City of Norman

PROJECT PURPOSE

The City of Norman currently is undergoing the development of a Homeless Strategic Plan. While funded by the City of Norman, the Strategic Plan is intended to address the needs of the Norman/Cleveland County Continuum of Care (OK 504) not specifically just the City of Norman. The Gaps Analysis section of the plan is complete and an identified need is for a low barrier, housing focused emergency shelter operated year around along with a Day Shelter which would provide access to services and case management. Designation of a long term operator and the commitment of associated operational funding will be determined at a later date. The Emergency Shelter details would include a section of the building for men, a section for women, and some space for families along with accessible restroom and shower facilities. The facility will be designed to provide appropriate supervision and safety for those receiving services as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Preference would be for new construction, a facility designed for this specific use. If a suitable existing facility is identified for a substantial acquisition/rehabilitation, the modifications would be undertaken to meet the same criteria that would be included within a new construction facility. This facility will provide safety for Norman?s most needy and most vulnerable.

EVIDENCE

Homelessness is a very complex issue. Persons who are utilizing a low barrier emergency shelter usually are chronically homeless with multiple issues of mental health, substance abuse, poor rental history and missing identification documents which complicate obtaining permanent housing. A low barrier, housing focused emergency shelter would allow for improved access to resources to assist in addressing the obstacles in obtaining permanent housing.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The proposed services will continue to provide the only option for low-barrier, housing focused emergency overnight shelter for those individuals experiencing homelessness. The manner in which this will best serve the CoC is by offering a high level of care, and shelter to the most vulnerable population in our community. The overnight shelter provides peace of mind with experienced, trained security staff on-site during all hours of operation, as well as, trained experienced case managers. The case managers targeted approach is to ease every guest's mind by offering a refuge of a safe space to discuss their housing plans, and wrap around services.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

All guests utilizing the Emergency Shelter are entered into the Homeless Management Information System. Each evening there are Case Managers on site to provide VI-SPDAT assessments which determine the magnitude of their vulnerability and prioritization for housing. The first season of operation there were 204 unique visitors which resulted in 86 receiving permanent housing placement. This year to date, the emergency shelter has seen 279 unduplicated individuals come through the shelter since December 6, 2020. Through this continued effort of a robust team of case managers, and resources offered for housing, we have seen an increase of 30% in housing.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma