PurposeThe Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) Advisory Committee, also known as Heading Home Washington (HHW), is established pursuant to Minnesota Statute 462A.204, Subdivi

PurposeThe Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) Advisory Committee, also known as Heading Home Washington (HHW), is established pursuant to Minnesota Statute 462A.204, Subdivision 6.  Vision statement Heading Home Washington advocates and advances access to housing through community-wide partnerships and listening to the voices of those impacted by homelessness. Our vision is a thriving Washington County community with stable and affordable housing for all.ResponsibilitiesHHW-FHPAP is a collaborative of community members invested in sustaining and creating new resources to best meet the needs of people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness throughout Washington County.  To achieve this we will:Sustain and increase resources dedicated to prevent homelessness, shorten the length of time homeless, and eliminate repeat episodes of homelessness.  Make progress on key measures including:Number of people moving from homelessness to being housedDecrease duration of time people experience homelessnessDecrease repeat episodes of homelessnessImprove early identification and intervention with those experiencing housing instabilityIdentify solutions to housing barriersEnsure service models adapt to needsCreate strategies to resolve crises without direct assistance (where appropriate)Own the role of addressing the whole community’s prevention and rapid rehousing needs.CompositionAny person or agency interested in advancing HHW-FHPAP’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness is welcome to attend and participate in all advisory meetings. When necessary, decisions are made by voting members. Eligibility for voting membership is based on 75% advisory meeting attendance.  Specifics around voting membership is defined in Article III of the Bylaws.To best meet our goals of community collaboration, HHW-FHPAP Advisory seeks active involvement from the following stakeholder groups: persons who have experienced homelessness, community organizations, individuals and agencies representing underserved populations, county and city staff, faith communities, schools, employers, veterans, transportation providers, law enforcement agencies, property owners, public housing agencies, affordable housing developers, victim service providers, mental health services, and businesses.Meeting informationMeetings of Heading Home Washington/FHPAP Advisory Committee are held monthly. Meeting time is the second Wednesday of each month from 9:00-10:30 a.m. Meetings are held both in person and online.Election of officersA chair, co-chair, and at large members are elected every two years with elections to occur at the annual meeting in June Task forces and committeesThe FHPAP Advisory Committee may, from time to time, establish additional task forces or subcommittees to study a special issue or conduct special projects. The membership provides service only for the time necessary to study and report on such issues or to complete the assigned project. Additional community representation may be sought for participation in the task force or subcommittee to provide expertise or resources needed for successful completion. These additional representatives do not have voting privileges.Conflict of interestMembers representing organizations that are receiving funding or applying for funding are excluded from any vote or other decision-making process involving funding, procedures, or any other matter before the committee that directly affects that organization.RemunerationPersons with Lived Experience of Homelessness or Housing Instability are eligible to receive meeting per diem and mileage reimbursement at the rate established by Community Services.Questions? Email Jenny Mason for questions about Heading Home Washington.