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Housing & Redevelopment Authority January 3, 2011 ----------------------------- Page 4 every organization within COC does. She stated that when becoming a member, people ask how long it takes • to catch on and she tells them about one year. She stated she is learning new things in her job everyday and HUD can sometimes make changes very suddenly that they need to respond to. Chair Wilson stated he was interested in the Point in Time count and how is it conducted. He stated that in past discussions about homelessness, theyhave wondered howto get information for Elk River and what the needs are. He asked if the Point in Time count would help and howtheywould find out more. Ms. Klimmek stated that the count can help. She explained that there is a coordinator for each county in the COC and StacyEsbolt from Central Muuiesota Housing Partnership will be doing the Sherburne County count. She will contact anyone who may come in contact with homeless individuals or family, including the police department, school district, Salvation Army, and the HRA can be added to the list. There is a survey that is sent to every organization that will be participating. On January 26, anyone requesting services will simply be asked where theyare staying tonight. If they are staying outside or anyplace that is uninhabitable, theywill be counted. Last year there were six homeless individual counted. Ms. Klimniek felt that no matter what, the count is not going to be realistic, because some individuals don't want to be found or don't seek services, for whatever reason. Ms. Klimmek noted that last year the organizations experienced burned out, since there were three surveys going on at once. Commissioner Toth stated that if homelessness was reported to county, and the citybecame involved, would there be duplication. Ms. Klirruliek stated that they try to avoid duplication by asking for initials and date of birth. Commissioner Toth asked if citystaff should be spending time on this, if the county is supposed to be doing it. Ms. Klinunek stated that the city is in the county and any reports the city receives would help provide a more accurate count. She stated that it is up to the HRA whether or not they wish to participate. Commissioner Kuester questioned whythe count is for only one night of the year. Ms. Klinunek explained • that HUD wants to see snapshot of nation for one night of the year in January. Ms. Klinunek stated she felt it was a temble time to do the count in Minnesota, and that theyhave tried three times to get date changed. She noted theyplan to do count themselves in July, but likely not this year as it is a huge task Commissioner Kuester asked if the definition of homeless included sleeping in a car. Ms. Kliinmek stated yes, and any building without utilities. Commissioner Kuester asked if youth that are. out on the streets are counted. Ms. Klimmek stated yes. She stated that the survey does not take into account persons who have no home and are simply moving from place to place, staying with overnight wherever they can on a temporarybasis. Ms. Klimmek noted that on any given night in Minnesota there are 13,100 people who are homeless, and a large portion are children. Commissioner Toth stated that the majority of those are likely in the metro. Ms. Kliinmek stated that a large portion are in the metro, but rural homelessness is a huge problem She explained that approximatelytwo years ago, she met with each of the county commission boards in Central Minnesota in order to gain support for the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness. She stated she was shocked at the number of county commissioners who told her there were no homeless people in their county. She stated that this perception is an ongoing problem they are trying to break through. Ms. Klunmek stated there are homeless people living in the woods in campsites and now is a temble time for them. Ms. Mehelich asked if there is a representative from Sherburne County involved in COC now Ms. Klimmek stated she has spoken with Allissa Evanson of Sherburne County, but she has not yet been able to attend a meeting. Ms. Mehelich asked if the Central MN COC was linked into astate-wide CGC. Ms. Klimmek stated there are 11 COC's in the state. Commissioner Lieser asked if the 13,100 homeless in Minnesota were in shelters or unsheltered. Ms. Klunmek stated the number is a count of both She stated all the shelters are full and there is not enough • shelter. Many of the homeless are "couch hopping" from friend to friend, relative to relative. She stated this does not last very long, bridges are burned, and they find themselves out on the streets. She noted that a lot