Section 8 Housing Vouchers_Housing Commission CommunicationMasterpiece on the Mississippi
August 27, 2010
Dear Mr. Michael Van Milligan,
Dubuque
A114111811Ca CAy
1111
2007
H &CD
Housing and Community
Development Department
350 West 6th Street, Suite 312
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 -4648
Office (563) 589 -4230
Fax (563) 589 -4244
TTY (563) 589 - 730
housing@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
At our recent Housing Commission meeting we learned that the Housing Department
has reached a city goal of reducing the number of Section 8 housing vouchers to
900. This action was approved by the City Council in response to a public perception
that problems in Dubuque will be reduced if the number of Section 8 vouchers is at
a more manageable level. We did not object to that action and we have recommended a
variety of changes to policy to tighten the requirement for a voucher over the last several
months.
We know that the City Council's actions have reduced the federal funds that are made
available to the city and made it more difficult for those who seek housing in Dubuque.
We recognize that the actions may have been necessary, but we are not in favor of further
reductions to the # of vouchers, at this time.
We are up -to -date on the work of the Safe Community Task Force and we are aware
that the city is responding to the recommendations of the task force. It seems that
right now we need to move forward with these suggestions and direct action in
those directions. It seems to us that it is not timely to reduce the number of vouchers any
further until we see what improvements can come from a wider and broader look as the
issues in play.
Thank you for your attention to this letter and for all the efforts to make our city
a wholesome and welcoming place to live.
Sincerely,
David Kapler
Chairperson, City of Dubuque Housing Commission
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
City Manager's Office
City Hall
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001 -4864
(563) 589 -4110 phone
(563) 589 -4149 fax
(563) 690 -6678 TDD
ctymgr@cityofdubuque.org
Mr. David Kapler
Chairperson
Dubuque Housing Commission
827 Patricia Ann Drive
Dubuque, IA 52003
Dear David,
Thank you for your August 27, 2010 letter.
September 1, 2010
The Section 8 Program is a very important safety net for Dubuque residents who have
fallen on hard times or in a situation that limits their earning potential. This is a good
and necessary program.
As you mentioned, the program has been reduced from 1,063 vouchers to 900
vouchers. A second Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator position and a Police
Investigator have been added to the staff. With 163 fewer vouchers, more people who
want help improving their lives will get that help, and those trying to cheat the system
will have a higher likelihood of being caught. Janet Walker, her three Caseworkers,
Receptionist, Secretary and Intake Specialists will have a more manageable system.
To make this work, the Mayor and City Council allocated an additional $116,433 in
general fund money in Fiscal Year 2011 to support the Section 8 Program. The rule
changes the Commission approved are key to having any successful results. Targeting
the program in Dubuque to give preference to Dubuque residents is extremely
important. Tightening up behavior expectations is very helpful. All these system
improvements would not be possible without the Commission's support.
From December 2009 through June 2010, I met weekly on Section 8 with Housing and
Community Development Department Director David Harris, Assisted Housing
Supervisor Janet Walker, Assistant City Attorney Crenna Brumwell, Chief of Police Mark
Dalsing, Assistant Chief of Police Terry Tobin and COP Police Captain Russ Stecklein.
Those meetings were changed to monthly in July and new COP Captain Kevin Klein
has replaced now Patrol Captain Russ Stecklein. In addition, I and others have met
monthly with the leadership of the Dubuque Landlord's Association for the last few
years. One of the things that is tracked in the meetings with Housing and Police is the
Section 8 participants' arrests. You will remember that the 2009 study completed by
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Mr. David Kapler
September 1, 2010
Page 2
Alta Vista Research of Section 8 participant arrests for a two -month period showed that
while Section 8 estimated population at that time was about 3.9% (2,326) of the
Dubuque population, they accounted for over one -fifth (21.9 %) of all arrestee addresses
during the study period.
The weekly tracking of Section 8 participant arrest information since December 2009 by
Police Corporal Mike Kane (Attachment I), so a nine -month period, shows 6.5% of
people arrested with a Section 8 address.
While there has been some questions about the accuracy of the information used by
Alta Vista Research, you can see a definite improvement with the changes that have
been made. Probably the most significant change is the additional resources being
provided to the talented and caring people who work in the Section 8 Program at the
Housing and Community Development Department.
As you mentioned in your letter, the Safe Community Task Force made several
recommendations to the City Council related to the rental housing. Specifically on
Section 8, they recommended:
"The City Council has addressed community concerns about the real or perceived
impact of the Section 8 program on the community by:
1. Decreasing the desired number of Section 8 vouchers in the program to 900.
2. Limiting voucher eligibility to Dubuque residents.
3. Increasing the staff capacity of the Family Self Sufficiency Program.
Additional recommendations include supporting and providing resources to:
• Increase public understanding of the Section 8 Program.
• Increase participation of Section 8 residents in effective self- sufficiency
programs.
• Provide training to housing commissioners to increase their leadership, public
relations and community building skills.
• Implement an Exception Rent Program to avoid concentrated pockets of poverty.
• Develop a stronger role for the Resident Advisory Board to encourage residents
of subsidized housing to give feedback on proposed new policies and procedures
and to cultivate leadership within the low income residential community.
Mr. David Kapler
September 1, 2010
Page 3
• Provide community service credits for participation in effective programs that
foster self sufficiency.
• Continue to provide resources to Family Self Sufficiency program based upon
evidence of success."
I do not intend to recommend a further reduction in Section 8 vouchers at this time.
When I made the original recommendation to the City Council to reduce to 900
vouchers and add a second Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator position, I made it clear
to the City Council that I was making that recommendation because I believed the City
did not currently have the resources, including staff, to manage a Section 8 Program
with 1,063 vouchers. The selection of the number 900 was somewhat arbitrary. It
reduced the caseload for the three caseworkers from 354 cases each to 300 cases
each. Is that a manageable number? Is it reasonable to expect one program
supervisor, one Investigator and two Family Self Sufficiency Coordinators that can
handle less than 50 cases each to support a 900 - voucher system? I do not yet know.
If, after some reasonable time, I do not believe it is, I will recommend a further reduction
in the number of vouchers. Is 750 the right number? That will certainly be considered.
We need to remember, Section 8 is not the only program in the City and Dubuque
County that helps low and moderate income people with housing. There are over 2,119
assisted units in Dubuque County (Attachment II). While there is a waiting list, many
people are receiving help and there are programs like Family Self Sufficiency, Bridges
Out of Poverty and Project H.O.P.E. (Attachment III) to help people get off subsidized
housing.
David, thank you to you and the Housing Commission for all of your hard work in this
very important area.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
MCVM:jh
cc: Mayor Roy Buol
Dubuque City Council
Safe Community Task Force
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
Mark Da!sing, Chief of Police
Crenna Brumwell, Assistant City Attorney
Janet Walker, Assisted Housing Supervisor
TOTAL
ARRESTS
SECTION 8
ARRESTS
AUTHORIZED
SECTION 8
PARTICIPANT
ARRESTS
UNAUTHORIZED
SECTION 8
ARRESTS
NON-
SECTION 8
RENTAL
PRIVATE
RES
NPA
DBQ CO.
NO IN
CITY
LIMITS
IA. RES
OTHER
THAN
DBQ
OTHER
STATE
THAN
IA, IL OR
WI
IL. RES
OTHER
THAN JO
DAVIESS
JO
DAVIESS
CO.
WI. RES.
OTHER
THAN
GRANT
GRANT
CO.
ELM ST.
FACILITY
143
4
1
3
49
39
6
22
13
3
3
1
0
2
1
%
2.8%
0.7%
2.1%
34.3%
27.3%
4.2%
15.4%
9.1%
2.1%
2.1%
0.7%
0.0%
1.4%
0.7%
TOTAL
ARRESTS
SECTION 8
ARRESTS
AUTHORIZED
SECTION 8
PARTICIPANT
ARRESTS
UNAUTHORIZED
SECTION 8
ARRESTS
NON-
SECTION 8
RENTAL
PRIVATE
RES
NPA
DBQ CO.
NO IN
CITY
LIMITS
IA. RES
OTHER
THAN
DBQ
OTHER
STATE
THAN
IA, IL OR
WI
IL. RES
OTHER
THAN JO
DAVIESS
JO
DAVIESS
CO.
WI. RES.
OTHER
THAN
GRANT
GRANT
CO.
ELM ST.
FACILITY
3888
254
183
71
1466
1191
161
337
158
50
101
46
44
39
41
%
6.5%
4.7%
1.8%
37.7%
30.6%
4.1%
8.7%
4.1%
1.3%
2.6%
1.2%
1.1%
1.0%
1.1%
All arrest addresses between 8/13/10 and 8/19/10
All arrest addresses between 12/01/09 and 8/19/10
TOTAL ARRESTS
SECTION 8 PARTICIPANTS
ARRESTED
SECTION 8 PARTICPANT
CHARGES
NUMBER OF UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONS ARRESTED
PERSONS ARRESTED W/ NO
PERMANENT ADDRESS
143
1
2
3
6
%
0.7%
2.1%
4.2%
TOTAL ARRESTS
SECTION 8 PARTICIPANTS
ARRESTED
SECTION 8 PARTICPANT
CHARGES
NUMBER OF UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONS ARRESTED
PERSONS ARRESTED W/ NO
PERMANENT ADDRESS
3888
183
223
71
161
%
4.7%
1.8%
4.1%
Arrest Data for Section 8 related participants or addresses between 8/13/10 and 8/19/10
Arrest Data for Section 8 related participants or addresses between 12/1/09 and 8/19/10
DATE
TOTAL
ARRESTS
SECTION 8
PARTICIPANTS
ARRESTED
SECTION 8
PARTICIPANTS
ARRESTED
%
SECTION 8
PARTICPANT
CHARGES
NUMBER OF
UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONS
ARRESTED
NUMBER OF
UNAUTHORIZED
PERSONS
ARRESTED
%
PERSONS
ARRESTED W/
NO
PERMANENT
ADDRESS
PERSONS
ARRESTED W/
NO
PERMANENT
ADDRESS
12/1/09- 1/13/10
523
37
7.1%
50
2
0.4%
19
3.6%
1/13/10- 1/21/10 *
133
4
3.0%
4
7
5.3%
4
3.0%
1/22/10- 1/28/10
93
5
5.4%
6
0
0.0%
9
9.7%
1/29/10- 2/4/10
75
1
1.3%
1
0
0.0%
4
5.3%
2/5/10- 2/11/10
95
4
4.2%
5
1
1.1%
3
3.2%
2/12/10- 2/28/10
97
3
3.1%
3
4
4.1%
3
3.1%
2/19/10- 2/25/10
126
5
4.0%
8
3
2.4%
5
4.0%
2/26/10- 3/4/10
79
6
7.6%
8
2
2.5%
2
2.5%
3/5/10- 3/11/10
94
2
2.1%
2
0
0.0%
1
1.1%
3/12/10- 3/18/10
122
6
4.9%
8
1
0.8%
2
1.6%
3/19/10- 3/25/10
100
5
5.0%
7
4
4.0%
5
5.0%
3/26/10 - 4/1/10
102
3
2.9%
3
1
1.0%
3
2.9%
4/2/10- 4/8/10
90
6
6.7%
6
6
6.7%
3
3.3%
4/9/10- 4/15/10
104
7
6.7%
9
4
3.8%
2
1.9%
4/16/10- 4/22/10
85
7
8.2%
8
5
5.9%
3
3.5%
4/23/10- 4/29/10
115
5
4.3%
7
0
0.0%
1
0.9%
4/30/10- 5/6/10
88
7
8.0%
8
2
2.3%
3
3.4%
5/7/10- 5/13/10
118
3
2.5%
3
0
0.0%
3
2.5%
5/14/10 - 5/20/10
119
6
5.0%
7
4
3.4%
1
0.8%
5/21/10 - 5/27/10
111
1
0.9%
1
2
1.8%
6
5.4%
5/28/10- 6/3/10
106
2
1.9%
2
5
4.7%
7
6.6%
6/4/10- 6/10/10
108
8
7.4%
8
2
1.9%
0
0.0%
6/11/10- 6/17/10
131
10
7.6%
12
3
2.3%
7
5.3%
6/18/10- 6/24/10
121
3
2.5%
4
0
0.0%
6
5.0%
ata
* 9 day period
6/25/10- 7/1/10
132
9
6.8%
11
3
2.3%
8
6.1%
7/2/10- 7/8/10
99
4
4.0%
5
0
0.0%
7
7.1%
7/910- 7/15/10
134
11
8.2%
11
0
0.0%
10
7.5%
7/16/10- 7/22/10
114
6
5.3%
7
0
0.0%
7
6.1%
7/23/10- 7/29/10
111
3
2.7%
4
2
1.8%
9
8.1%
7/30/10 - 8/5/10
126
2
1.6%
2
4
3.2%
9
7.1%
8/6/10 - 8/12/10
94
1
1.1%
1
1
1.1%
3
3.2%
8/13/10 - 8/19/10
143
1
0.7%
2
3
2.1%
6
4.2%
List of Charges
80.6 Impersonating Peace Officer or Employee
123.46 Public Intoxication
123.47 Underage Possession of Alcohol
123.49(1) Provide Alcohol to Intoxicated Person
123.49(2) Provide Alcohol After Hours /To Underage Person
123.49(3) Misrepresentation of Age to Purchase Alcohol
123.49 Miscellaneous Alcohol Violations
124.213 Pseudoephedrine Purchase Restrictions
124.401 Controlled Substance Violations
124.406 Delivery of Controlled Substance to a Minor
124.414 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
135.37 Tattooing
155A Prescription Drug Violations
235B.2.5 Dependant Adult Abuse
236 No Contact Order Violations
299.1 Violation of School Attendance
321.78 Tampering with a Motor Vehicle
321.174 Failure to have a valid license /permit while operating a motor vehicle
321.20B -A Violation - Financial Liability
321.210 Driving while Suspended
321.218 Driving Under Suspension- Nonpayment /Mandatory
321.260 Possession of a Traffic Control Device
321.262 Failure to ID at Attended PD Accident
321.263 Failure to ID at PI /F Accident
321.264 Failure to ID at Unattended PD Accident
Cci
El
1
1
20
5
1
12
5
2
1
1
13
1
725
296
0
0
0
0
8
305
3
219
2
72
2
89
1
0
2
1
6
299
0
3
2
7
321.265 Failure to ID Upon Striking Fixed Objects
4
321.277 Reckless Driving
1
321.277 -A Careless Driving
2
321.278 Drag Racing
0
0
321.279(1) Eluding -Any Speed /Conditions
1
7
321.279(2) Eluding -25+ MPH Over
0
321.279(3)(a) Eluding -25+ MPH Over and Public Offense
0
321.279(3)(b) Eluding -25+ MPH Over and OWI /Drugs
0
321.279(3)(c) Eluding -25+ MPH Over and Bodily Injury
0
321.561 Driving While Barred
31
321A.32 Driving Under Suspension - Financial /Judgment
13
321J.2 Operating While Intoxicated
6
336
321J.21 Driving While Revoked
56
453A.2(2) Possession of Tobacco under age 18
1
665.4 Contempt of Court
35
692A.104 Failure to Register as a sex offender
3
703.1 Aiding and Abetting
2
33
703.2 Joint Criminal Conduct
0
703.3 Accessory After the Fact
1
705.1 Solicitation
1
706.3 Conspiracy
0
706A.4 Ongoing Criminal Conduct
1
706B.2 Money Laundering
0
707.2 Murder -First Degree
0
707.3 Murder - Second Degree
0
707.4 Voluntary Manslaughter
0
707.5 Involuntary Manslaughter
0
707.6A Homicide /Serious Injury by Vehicle
1
707.7 Feticide
0
707.8 Nonconsensual Termination of Pregnancy
0
707.11 Attempted Murder
3
708.2(1) Assault - Intent of Serious Injury
1
708.2(2) Assault - Bodily Injury
6
83
708.2(3) Assault -While Displaying Dangerous Weapon
2
21
708.2(4) Assault- Serious Injury
2
708.2(5) Assault- Genitalia /Anus
0
708.2(6) Assault -No Injury
10
80
708.2A Domestic Assault
9
201
708.3 Assault While Participating in a Felony
0
708.3A Assault on a Peace Officer
13
708.4 Willful Injury
7
708.5 Administering Harmful Substances
0
708.6 Intimidation with a Weapon
0
708.7(2) Harassment - Threat of Forcible Felony
5
65
708.7(3) Harassment - Threat of Bodily Injury
9
708.7(4) Harassment -Other Types
1
34
708.8 Going Armed with Intent
4
708.9 Spring Guns and Traps
0
708.11 Stalking
0
708.13 Disarming a Peace Officer
1
708A.2 Terrorism
1
709.2 Sexual Abuse -First Degree
0
709.3 Sexual Abuse - Second Degree
0
709.4 Sexual Abuse -Third Degree
3
10
709.8 Lascivious Acts with a Child
0
709.9 Indecent Exposure
0
709.11 Assault- Intent of Sexual Abuse
0
709.12 Indecent Contact with a Child
2
709.14 Lascivious Conduct with a Minor
0
709.15 Sexual Exploit by Counselor, Therapist, School Emp
1
709.21 Invasion of Privacy- Nudity
0
709A.2 Contributing to Juvenile Delinquency
0
710.2 Kidnapping -First Degree
0
710.3 Kidnapping- Second Degree
0
710.4 Kidnapping -Third Degree
0
710.5 Child Stealing
0
710.6 Violating Custodial Order
0
710.7 False Imprisonment
10
710.8 Harboring a Runaway
3
710.10 Enticing Away a Minor
0
710A.2 Human Trafficking
0
711.2 Robbery-First Degree
5
711.3 Robbery- Second Degree
2
711.4 Extortion
0
712.2 Arson -First Degree
0
712.3 Arson - Second Degree
1
712.4 Arson -Third Degree
1
712.5 Reckless Use of Fire /Explosives
5
712.6 Explosives /Incendiary Materials
1
712.7 False Reports - Explosives /Incendiary Materials
0
712.8 Threats - Explosives /Incendiary Materials
0
713.3 Burglary-First Degree
4
18
713.4 Attempted Burglary-First Degree
1
713.5 Burglary- Second Degree
2
12
713.6 Attempted Burglary- Second Degree
2
713.6A Burglary-Third Degree
39
713.6B Attempted Burglary-Third Degree
1
713.7 Possession of Burglar's Tools
4
714.2(1) Theft -First Degree
10
714.2(2) Theft - Second Degree
2
32
714.2(3) Theft -Third Degree
1
9
714.2(4) Theft-Fourth Degree
9
63
714.2(5) Theft-Fifth Degree
13
185
714.7 Operating Vehicle w/o Owner's Consent
12
714.7B Shoplifting Devices
0
714.7C Theft of Pseudoephedrine
0
714.9 Fraudulent Practices -First Degree
0
714.10 Fraudulent Practices - Second Degree
0
714.11 Fraudulent Practices -Third Degree
0
714.12 Fraudulent Practices -Fourth Degree
0
714.13 Fraudulent Practices -Fifth Degree
0
715A.2 Forgery
1
16
723A.2 Criminal Gang Participation
0
723A.3 Gang Recruitment
0
724.3 Possession of Offensive Weapons
g
2
724.4 Carrying Weapons
�'$
1
9
724.16A Trafficking Stolen Weapons
0
724.26 Felon Firearm /Weapon Violation
1
725.1 Prostitution
0
725.2 Pimping
0
725.3 Pandering
0
726.6(4) Child Endangerment -Death
0
726.6(5) Child Endangerment- Serious Injury
1
726.6(6) Child Endangerment - Bodily Injury
8
726.6(7) Child Endangerment -No Injury
5
35
727.5 Obstruction of Emergency Communications
12
728.2 Dissemination of Obscene Materials to Minors
1
811.2 Failure to Appear
9
249
908.1 Violation of Parole
3
908.10 Conviction of a Felony While on Parole
0
908.10A Conviction of an Aggravated Misd While on Parole
0
908.11 Probation Violation
5
263
DU /4 -2A -3 Prohibited Sales and Acts
7
DU /4- 2A -7(A) Under 21 Purchase /Possession of Alcohol
6
DU /4- 2A -7(B) Under 21 Misrepresentation of Age
2
DU /4- 2A -7(C) Under 21 In Alcohol Establishment After Hours
1
18
DU/4 -9 -2 Solicitation w/o a License
6
DU/6- 6 -4(B) Order to Vacate
1
2
DU /7 -5A -1 Disorderly Conduct
1
34
DU /7- 5A -2(A) Harassment of City Employees
3
28
DU /7 -5A -3 False and Fraudulent Reports
1
DU /7 -5A -9 Public Urination or Defecation
14
DU /7- 5A -10(A) Use of Bows, Arrows, or Slingshots
1
5
DU /7- 5A -10(B) Carrying Concealed Weapon
1
14
DU /7- 5A -10(C) Discharge of Firearms or Fireworks
2
DU /7- 5A -10(D) Possession of Fireworks
8
DU /7- 5B -2(A) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
DU/7 -5B -3 Under the Influence of Controlled Substance
DU /7 -5B -4 Sniffing Glue or Other Chemicals
DU/9- 7- 321.284A Open Container
DU/10 -5B -2 Consumption or use of alcoholic liquors or wine in a park
DU /10 -5B -6 Throwing Stones or other missiles
Warrant Outside Jurisdiction
TOTAL
1
3
7
10
3
4
4
1
DU/7 -5A -17 Aggressive Panhandling
2
SEPTEMBER 2010
No. Assisted
Units per 1000
Co. Residents
No. Elderly
Units per 1000
Co. Residents
No. Family
Units per 1000
Co. Residents
Section 8
Public
Housing
Elderly Family
Project
Based
Elderly
Family
Section 42
Tax Credit
Elderly Family
Total
Assisted
County
Population
Story
(Ames)
80,000
297
0
0
273
60
56
284
970
12.1
4.1
4.3
Linn
(Cedar Rapids)
192,000
1,265
0
0
762
407
214
807
3,455
18.0
5.1
6.3
Clinton
(Clinton)
50,000
568
24
64
169
21
31
136
1,013
20.3
4.5
4.4
Scott
(Davenport)
158,000
824
0
42
682
426
559
716
3,249
20.6
7.9
7.5
Johnson
(Iowa City)
111,000
1,214
0
101
283
337
236
180
2,351
21.2
4.7
5.6
Dubuque'
(Dubuque)
89,000
1,133
14
27
267
241
204
233
2,119
23.8
5.4
5.6
Blackhawk
(Waterloo)
128,000
1,516
50
34
687
271
306
242
3,106
24.3
8.1
4.3
Polk
(Des Moines)
374,000
3,169
190
313
1,276
815
393
3,371
9,527
25.5
5.0
12.0
Woodbury
(Sioux City)
104,000
1,250
0
0
648
323
308
519
3,048
29.3
9.2
8.1
Pottawattamie
(Council Bluffs)
87,000
765
0
295
367
369
116
783
2,695
31.0
5.6
16.6
Attachment II
Averaged 22.6 1 6.0 1 7.5
'Dubuque also is currently contracting with Project Concern for 13 Shelter Plus Care Program units and assisting 49 households through the HPRP Homeless Assistance Program
Project H.O.P.E (Helping Our People Excel)
Vision Statement
Project HOPE is a dynamic catalyst that helps service providers and employers build bridges to close gaps and
realize potential synergy among community resources.
Mission Statement
Project HOPE encourages and facilitates collaboration, communication, and advocacy, among referral
resources, education /training providers, employers, and people in our community to dissolve existing
disparity and ensure equity in employment and economic opportunities.
Narrative
Attachment III
Project HOPE is intended to convene area workforce development agencies, City staff and educational
institutions, in a challenge to respond to high unemployment and /or under - employment of residents of the
downtown neighborhoods. We have begun a discussion on how to reach these residents, who are traditionally
cut off from opportunities for advancement, due to social, cultural or educational barriers. The objective of
Project Hope is to establish inter - agency programs specifically designed to provide opportunities to these
citizens, and to find ways of over - coming barriers to their participation in the job market.
Project HOPE is also going to begin an Asset Mapping process. Asset Mapping is an analysis to focus of the
strengths and capacities of the citizens, associations, institutions, local government, and education
organizations in the community. We need to build on the strengths of the organizations that focus on;
1. Housing
2. Transportation
3. Education/Training
4. Employment
5. Family Services (food, clothing, childcare, youth)
1. Healthcare, including mental health and substance abuse
Project Hope wants to bring all the organizations who offer these services to the target groups of individuals
for a full day meeting so we can map our community's services and to determine the strengths of our services
currently and ways we can collaborate, partner, and enhance our current service delivery throughout the
community.
For the past year, various organizations and businesses have been exposed to the "Bridges Out of Poverty"
material, which is based on the work of Dr. Ruby Payne. The Bridges material looks at poverty through a
cultural framework which promotes understanding and opportunity for communication about poverty.
Having a common language to discuss poverty is going to be very important in addressing the issue in
Dubuque or any community. We are encouraging organizations interested in Project Hope to arrange for staff
members to be exposed to the Bridges material through a two hour overview, which can be arranged through
Project HOPE.
Project HOPE Report
Aumer imp
a
PROJECT
HOPE
This report is a recap of the programs Project HOPE is involved with and the progress that
is being made. The next steps are also outlined and meetings that are already scheduled
are documented We are currently framing the work with the Bridges Initiative, including
Bridges Out of Poverty, the Getting Ahead program and the new Circles program with the
Office of Economic Development and the Housing and Community Development, and are
not fully outlined in this report as it is a work in progress.
Convener
The Project HOPE Coordinator and staff are responsible for convening community
organizations and stakeholders around various community issues, facilitate conversation
and ensure action steps are being taken to address certain issues. Eric Dregne, the Vice
President of Programs for the Community Foundation will act as facilitator and oversee the
work of Project Hope. As the convener, the Coordinator will provide meeting space,
supplies, information, prepare agendas and meeting minutes, follow -up with attendees and
complete any research that is needed.
Six steps for the next six months
1. Formalize a collaborative structure. A collaborative body needs to be redefined.
Stakeholders from across the community representing government, business, service
providers, advocates, residents, media and the faith community will be engaged.
2. Select priority actions for implementation. The goal for the first meetings will be to
identify priority actions from those proposed, address existing gaps and secure
commitment from partners for implementation.
3. Develop benchmarks for monitoring progress. Develop goals and actions that can be
used as a format to identify, monitor and report benchmarks of progress toward the long
term goal of reducing rates of poverty and impacting rates of
unemployment/underemployment.
4. Identify resources. Work with partners to identify resources either new or redirected
for implementing the adopted actions.
5. Build public awareness and will. Encourage the media (print, radio and television) to
commit to providing their leadership to keep the poverty issue on the minds of
Dubuque residents. Build a robust communication plan, including a robust website that
engages the public and provides information.
6. Continue to engage new stakeholders. Continue to engage business community
members and support the public awareness strategy.
Dubuque Works:
The President/CEO represents Project Hope and the Bridges /Getting Ahead
program on the Dubuque Works Committee. The Community Foundation accepts all
charitable contributions and grants for the Bridges /Getting Ahead program, including the
Dubuque Works funding. The President/CEO or the coordinator will meet with the City's
Director of Housing and Community Development monthly to track progress and identify
ways the Project Hope committee can support Getting Ahead.
Opportunity Passport:
Opportunity Passport is headed up by Marianne Yunt. Currently, a new contract is
being developed for the youth to sign and outlines the rules of the program. There will be
stricter rules on the amount saved and how often they save. We have notice that some have
not saved anything yet while others haven't saved for a while. These new regulations will
help wean out those participants who are not actively saving and open spots for youth who
want to participate.
Future:
• In the near future there will be a meeting set -up for participants to learn about the
new rules of the program and reflect on their saving habits.
• A meeting between the social workers, Community Foundation and DuTrac will be
set -up and explained the changes in the program.
• Another round of Opportunity Passport will begin this fall.
Bank On
Bank On Dubuque initiative has been handed over to Paula Connors. She will be
the lead on this initiative. There has been a steering committee developed for Bank On
Dubuque and has met and started developing this program. Two additional committees will
be developed: marketing/outreach and financial education. Kevin Shields, from the FDIC,
requested we add one more committee to focus on reporting and tracking. All the
information gathered during this process has been copied and given to Paula. The launch
date for this program is October 1, 2010. I have given Paula my personal contact
information and informed her if she has any questions she can give me a call and I could
try to help after I leave.
Future
• Develop subcommittees
• Develop a budget and timeline
• Paula will be setting up a meeting with Nancy Van Milligen to go over a contract
for the banks and credit unions and a ideal budget
Training Center
Project HOPE sits on the "Caradco" committee that is discussing building a training
center, to be modeled after the Bidwell training center.
Future
• Next meeting is August 16 12 -1:30 at the MFC
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Outreach
The EITC outreach taskforce is headed by Becky Jenkins from Operation New
View. Project HOPE sits on the taskforce. Our role in this event is not well defined. In the
past, we have developed the marketing pieces and done some of the outreach. For this next
year, Project HOPE's role needs to be defined. The meetings are becoming smaller and less
interactive. This committee needs to be reexamined and new people need to be brought to
the table. There wasn't very much outreach done in the downtown neighborhoods and there
were no Spanish speaking tax sites this past year.
Future:
• Next EITC Meeting -Wednesday, August 4 at 3:00 at Operation New View 2nd
floor
• Work with Operation New View to bring more people to the taskforce and keep
them engaged
• Work this in with Bank On Dubuque, opening accounts when filing their taxes
Dare to Be King
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is the fiscal agent for Dare to be
King. There are quarterly reports that are completed by Project HOPE. Information about
these reports can be found in a black binder. The last report was submitted July 1, 2010.
The next report is due October 1, 2010. We have gotten the OK for Victor and Robert to
purchase a laptop and camera. The laptop will be purchased instead of purchasing the TV
and DVD Player. Robert and Victor's contact information can be found in the black binder
as well.
Future:
• October 1, 2010 next report is due
Road to Success
The Family Self - Sufficiency Program Coordinator Carroll Clark and Project HOPE
work together to put on this annual event, Road to Success. This year's event was July 26
from 3 -7PM at Prescott Elementary. Project HOPE does a lot of recruiting for volunteers,
donated items, and beverages/snacks. We also created the marketing pieces for the event.
This year's event went well and the participants had a very educational experience. This
event happens in the summer and there isn't much work to do until spring.
WINC (Women In Nontraditional Careers)
WINC is a committee developed and ran by Kelly Cooper and Megan Starr from
the Dubuque Area Labor Management Council. We meet every few months to discuss what
is being done to help women break in the nontraditional fields which include
manufacturing, construction, and technology. They are planning an event for this spring at
NICC in Peosta to have women come and sit in on some of the classes NICC offers in these
fields. A date has not been determine yet. Emails are sent out to inform us when the next
meet will be. I have contacted Megan and told her to email Nancy with any information
about upcoming meetings and events.
Communications
Ever quarter, Project HOPE puts out a 4 page newsletter. The last newsletter went
out in July. Every newsletter is saved on the S drive under Project HOPE, Marketing. There
are also hard copies in the Project HOPE binder. MJ is given a draft two weeks before the
send out date. She has it back after one week and there is a week to make changes and send
out. The list of who gets it is located in the black binder.
Future
• Next newsletter is due out October, 2010
• A website and e- newsletter is being developed.
Small Working Group
A small working group has been meeting at the Multicultural Family Center the 1st
and 3 Friday of each month. In these meetings we discussed more in -depth what Project
HOPE is and try to make sure we stay focused on our mission. I have informed them that
the meetings will be put on hold until further notice.
We are also most recently involved in the start-up of the Coalition of African
American Males and are working with the Human Rights Department and Mission Creative
on developing communications around being an inclusive community.