HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2005.02.17 - 27835REPORT (misc. #05013) February 17, 2005
BY: General Government Committee, William R. Patterson, Chairperson
IN RE: MR #05013 — BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — SUPPORT FOR THE PLAN
TO END HOMELESSNESS IN OAKLAND COUNTY AND PROVIDE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The General Government Committee, having reviewed Miscellaneous Resolution
#05013 on February 7, 2005, reports with a recommendation that the resolution be
adopted.
Chairperson, on behalf of the General Government Committee, I move
acceptance of the foregoing report.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
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General Government Committee Vote:
Motion carried on a roll call vote with Crawford absent.
Miscellaneous Resolution # 05013
BY: Commissioner Eric Wilson, District #3
RE: Board of Commissioners - Support for the Plan to End Homelessness in
Oakland County and Provide Affordable Housing
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS homelessness is a problem even in affluent places such as Oakland County.
During the last 20 years, the homeless population has changed from mostly indigent men
to 65% women and children; and
WHEREAS homeless women and children can be found in every city, village and
township within Oakland County. Homeless students are in every one of the 28 school
districts in Oakland County; and
WHEREAS although many of the homeless men are veterans, the average homeless
person in Oakland County is a 9 year old boy. More than 3,000 children each year in
Oakland County are forced to live in a shelter, motel, vehicle or "doubled-up" with friends
or relatives; and
WHEREAS many things contribute to homelessness including: low wages, transportation
issues, child care costs (or lack of adequate child care), medical costs, domestic violence,
substance abuse, evictions and mental illness; and
WHEREAS the median household income in Oakland County is $75,540, but 25% of the
County population falls below HUD's Section 8 low-income guidelines - making the
possibility of homelessness just one missed paycheck away; and
WHEREAS the common misconception is that placing people in shelters is the least
expensive way to meet their basic needs. The cost of homelessness to our society is high.
It costs $1,850 to shelter one individual for one month at local shelters; and
WHEREAS people who are homeless spend more time in jail - often just for public
loitering. At a cost of $83 per day, or $2,490 per month, housing individuals in the Oakland
County jail is very costly for taxpayers - also contributing to jail overcrowding; and
WHEREAS in 2002, President George W. Bush introduced a ten year plan to end
homelessness. In 2003, this undertaking was endorsed by both NACO and the US
Conference of Mayors. While the plan is not mandated by Congress or HUD, local
communities are strongly encouraged to adopt such a plan; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing is
an organization consisting of representatives of emergency shelters, transitional housing,
human service agencies, municipal governments, private foundations and individuals with
an interest in the issue of homelessness; and
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WHEREAS the Task Force is responsible for developing and maintaining the Continuum
of Care strategy that provides interim services to homeless individuals and families while
they achieve self-sufficiency. Supportive housing and services for those physically and
mentally unable to be self-sufficient also comes under the purview of the Continuum of
Care strategy; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing has
issued an "A Call to Action" to all stakeholders to participate in a community-wide effort to
develop and implement a "Blue Print to End Homelessness"; and
WHEREAS Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has stated, "If Oakland County
can offer a well-spring of career and business opportunities for the vast majority of its
citizens, then it has the ability to confront and conquer the problem of homelessness in this
county over the next decade."
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
hereby supports the efforts of the County Executive and the Oakland County Task Force
on Homelessness and Affordable Housing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
joins in partnership with the growing coalition to seek better methods to serve our
homeless populations and unite in developing a community-wide plan to pro-actively end
the cycle of homelessness within our borders.
Chairperson, we move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
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Resolution #05013 January 27, 2005
Moved by Wilson supported by Potter the resolution be referred to the General Government Committee. The
Chairperson stated there being no objections, so ordered.
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Resolution #05013 February 17, 2005
Moved by Rogers supported by Suarez the resolutions on the Consent Agenda be adopted (with
accompanying reports being accepted and appointments being confirmed).
AYES: Coulter, Crawford, Douglas, Gershenson, Gregory, Hatchett, Jamian, KowaII, Melton,
Middleton, Molnar, Moss, Nash, Patterson, Rogers, Scott, Suarez, Wilson, Woodward, Bullard. (20)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted therefore, the resolutions on the Consent Agenda were adopted (with
accompanying reports being accepted and appointments being confirmed).
p•n•n•
I NM APPROVE THE FOREGOING UM
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Ruth Johnson, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on February 17, 2005
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County of Oakland at
Pontiac, Michigan this 17th day of February, 2005.
Ruth 76Enson, County Clerk