AgdaPkt 2012-09-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

6.1.1. - Page 17 The most difficult aspect of this project is assuring that we have the resources to both serve and provide direct assistance to those in need. This would be gready compromised by any of the collaborative parmers having to reduce staffing levels or decrease our food or homelessness prevention assistance. 11. Why it is the right time for this project Although we have seen some leveling off, demand for services continues to be high since the economic downturn began in 2008. Peninsula Family Service's September 2011 survey2 of participants indicated that 15% need help to afford food with an additional 6.2% reporting that they can't afford food at a11. According to the 2010 Census3, 4% or 1118 of a11 households in Redwood City live below the Federal Poverty Level and 17.3% of the households in Redwood City earn less than $25,000 per year. During the January 26`'', 2011 one day"homeless count" in San Mateo County, Redwood City was "home" to 233 or 20% of the 1,162 unsheltered homeless individuals and families idenrified even though Redwood City represents only 10% of the general population of San Mateo County4. As a result Fair Oaks Community Center is the core agency that serves the largest number of homeless individuals and families each year. In 2006, before Legal Aid established its three weekly housing clinics throughout San Mateo County, an estimated 65% of defendants failed to respond at all to their eviction notices. At a current average of over 2000 cases per year, this means that at least 1300 households were evicted without the benefit of presenting their defenses to a court In 2011, only 37% of defendants defaulted by failing to respond. Due to budget restraints for the City of Redwood City, FOCC and our parmers must secure alternate funding to sustain current food, shelter, and homelessness prevention services at the Fair Oaks Community Center. In addition to across the board budget reductions for all departments, the City has also had to reduce general fund support to non-profits providing food, shelter and homelessness prevention services. This has created greater competition for the limited funding available through the City's Federally Funded Community Development Block Grant Program. As a consequence, Legal Aid will not be receiving any funds from Redwood City beginning in Fiscal Year 12-13 after having received assistance for the last ten years. And while Peninsula Family Service was able secure some CDBG funding for FY 12-13, they still need to raise additional funds to be able to sustain their nutrition program at its current operating level. 12. Collaborative Partners/Agencies Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County Peninsula Family Service M. Stacey Hawver, Executive Director Laurie Wishard,President (650) 645-1717 (650) 403-4300 ext.4409 mshawver@legalaidsmc.org lwishard@peninsulafamilyservice.org �Applied Survey Research, "Wellness Iniriarive Survey Results", September 2011,Wave 7 Survey. �US Census Bureau,2010 Census and 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates 4 2011 San Mateo County Homeless Census and Survey,County of San Mateo Human Services Agency,Center on Homelessness.