Spring Break
City of Corvallis to give $25,000 for homeless services
Mental health worker will be hired to assist those who are homeless and in danger of becoming homeless
Samantha Blann
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: News
By Samantha Blann
The Daily Barometer
The city of Corvallis has allotted $25,000 for homeless services. The funds will be used to hire a mental health worker and also provide a variety of beneficial services for homeless and low-income individuals.
The city council approved the funding program on April 6, during the city meeting.
$15,000 of the funds will go toward hiring a half-time mental health outreach specialist to help homeless individuals dealing with drug, alcohol and mental health issues.
The other $10,000 will be allocated for miscellaneous services such as bus passes, first and last rent payments, temporary lodging, medical prescription expenses and document reproduction expenses for driver's licenses and birth certificates.
The funds came from the city's General Funds account, which is used for specific allocations.
City Manager Jon Nelson said that a total cost of $50,000 is estimated to be needed for the mental health worker position.
The Daytime Drop-In Center, along with Project Action, presented a list of homeless services to Nelson, asking for funds. The Daytime Drop-in center of Corvallis is currently located at the First Christian Church. It is a place where people can come and socialize over an occasional meal.
One of the original requests of the center and Project Action was for a place where homeless individuals could stay overnight and not receive tickets. That issue will be addressed later this year.
"The City Manager knew that we really wanted a social worker," said Chair of the Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition and President of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center, Aleita Hass-Holcombe. "We're really happy [that the funds will provide for one]."
"I am very excited that there is a lot of awareness and energy to help homeless and low-income individuals get the resources they really need," Hass-Holcombe said.
It is unknown how many people will use the social worker's assistance.
"There is a group of very independent people who do not want to be helped by government services," said City Mayor Charles Tomlinson. "The people who will access these services will be much less than the total homeless population."
"[The mental health worker and varied services] is a new program," Nelson said. "I don't know how many people will take advantage of it."
Since the program is new, Nelson said regular reports will be required.
"I think it's a good first step to help people lift themselves out of homelessness," Tomlinson said.
Samantha Blann, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
The Daily Barometer
The city of Corvallis has allotted $25,000 for homeless services. The funds will be used to hire a mental health worker and also provide a variety of beneficial services for homeless and low-income individuals.
The city council approved the funding program on April 6, during the city meeting.
$15,000 of the funds will go toward hiring a half-time mental health outreach specialist to help homeless individuals dealing with drug, alcohol and mental health issues.
The other $10,000 will be allocated for miscellaneous services such as bus passes, first and last rent payments, temporary lodging, medical prescription expenses and document reproduction expenses for driver's licenses and birth certificates.
The funds came from the city's General Funds account, which is used for specific allocations.
City Manager Jon Nelson said that a total cost of $50,000 is estimated to be needed for the mental health worker position.
The Daytime Drop-In Center, along with Project Action, presented a list of homeless services to Nelson, asking for funds. The Daytime Drop-in center of Corvallis is currently located at the First Christian Church. It is a place where people can come and socialize over an occasional meal.
One of the original requests of the center and Project Action was for a place where homeless individuals could stay overnight and not receive tickets. That issue will be addressed later this year.
"The City Manager knew that we really wanted a social worker," said Chair of the Corvallis Homeless Shelter Coalition and President of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-In Center, Aleita Hass-Holcombe. "We're really happy [that the funds will provide for one]."
"I am very excited that there is a lot of awareness and energy to help homeless and low-income individuals get the resources they really need," Hass-Holcombe said.
It is unknown how many people will use the social worker's assistance.
"There is a group of very independent people who do not want to be helped by government services," said City Mayor Charles Tomlinson. "The people who will access these services will be much less than the total homeless population."
"[The mental health worker and varied services] is a new program," Nelson said. "I don't know how many people will take advantage of it."
Since the program is new, Nelson said regular reports will be required.
"I think it's a good first step to help people lift themselves out of homelessness," Tomlinson said.
Samantha Blann, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Be the first to comment on this story
Comments by registered users are approved by default.