R2004-105 AUTHORIZING FUND REALLOCATION

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CITY OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS HOME COMPETITIVE REALLOCATION come to Oasis to watch TV, play games, converse or receive services. In an average month, Oasis serves 500 unduplicated individuals. In a year it experiences 48,000 participa�t days. • Heritage Behavioral Health Center was awarded a highly-competitive three-year grant to , develop a treatment model for chronically homeless persons with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse disorders (MISA). The grant came from the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA). • Using evidence-based models and recent research findings, Heritage created an engagement model for the SAMHSA proposal. It is now being implemented. Goal#3 is to "conduct public awareness activities to foster support for policies and programs that will end chronic homelessness."The results: • The Oasis Steering Committee met with three churches and two businesses in the vicinity of Oasis to develop support for the Council's efforts. • A Community Leadership Breakfast focused on chronic homelessness. It featured panelists from employment, veterans' services,health care, behavioral health and adult education. It was attended by 85 persons and received favorable media attention. CURRENT ACTIVITIES � Decatur is addressing chronic homelessness in a number of significant ways. Pursuing the plan adopted by the Homeless Council,program initiatives and planning efforts are underway throughout the community. • Heritage has started implementing its SAlV�ISA grant for MISA homeless. Staff positions have been filled, and training is underway. An evaluation team from the highly regarded TriWest firm works with the program to assure fidelity to its model and provide an accurate evaluation of program outcomes. • Oasis Drop-In Center is in the midst of a public awareness campaign centered around National Homelessness Awareness Day. Oasis is hosting a number of activities, including an"End the Chill Chili Cook-off" and an educational event to inform the pubic about chronic homelessness. • Dove is well along in developing an eight-unit apartment complex for chronically homelessness families; groundbreaking is expected in the fall of 2004. Since July,Dove has filed requests for funding with H[TD, the Illinois Deparhnent of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Illinois Facilities Fund and the City of Decatur HOME program. • Several entities, including the City of Decatur, continue to work toward the creation of a Safe Haven. The need for low-demand permanent supportive housing for the hardest-to- reach chronic homeless is among the most critical gaps in the Macon County Continuum of Care. The Homeless Council will apply under the 2004 Continuum of Care or the planned"Samaritan Initiative"to develop a safe haven. PAGE 4