Shield NC

Defense Against Trafficking

SGFA Sept 20, 2022-Meeting Minutes

by

Service Groups and Faith Alliance

September 20, 2022

Meeting Minutes

Affordable Housing in Apex



Attendees:

Officer Kenneth Copeland; Niki Miller, Shield NC ; Phil Welch, Town of Apex-Affordable Housing; Nicole Bernard, Shield NC; Kerry Crespo, Cary Church; George Greene, Pastor Christian Home CC, Karen Morant, Wake HHS; Jennifer Roeder; DebVinci, Shield NC

Introduction

Kenneth provided overview of the group and introduced Phil Welch who shared with the group regarding the Town of Apex Affordable Housing Plan & FY 2021-2022 Annual Housing Report.

Phil Welch, Chair, Apex Housing Advisory Board and Chair, Western Region Affordable Housing Action Group Advocacy Team

P2twelch@gmail.com  919-355-2971

Phil shared the path that brought him to this role and his passion for the need for housing. 

His mission is the education on each town’s plan and bring in local social service groups, best practices and build leadership.  The focus will be in 3 parts today:

Part I Apex Affordable Housing Plan Overview

Part II Apex Annual Housing Report FY2021-22

Part III Support Opportunities for Social Service Agencies and Faith Communities

PART I

Definition of Affordable Housing:

Housing costs less than 30% of total income

Greater than this results in Housing Cost Burdened making them have to make choices for food, transportation, healthcare, childcare etc.

Income and Size are determinators of Affordable Housing

  • Median Income approx. $100,000
  • Housing needs in Apex:
  • 2000-unit deficit in rentals for essential workers

Rental home gap project to double in 10 years

  • Lack of starter homes
  • Not attracting, retaining diverse population
  • Forcing out seniors on limited incomes
  • Not enough subsidized housing

Public Survey – 1200 responses: balanced with diverse demographic, young couple had trouble finding housing; 60/40 to change things vs not to

Who needs affordable housing

  • Everyone
  • Essential workers
  • Specific populations in need of homes: seniors, veterans, single parents, families with special needs individuals

Questions:

            Needs for housing and jobs needed correlation…less than 10% who live in Apex work in Apex

            Is this a more recent problem?  Known as a good place to live and drawing people from all over the country causing stress on the resources.

PART II

Annual Housing report

            Near term and mid to long term recommendations

            Near:

  • Staff Capacity
  • Housing Ad Boards
  • AH Incentive zoning policy
  • Owner-occupied rehab assistance Apex Cares
  • Low income housing tax credit Broadstone Walk  (DHIC 164 units beginning late 2022) = families and Abbey Spring (Evergreen) 84 units; tax credit approval by end of September – Seniors

Mid :

  • Annual housing report
  • Online housing dashboard
  • Diversity and racial equity initiative
  • Affordable housing advocacy partners
  • Support for homeownership
  • Public land acquisition and sale
  • Transit-oriented development density

Long: 

  • Emergency rental assistance and supportive services

Questions:

Plans to do more habitat houses?  He doesn’t know. 

Any changes in perception of Habitat Houses from the new homes that were built?  Would be interesting follow-up.

Habitat is working in Apex to assist in repairs of existing homes. 

Zoning Laws – is there any discussion about rezoning laws to assist diversity?  This is being investigated.

Part III

Think about the audience we focus on as SG or Faith groups

How Might your organization help?

            Partner with AH developers, Habitat, DHIC, RTT etc. to find land/properties, build or preserve home, send volunteers and funds

            Help households prepare for stable homes with family budgeting, credit repairs, paying down debt, upgrading job skills, etc.  The Carying Place, Habitat

            Get word out on new and existing and affordable homes, Habitat, Wake acres apt, Broadstone Walk

            Attend Town Council, Planning Board and County Commission meetings to support worthy AH proposals and speak about benefits to entire town

            Lunch and volunteers for Habit projects

            Housing Dialogue – Segregated by Design – to initiate conversation to understand how to create more opportunities and raise awareness

            Understand what the opportunities are to be helpful like when the mayor mentioned locations to assist with needs in the area … food pantries assistance

SGFA August 30, 2022-Meeting Minutes

by

Service Groups and Faith Alliance

August 30, 2022

Meeting Minutes

Homelessness Survey and White Flag in Apex and Cary

Attendees:

Officer Kenneth Copeland; Officer Carter; Officer Danica Coleman; Jason Armstrong, Police Chief for Apex; Elliot Brooks, TFS Street Outreach Specialist; Nikki Miller, Shield; Tiffany Edwards, Apex Baptist; Mindy Varkevisser, Church of Jesus Christ of LDS; Sherry Presnall, WWCM; Ginger Espino, Safe Child; Nancy Wakeley, Peak City Exchange Club; Mike Merker, Jordan Lutheran Church; Phil Welch, Town of Apex-Affordable Housing; Cheryl Stallings, Apex Town Council; Karen Matthews, Apex UMC; Deb Vinci

Introduction

Kenneth provided overview of agenda which will be to review survey results and discuss how we can address the issues.  Elliott will lead our discussion.

Prior Discussion Summary given by Elliot

Statistics in Apex:

11 surveys returned confirmed some locations of homeless in Apex which have been largely unknown due to lack of successful PIT counts

            2 camping off HWY 64

  • Beaver Commons evidence of campers
  • Survey identified person living in shed and has been housed
  • Abandoned areas near motels, hotels
  • 2 in parks
  • Car camper in Apex
  • Cary results were 50 in PIT count which is underreported…zero in Apex

This correlates with what Apex PD encounters

Shelter/Housing Discussion:

  • Cat 1 homelessness and abuse is assisted with help from TFS and WWCM, etc. verses Cat 2 (have a roof over head-couch surfing) From Human Trafficking perspective, vulnerabilities are great even for couch surfers.
    • Lack of expansive safety nets is a big issue because stable place to stay is not necessarily safe.
    • Teenagers trying to escape poor home environment
    • Is anyone in the country doing this well we could learn from?  Elliott does not have this information and will investigate this.  Upstream book mentioned and Elliott reported that the access HUB is used locally. The challenge is that vulnerabilities are not identified and so a second level of detail is used to determine this which is often how prioritized.          
    • Chief Armstrong asked about filling the gap.  Elliott referenced Design for Joy which helps women get training and experience to leave the program and get on their feet.  No equivalents for men.
      • Ex-convicts helped to transition but there is no list or repository for this information. 

No public transportation in Apex. Sleeping in vehicles makes the challenge of engagement difficult

Set up parking lots to allow parking safely and not worry about harassment.  Walmart does allow this, one of the few.  Oak City Cares provides shower option.  New Shower Bus getting ready to be approved…shower and laundry access.  

Sherry shared they see folks that have given up on shelters because they are full.  Why street access is important.  Some of these underserved are scared and disillusioned.

Vouchers as income toward rent is not prevalently accepted in Wake County.  This still allows for a screening process.  All the red tape with Housing Authority also creates barriers for landlords.

More seniors over 65 are on the rise for homeless

            Sherry (2019) …11% of seniors living below the poverty line.  Rents going up such that they are not affordable…also medical debt causing abandoning senior

Cheryl shared they are very aware of the needs around housing.  They are working on it to provide affordable housing for the community.  Only one with active discussions through the town.  Cary does not have it, but they are reviewing their housing policy.

QUESTIONS:

How to help those that are begging for help or food.  So many variables play into this.  Ask if they have access to the HUB.  WWCM has cards to give with this information.  Understanding resource options is difficult for some to do. 

Mark has tried to engage with Apex Cares to do projects and it has been challenging to make this happen. Not easy to navigate.  He will connect with Cheryl and Phil to find avenues to help.

Ideas for Community Engagement:

  • Shower Bus
  • DEGA – mobile vet clinic for low-cost services for financially challenging
  • Fundraising for resources; sleeping bags, gas cards, fuels, fans and batteries (cannot use State and Federal Emergency Services Grant dollars for these things)
  • Volunteer opportunities for community meals, hosting DEGA
  • Know who to call if unsheltered person comes in asking for assistance.  Keep Access Hub number ready to share 919-443-0096
  • Calls from people in hotels are considered sheltered…WWCM helps in case-by-case basis.  Have to determine if there is a long-term plan and refer them to services that can assist.  People have an eviction history, don’t have security deposit or housing is not available are all challenges.
  • Educating businesses on how to recognize unsheltered homelessness
  • Collaborating with appropriate outreach interventions
  • Construction of more affordable housing
  • Educating the community
  • Improving mental health and medical safety nets for community

Phil will be providing presentation to layout all that really can be done to help in future meeting.  White Flag discussion was also tabled to another meeting due to time constraints today.

HUB Number 919-443-0096 for Wake County.  Caller should be prepared to provide a way to be contacted i.e. emergency contact, location, mailbox, phone etc.

Elliott Brooks contact information:

919-501-8504  ebrooks@tfsnc.org

SGFA June 21, 2022-Meeting Minutes

by

Service Groups and Faith Alliance

June 21, 2022

Meeting Minutes

Homelessness in Apex and Cary

Attendees:

Nicole Bernard, Elliott Brooks (Street Outreach Specialist with Triangle Family Services), Jim Ahler, Officer Kenneth Ragland, Danica Coleman, Kevin O’Brien (Pastor, Apex Baptist), Sam Kim (United Church), Nancy Wakeley (Peak City Exchange Club), Jesse Thomas (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), Deb Vinci

Introduction:

Nicole introduced Elliot Brooks from Triangle Family Services, who will build on last month’s presentation on Homelessness:

Understanding the Traps of Homelessness – Responding to Extreme Poverty with Empathy, Trauma-Informed Practices, and Housing First Strategies

What poverty does – psychologically and understanding how to work with this

Types of Interventions:

· Prevention – can be a simple one-off thing like the paying of a bill, etc.

· Diversion – lost their housing which is addressed with temporary shelters; often just a little bit of assistance and case management and then they can get back on their feet

· If they fall through these first two safety nets, there are likely barriers that require some additional support such as drugs, alcohol, transportation needs, job requirements, etc.

Housing First – This program is focused on housing being the first thing to address. Once this is addressed it allows them to then be employed, deal with mental issues, provide safety, food storage options and place to store documents,

Existing perceived solutions to homelessness:

· Need to make better choices

· Need to save money

· Need to be clean from substance abuse

· Morally weak

The Cost of Poverty

· Very expensive to get out of the cycle because they don’t have resources to do this

· Always playing catch up in the poverty cycle – too poor to save – Their experienced trauma impacts their financial choices

· Trauma and Spending – Saving doesn’t happen if you can’t plan or predict future – survival mode

· Substance Use – out in cold Meth/alcohol is your friend keeps you warm and feeling safe as you can stay awake (to protect yourself) and it is an escape

· Viewed as a benefit

· Sober or using – both are options…Using is often a choice to keep going

Let’s Enter into This World – Elliot walked us through a powerful visualization projection of someone entering homelessness and all the traps that they go through without support.

· Choices are not available.

· Shelter or Assistance often equal judgment

· Saying “No” to help is often the only power and form of control that they feel they have

· Do not judge based on what I would do.

· Love and caring.

· Allow people to be human again.

· Systems need to be built on building people up rather than within the constraints of our systems.

They need to be SAFE and SHELTERED before they can receive help with other issues.

QUESTIONS:

Is the requirement of obtaining a job in 2 weeks common for receiving shelter? Not as much but in rural areas more so.

Food and Financial vulnerability – Jim Ahler- our folks in WWCM are housed – Do we have shelters in Apex?  There are no shelters in Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, or Fuquay. No emergency shelter for white flag. No severe weather shelters. There are no buses in Apex to move homeless to Raleigh shelters.

Do shelters in Raleigh require that you have to be received in by a certain time. They are “overnight only” based on weather. Coordinated entry system for extended shelter and this is list based.

Nicole said we are doing survey to churches and schools (in July) to try to gather data on where there may be needs. Then use this data to provide a white flag shelter or improve availability of transportation to a shelter. Homeless Cat 1 if living in woods or on the street. Data on staying with folks that are runaway subject to trafficking is separately tracked.

Couch surfers have failed prevention/diversion – Caring Place at Dorcas helps with this.

Elliott receives referrals from HUB and uses Western Wake to investigate homeless encampments. Triangle Family Services offers case management without housing options. Rapid Housing requires individuals to have income. She partners with organizations to provide food.

Needs would include: Food (easy to open, nonperishables), water, bug spray, batteries (D and others) are needed and could be collected and given to Elliott.

Barriers: service animals (Emotional Support Animals) are not received well for housing. Pets only– pit-bull or rottweilers not usually accepted in affordable apartments. Proof required that the animal is well behaved and not aggressive or would damage property. Service Animal letter is necessary.

Elliott Brooks contact information: 919-501-8504 ebrooks@tfsnc.org

SGFA May 17, 2022 Meeting Minutes

by

Missed the May Meeting? Here are the minutes.

Service Groups and Faith Alliance

May 17, 2022

Meeting Minutes

Homelessness in Apex and Cary

Attendees:

Nicole Bernard, Niki Miller, Elliot Brooks (Street Outreach Specialist with Triangle Family Services), Jim Ahler, Kerry Crespo, Nancy Hagan, Danica Coleman, Spencer Bradford, Tom Klatt, Kim Adcock, Karen Morant, Deb Vinci, Ofc Kenneth Ragland, Chief Jason Armstrong

Announcements:

Nicole Bernard welcomed attendees and announced Stephanie Moore LCSW was the sponsor for today’s meeting. Nicole reminded attendees of the Annual Shield Gala coming up June 3 and invited all to join.

The SGFA is continuing to focus on Foster Care Awareness. We petitioned the Town of Apex to proclaim May as Foster Care Awareness Month. The proclamation was issued by mayor and the town council for month of May in Apex on April 26. Shield has also partnered with the Wake County Child Welfare (Foster Care Recruitment) to organize a Door Hanger Campaign. On three different days, volunteers with hang foster care information on homes in the area. So far 500 door hangers have been place. The next campaign dates are May 21st and May 25th.

Speaker Elliot Brooks:

Nicole introduced Elliot Brooks, Street Outreach Specialist for Triangle Family Services, who presented information regarding homelessness in Apex and Cary. Elliot’s outreach efforts focus on encampments in western wake currently and will be moving into HS and FV as able. Unsheltered homelessness is main focus.

What?

Triangle Family Services works with unsheltered individuals and emergency shelters if no case management. It is high access service with no financial or behavioral barriers. No one is excluded for these reasons. Mobile access: we meet people where they are. In their camps or abandoned buildings or McDonalds, etc.

Why?

Lowers barriers and creates access for people

Many homeless individuals have experienced a high level of trauma

Provide food, water, hygiene supplies, SNAP sign up or EBT or Medicaid; housing navigation and referrals

Engage people who resist other forms of help – offer support and positive alternatives

Why help?

Homeless individuals are often perceived as not wanting help. A few people want to be homeless, but most don’t. Refusal of help is a product of trauma. Learned helplessness because they are too afraid. Dehumanizing which doesn’t allow them any agency in our society.

NC507 Structure: everyone enters by the same door via Access Hub and they are referred to the right place for their specific need. Elliot gets referrals from the Access Hub.

Looking at Apex and Cary:

Cary: The most recent Point In Time survey found 48 homeless individuals, which is large number for area and does not include those living in cars or sleeping on someone’s sofa. More camping with warm weather. Real number is likely 70-100 homeless individuals. Some are visible but many are not.

Apex: No one located during the most recent Point In Time survey – they are well-hidden, living in cars or “couch surfing”.

Some differences: easier to get services in Cary; Cary is closer to Raleigh; get around via bus; Cary has many hotels for emergency shelters. Apex is close to Jordan Lake providing legal camping.

Apex homeless don’t engage due to difficulty getting around and don’t qualify for service

True Number is unknown

Strategies for Helping:

· Work at changing public perception (often seen as lazy or bad people)

a) Community Service Events help connection

b) Inform congregation about white flag events

c) Host events where people can learn more about homelessness

· Fund raisers to get supplies

a) Transportation, Lyft card, gas cards

b) Security Deposit assistance

c) Survival supplies, tents, tarps

· Actively filling existing service gaps

(Dorcas, St Johns are great examples of how to do this.)

a) White flag emergency shelters

b) Support services like meals or free clinics, mobile shower truck

c) Free overnight parking shelters for individuals living in cars

Elliott Brooks Contact Information:

ebrooks@tfsnc.org

919-501-8504

Q&A

Jim shared that his wife who pastors at his church has seen several folks emerge for assistance. Do you need to see the person for point in time count or survey churches? Elliot responded that it must be in person as a snapshot of point in time.

Spencer asked who organizes team for Point In Time survey in Apex. Access Hub was used last time and Elliot shared contact: jvolkel@partnershipwake.org

Niki asked Kerry to share what they are doing at their church (Cary Church):

Opened up Convoy of Hope; offering hot meals on 4th Saturday 11-1:00; grocery bags distributed by team of 10-12; restarted food bank 1st and 2nd Saturday; wanting to reconnect with community; Bread of Life at Moore Square every 3rd Saturday for clothing and non-perishable groceries. For the last 3 months they have been going to homes for released prisoners – want them to come to facility going forward; has met with schools. Contact: Kerry Crespo-Asst Pastor Kerry.crespo@cary.church

Nancy – low barrier goals have fallen off during COVID. Has had experience with Point In Time count and interested in making connections with Elliot to assist with location of individuals.

Nicole – How do we know where people are during extreme weather? Reviewed options and determined it was best to get them to Raleigh. If proven need, Elliot offered it should be done in the area so transportation does not become an issue.

White flag shelter point of contact is Travis at St Johns travisc@stjohnsmcc.org

What items need to be collected that may be priority? Things to keep folks cool, Gatorade, tents, tarps, trash bags to stay dry, bug spray, deodorant, powder. Anything to stay dry and comfortable. Good quality sleeping bag is important no matter the weather. Can openers, dry shampoo, coolers.

Karen asked about disconnection from services needed outside Raleigh. How do we leverage our resources to fill the gaps? Raleigh has resources that those outside that area don’t. Image and stigma need to be overcome. Change conversation and provide high access, low barrier assistance.

Word of mouth changes opinions and helps clients learn about positive experiences. Is there a need to create a Community Care Center? Elliot shared that Day Centers have a big stigma and it is hard to create. Although, Day Centers can help provide the homeless with a vision for what life can be.

“Unite Us” platform used by the state to connect needs and resources.