Res 2024-155 approving funding agreements with Southside Community Center in the amount of $800,000.00 from funds received by the city under the American Rescue Plan

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Exhibit 2 Southside Project-Charter Project Name Community-Based Strategic Action on Homelessness Project Project Overview As San Marcos and Hays County continues to experience growth,the community has sough ways to reduce homelessness. There are multiple initiatives and organizations within the San Marcos and Hays County community working on issues related to homelessness.That said,there is no systematic coordination of services within our community,gaps exist in critical services needed to help our neighbors,and there is a lack of strategic vision to guide the community toward a common outcome achieved through collaborative impact. In 2023,the City of San Marcos hired a consultant(Dr.Marbut)who identified three major strategic action steps for the community to undertake to address homelessness.The identified actions include: 1.Stop the Growth 2.Improve existing systems through effectiveness and efficiencies 3.Expand Capacity As a resultof this report,Southside Community Centerwas asked to provide community leadership related to Strategic Action on Homelessness. Southside is willing to provide leadership related to the three strategic action steps.Importantly,homelessness is a community issue and will require a community-based solution. Southside does not want to'own'the homeless issue and will work with nonprofit partners,government agencies,and community supporters. Success will depend on the active participation of individuals and families working to improve their personal situation,organizations'willingnessto cooperate and work together to achieve community goals,and government partners creating public policy and funding to foster community conditions where all residents can thrive. Project Objectives Southside is committed to the primary objective of serving San Marcos resident families at risk or experiencing homelessness for the first time.The secondary objective of serving families at risk or experiencing homelessness in a reoccurring situation.The tertiary objective of serving Individuals at risk or experiencing homelessness forthe first time or in an episodic manner. Objective 1:Coordinated Community-Based Services Homeless prevention and rapid rehousing through intake,coordinated entry,and client management(HMIS).Establish processes using case management to leverage existing community-based assets and identify critical gaps. Objective 2:Community Capacity Building -Additional Staffing and operational training at Southside Community Center,as well as building closer working relationships with key community partners. -Activation of a community-based network of partners and volunteers in a coordinated approach to helping neighbors in need. -Visit other organizations and mirror processes that would assist SS.We must learn from others and apply best practices to the specific context of San Marcos. -Creation of a community-based advisory council to help guide efforts,including representation from people who have experienced homelessness. -Identification of service gaps in existing community,then highlighting such gaps and working with partners to find community provision of needed services. Objective 3:Improved Community-Based Physical Infrastructure -Improved community-based physical infrastructure to support strategic action including improved/expanded safe,multipurpose spaces that can support community initiatives and activities.