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10 <br /> Commissioner Dorosin referred to the $257,000 grant, and asked if it will all go to <br /> staffing costs. He asked if there are other costs, and if there is additional grant funds available <br /> to meet them. He said sustainability is vital. <br /> Corey Root said there are a number of gaps that are exacerbated by COVID, so the next <br /> logical step needs to come from the Partnership to End Homelessness (PTEH) leadership team. <br /> She said more non-congregant shelter is greatly needed, and people experiencing <br /> homelessness are at a higher risk for COVID. She said there are continued gaps around <br /> housing resource programs and permanent support housing, which could be the next priority. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if non-congregant housing means single room housing. <br /> Corey Root said the CDC recommends having individual rooms for those experiencing <br /> homelessness. She said the County moved people into hotels in May, and FEMA is covering <br /> those costs. <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen said the majority of the grant is for salary and benefits, but $10,000 is <br /> for program services such as transportation, emergency supplies, staff mileage, etc. <br /> Commissioner Greene said this is great news. She said looking ahead this is a great <br /> opportunity to redirect police funding; to do a community reset. She said this type of work <br /> should not be law enforcement's role, but rather social workers'. <br /> Commissioner Marcoplos said this is really great work. He asked if homelessness is <br /> rising, and if the coming year will make the crisis more acute. <br /> Corey Root said the latest numbers are from January 2020. She said they count once <br /> per year and it was 124, down from 132. She said numbers have been relatively flat over the <br /> past decade. She said she expects numbers to rise in the coming year, but homelessness often <br /> lags behind as an indicator by about 18-24 months. She said staff will keep a very close watch <br /> on the numbers. She said having the street outreach team will provide real time data, especially <br /> for those who are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. <br /> Chair Rich said this is a great update. She said it will be a challenge to find ongoing <br /> funding, but she has great confidence in the staff. <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen said law enforcement partners have been particularly supportive of this <br /> program, along with the downtown partners, and, of course, the Commissioners. <br /> 3. Government Alliance on Racial & Equity ("GARE") Progress Report: Advancing <br /> Racial Equity and Transforming Government Progress Report <br /> PURPOSE: <br /> A Progress Report on the work of the Orange County Government Alliance on Race & Equity <br /> ("GARE") staff cohort that has trained with other North Carolina jurisdictions since October 2019 <br /> to advance racial equity and create a plan to undo structural racism in County government. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> The Government Alliance and Race & Equity ("GARE") is a national network of governments <br /> working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all. GARE features three <br /> emphases: <br /> • Supporting jurisdictions that are at the forefront of work to advance racial equity. <br /> • Building pathways for new jurisdictions to begin doing racial equity work, including <br /> cohorts of new jurisdictions. <br /> • Expanding and strengthening local and regional collaborations that are broadly inclusive <br /> and focused on achieving racial equity. <br /> In the 2019-20 budget, the Orange Board of Commissioners approved funds to support a team <br /> of Orange County staff to be a part of a GARE North Carolina Learning Community of <br />