�
c
�
L
`"'
�
4)
Y
L
c �
G
�
C
0)
OL
c� � N N � � O t.c) O
�
�
.
� �
� O
� .�.]
O
� �
� L
� �
L l'6
fl.. �
—
�
fl..
N .�
� �
� �
�
S
� 1
N �
� �
S �
� �
�� VJ
1
� N
.� •�.
t �
'�'� �
� �
O �
A =
O '-
'a �
�.�
�
�
3
�
V �
O �
U �
� �
a� �
� �
�
0
N
�
�
�
�
0
�
�
�
�
0
c-�
�
� �
o r .,
� �
� �
�
� � �
� N
G� d .
�
�
O
� �
� c%
�
�
O
�
�
\
0
O
N
\
0
�
Ln
�
.�
U
�
0
m
�
�
�
0
�--�
V
\
0
�
N
�
\
0
�
V
�
� �
L�i
� �
4�-� M �
� W
�
0
�
N
�
�
0
N
�
0
�
�
0
�
V
\
0
�
\
0
c--�
V
0
.�
�
U �
� �
� �
� �
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
'� O
� �
�
■�
�
�
■�
�
�
�
�
�
_
■�
�
O
_
N
�
�
a
�
U
�
h
�
.�
ti
O
�
�
�
�
�
h
�
�
�
�
�
O
�
.s
�
ti
R Q
�Z
�
�
�
t
��
■
�
■
�
_
■�
�
0
�
.�
�
�
'�ou �
•y �
�
.� �
�
��
� U
N "
.�
.. L".
U O
C �
�3 �
E y -�
�
O
�
N
,
0
rn
rn
�
�
�
�
C
�
U
�
(B
�
Q
0
L
a..'
�
�
.�
c
�
O
ti
C
.�
a�
�
c
ca
s
U
�
C
�
�
C
.
�
O
�
N
C
�
L
0
�
�
0
�
m
�
�
O
�
�
�
�
0
�
c
0
�
�
�
0
�
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
° o ° o ° o ° o_ ° o o ° o ° o �
00000000
d�' ('�7 � N N � O �
�ua� a6e�an�/
0 0 0 0 ° o ° o ° o ° o ° o
� � � � � -�cr� � � � °�
o � �
� � o
E�3 N �
N
� tO . ' . . ° � p
� i �' O
i � i ! �� � ��' N
6� t o �
�
r
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
p� l0
� }
C'7
�
rn
�
N
�
�
�
�
rn
r
d
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
�
r
ti
�
�
�
_
�
�
�
�
�
W
�
A � '
�1L
�
�
�
U
Ia
�
�
�
�
L
N
�
�
O O
� �
� �
O O O O
Q � Q �
� � � �
a�.e� ��ue�en
�
O
�
N
�
O
Q
T
�
O
Q
0
�
�
0
�
�
0
�l—
a
�
�
N
�
I�
3
�
+�
w
_
�
�
0
�
�
.�L
0
�/
v
O '�
U i"'
� O
s
O N
d � - '�'
-�
�
� �
� �
� � � � - - -em
�� � �
� � � �
� �� �
�
� �
� � N
� � N
� � �
O = � _
O �
O ` p �
O �
O .�. � .��,
(`� �
� �
L
� �
,C .�
O -� ¢
t
�S Q L �'
� �� � �
E��=
a�
�' � � �
3 ~ � _
lt, • • •
■■
■
■ �
■■ � ..
. �
.
..
4)
� �
O �
_ �N
7
� �
O�.N
0 p c�
E
�m�
� � C
m `�
�
�
�
�
4)
� �
L -�C t�.
�
a- o �-°�
Q E a�
� II. U
O O N c
.� � o
��m
m �
N
�
C
O �
¢ O
�
N �
� �
� �
L �
� �
L
�
N
.....
�
�
....
t
�
V
�
•��
�r
• 1��
�
�
�
O
�
�
�
0�
�
LZ..
i
�
s
�
�
.�
�
c�..
.�
....
L
V
�
•��
VI
�
O
�
�
��
�
�
�
L
O
�-
�+-
t�
�
.�
N
(�
�
�
�
N
U
�
CQ
�
O
L
�
O
U
�
�
N
a
�
�
�
O
�
�
0
�
C6
�
cU
�
U
�
�
V
��o
.� c' � �
�
�
� to
� ,:.
c i'
s
U
�
�
O
�
C�6
�
•
1
�
�
._.
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
1.1..
•
�
4�
rr�
L���
�
�
��
�
O
�
�
�
�
�
�
N
�
�
•
N
O
C�6
O
.�
�
�
,
,
O�
�
�
3
O
U
L
>
O
0
�
�
4�
N
N
L
�
�
�
N
N
a�
N
�
cU
N
�
_
•
.�
.Q7
Z
�
�
0
�
L
�
�
��
�
t
�
N
�
�
�
Z
ZQ
�
L
�
Q
C �
6
�
. �.
�
�
L
�..
��
;�
�ti
; �r
j
I
,
�
I
i
O
O
O
Lf7
u
O O O
O O O
O O O
'cl' C7 N
a �doa�{
�
O
O
d
�
' o
� o
0
N
�
d7
6�
i �
! rn
i �
� �
�
rn
rn
�
L
i �
� �
M
�
�
�
�
�
�
i
67
�
�
I �
�
ti
i �
� �
'�.�7
�
O
�
w
�
�
(Q
t
�
csG
Z
�
_
_
J
�
0
QL
O
1J,..
LL
�
�
0
0
w
Z
�
�
L
O
L
�
a�
�
m
d
�
�
.�
N
I
�
'
c.
�
�
�
�
�.
�
�
3
� o
rn�
� �
• af
N �
,� U
Li. }
a
�
0
�
CtS
�
O�
a�
ac
v
'S N
aG U
❑
�
.n
!6
�
0
��
d �
N
z =
•
'Q
�
w
z
a
¢
c�
�
o �
V � �
� N p �
N (� L �
p CO > c�'a �
� � o o �
o � U L
� V C9 � �
� (� N � �
• • • •
� �� �
��� �
��� �
... �
�
��� ¢
� �F+��� H■+�H��� �� H�H■+�■+�■
�� ��� � � ��� � ����
�/�+�■ �F�/■ �F �� ������■ � ��� �F��
H� ��M�� � H■�■� �� H��■��■H�
� ���� � � � � � � ���
w
� �F ���F �� �F �F �F �F �F �F �� ����
_
�
,-;
�
� �
'.� '�
O k�-� �
t (� � � C
S ' � � U � .� f�6
c� �
3 � � � v rn �
Z ti U � � � �
• • •
.,�. ,.
N
N
N
fE
�
L
U
�
a�
rn
RS
�
•
N
�
i-�
�
�
�
�
�
�
c
tU
s
V
�
� N
-
0 0
��
��
� ��
o °';
�_
�
�
�
a
O
a.
N
N
6�
tB
.�
�. �
�II c
E �