September 21, 1999

50 PEOPLE SELECTED BY COMMUNITY SHELTER BOARD
FOR COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Community Shelter Board (CSB) announced today that 50 individuals have been selected to serve on a Community Advisory Committee that will govern the shelter certification standards and the good neighbor agreements recommended in the Rebuilding Lives plan. The committee will hold its first meeting today.

Following an open application process that garnered 80 applications, 40 community residents and 10 current or former shelter residents were selected by CSB to participate on the committee.

"We were gratified by the number of qualified candidates who applied to serve on the committee," said Barbara Poppe, executive director of Community Shelter Board. "Although it made the selection process difficult, we are glad to know that so many individuals care about the development of emergency and supportive housing for homeless people in our community."

Committee members represent a diverse mix of ages, genders, occupations and ethnic backgrounds. Participants reside in 26 different central Ohio neighborhoods. In addition, members are affiliated with a wide range of community organizations, shelter providers and housing organizations. In total, nearly 40 different organizations are represented.

Led by co-chairs Ed Krauss and Greta Winbush, the Community Advisory Committee will conduct its work in two subcommittees. The Good Neighbor Agreement subcommittee will develop policy recommendations on agreements between housing providers and the community residents that may include communication, site design, operations and safety procedures.

The Shelter Certification subcommittee will develop specifications, beyond regular zoning code regulations, that shelters must meet to be eligible for funding from the Community Shelter Board. This may include hours of operation, staff training requirements, client service policies and other procedural issues.

Neither of the subcommittees will consider specific siting specifications. They will not negotiate good neighbor agreements, monitor compliance with proposed shelter standards or make any funding decisions.

During the next few months, the Community Advisory Committee will meet regularly to develop policies and procedures related to good neighbor agreements and shelter certification. Before disbanding, the committee will present their proposed procedures to the CSB Board of Trustees and the Rebuilding Lives Funder Collaborative for action and implementation.

The Rebuilding Lives plan was developed last year by the Scioto Peninsula Relocation Task Force. The task force studied the problem of homelessness in Columbus and found that 15 percent of homeless men in Franklin County use 50 percent of all shelter services. The task force’s plan to end this cycle of homelessness included the creation of permanent, affordable housing combined with counseling, job training and other services. As part of this plan, 800 supportive housing units will be built throughout central Ohio.

# # #

 

Home | Who We Are | What's New | Programs | Agency Resources | Results
Publications | Continuum of Care | Links |  How to Give |  Mel Schottenstein

Community Shelter Board   614-221-9195   info@csb.org