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• HOMELESS ASSISTANCE CENTER of Indian River County, Florida [Coalition for the Homeless of Indian River County, Inc. ] 2888 us Wiywpt 1 • Vae 6*Wk Rm 32888 Now 1881] 887-8837 4 Fu [381] 867-1484 April 18, 2000 There is no emergency shelter in our county for homeless families. The following is a suggested proposal to provide an interim solution to provide 'Emergency Shelter' and a transitional home for homers parents and children.Crransi6onai to permanent h='n4 The only county emergency shelter is for adults, not children. Our present emergency shelter provides beds for only 16 adults. We are now located at 2686 US Hwy # 1, Vero Beach, Florida. This proposal requests the leasing of a county building as new facilities for the homers. This proposal would also provide expanded available beds for homers adults. We would intend to expand the 16 beds to approximately 23 beds for emergency shelter for adults within 120 days of obtaining the larger building, and facilities for at least ben [10] families as soon as added construction is completed to the following proposed new building: The proposed new building is located about 500 feet from our present much smaller building. Subject: A building lease between Indian River County and the Homeless Shelter & Assistance Center for Homeless Families & Adults. The Indian River County Task Force on the Homers created by our County Board of Commissioners has worked diligently the mast eight months to determine the number of homeless people in our county, the services available to help people out of homelessness, and the demographics of who are the homeless. it has been determined that out of the documented 1,576 homeless, of which nearly 1/3 are children, that emergency services to families is most needed. The Task Force has recommended that it is time to be 'pro -active" in trying to solve a critical human needs problem. Providing services to *homeless families' is the number one priority of the Continuum of Care Plan Executive Committee. The Task Force committee [Henry Muller, Chair] to find an Interim Emergency Shelter for the homers and their families recommended that the building owned by the county located at 2525 St. Lucie Blvd., be leased to the Homeless Shelter & Assistance Center for a period of 50 years at a nominal annual fee. The building is now mostly assisting and providing shelter for the homers. This building of approximately 6,200 square feet [zoned C1b, General Commercial] would dramatically improve the critical proven meed for housing of the homeless and their families. The lessee would agree to take the lead in raising needed public and private funding for improvements and expansion of the building to be able to house at least ten [10] families during their transition to permanent housing. It is anticipated that the need for immediate improvements to add two large bathrooms with six showers, needed new residential windows, electrical updating, heating / air conditioning, two double ovens, commercial dish and cothes washers, commercial dryers, kitchen & floor improvements will cost between $90,000 and $110,000. The addition of about 6,500 square feet for ten [10] families is cost estimated at approximately $600,000. The renovations and expansion will permit approximately 40 adults and family to have emergency shelter. Even with the described additions, it is an interim proactive solution to helping the over 1500 homeless out of homelessness. Irs a good first effort We are'nor going to make this a facility one that will attract homeless people, but ratter one that will help stop homelessness. Our Board of Directors and our agement win guarantee to continue to be good citizens to this co mmunity. None of the homers people being served by our facility will be permitted to 'hang our in front APRIL 18, 2000 BOOK hJ PAGE 142' :5 -33- n