CoC Board of Directors
Detroit Continuum of Care
Housing
Remote
Register on the source website to recieve the Zoom link.
Meeting packet with agenda and acronym explainer is available on the source website.
Check the source website for additional information
Reporting
Edited and summarized by the Detroit - MI Documenters Team
Note-taking by
Eric McCormick
Members heard and debated proposed changes to the board’s governance charter and discussed their capacity to staff the many Homeless Action Network of Detroit committees.
Live reporting by
Amy Senese
Members heard and debated proposed changes to the board’s governance charter and discussed their capacity to staff the many Homeless Action Network of Detroit committees.
amy k senese 🍉
@amysenese
Good afternoon Detroit! Today at 2pm, I'll be live tweeting the CoC (Continuum of Care) Board of Directors meeting for #DETdocumenters.
@DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
@DetDocumenters media partners: @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @MichiganRadio @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit
11:23 AM May 6, 2024 CDT
To attend this virtual meeting with no in-person option to join, you need to register at @HANDetroit's website:
Click on the link and scroll down to the information on attending the COC Board meetings, where you'll see a link to register.
handetroit.org/cocboard
Click on the link and scroll down to the information on attending the COC Board meetings, where you'll see a link to register.
Since 1996, @HANDetroit has served as the lead entity for the Continuum of Care (CoC) for the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. The CoC, is a process mandated by HUD, and any nonprofit or agency receiving HUD funding applies through their local CoC.
Here's the agenda for today, which can also be found at the same link used to register for the meeting.
This link is the agenda PDF:
handetroit.org/cocboard
static1.squarespace.com/static/5344557…
This link is the agenda PDF:
Here's the current CoC Board listed on the website. The board includes people who work as "homeless service providers" and/or advocates for displaced tenants & homeowners seeking services and support.
The Detroit CoC Board made news earlier this year when it was revealed that current board member Alan Rosetto is a convicted sex offender.
outliermedia.org/alan-rosetto-c…
Just 2 weeks ago, @freep did a story about what might happen to Detroit's homeless population during the NFL draft that took place downtown Detroit at the end of April.
freep.com/story/news/loc…
That's all for now, I will be back to this live-tweet thread at 2pm!
If you believe anything in this coverage so far is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org w/ "Correction Request" in the subject line.
If you believe anything in this coverage so far is inaccurate, please email documenters@outliermedia.org w/ "Correction Request" in the subject line.
the virtual meeting link is live, on the screen are instructions for public comment
they are waiting for more attendees to arrive before the meeting officially begins
they are waiting for more attendees to arrive before the meeting officially begins
Beginning the meeting now, Amanda Sternberg will start with announcements.
Lydia Goddard was elected as the board rep for the Performance and Evaluation Committee
Lydia Goddard was elected as the board rep for the Performance and Evaluation Committee
The opening on the Performance and Evaluation Committee was discussed at the last board meeting
Via Chelsea Johnson, the Governance Charter and Review Committee has been meeting. They voted to extend the deadline, with the final vote taking place at the September meeting.
Board members have been asked to review the April meeting minutes:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5344557…
They are now voting on the consent agenda, only board members vote here.
John Allen, an attorney, is meeting with the board to give recommendations on the Governance Charter. The committee will go through things even further.
Allen found simple typos and areas where the document contradicts itself. Allen made edits as a part of his recommendations.
Very few were substantive policy edits. He wants to focus on a couple of changes he made today.
Very few were substantive policy edits. He wants to focus on a couple of changes he made today.
The first area is "choosing or selecting elected members".
This is a multi-faced process that is more than a simple vote as the current charter explains. There are nominations and several steps in the process to elect board members over a couple different members.
This is a multi-faced process that is more than a simple vote as the current charter explains. There are nominations and several steps in the process to elect board members over a couple different members.
The second area is the removal of members of the board and the attendance policy. Allen thinks allowing 5 excused and unexcused absences is too many, considering how many meetings there are per year.
Board members can also be removed "with and without" cause. Saying this is a high standard to get 75% of the board to agree on removing a member.
He added one definition of "harassment"
This policy he's proposing matches their code of conduct.
This policy he's proposing matches their code of conduct.
Allen is ready to take questions now.
Chair Candance Morgan thanked Allen.
Taura Brown, a board member, has a question.
Brown is saying some of them are in other public meetings. Brown was in a MSHDA meeting and made some comments of an organization that she belives shouldn't...
Chair Candance Morgan thanked Allen.
Taura Brown, a board member, has a question.
Brown is saying some of them are in other public meetings. Brown was in a MSHDA meeting and made some comments of an organization that she belives shouldn't...
...receive $11 million. Brown is wondering if this comment is a conflict of interest with the guidelines in the Charter for the CoC.
Allen is saying these guidelines refer to the CoC space specifically.
Allen is saying these guidelines refer to the CoC space specifically.
Tasha Gray, CoC Lead Appointee will further the discussion of the Governance Charter.
The committee has decided they need more time to work through some issues.
The committee has decided they need more time to work through some issues.
HAND was asked to give recommendations on what it would take to staff committees in Jan 2024.
Gray will be sharing these recommendations when it is released.
Gray will be sharing these recommendations when it is released.
They have been exploring the idea of creating a funders council, that will consist of leadership from different funders, to "streamline and align".
The City of Detroit has agreed to staff the funders council.
The City of Detroit has agreed to staff the funders council.
They also will implement a Racial Equity Committee, Advocacy, and temporary Ad-Hoc Implementation Committee.
These recommendations were made before they had the "Draft Strategic Plan".
This screenshot lists relationships between the CoC Committees, workgroups, and consult groups.
There are many committees not listed here and this document is out of date.
This screenshot lists relationships between the CoC Committees, workgroups, and consult groups.
There are many committees not listed here and this document is out of date.
From the meeting chat:
"Governance Charter Review Committee meets weekly on Mondays"
"Governance Charter Review Committee meets weekly on Mondays"
The outreach workgroup does invite non-funded partners to the meetings as long as they are on the release of information when discussing client level info.
January 2024 Committee Update
They have to share staff time with strategic Planning work and committees.
They have to share staff time with strategic Planning work and committees.
Tasha Gray is now going over the proposed structure.
The strategic plan has 8 areas of work. They are plugging in committees already in place that can help advance the strategy in some of these areas.
The strategic plan has 8 areas of work. They are plugging in committees already in place that can help advance the strategy in some of these areas.
Here are the April 2024 recommendations:
They recommend moving the Chronic Committee.
The workgroups and consult groups are not mentioned in the strategic plan and not part of the overall CoC structure.
They recommend moving the Chronic Committee.
The workgroups and consult groups are not mentioned in the strategic plan and not part of the overall CoC structure.
Hand would be staffing 10 committees, the City of Detroit would staff 3, and others 2.
This is higher than the number of committees that the HAND board said they have the capacity to staff.
This is higher than the number of committees that the HAND board said they have the capacity to staff.
Here's the same information in a narrative format.
Overall, they added 5 committees, removing one committee.
Overall, they added 5 committees, removing one committee.
Next steps:
In order to finalize the recommendations, they have to discuss these recommendations with the City of Detroit.
The draft Governance Charter will be released for public comment.
In order to finalize the recommendations, they have to discuss these recommendations with the City of Detroit.
The draft Governance Charter will be released for public comment.
Candace Morgan is asking why the LIHTC committee is being renamed.
Morgan is concerned about the workgroups not in the governance charter, like rapid rehousing, PSH, etc.
Morgan is concerned about the workgroups not in the governance charter, like rapid rehousing, PSH, etc.
Answer:
The only committee being removed is Chronic.
Workgroups and consult groups are not a part of the Governance Charter.
They add value, they want the funders to continue to operate them.
Morgan said she doesn't want to lose value to gain new committees.
The only committee being removed is Chronic.
Workgroups and consult groups are not a part of the Governance Charter.
They add value, they want the funders to continue to operate them.
Morgan said she doesn't want to lose value to gain new committees.
Terra Linzner City of Detroit, Housing and Revitalization Department is asking where some of these conversations are taking place, sounds like the Ad Hoc committee.
Gray: They want the city to fund and organize the Ad Hoc Committee.
Gray: They want the city to fund and organize the Ad Hoc Committee.
Members are also making comments and discussing these committees in the chat.
These conversations on recommendations and committees are mainly happening in the governance charter committee.
Now onto FY2024 CoC Renewal Project Evaluation Criteria with Amanda Sternberg, she will be going over this pretty quickly. Board members have background materials in the board packet.
Timeline of the last couple of months.
Today, the CoC Board requested that the FY2024 CoC Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria and updated Appeals Policy be approved.
Here's the board packet again:
static1.squarespace.com/static/5344557…
Today, the CoC Board requested that the FY2024 CoC Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria and updated Appeals Policy be approved.
Here's the board packet again:
Timeline continued May-July
They anticipate releasing the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) in July.
They anticipate releasing the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) in July.
Process for today: All CoC board members are eligible to vote on renewal project evaluation criteria. The historical practice was slightly different--CoC-funded board members were recused from the vote.
Today's vote is on policy, not specific projects funded by the CoC.
Today's vote is on policy, not specific projects funded by the CoC.
This is a recommendation opportunity on the table; the board can decide whether or not to vote this way.
There are no questions, so they will move forward.
There are no questions, so they will move forward.
Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria Recommendations:
and
Furthering their goal to end chronic homelessness, continued funding for existing PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) that meets performance standards.
and
Furthering their goal to end chronic homelessness, continued funding for existing PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) that meets performance standards.
Sternberg will focus today on the modified or new criteria only in this presentation.
FY2024 CoC Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria Recommendations.
The first modification is around Utilization Rates for projects.
The second modification is the length of time from referral to moving into housing.
The first modification is around Utilization Rates for projects.
The second modification is the length of time from referral to moving into housing.
All of these scoring criteria will determine which non-profits and providers receive HUD funding that is managed by HANDetroit.
Another scoring criteria is the rates at which people return to homelessness.
Spending rates
The greater the percentage they spend, the higher the score they receive.
The greater the percentage they spend, the higher the score they receive.
Attendance at HMIS agency administrator meetings, data quality, and completeness.
Accurate reporting for Quarterly Point-in-time count/Housing Move in Date Audit
Looks at the extent at which agencies may have changed their data
Looks at the extent at which agencies may have changed their data
The last modification is a narrative response.
They want this one question to become 2 questions. Requiring some more information from the agencies.
They want this one question to become 2 questions. Requiring some more information from the agencies.
There are only 2 new criteria for scoring.
Re-incorporated a scored component each competition year following the unsheltered PIT count.
Bonus points for timely submission of HMIS quarterly audits.
Re-incorporated a scored component each competition year following the unsheltered PIT count.
Bonus points for timely submission of HMIS quarterly audits.
Informational Only Questions:
Descriptions of how services are provided within the project and the housing unit inspection process.
Descriptions of how services are provided within the project and the housing unit inspection process.
Taura Brown has a question about getting paperwork in on time; there is a bonus for doing so; is there a penalty for submitting paperwork late?
An audit review of an agency's data is conducted. They do quarterly audits as check-in points.
An audit review of an agency's data is conducted. They do quarterly audits as check-in points.
As far as consequences, once the applications are released, if they don't turn everything in by the due date, negative points are assigned at that time. This is tied to the application and is different from the HMIS quarterly audits.
Now, back to the question of how to conduct the vote: Do they include CoC members who receive funding?
The recommendation is that all members be allowed to vote on the Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria Recommendations.
The recommendation is that all members be allowed to vote on the Renewal Project Evaluation and Scoring Criteria Recommendations.
They will move forward with the vote.
This is what the voting link looks like:
This is what the voting link looks like:
They will also vote today on the Funding Appeals Policy
This went out for public comment and was posted on HAND's website. They did not make any policy changes based on the comments.
This went out for public comment and was posted on HAND's website. They did not make any policy changes based on the comments.
Funding appeals policy, defining some terms.
Threshold and Reallocate/Reallocation
Threshold and Reallocate/Reallocation
Significant Change #1: The process for appealing the CoC Board's decision to reallocate the renewal project for reasons other than the project being below the threshold.
Recommended changes to reallocation decisions for reasons other than the project being under the threshold.
This would grant the appeals committee the authority to make a final decision.
This would grant the appeals committee the authority to make a final decision.
Significant Change #2
This is a more typical scenario when projects are reallocated. This most recently occurred in 2023, when 6 projects were partially reallocated due to falling below the threshold.
This is a more typical scenario when projects are reallocated. This most recently occurred in 2023, when 6 projects were partially reallocated due to falling below the threshold.
The proposed new policy versus the old policy.
The Board decides on appeals committee recommendation which is final.
The Board decides on appeals committee recommendation which is final.
Question: What happens if the board votes to not uphold the recommendation?
A: It's up to the board to decide what direction to go in.
A: It's up to the board to decide what direction to go in.
Now, a question by Regina Hentz, what about an agency not receiving funding, and how does that play out in the hierarchy of the organization.
Agencies can always speak to HUD.
This only refers to HUD funding through the CoC and not other funders like the City of Detroit.
Agencies can always speak to HUD.
This only refers to HUD funding through the CoC and not other funders like the City of Detroit.
Taura Brown chimed in; it sounds like there was an agency that lost funding that went to Detroit City Council to appeal the decision.
Q: Asked by Terra Linzner and Taura Brown about delaying a vote for more info...
The board can request more information from the appeals committee if they feel they can't make a formal vote. They can table the vote until they get more information.
The board can request more information from the appeals committee if they feel they can't make a formal vote. They can table the vote until they get more information.
Brenna Welch, director of CAM Access will now talk about Shelter Access data.
This pilot began on Jan 29, 2024 as a means to address shelter referrals according to need and risk.
Make-up of clients actively seeking shelter list by population type, not those in placement.
The average number of days on the prioritization list before shelter referral
Fleeing domestic violence has gone up quite a bit.
Fleeing domestic violence has gone up quite a bit.
Outcomes of daily shelter reservation list
22% are referred to shelter
14% decline
The majority, 63.9% are unable to reach.
22% are referred to shelter
14% decline
The majority, 63.9% are unable to reach.
There was a request for extended community Input and Feedback.
Katie Giza, the engagement manager, will go through this section.
Katie Giza, the engagement manager, will go through this section.
Giza helps organize the "People with Lived Experience of Homelessness" (PWLEH) subcommittee.
Here are some accomplishments of the committee:
Here are some accomplishments of the committee:
Briauna Travis is now speaking to a letter from the PWLEH subcommittee asking for adequate time to consult with the community.
Brenna Welch is now going over the request for an additional 60 days.
They've heard back that the time allowed didn't feel enough time to hear from community with lived experience of homelessness.
They've heard back that the time allowed didn't feel enough time to hear from community with lived experience of homelessness.
Here is the request: They've made motions to call for a vote on this.
Cam update from Tasha Gray.
The first meeting of the relaunched CAM Governance Committee will take place on 5/15
Courtney Smith was elected to serve on the CAM GC
The first meeting of the relaunched CAM Governance Committee will take place on 5/15
Courtney Smith was elected to serve on the CAM GC
A perceived threat of violence closed one of the CAM access sites. Additional safety measures, including the hiring of an additional guard, have been implemented. They are working to update safety policies.
Taura Brown asked if they found the person who made the threats or got to the bottom of the situation?
Answer: yes
Answer: yes
Now time for public comments with Kiana Harrison, you can send a chat to her or raise your hand.
#1 Darthanian Nicholas, works with community health engagement group, working with the new CAM system Says it's one of the most frustrating systems he's experienced. He said it's not helping the people they service...
His client was emotional, so he called on behalf of the client. CAM said they need consent from the client--but they just had a clarifying question. He finds CAM inadequate.
He thinks it's time they take another look at CAM and how it operates Detroit.
He thinks it's time they take another look at CAM and how it operates Detroit.
#2. Jalissa wanted to thank everyone who presented. Thanked Taura Brown for a question and answer in the chat, also thanked Darthanian for his comments.
Taura Brown, a board member, said that all board members should make a point to be at the meeting on July 1st because of the importance of the meeting to those with lived experience. She also mentioned it in the chat.
Brenna Welch mentioned that she was DMing Darthanian Nichols; she reached out to see if they could be of any help.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:29 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 4:29 PM
Here's more on CAM (Coordinated Assessment Model), which made a transition last year in service providers.
bridgedetroit.com/detroit-homele…
That concludes my coverage of the CoC Board of Directors meeting for the Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC) for May 6th, 2024.
For more meeting coverage, go to
detroit.documenters.org
For more meeting coverage, go to
Attachments
Agency Information
Detroit Continuum of Care
Since 1996, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) has served as the lead agency for the CoC for Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. HAND is governed by a Board of Directors composed of representatives from the community. In its role as the lead agency for the CoC, HAND carries out the following activities:
Promote integrated, community-wide strategies and plans to prevent and end homelessness;
Provide coordination among the numerous local organizations and initiatives that serve the homeless population, and
Manage the CoC’s single, comprehensive grant application to HUD for McKinney-Vento funding which includes Continuum of Care funds and State Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds.
The governance charter for the Detroit CoC was adopted on May 19, 2015, and most recently revised on May 21, 2019. Please click here to download a copy: https://www.handetroit.org/s/Detroit-CoC-Governance-Charter-FINAL-May-2019-kac4.pdf
Documents
No documents available