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REGULAR MEETING April 11, 2022 <br /> <br />3 <br /> <br />for the Homeless. The city is looking to see permanent supportive housing, continuation of <br />Motes4Now partnership, continued exploration of a low-barrier shelter with county, finalize <br />community education campaign, develop a multi-year services plan with city facilitators and <br />reconvene implementation group to assist city facilitators. <br /> <br />President Sharon McBride requests council for additional questions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Karen White states the presentation was helpful in showing how to serve the most <br />vulnerable in our community. <br /> <br />Vice President Sheila Niezgodski asks what the primary use of the Epworth facility is. <br /> <br />Jordan Gathers responds the center will be used for emergencies to utilize the facility. <br /> <br />Councilmember Canneth Lee requests for more information on the low barrier center in Portage <br />Manor. <br /> <br />Jordan Gathers responds that no site has been determined with conversations around Portage <br />Manor. <br /> <br />Councilmember Eli Wax states the information is valuable. Wax asks how confident the <br />decreasing PTI numbers over the years versus less attractive tracking are. <br /> <br />Jordan Gathers replies there are errors in the State report. There are unaccounted homeless and <br />will fluctuate historically. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wax states anecdotally will there be a reduction in the homeless population. <br /> <br />Jordan Gather states the 2020 number is the most accurate however the number will decrease based <br />on the initiatives that have been created. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wax asks what the city is doing to address homelessness outside of assisting. <br /> <br />Jordan Gather responds that the city does not provide direct services but will continue to provide <br />a social network for the most vulnerable population. Gathers states that the department has <br />followed the recommendation of the Mayor’s Implementation Group and will continue to address <br />the needs of homelessness. <br /> <br />Councilmember Lori Hamann responds there has been three (3) studies to approach homelessness <br />in South Bend; these studies show the need for a full-time homelessness coordinator position. <br />Hamann asks why there is hesitation to fill the full-time position based on the recommendations <br />under the leadership of the city. <br /> <br />Jordan Gathers replies contracted positions are a “great start” to coordinate efforts; conversations <br />with the county over homelessness will be had to urge placement of the full-time homelessness <br />coordinator position. There is currently a countywide coordinator match in the budget. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hamann responds with support for the Amnesty program, however not having a <br />12-month Amnesty program is not addressing concerns of this community and requests for the city <br />to discuss this option. Hamman requests for the report from Anne Mannix. <br /> <br />Jordan Gathers replies that the file is being reviewed and the Mayor’s Implementation Group is <br />reconvening. Presentation is forthcoming. The department is committed to transparency and will <br />share the report to the council. <br /> <br />Councilmember Henry Davis Jr. inquires on how the prevention plan for homelessness will have <br />success due to the unidentified number of homeless citizens. Davis notes that a prevention plan