Steering Ctee Says Re-form the Local CoC

By Sarah Owens and Michael Livingston

Members Tom Pessemier, Scott McClure (not shown) Kathy Clark, Chuck Bennett, Steve Powers, Colm Willis 

The Mid Willamette Homeless Initiative Steering Committee -- Tom Pessemier (Independence), Scott McClure (Monmouth), Kathy Clark (Keizer), Steve Powers (Salem) and Colm Willis (Marion County) voted to recommend re-forming the Marion and Polk County Continuum of Care (CoC), possibly including Yamhill County, in 2020.  Re-forming the local CoC would mean leaving the 28-county the Rural Oregon Continuum of Care (ROCC).  See "ROCC: Leave or Remain?"

Draft Resolution of Support

The committee also approved the form of a resolution of support for use as a template (at right), and authorized the Mid Willamette Valley Council of Governments (MWVCOG) to enter into a personal services contract with Jan Calvin, who will work closely with retired Marion County Commissioner Janet Carlson, currently under contract with MWVCOG, to carry out next steps, which include April 22 and 23 presentations at work sessions of the Salem City Council and Yamhill County Board of Commissioners, respectively.

Because Polk and Marion Counties are expected to adopt resolutions of support fairly soon, with Salem following shortly thereafter (see "News from the Continuum", 29 July 2017), much of the discussion focused on Yamhill County, which also is a member of ROCC and MWVCOG.  Would they want to take part?  Mayor Clark said yes, definitely.  Others were not so sure.

Powers emphasized the need to ensure that the burdens and benefits of a broader partnership would be shared "equitably."  Pessemier was concerned not to do anything that might make Marion and Polk less competitive as a CoC.  Willis, noting that Marion and Polk had obvious shared interests, was concerned that Yamhill might have diverse interests that could cause it to pull in a different direction.  Despite these concerns, the consensus seemed to favor including Yamhill County in the CoC, assuming Yamhill County wants to be included.  For any number of reasons, it might not.  

HUD is well aware of recent developments.  In recent days there have been two consultations with HUD officials, one in-person and one conference call.  Per HUD advice, the committee plan to open informal negotiations with ROCC next month on a transition plan.  Outreach to government entities should be wrapped up by the end of May, and to the provider community by the end of October.   

The committee has much to accomplish before the CoC can be registered in March 2020.  Some of the details are mentioned in Carlson's March 28 report to the committee, which can be found on MWVCOG's documents page once it is posted.  See also the City staff report for the April 8, 2019 City Council meeting.