Dear Mayor Durkan,
I have noticed that Africatown Community Land Trust has either received funding and a contract, or is in the process of signing a contract with New York City to operate a 24/7 enhanced shelter on the site of the former Keiro Nursing Home with a long history.
I also sent you a letter regarding the 24/7 enhanced shelter contract between the City of Seattle and Africa City.
For all projects funded by the city, the city should require providers to notify neighbors immediately after determining the location. As far as I know, this has not been done. I know that the asylum should go online in October 2021.
I request the following information.
Seattle City and Africa City Refuge
1. Who is the key person in New York City regarding the city-funded 24/7 enhanced shelter?
2. What plans does the city government have to notify neighbors?
3. What is the source of funding? How much funding is provided by government entities and other funding sources? What is the funding period and duration of Africa City?
4. What other potential locations of this 24/7 enhanced shelter are also considered?
5. How long do City and Africatown plan to operate shelters? How long is the funding period?
Refuge residents
1. How many residents are in the 24/7 enhanced shelter in Africa City (the original site can accommodate 150 beds), who and how are they screened?
2. Are residents with criminal backgrounds (drug addiction/abuse issues, sexual crimes, etc.) allowed?
3. Will all residents and staff be regularly vaccinated and tested for Covid-19? What Covid precautions will the facility take? What about the visitors?
4. What if a resident commits a crime?
Africa City as a contracted service provider for the City of Seattle
1. Given the apparent lack of experience in operating homeless/high-risk population shelters in Africa City, why consider/sign up for them? Will they subcontract to a supplier, and does the supplier comply with New York City regulations and requirements?
2. What are the legal responsibilities of Africatown and New York City for this shelter?
On-site operation
1. Who will actually operate the shelter? Will they be accountable to the city government?
2. How will the property be maintained? In fact, at least when the exterior of the facility is in disrepair, how will it prepare for the newcomers?
3. How many supervisors and employees are there in the factory? Will there be a 24-hour staff present? Who will hire and supervise them?
Resident services
1. Does it provide residents with “wrap-around services”? Will these be on site? Who will provide these services, to whom and for how long?
2. How long will the residents stay in the shelter? Do you plan to transition them to permanent stable housing? Can that house be used? What if there is no permanent housing?
Africa City and Community Relations
Is the service provider (African City in this case) willing to support the Community Citizens Advisory Group?
expected outcome
Can Africa City provide specific information about the expected verifiable results? As the funding agency of Africa City, will the City of Seattle provide specific expected and verifiable results as part of the funding and contractual arrangements.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
— Patty Fang
Seattle, Washington
Cc: Northwest Asia Weekly
Multiple sclerosis.Sama sawan
Ms. Lorena Gonzalez
Mr. Bruce Harrell
Wisteria Community Association
Africa City Community Land Trust-Wyking Garrett
