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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10256 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10256 April 2, 2019 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: COMPLAINT REGARDING PRESBYTERIAN NIGHT SHELTER SERVICES The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Fort Worth have recently received formal complaints about conditions at Presbyterian Night Shelter (PNS). HUD has requested that the City provide a response to the federal complaint because the City has funded PNS through various HUD programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). The City provides an average of $350,000 annually in HUD grants for PNS operations and the City has also used CDBG to help PNS with certain major repairs: a. $40,000 (2018); b. , also known as the Loudon Schutts Building (2017); and c. $170,000 to the Shelter for a complete upgrade of bathrooms (2009). To address an increasing unsheltered population, Directions Home funded PNS to open up an additional 80 overflow beds for men from September 1, 2018 through February 28, 2019, for an additional amount of $101,626. Upon receiving the complaint, the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) initiated an immediate inspection of Presbyterian Night Shelter. NSD used a HUD-required checklist for emergency shelters that covers fire safety, sanitary conditions, lighting, heat/cooling, adequate space etc. Inspection results were: a. Observed no serious health and safety concerns; b. Very minor electrical repairs are needed (e.g. switch plates broken), but no electrical hazards were observed; and c. Dirt on the exterior, but not on the interior, of ceiling skylights. NSD annually monitors both the physical condition of PNS facilities and the operations of PNS programs (i.e. case management, client services, policies and procedures, financial processes, etc.) There were no monitoring findings in the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 program years. Directions Home staff met with Toby Owen, CEO of Presbyterian Night Shelter, on March 18, 2019. Reviewing the specific complaint items, Mr. Owen provided clarifications and context as described in the table below, indicating which items were resident misunderstandings of policy and which issues are regularly being addressed. Many issues are common to large emergency shelters barrier cy to protect the health and safety of homeless persons, particularly during the cold winter months. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10256 April 2, 2019 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: COMPLAINT REGARDING PRESBYTERIAN NIGHT SHELTER SERVICES PNS is addressing all of the issues raised, as presented on the chart below. Complaint PNS Response Poor stewardship of food contributions Walmart makes weekly donations of PNS generally puts these donations into a freezer right away, for sorting later when time and volunteer availability permits. Often much of this food is past its expiration date and has to be thrown away. Likewise, other similar unsolicited food donations are may be past their expiration date or are otherwise unsuitable and have to be thrown away for public health reasons. Maltreatment - client put outside When a client breaks a rule, and particularly in situations regarding conflict between clients, staff will ask the client to go outside 15 minutes to "cool off." This policy was adopted as a substitute to a previous harsher policy, which required expulsion from the shelter in many similar circumstances. Maltreatment overnight guests can't eat Overnight clients have access to dinner but not breakfast or lunch. Clients participating in one of the ongoing PNS self-sufficiency programs are provided all three meals; while overnight guests eat breakfast and lunch elsewhere. No building for MHMR clients PNS has a SafeHaven building for 20 severely mentally ill clients. Because that is insufficient for the population, some PNS clients do have mental health needs. Staff training issue - someone told client PNS will continue to do training and professional development with staff to improve direct client "if it aint bleeding, you aint needing" services and communications. Someone had 6 case managers over 2.5 There is high turnover on the PNS case management staff. years Staff training issue - staff member had This issue was addressed with the employee by management. relationship with resident Roaches, rodents, dust mites The shelter is cleaned daily from 8am-10am. Once a week Terminex treats for bedbugs. Once a week Terminex treats for other bugs/rodents and they come more often as needed. PNS spent $12,000 on a heat room to kill bedbugs. On a quarterly basis, the shelter is closed all day to allow for all clients and all their belongings must be out of the shelter temporarily for these deep cleanings. ostponed last week due to rain. TVs aren't used TVs are used to show activities at True Worth Place - not for entertainment. Staff training - someone with late pass PNS will continue to do training and professional development with staff. wasn't able to use it Whisky bottle found in trash PNS is a low barrier shelter - meaning there are no sobriety tests. However, guests caught with alcohol or drugs on shelter property are suspended. Leaky roof PNS will be repairing the roof as part of men's shelter renovations that are currently being planned. Everyone under one roof There are separate buildings for families, women, men, and the severely mentally ill. Due to limited space for some subpopulations such as the mentally ill, the Main Shelter may house overflow during times of inclement weather. People will lose belongings during shelter Every quarter PNS does a deep clean of shelter - all people and materials must be removed. This is clean out done in order to maintain a sanitary environment for all residents. Guests allowed to sleep on floor During the night, some clients leave their bunks and sleep on the floor, even though this may be in hallways or fire lane areas. When identified, staff direct these clients to move back onto the bunks. Client letter - allegations of employee PNS management will investigate this complaint. being paid to look the other way regarding thefts For more information, please contact Directions Home Manager Tara Perez at 817-392-2235. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS