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Commissioner Philbeck - County Manager - To Accept the Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness in Gaston County Written Report and Approve the Recommended Actions to Address Immediate Needs
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STAFF CONTACT
Dr. Kim S. Eagle - County Manager - 704-866-3101
BACKGROUND
In February 2021, the Gaston County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution to establish the Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness in Gaston County to assist with addressing homelessness in Gaston County (Board Action 2021-068). Homelessness is a concern in Gaston County just as it is nationwide. The Task Force’s charge was to better understand the extent and challenges of homelessness in Gaston County, as well as seek to address those challenges in a written report to be presented to the Board of Commissioners and Municipal Town and City Councils upon completion. The members of the Task Force consisted of individuals from various entities including but not limited to the following: County Commissioners, Municipal/ Town Councils, local Faith Community, DHHS Public Health and Social Services Division, County Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, United Way of Gaston County, Gaston County Salvation Army, Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care, and Catherine’s House/Sisters of Mercy. The Gaston County Board of Commissioners appointed Commissioner Tracy Philbeck to Chair the Task Force. The Task Force met from May through December 2021 and has completed its Report. The Board of Gaston County Commissioners is therefore requested to:
Accept the Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness in Gaston County Written Report (incorporated herein by reference), and approve the following Actions to Address Immediate Needs:
• Pursue long-term public-private partnerships to fund affordable housing development, including local housing authorities. Educate investors and local governments on the benefits of funding affordable housing. Establish a housing trust fund or other funding mechanism to collect and receive dollars from both government and the general public for the explicit purpose of constructing affordable housing. Examine a potential intergovernmental and interagency partnership with the Gaston Community Foundation.
• Task the County Manager to establish a County-wide Homelessness Prevention Committee comprised of agency and community organizations serving homeless populations. The purpose of the Committee is to foster collaboration, improve communication, and oversee County-wide initiatives to end homelessness in coordination with regional efforts led by the Gaston-Lincoln-Cleveland Continuum of Care.
ATTACHMENTS
Homelessness Report Infographic and Intergovernmental and Interagency Task Force on Homelessness in Gaston County Written Report (Full Report Available Online only)