September 20, 2016
CPCA overview –Opportunities and concerns raised during brainstorming session
- Community relations
- Important that there be opportunities for families to be part of the community and for community to be involved
- Need guidance re how community can help
- Community impacts need to be considered
- Impact on police operations
- Impact on John Eaton school, enrollment and funding
- Traffic/parking concerns, including related to service providers
- Total number of people expected to be part of shelter, including service providers
- Need more information about what kinds of families will come to shelter
- Facility operation
- What and how programs will be provided /response by HHS
- This will be by competitive RFP by city
- Wide variety of social services planned – more specific information promised
- On-site child care facility? – decision may already have been made
- 24-hour staffing and security will be provided
- Long-term maintenance of facility will be provided
- Length of stay – Questions raised but not answered
- What are plans for moving families into longer-term housing?
- What is availability of affordable housing in DC?
- Role of Advisory Committee
- Desire expressed not to be confined to physical appearance of building but to be able to look at facility more broadly — form follows function!
- Zeilinger responded: “We can absolutely discuss what features will make a successful program and environment for families and the community.”
Official notes can be found at http://dmhhs.dc.gov/page/ending-homelessness-district-columbia