April 18,2012

Minutes
SHELTER MONITORING COMMITTEE
April 18, 2012
10:00 AM
City Hall, Room 408
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present:
Chair Elizabeth Ancker
Vice Chair Matt Luton
Committee Member Will Daley
Committee Member Debi Muise
Committee Member Kandi Patterson
Committee Member Reginald Upshaw-late
Committee Member Cindy Ward

Members Excused:
Secretary Ramon Lacayo III
Committee Member David Nakanishi
Committee Member Maxine Pauson

Members Unexcused:
Committee Member Ken Dotson
Committee Member Simon Martinez

I. MINUTES
The Committee reviewed the draft March 21, 2012 Minutes and corrected typos.
m/s/c (Ancker/Muise/Unanimous)

II. REPORTS
A. Department of Public Health Report
There was no report presented as Committee Member David Nakanishi was out.

B. Shelter Status Report
Human Service Agency (HSA) Report
Committee Cindy Ward reviewed the vacancy reports for the shelter system. She reported that there were currently 194 families on the waiting list for shelter; 22 are on the priority wait list.

Public Comment
Lisa said that she has heard when clients come forward with complaints to the Committee and site staff find out, the clients received a denial of services.

C. Standard of Care Report
Committee staff reviewed the Standard of Care complaints for March 2012.

Public Comment
Lisa said that there were bed bugs on the 4th floor at Next Door and when she made complaints staff told her that she was causing problems. She said that there were four toilets for 150 women to use at Next Door.

Charles Pitts said that the public comments made during the meeting should be forwarded to the Department of Public Health and the Department of Building Inspection.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT
A member of the public said that it took him 3 months and 4 days to get a reservation and he finally received a short term reservation from HOT.

Lisa said that she is grateful for the roof and two meals that she receives. She said clients struggle to get lunch and suggested the system utilize meals on wheels or other programs. She said that shelters do not have tokens.

IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. Shelter Access Workgroup
The Committee discussed the information presented at the April 5, 2012 Rules Committee meeting on shelter access and Supervisor Kim’s request that a working group be set up.

Committee Member Will Daley suggested that the working group be provided the vacancy reports that the Committee receives to provide an overview of vacancy trend within the single adult shelters.

Public Comment
Tomas Picarillo said there had not been enough outreach to involve homeless clients in the process and asked when the meetings were going to start.

Charles Pitts said that the data should be up to date and that part of the problem is that there is not enough beds.

Lisa said that her concern is for the people who are unable to wait in lines for a shelter reservation.

Matthew Stein asked where the meeting were going to be held.

Amanda Fried, Deputy Director of HOPE, said that there would be community outreach once dates have been set for the meetings.

Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director of Mayor’s Office on Disability, hoped that the workgroup consider disability access needs. She said that close to 75% of homeless clients have functional limitations and chronic health issues.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Safety Protocols
Committee staff had not followed up with the Human Services Agency requesting information about the safety protocols for the shelter system. The Committee directed the staff to submit an Information Request to HSA.

Public Comment
Tomas Picarillo stated that there was a quicker way other than Information Requests to get information from sites. He said the Committee could file an Immediate Disclosure request to get information within 24 hours.

Lisa said that the killer is back on the streets. She said that MSC South residents are provided quality food and that the bathrooms were spotless. She said that she felt safe and welcome at MSC South.

Charles Pitts said the Committee was making vague recommendations and should refer to the Shelter Training Manual.

Rasheedah Blake said that she was doubly concerned about what was happening outside the shelters.

Wayne Garret said that the safety protocols and the Standards apply to what happens inside the shelter not outside the shelter.

B. Tokens
The Committee discussed sending a letter to the Shelter Access Workgroup outlining its concerns about token availability at sites.

Committee Member Daley said that the Committee should urge the City and County of San Francisco to immediately give resources to shelters to meet the transportation needs of the clients.

Committee Member Ward suggested that the Shelter Access Workgroup include the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

Joanna Fraguli, Mayor’s Office of Disability, said that the letter should also include clients with functional limitations/

m/s/c (Ancker/Luton/Unanimous)
Action: Approved memo to Shelter Access Workgroup

Public Comment
Lisa said that the check in process can be sped up by have check in locations all around the City.

Joanna Fraguli cautioned the Committee about submitting a letter singling out people with disabilities. She said that tokens could become a commodity that could be taken from disabled clients. She said that shelter access should be more holistic and discuss seniors, disabled adults, and other clients with transportation needs.

George said he worked part-time. He said that clients who are working should be given tokens or access to MAP van to get to their jobs.

Bevan Dufty, Director of HOPE, introduced himself and talked about the work of HOPE. He said that the Shelter Access Workgroup will be an open and transparent process.

Tomas Picarillo said that what the Committee was attempting to do was not working. He said that maybe the voice of the Shelter Access Workgroup would be better heard. He said that the sites should be paid for the number of beds they fill.

C. Budget Information
Committee staff discussed their outreach efforts to the community to solicit budget recommendations.

VI. INFORMATION REQUESTS
A. Staff Report
Committee staff reviewed the April 2012 staff report.

B. Information Requests
The Committee directed staff to submit an Information Request regarding safety protocols to HSA.

Adjournment
The Committee adjourned at 12:01 pm.

To obtain copies of the agenda, minutes, or any explanatory documents, please contact Bernice Casey at 415.255.3653 or Bernice.casey@sfdph.org 72 hours before the meeting.

To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services to participate in the meeting, please contact Bernice Casey at 415.255.3642 or Bernice.casey@sfdph.org at least two business days before the meeting.

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