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ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS APPROVING A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT OF $247,000.00 TO LIBERTY COMMUNITY SERVICES INC, (1) TO OPERATE A PREVENTION / DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS THAT INCLUDES RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SECURITY DEPOSITS, AND (2) A NAVIGATION HUB WITH THREE SATELLITE HUBS FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS.
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WHEREAS, the City of New Haven through its Department of Community Resilience - Office of Housing and Homelessness seeks to provide safe spaces with services for unhoused individuals; and,
WHEREAS, the unhoused face unsafe and mentally challenging situations every day, often leading to fear, anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. These feelings have a negative impact on their psyche, their response to situations, their ability to obtain or maintain employment; and,
WHEREAS, a safe, welcoming space with wraparound, client centered services is vital to stabilizing the unhoused, providing emotional support, reducing stress and anxiety; improving mood; and increasing productivity due to a better mental state; and,
WHEREAS, the Office of Housing and Homelessness believes safe spaces with services provide much needed support to the unhoused; and,
WHEREAS, Liberty Community Services. is non-profit organization that has been serving the disenfranchised in the City of New Haven by providing safe havens with services, as well as prevention and diversion services and advocacy; and,
WHEREAS, Liberty Community Services. has agreed to provide Navigation Hub Services with wraparound services to include basic needs (showers, laundry, meal) harm reduction services, housing case management, access to medical and behavioral care as well as access to employment training to unhoused individuals at their 210 State St location as well as at the Wilson Library, Fair Haven Library and Stetson Library; and,
WHEREAS, Liberty Community Services has also agreed to provide prevention and diversion services to include eviction prevention, rental assistance, security deposits, utility assistance, tenant education and landlord mitigation; and,
WHEREAS, the Office of Housing and Homelessness is honored to partner with Liberty Community Services in a one-year contract of $247,000.00 for said services.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDERED THAT the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven supports these services that benefit the unhoused individuals and families in the community; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven authorizes the Office of Housing and Homelessness to enter into a one-year contract in the amount of $247,000.00 with Liberty Community Services to provide Navigation Hub Services for unhoused individuals and to provide Prevention and Diversion Services for at risk households.