Continuum of Care — Portland, ME
Date: 2016-05-04

HUD CoC Forum Agenda
 May 4, 2016
 10:30 am to 3 pm
 Opportunity Alliance Conference Center
 50 Lydia Lane - South Portland, ME




10:15 - 10:30 Networking and Coffee

10:30-10:45 HUD Welcome

10:45 – 11:30 Portland Continuum of Care Meeting

 • Collaborative Applicant for 2017 and future years




Join the meeting via Conference Call

Dial +1 (866) 316-1519
The participant code is: 9284295#


1:00 – 3:00 Portland and Maine CoC Joint Forum

 • HUD Updates
 • Public Housing Authorities and collaborative planning activities
 • Update on State Initiatives
 o PHA’s
 o Long-term Stayers
 o Shelter Programs
 o Veterans
 o Youth

Portland Continuum of Care
 Wednesday, May 4, 2016
 Meeting Minutes

Aaron Geyer City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division
Adam Harr City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division
David MacLean City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division
Robert Parritt City of Portland, Health & Human Services Dept., Social Services Division
Vickey Rand Community Housing of Maine
Ginny Dill Shalom House
Cindy Namer Maine State Housing Authority
Wendi DuBois The Opportunity Alliance
Jon Bradley Preble Street
Joanie Klayman Preble Street
Leah Bruns Maine State Housing Authority
Cindy Namer Maine State Housing Authority
Paula Paladino Maine State Housing Authority
Norman Maze Shalom House
Rebecca Hobbs Family Crisis
Cullen Ryan Community Housing of Maine
Chet Barnes DHHS
Lynn Morrow HUD
Bob Cwieka HUD
Marlisa Grogan HUD
Wendy Dubois The Opportunity Alliance
Veronica Ross The Opportunity Alliance
Michelle Staple York County Shelter Program
Anne Gass ABG Consulting
Guy Gagnon Biddeford Housing Authority
Bill Burny HUD

 I. Introductions
 Jon Bradley welcomed everyone and brief introductions were made. As the meeting was well
 attended, each person present stated their name and organization. Jon then asked for updates
 before moving on to the main agenda item. Paula Paladino announced that most of the MCoC’s
 tier two projects got funded. The only project that did not get funded in tier 2 for the PCoC was
 $324,000 for Bishop Street. The Opportunity Alliance got funding for a new rapid rehousing
 project that serves families. Preble Street’s residential support program got renewed, as did
 Shelter Plus Care. Paula reminded the group that the deadline to register for this year’s NOFA
 application is next Wednesday, May 11, and that unfunded projects may want to adjust to
 permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing.

 II. Legislative Update
 Federal:
 Cullen Ryan said that HOTMA is stalled and THUD, Senate appropriation committee, approved
 funding for HUD VASH, HCVs, a family education program, and extends eligibility of vouchers
 for youth. This also includes increases to subsidized housing and homeless assistance grants. By
 contrast, Cullen said the House released a bill proposing cuts to these funding areas. The
 Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act has been put forth to divert homeless individuals
 from the criminal justice system into treatment and services.
 State: Section 17 eligible diagnoses for wrap-around services were limited to schizophrenia and
 schizoaffective disorder. Cullen said there are 9 conditions that can lead to psychosis. The 7
 conditions that lost eligibility will be limited to one visit per month versus the wrap-around
 services they receive. Individuals will have 4 months to transition to a different service provider.
 Jon said the rates for providers have been cut to section 17 and 13, largely affecting the funding
 sources for some of organizations in the PCoC. Cullen said any further rate changes will require a
 public hearing.

 Cullen said that people who already have BRAP subsidies will be grandfathered in. Section 17 is
 a requirement to receive BRAP, creating a population of people needing a BRAP subsidy, but no
 longer being eligible. Chet acknowledged the flaws of the changes, but explained that the State
 wanted to maximize resources for individuals needing services and to shift some resources to
 behavioral health, but has created a gap as they execute their plan. He said that the State is
 working on connecting individuals with mental health issues leaving incarceration with BRAP
 subsidies. Ginny explained an issue with BRAP is that it was designed to be a housing first
 program and that tying it to section 17 removes that aspect of the voucher.

 Jon said he has looked the use of Narcan, the overdose antidote, at the Preble Street Resource
 Center. He said that Narcan was being administered by staff once every 17 days to clients
 overdosing at the resource center. He said that number has decreased with increased availability.
 Jon said that two of his case managers have 50 clients between them who are homeless opiate
 addicts; this is the biggest issue facing his client community. The legislature recently overrode a
 veto, making Narcan available without a prescription.

III. Collaborative Applicant for 2017 and Future Years
 Jon deferred to city staff to explain the background of the proposed change in collaborative
 applicant (CA), as the City of Portland is the current CA. David MacLean explained to the group
 that the city is withdrawing from the CA role due to a lack of institutional knowledge from staff
 changes to be a successful steward as well as being directed to from City leadership, as the city
 no longer receives CoC funding. Dave said there was talk of the two CoCs merging. Jon stated
 that a vote occurred nominating Maine State Housing Authority to take over the CA role, making
 them the CA for both CoCs in Maine. Cindy said she was not gotten full permission from MSHA
 to move ahead yet.

 Cindy states that MSHA has been internally reorganizing to have the infrastructure to help end
 homelessness statewide. Paula will be working directly with Cindy and Leah will manage
 program staff to better help the CoCs. Lynn gave historical background that there used to be three
 CoCs before the Greater Penobscot CoC merged with the Balance of the State. Lynn said she is
 concerned about the competitive nature of CoC funding as one CA may be able to choose to put
 resources behind one CoC over the other. However, Lynn said merging into one CoC would
 mitigate that and asked that a plan be sent to her in writing. Lynn said it is possible for the CA to
 change after registration but before the GIW review.

 Ginny said that the CoC hasn’t been equitable in its responsibility, citing that she and Vickey
 were the only ones who responded to an emergency vote to approve the HIC/PIT without
 multiple follow ups. She said we relied on support from Vickey and Paula tom much. Chet stated
 that there is no direct policy from HUD saying that one organization cannot be the CA for two
 CAs. He said that the MCoC has some reservations about merging, but that this makes sense in
 the context of a merged leadership board and coordinated entry system. He said he is concerned
 about everything being decided by emergency vote, and that we should have two CoCs under
 MSHA for a year before merging into one CoC.

 Vickey and Paula said that both CoCs would need to agree to merge. Rob said the group needs a
 back-up plan in case HUD determines one CA for two CoCs is not allowable. Norm suggested
there be multiple motions to set up and affirm the merger and ensure that he CoC registers to file
by the deadline. Norm made a MOTION for the City of Portland to register for the NOFA
application as the CA. MOTION PASSED with all in favor.

Norm made a MOTION for the PCoC to begin discussions on merging with the MCoC with the
intent on merging in the near future as well as make a formal request to the MCoC that they take
the merger into consideration as well. MOTION PASSED with all in favor.

Norm made a MOTION that in anticipation of the intent to merge with MCoC, PCoC is
requesting that the collaborative applicant to change from the City of Portland to MSHA and to
ask the MCoC if they are in agreement of the CA change. MOTION PASSED with all in favor.

Jon asked the group if a back-up plan should be made in case the CA change does not work.
Vickey said that is something we should consider at the next regular PCoC meeting, if needed.