07-02-91 Human Resources & Economic Development

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a government past the 15 day requirement for housing. Extensive counseling services are also provided as a part of the program. Overall costs for room board are approximately $200, 000.00 and 24 hour paid staff plus volunteers are utilized. Dora Reynolds then explained the YWCA's request for $17, 000.00. She noted that the request is to assist in the program for providing shelter for victims of domestic violence. The $17, 000.00 would help offset the day to day operations for utilities, food, and non-personal costs. It would then free up money for the Family Advocacy Center. The Center is proposed to cost between 1.6 million dollars to 3.1 million dollars. Approximately $300, 000.00 has been raised to date. The program has been in place for seventeen years utilizing a building which was built in 1917. Between 500 to 515 residents are assisted each year. The program provides emergency housing and clothing needs. Individuals may stay up to 30 days. Case management is utilized as well as crisis counseling and education on the cycle of violence. Adults and children are assisted. The program is staffed 24 hours per day and support groups are utilized. Housing was emphasize as being critical and the need for new facility for the Family Advocacy Center was highlighted. They are seeking a facility with approximately 25,000 square feet minimum which would house 22 to 28 individuals per day. The goal is to develop transitional housing up to two years. Council Member Luecke noted that the original request was for $25, 000. 00 and had been scaled down to $17,000. 00 when the Mastic option became unavailable. In response to Council Member Luecke's question it was also noted how difficult it is to find affordable housing due to problems of housing stock, lack of housing substitutes, and underemployment or unemployment. Kathy Baumgartner of the South Bend Bureau of Housing then explained their request for $3, 000.00. She noted that this would assist individuals who have a temporary loss of income which would affect housing. South Gate was listed as one example. The monies would help preserve housing while a person is in treatment and would help prevent homelessness. It would assist in short term layoffs and would address a need different than that addressed by the Trustee's Office or the Family Children's Center. She noted that it would be experimental in nature and that guidelines would be provided as to how assistance would be determined. In response to a question raised by Council Member Luecke, she noted that priority was given to the homeless but that the grants would be such that the processing would be similar to the Block Grant Programs.