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Human Services Advisory Commission- Minutes of Regular Meeting, May 21, 2001 -Page 3 of 7 5 Debbie Kinert brought up the subject of the Olmstead Act which addresses the problem of the mentally ill persons who are housed in more restrictive housing than is necessary because there are not adequate housing facilities available in their local communities. She said that there are such people who are living in places where it is not the best suited for them. They may have a roof over their head but the situation they are living in is not the best place for them. Debbie emphasized that this was her main concern in the 10 discussion of housing. Marvin Block suggested that it may be the best idea to have a major topic and to have these as subtopics. Rosetta said when she brought this up from the homeless shelter angle at the last meeting, that she said 15 that at the shelter they see all types of homeless people: mentally ill homeless, alcoholic homeless, teenage homeless, etc. as well as those who have burned out every resource that may have been available to them. There are also the problem of where do folks go after they receive treatment for substance abuse or mental illness. Do they go to a half -way house? There is an issue that we should have sro's (single room occupancy units) and how do we make that happen? 20 David continued by saying that another issue which he has observed when he takes homeless people to breakfast sometimes, is that they feel completely overwhelmed by the multitude of problems they have. He said it seems like they need someone to act as a case manager for them because they don't know where to start. 25 Debbie asked whether we should appoint a committee to explore these possible topics and come to the next meeting with a recommendation or should we discuss this further tonight and pick a topic. Debbie asked Sharron how much time do we have to decide this topic? Sharron said that her preference 30 would be for the Commission to at least pick a topic this evening. This will allow her office to send out invitations, at least. At the June 18th meeting, the topic can be further defined and a title chosen. 35 Rebecca Young asked whether we want to just address homelessness, or do we want to open it to the broader subject of housing? Debbie asked Rosetta to for a definition of homelessness. Rosetta said that these people have no shelter, no roof over their heads, those who come to the shelter with just a bag. She added that they are of all types of people including substance abusers, mentally -ill, 40 or who, may have some money and may have a job, but do not earn enough to pay the rental prices that are on the market, so they cannot afford to leave the shelter. 45 Rosetta said there are several issues dealing with housing such as appropriate housing, accessible housing, substandard housing, inadequate basics in the housing, and so forth. Debbie called for the Commission to make a decision on whether to have the topic to be just homelessness or homelessness plus other housing problems. The consensus of the Commission was to explore the topic of homelessness plus housing.