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Housing & Redevelopment Authority Page 3
<br />January 3, 2011
<br />• development program -commercial and residential propertyrehab small communities in Central Minnesota.
<br />The CMHI' also administers the NSP program and the COC program CMHP's overall goal is to provide
<br />affordable housing.
<br />Central MN COC covers 14 counties and the City of St. Cloud. She noted that the city of St. Cloud is
<br />separated from the 14 counties, as it is considered a metropolitan area. The COC senses Benton, Cass,
<br />Chisago, Wadena, Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Pine, Isanti, Stearns, Sherburne and
<br />Wright Counties. She stated that COC meetings are held once a month on the first Tuesday at 1 pm at the
<br />Morrison County Government Center in Little Falls. Two new member orientations are held each year, in
<br />June and November, before the regularly scheduled meeting.
<br />Ms. Klimrrrek stated that the COC currently has 45 organization, agencies and state departments represented.
<br />Examples include HRA's. She noted that the St. Cloud HRA, Morrison CorrntyHRA and Todd County
<br />HRAs are represented so far. She stated theywould like to have HRA's from all communities in Central
<br />Minnesota represented. Rural development, homeless service providers, Minnesota Housing and Minnesota
<br />Department of Human Services, and county representatives are also represented. Ms. Klimmek stated they
<br />would like to get police departments and former homeless persons involved, as well.
<br />Ms. K1uim~ek stated that to become a member, you just need to attend a meeting. Orientation meetings are
<br />not required, but would be helpful Members must attend at least 60 percent of the meetings since the
<br />beginning of a calendar year in order to be a voting member. She stated the purpose of the COC is: 1) to
<br />identifythe size and scope of homelessness in Central Minnesota; identifyresources to address homelessness,
<br />rank a community's needs in order of priority; develop plan services and housing; and, identify resources; and
<br />2) submit applications annual to HUD for McKinneyHomeless Assistance resources. She noted that they
<br />have secured $11,652,330 in funding since 1997 through this application, as well as leveraging over
<br />• $23,000,000 for homeless services housing.
<br />Currently, the Central MN COC provides annual Federal funding for seventeen projects including
<br />transitional housing, permanent support housing, service onlyprojects, and shelter plus care projects. She
<br />noted that the St. Cloud HRA does hold 6 shelter plus care grants within the COC, so theypartner with
<br />mental health in City of St. Cloud in providing units of affordable housing and services to people who were
<br />formerlyhomeless. She also noted that this funding does not fund emergency shelters.
<br />Ms. Klirnmek stated Central Minnesota COC coordinates an annual Point in Time count of homeless
<br />individuals. This count is mandatory by HUD and is done during the last week in January. The COC is
<br />responsible for counting all unsheltered homeless individuals and families in Central Minnesota. She will
<br />request that the Sherburne Countycoordinatorcomact the HRA so that the HRA can be involved in this
<br />count (on January26~). The State Department of Human Services does the count of sheltered homeless.
<br />She stated she was sure there were homeless individuals and families calling for resources in the city.
<br />Ms. Klimmek stated that a 10-year plan to end homelessness in 14 counties was developed in 2008. Some of
<br />the goals were unattainable, so in 2011, theyto revamp the entire plan, with the help of various groups and
<br />volunteers.
<br />Bybecoming a member of COC, the communitycan be represented and mayhave the oppomrnityto receive
<br />funding for homeless services, such as transitional housing, permanent support housing, transitional housing,
<br />or shelter plus care. She feh membership provides a great oppommityfor networking. Members find that
<br />there are all sorts of other organizations at their fingertips that they can send clients to, and can help further
<br />by knowing what other people do within the community. Members also develop stronger partnerships
<br />within the community as well as outside of it. They gain stronger knowledge of programs, services, funding
<br />• resources, events and fundraisers. Meeting schedules, meeting agendas, and minutes of the COC can be
<br />found on their website at www cmhp.net, as well as member contacts and a service matrix describing what
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