R2004-105 AUTHORIZING FUND REALLOCATION

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. ..:y ' CITY OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS HOME COMPETITIVE REALLOCATION This strategy recognizes what the community can do, and what it cannot do. No community can eliminate chronic homelessness without the involvement of state and federal government. No Wrong Door. There cannot be only one way for chronically homeless persons to achieve a stable environment with affordable housing and appropriate services. In Macon County, the Homeless Council is building a system where no matter where a person turns for help, it is exactly the right place. Access to one part of the continuum should create access to every part of the continuum. The Homeless Council has a four-pronged approach: • Develop services that are appropriate and accessible for persons who are homeless and affected by mental illnesses and/or substance abuse. • Continue to create permanent supportive housing that is affordable, appropriate and sufficiently flexible. • Conduct public awareness activities to educate media, citizens, policy makers and governmental leaders about the need to address long-term homelessness. • Aggressively pursue highly-competitive grants. The partner agencies have decided to compete for limited funds,knowing that every application will not be successful. RESULTS The Homeless Council has three goals, one centered on housing,the second on treatment, and the third on public awareness and education. Within the past year,the community has made strides in each area: Goal#1 is to "create additional permanent supportive housing that is affordable, decent and flexible."The results: , • Two Shelter Plus Care projects have been implemented. Together they are adding 32 units of permanent housing. , • Two Section 811 projects are not only on target,but they will provide 14 more units than originally planned. The 17-unit Heritage Grove project opened on schedule in 2002. The Heritage Fields project, originally planned for 18 units, has added a 14-unit second phase. Construction began in August 2003, with occupancy about a year later. • The Elmwood family supportive housing project was completed and is being occupied. • Plans for a Safe Haven were developed. The Homeless Council applied for Safe Haven funding under the interagency 2003 Collaborative Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness,but Decatur was not among the 11 cities awarded grants. Goal#2 is to "develop and implement programmatic and treatment models that are effective and will be used by the target population."The results: • The Oasis Drop-In Center continued to expand. Oasis has emerged as the focal point of the community's effort to end chronic homelessness. On an average day, 130-150 persons PAGE 3