Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness Looks to Fill Vacancies

Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness Looks to Fill Vacancies
Applications are now being accepted for community members interested in serving on the Tulare County Task Force on Homelessness. Homelessness is a complex issue requiring collaboration between jurisdictions and member agencies and critical to identifying and delivering solutions. Members must attend the regularly scheduled meetings and are appointed by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors
 
In 2016, according to the Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance’s annual Point in Time survey, there were approximately 631 homeless persons in Tulare County with Visalia having 41 percent, Porterville having 23 percent and Tulare with 14 percent. According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors survey, the top five causes of homelessness are:
 
1. Lack of affordable housing
2. Unemployment
3. Poverty
4. Mental illness and the lack of needed services
5. Substance abuse and the lack of needed services
 
“Local collaboration is needed to consider available local and State resources and to develop strategies for successfully addressing homelessness,” said Jason T. Britt, Agency Director. “This Task Force will serve as a forum across governments and other partners to explore how we can overcome challenges, foster best practices, share ideas and resources, and align service delivery systems.”
 
Task Force Members are comprised of:
 
-Board of Supervisors
-Health & Human Services Agency
-Kings/Tulare Homeless Alliance
-Law Enforcement
-Community Action Agency
-Housing Authority
-Faith Community
-Transit Authority
-Tulare County Farm Bureau
-City of Visalia
-City of Tulare
-City of Porterville
-City of Dinuba
-City of Lindsay
-City of Farmersville
-City of Exeter
-City of Woodlake
-Community partner representative
 
Applications are available at the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, 2800 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia, Health & Human Services Offices at 5957 S. Mooney Blvd. (second floor east), Visalia, or by logging on to http://tularecounty.ca.gov/clerkoftheboard/index.cfm/board-commissions-and-committee/.