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6.2A 1. Project Summary. Briefly describe the proqram!project for which YOU are reauestinq fundinq, DesB~a 6 must include (a) program specific objectives; (b) target population; (c) geographic impact. The Early Entry Shelter Program (EESP) helps single homeless adults who are seeking shelter and are willing and eligible to enter shelter anywhere in San Mateo County to access a motel bed when no space is available at any ofthe shelters. Access to the two single homeless adult shelters in San Mateo County is on a first come first serve basis each day. Without EESP, when no beds are available, individuals are simply encournged to come back the next day to "try again" to get into shelter. And while some individuals are diligent and continue to come back, others try once or twice and then never return or return weeks later once again looking for shelter - often never ever getting in. EESP bridges individuals into shelter - increasing their likelihood of accessing shelter services - and helps them begin the process of ending their homelessness from the first day they enter EESP by beginning the initial intake and case management process which normally occurs at the shelter. EESP is the continuation ofa pilot program initiated in April 2007. In the first six months of the pilot program, 83% more individuals accessed shelter services thrQugh Fair Oaks Community Center compared to the same time period the previous year (148 in 2007; 81 in 2006). The program objectives for FY 2008-2009 are: 1) to maintain increased access to shelter fo homeless individuals seeking shelter; and 2) to increase the number of individuals seeking shelter who access other non-shelter services to end their homelessness. The target population are single homeless adults in and around the Redwood City area who come to the Fair Oaks Community Center seeking homeless services. As indicated by the 2007 San Mateo County Homeless Census, a disproportionate number of homeless individuals are concentrated in Redwood City. This includes individuals whose last residence was in Redwood City and individuals whose last residence was elsewhere in ciSan Mateo County. Several reasons contribute to this concentration of San Mateo County homeless in Redwood City: 1) the concentration of county services in and around the county seat in Redwood City; 2) the fact that Maple Street Shelter, one of the primary single homeless shelters in the county, is located in Redwood City; 3) the concentration of mental health and alcohol and drug related services and programs in the Redwood City area; and 4) the relatively warmer climate in the Southern part of San Mateo County making it more possible for homeless individuals to survive on the street in Redwood City. In addition, because Fair Oaks Community Center is a priority referral agency for Maple Street Shelter, many individuals come to Fair Oaks Community Center specifically to access Maple Street. Although we do not currently focus on where the homeless individuals we serve previously resided, we would estimate anywhere from 25%-40% of the homeless individuals we serve last resided outside of Redwood City. Should we receive CDBG funding from San Mateo County, we would incorporate an additional emphasis on ascertaining this information as we implement the Early Entry Shelter Program in FY 08-09. The majority of any funds received from San Mateo County CDBG would be utilized to pay for motel vouchers for homeless clients. A portion would be utilized to offset the cost of operating the program. 2. Identification of Priorities. How did you determine the needs for your Program!Project? Identify the specific NOFA Objectives from Section II of the Funding Guidelines that your program/project meets. One of the four key recommendations of HOPE, San Mateo County's IO-year plan to end homelessness, focuses on the need to prevent and end homelessness by delivering timely, flexible services to support stability and independence. One of the strategies identified as a way to fulfill this recommendation was the development of an "early entry"/motel voucher program for single individual sheiter applicants. This was based on the fact that there are often not enough emergency shelter beds for al1 of the individuals seeking to enter our county's shelter system on any given day. As one of core service agencies serving the highest number of single homeless adults each year, Fair Oaks Community Center experienced this phenomenon first hand with clients who would come seeking shelter, but not retum after a day or two of trying. In response to this recommendation, the County of San Mateo Human Services Agency funded Redwood City's Fair Oaks Community Center to establish the Early Entry Shelter Pilot Program in April of2007. The pilot program was extended 2