News Details (Posted: May 4, 2008):

Supervisor Baumman Letter to Mountain Democrat-HOMELESS SHELTER-

Full Description:

I just received a copy of the letter to be published 5-1-08 from Joy Jackson:
Editor,
I regrettably was unable to attend the Pollock Pines Community meeting on Saturday, April 26th due to a scheduling conflict. I sincerely apologize to the community.
United Outreach, a non-profit organization, is working on the proposed shelter in Pollock Pines independently of my office. I was not involved in the set-up or scheduling of the meetings focusing on the homeless shelter component of the Pollock Pines School site.
I have spoken to and received input from many residents of the Pollock Pines Community as well as county staff. I have met with representatives of United Outreach and the owners of the Pollock Pines school site. I did attend the Open House meeting held Saturday, February 16th. I am listening and I do hear and share the concerns of the Pollock Pines community.
At the April 1st Board of Supervisors meeting the Supervisors approved the request by county staff to move forward with the submittal of a Community Block Grant application on behalf of United Outreach. My “yes” vote on this agenda item was a vote to permit staff to submit the application; it was not a vote of “yes” for the specific location. The Board’s vote on this item, at my request, did include direction to staff to: (1) return to the Board with a status report, when the grant was either awarded or denied; (2) continue to provide assistance to United Outreach in researching additional, more appropriate, sites; and (3) monitor United Outreach’s responsibility to improve community outreach, awareness and education. As a result of that direction, United Outreach did schedule the series of five community meetings.
The grant application requires an identified site in order to be considered for funding. If United Outreach is successful and secures this grant funding, there will be a process to determine the most appropriate location. The location listed on the grant application does not lock the county into that location. Once the County knows the outcome of the grant application, I intend to schedule a community meeting prior to the matter returning to the Board of Supervisors. I anticipate that the State will make a determination on the grant application by the end of this May or the first week of June.
Providing assistance to the homeless population in our county is a county-wide issue that should include county-wide dialogue. Available locations throughout the county should be considered based on their ability to provide reasonable access to programs and services; programs and services that provide assistance while promoting self-sufficiency. Pollock Pines is not that location.
Sincerely,

Helen K. Baumann Supervisor, District II County of El Dorado