Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program Citizen Advisory Committee

The Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP) Advisory Committee is established pursuant to Minnesota Statute 462A.204, Subdivision 6. The vision of the FHPAP is "Washington County is a place where homelessness is prevented, days of homelessness are minimized, and repeat homelessness is eliminated through the innovative efforts of our local governments, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and citizens."

The FHPAP operates in accordance with the operating procedures established by the county. The FHPAP ceases to operate if FHPAP funds are not granted to Washington County.

FHPAP Advisory Committee members are appointed by the County Board as follows:

• One homeless or formerly homeless person
• One homeless advocate
• One provider of emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing
• Five representatives, one from each district, including landlords, persons affiliated with faith organizations, legal aid staff, youth-service providers, and school homeless liaisons
• The committee also is assigned one representative from the State Interagency Task Force on Homelessness by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency who is a non-voting member. 

Washington County Community Services
Washington County Community Services (also known as the FHPAP Grantee) is responsible for the coordination and administration of FHPAP grant funds through contractual agreements with the subgrantees.  Washington County Community Services ensures that statistical and financial reports are submitted to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and also ensures the entry of client data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) by the subgrantees.  Washington County Community Services is also responsible for submitting an annual written report on the project per MHFA specifications.

FHPAP Advisory Committee Members
The FHPAP Advisory Committee assists the Community Services Department with the following tasks:

1.  Designing or refocusing the grantee's emergency response system

2.  Developing project outcome measurements

3.  Assessing the short- and long-term effectiveness of the project in meeting the needs of families who are homeless, preventing homelessness, identifying and developing innovative solutions to the problem of homeless families, and identifying problems and barriers to providing services to homeless families

4.  Reviewing FHPAP subgrantee applications and making funding recommendations to the County Board

Applicants must complete the required county application for appointment and submit any background information requested. The County Board, at its discretion, may interview any applicant seeking appointment to the FHPAP Advisory Committee. Preference is given to persons with familiarity with the needs of, and issues facing persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

A chair, vice-chair, and secretary are elected every two years with elections to occur at a regularly scheduled meeting during the first quarter of the biennium.

The 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.

The FHPAP program term is two years beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Members serve a maximum of two years from the date of their appointment with all terms ending on June 30 of the second year. An appointment to finish out an unexpired term of a committee member does not count toward the term limits. After an interval of one year, when a former committee member is off the committee, such former committee member is again eligible to serve. The County Board, at its discretion, may replace the member at any time, when, in the opinion of the County Board or County Commissioner appointing the member it is in the best interests of the county to do so.

Meetings of the FHPAP Advisory Committee are held at least monthly at times and places designated by the Department of Community Services.

Citizen members of the FHPAP Advisory Committee are eligible to receive meeting per diem and mileage reimbursement at the rate established by the County Board.

Members 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.

This advisory committee operates in accordance with the operating procedures established by the county.