Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Homelessness Motel Extension topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Peoria council extends motel shelter funding to Lula NFP for one month
Summary
The city approved a one-month extension of hotel reimbursement funding to Lula NFP to keep unsheltered residents temporarily housed while social-service partners continue permanent-housing placement work.
The Peoria City Council on June 24 approved a one-month extension of hotel reimbursement funding to Lula NFP, authorizing up to $64,000 to continue housing unsheltered residents while staff and service partners secure permanent placements.
Director Doolin, the city’s community development director, told the council the extension is meant to keep the project funded while social-service partners finish placements. “As of today, there are still 46 individuals still in the hotel,” Doolin said, adding that he expected that figure to fall “to about anywhere between 22, and 30 individuals” by June 30 and to about 17 by July 31.
The city and contractors have run the motel project as a short-term shelter and case-management site after the council approved an ordinance authorizing the approach earlier this fiscal year. Doolin said the council is being asked tonight to extend a current grant award so social-service agencies have “just a little additional time” to house people who have been in the motel for several months and who may be skeptical of services.
Casey Bernard, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of Lula, thanked the council and service partners and described the motel project as a “case study” in outreach-based engagement. “Lula and the motel guests will never be able to express our deep gratitude for providing of a safe place to sleep, eat, and try to navigate services and resources,” Bernard said.
A Lula representative identified in the meeting as Keishi also asked the council to recognize Lula as a partner for longer-term work and said the group will seek grants and donations to continue operations. “We are not going away,” the representative said, adding Lula has been operating as a nonprofit and has documented entries in the homeless management information system for guests served during the project.
Council members praised the work of Lula and partner agencies. Council member Riggenbach moved to approve the one-month extension; Council member Kelly seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Council discussion included financial context: Director Doolin and the city manager explained the $64,000 would come from repurposed ARPA funds set aside earlier for homelessness work and that the city expects not to spend the full authorized amount if placements continue. Doolin said roughly 108 individuals had been served by the project over its lifetime and that the peak hotel population reached about 70 at a time.
The council asked staff to continue reporting on placement outcomes and to work with Lula and other service providers on a plan for longer-term housing options for people who need permanent supportive services. The extension allows the motel placement and associated case management to continue while that work proceeds.
