2019-10-07 Meeting to discuss 5-year plan for PHSSMeeting to discuss 5-year plan for PHSS
October 7, 2019
2 p.m.
Present: Commissioner Stamper, Commissioner Fund, JP Anderson, Meja Handlen, John Abplanalp, Erik
Martin (2:25 p.m.)
Guest: Dr. Lindsey Pollock
Recorder: Rieva Lester
JP Anderson gave an overview of the work on the Lewis County Five-Year Housing and Homeless
Strategic Plan, including the anticipated timeline for the implementation of the plan.
Meja Handlen and John Abplanalp outlined the objectives of the proposed five-year plan for Public
Health and Social Services. She also outlined the measures of success.
Objectives:
• Quickly identify and engage people experiencing homelessness.
• Prioritize housing for people with the greatest need.
• Operate an effective and efficient homeless crisis response system that swiftly moves people
into stable, permanent housing.
• Project the impact of the fully-implemented local plan on the number of households housed and
the number of households left unsheltered.
• Address racial disparities among people experiencing homelessness.
Erik Martin joined at 2:25 p.m.
The group discussed the county’s partnerships with United Way.
The group discussed the power of social media to help spread the word about the goals, etc. The group
also discussed recidivism rates.
Meja said the comments from the public have been similar to:
• You’re just helping people who won’t help themselves.
• We don’t want Lewis County to be repeat of the “Seattle is Dying” documentary.
The group discussed measurable for “exits.”
Meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.