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Fife jobs program reports recent housing and employment gains for participants
Summary
City staff said the jobs program enrolled several participants, helped multiple people obtain housing and employment, and will shift funding streams in July. Council praised the program and staff for outcomes.
Fife—s city-run jobs program reported new enrollments and several recent participant successes during a quarterly update to the city council.
The update, delivered by Community Navigator Program Manager Norman Brickhouse, summarized program operations and outcomes since the previous presentation in February. Brickhouse said staff had enrolled three to four new participants since February, and that three program participants had obtained both employment and housing after participating in the program—s 12-month workforce-development track.
Why it matters: the program combines training, case management and housing-focused services to help people experiencing homelessness develop employment and housing stability. City staff and council described the program as a local approach to reducing homelessness and recidivism.
Program details and outcomes: Brickhouse described the program as a "three-pronged" approach that combines job training (landscaping crews that work in city parks), barrier reduction (case management and referrals) and housing assistance. He said the program enrolled four new participants in the most recent intake, has seven to eight active participants, and had placed 11 people into housing through street outreach since February.
He added that two participants had stepped away from the program for violations but that staff continued to provide wraparound services and assistance; three removed participants later secured housing and employment with program support. "We don't give up on people," Brickhouse said, describing ongoing case management and outreach efforts.
Funding and administration: Brickhouse said the program will switch funding streams starting July 1; the program began with Department of Commerce support through a right-of-way initiative but will transition to a different funding source. He also said the program uses multiple local partners including the police department, public works and nonprofit partners, and that the city planned to continue integrating employment services and housing partnerships.
Council response: Councilmembers praised the program several times during the presentation. Deputy Mayor Murphy and Councilmember Andrew Yook both complimented staff, and Councilmember Gathers said she planned to attend the program—s upcoming graduation, where four participants will be recognized.
Ending: The council received the quarterly report and staff said they would continue to enroll participants, coordinate with partners, and present program updates; a graduation ceremony for four participants was scheduled for May 15.
