Minutes 02-11-2025-Work Session Meeting

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13 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked that they discuss how they increased employment, access to services, increased public participation, and reduced "NIMBY," or"not in my backyard." She said that participation from the faith community is important. She said that Mecklenburg County is using this, and the faith community is using some of their land. Chair Bedford said some churches are working together on this and offer shelter during the cold weather. She said this really is the foundation of IFC. Blake Rosser said that Justice United has been a huge impetus for the collaboration with the faith community. He said that Chief Lehew has connections with the faith community and was the connection between them and the faith community for the cold weather shelters. He said that since then, they have even more contacts and they are looking forward to setting up a cold weather shelter in Hillsborough. Chair Bedford said that the geographic access is very important. Vice-Chair Hamilton said she had not read the 2007 report and she is hearing Commissioner Portie-Ascott's request to add information from the report now. She said where she is hesitating is there is that there is a lot that people must do. She said that cold weather cots do not prevent homelessness. She said that she is worried that if they add more, they will likely add more to a system that is already maxed out. She said that she suggests focusing on gaps and figuring out who should be doing what would be what she prefers. She said one of the things that would help her understand the state of homelessness is knowing what their needs are. She said for example, are they suffering for mental health issues and if so, for how long, or are they possibly someone that has recently lost their employment and that has left them without a home. She said that not knowing these types of details makes it hard to know what they should do and how they do it. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said she would like to know what needs to be worked on now compared to 2007 rather than piece meal it. She said that they can see the gaps and they know who is sleeping outside. She asked how they do better by all the people they are trying to help. She asked what the best team is to discuss that. Chair Bedford said she wanted to have a work session so they can have a conversation and be on the same page so they can get to the questions Commissioner Portie-Ascott is asking. Blake Rosser said that is a good discussion to have. He said that there are overlapping services being performed and currently the county services work group is working to identify opportunities to collaborate and reduce redundancy. He said they are connecting and broadening the scope of their work, but not creating more work. He said they are already increasing access to services and maybe even employment, just because they have the collaboration with DSS. He said they reached out to DSS because they had capacity issues and needed help. He said that the people who spoke to DSS now have increased access to services. He said that is an example of how it can occur without creating a lot more work for everyone. Commissioner Portie-Ascott said her concern is for people who are chronically homeless in Orange County and if anyone is reaching out to them to help them become employed. She said that she has heard that people sleeping in the cold weather cots are just passing through and are not in Orange County long-term. Chair Bedford said that it is important to note that 80% of people had a previous Orange County address. She said they are throughout the county, and she can affirm that it is in fact the county's need.