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Human Services Advisory Commission- Minutes of Regular Meeting, May 21, 2001 -Page 4 of 7 5 Robin Barnhill suggested that we have one breakout group on homelessness, and another one for affordable housing, and another one on another facet of the housing problem, etc. Sharron suggested that since this topic is coming on the heels of the bond referendum, and since the Board of County Commissioners is now holding meetings on the bond referendum, that she suggests that 10 what the HSAC could do is to be part of the educational component for the bond referendum. Debbie asked if the material that comes from the HSAC Forum is educational for what needs to be on the bond, would that have an impact on what would be put on the bond referendum? 15 Marvin Block spoke saying that there could be different problems with homelessness, such as different needs according to age, according to sex, according to disabilities. A MOTION WAS MADE BY Rebecca Young, AND SECONDED BY Rosetta Wash that the topic for the forum be the whole continuum of housing with special emphasis on homelessness. VOTE: 20 UNANIMOUS APPROVAL. Discussion ensued. Marvin Block asked the group to consider the title for the forum. He was not in favor of the title "Affordable Housing." He said he did not think that was an adequate title. 25 Sharron Hinton pointed out that there are currently three groups at the present time who have or who will have each produced a report on the subject of housing: • The Commissioners' Affordable Housing Task Force • The Capital Needs Advisory Task Force (working on the bond referendum) 30 • The Orange County Continuum of Care Committee (working on housing needs) 35 Mel asked the Commission, "What do we want to accomplish with this forum ?" Rosetta said that the title should be something that would encompass the housing needs in the County. Mel said that what he has heard the members saying is that we would like the Forum to provide education about the magnitude of these issues and to seek input on how to address them. Debbie pointed out that every group she has talked to seems to already know what we don't have. 40 Therefore, she would like the Forum to accomplish a stimulation of development. 45 5 Rosetta concurred with this by saying that she would personally like to see all the pieces of the homelessness and housing topics that all the various groups are talking about to come together. She would like a plan of action to now be developed to deal with issue. Marvin said that maybe there are some health agencies that need to be aware of what homeless people need, and, since the IFC has been carrying a huge burden and cannot absorb any more, other health agencies to become more involved with housing the homeless. Rosetta said Mr. Block's statement was accurate. Mel said that we need to narrow this topic down so that this is manageable because that people tend to give up if it becomes too large.