View
805
Download
0
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
6.2 Smart Shelter: How Shelters Can Improve Outcomes in Housing First SystemsSpeaker: Devra EdelmanHaving supportive, permanent housing-focused shelters is a crucial piece to any Housing First homeless assistance system. In this workshop, presenters will talk about the key role shelters play in improving system performance on key outcomes and reducing episodes of homelessness in their communities.
Citation preview
Smart Shelter: How Shelters Can Improve Outcomes in Housing First Systems
2012 NAEH National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness
Devra EdelmanDeputy Director, Programs
Hamilton Family Center
February 10, 2012
DEdelman@hamiltonfamilycenter.org
Guinea Worm Eradication and Ending Homelessness
Eradicating Guinea Worm / Ending Homelessness =
Clean Water Housing
Root Solutions: Water filtration and infrastructure (wells; piping; etc.) to provide clean drinking water
Affordable Housing (Including Subsidized Housing; Shallow Rental Subsidies; Permanent Supportive Housing; etc.)
If you only implement the solution will the issue be addressed?
NO ~ Open wounds in watering holes considered sacred will continue to release larvae into drinking water
NO ~ families and individuals may still become homeless for various reasons (evictions; tragedy; health issues; etc.)
How to Address Both the Root and the Entire Tree:
Protection and care of WoundsEducation of Villagers in Culturally Appropriate and Sensitive Manner (VBHWs) ~ Shift Culture to encourage safe water
Emergency Shelter that provides basic needs ANDFocuses on life-skills training, wage & income development & sustainability, and housing placement ~ Shift agency culture to Housing First
3
Rebuilding Lives ~ Ending Homelessness
The mission of Hamilton Family Center is to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Through a Housing First approach, we provide a continuum of
housing solutions and comprehensive services that promote self-sufficiency for families and individuals, and foster the potential of children and youth.
First Avenues:
Housing Solutions
Dudley Apartments
Supportive Services
Hamilton Family
Transitional Housing
Hamilton Family
Residences
Hamilton Family
Emergency Center
Project
Potential:
Child and Youth Services
Hamilton Family Center - Overview
San Francisco’s Family Homeless Services System
Connecting Point
Centralized Wait List for Full-
Service Shelter
Raphael House
Providence / Oshun / Winter Shelter
Hamilton Family Emergency CenterHamilton Family Residences
St. Joseph’s Family Center
Compass Family Shelter
HOMELESS FAMILIES
San Francisco Population ~ 805,235 (2010)
2011 Point-in-Time Count:
6,455 Homeless Persons 48% (3,106) Unsheltered
635 Homeless Persons in Families15% (95) Unsheltered
5
San Francisco ~ Population Snapshot
Housing First Principles:
Homelessness is first and foremost a housing problem and should be treated as such
Housing is a basic human need and right to which all are entitled
Families are more responsive to intervention and social service support once in permanent and stable housing
People who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness should be returned to or stabilized in permanent housing as quickly as possible and connected to resources necessary to sustain that housing
Everyone is valuable and capable of being a valuable resident and community member
Residents, property managers, and service providers work together to integrate services into housing
Client focused services
Move homeless families into permanent, affordable housing as Rapidly as Possible
Time-limited, home-based support services
Housing First Service Delivery Components
Emergency services that address the immediate need for shelter or stabilization in current housing
Housing, Resource, and Support Services Assessment which focuses on housing needs, preferences, and barriers; resource acquisition (e.g., entitlements); and identification of services needed to sustain housing
Housing placement assistance including housing location and placement; financial assistance with housing costs (e.g., security deposit, first month’s rent, move-in and utilities connection, short- or long-term housing subsidies); advocacy and assistance in addressing housing barriers (e.g., poor credit history or debt, prior eviction, criminal conviction)
Case management services (frequently time-limited) specifically focused on maintaining permanent housing or the acquisition and sustainment of permanent housing
Shifting Gears toward Smart Shelter: Rapid Re-Housing Strategies
Problem Statement
San Francisco is one the most expensive and competitive housing markets in the country. Rents increased by 6% from 2010 to 2011 and vacancies have decreased with the average rent for a 1-bdrm apt. at $2,300.
Homeless families lack the resources to afford market rate rent.
Stock of existing affordable housing for extremely low income families does not meet demand
A Rapid Re-Housing Strategy requires a systemic shift in programmatic focus, resources, and goals.
Emergency and interim housing programs lack an assessment tool to assist in determining the best housing fit
New shallow rental subsidy and eviction prevention funding lacks a strong evaluation component
Community Needs
Schwab Foundation Initiative, convenes Bay Area collaboration; identifies Rapid Re-Housing as one of three priorities to end homelessness (July, 2004)
Homeless Families Services Redesign Committee: Community Stakeholders recommend the development of Rental Subsidies as the Number One Priority (June 2006)
SF Local Homeless Coordinating Board identifies Permanent Housing (subsidized according to need) as their number one priority in the Five Year Strategic Plan. (January 2008)
HPRP and HEARTH Act support federal shift in priorities and funding for Housing First programs (2009 to present)
Shifting Gears toward Smart Shelter: Rapid Re-Housing Strategies
9
Influential Factors
Schwab Foundation funds a Shallow subsidy pilot program (January 2005) Hamilton Family Center redirects $500,000 in emergency shelter resources toward
Housing First initiatives (July 2006) SF Mayor & Advocacy Groups support Housing First approach (2005) Homeless Family Redesign Recommendations from community stakeholders results
in $2.3 million in new Shallow Rental Subsidy funding for homeless, at-risk, and doubled-up families (February 2007)
The ARRA provides $8.75M to San Francisco for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (Sept 2009)
Salesforce.com Foundation and SF Mayor’s Homeless Assistance Fund allocate $3M to rapidly re-house families from SF Shelter Waitlist of over 250 families (Dec. 2011)
Shifting Gears toward Smart Shelter: Rapid Re-Housing Strategies
10
Outcomes Fund shallow rental subsidies, eviction prevention assistance
and move-in support for homeless, at-risk, and doubled-up families in San Francisco.
Develop family shelter services to focus on: Connections to Mainstream Resources (including Childcare); Wage & Income Development & Sustainability; and Housing.
Develop Housing Assessment Matrix (HAM) Tool to identify best housing fit.
Increase the number of families Rapidly Re-Housed from the family shelters to permanent housing.
Increase the number of families for whom homelessness is prevented and who are diverted from shelter.
Develop services that follow families into housing and focus on income development and housing stability
11
First Avenues Rental Subsidy Entries &
San Francisco Family Shelter Waitlist
Quarte
r 4 2
006
Quarte
r 1 2
007
Quarte
r 2 2
007
Quarte
r 3 2
007
Quarte
r 4 2
007
Quarte
r 1 2
008
Quarte
r 2 2
008
Quarte
r 3 2
008
Quarte
r 4 2
008
Quarte
r 1 2
009
Quarte
r 2 2
009
Quarte
r 3 2
009
Quarte
r 4 2
009
Quarte
r 1 2
010
Quarte
r 2 2
010
Quarte
r 3 2
010
Quarte
r 4 2
010
Quarte
r 1 2
011
Quarte
r 2 2
011
Quarte
r 3 2
011
Quarte
r 4 2
011
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
Total First Avenues Medium Term Rental Rapid Rehousing Entries
Shelter Waitlist Average
HPRP Begins
Lessons Learned ~ Key Components of Smart Shelter
Housing Assessment as early as possible upon entry into system and incorporated throughout programs.
Housing Advocate Case Managers at entry points Connecting Point & Emergency Shelter
Collaboration between Shelter Case Managers and Housing Case Managers weekly Exit Planning meetings
Aftercare case management post housing to strengthen roots in new home and community
Systems Level Collaboration and Partnerships: Shelter Consortium; Family Eviction Prevention Collaborative; HPRP Workgroup; Rapid Re-Housing Network; etc.
Implement systemic processes in programs that are geared toward periodic review of progress toward employment and housing Team reporting on rapid re-housing, employment and increased income.
Housing Assessment Matrix (HAM) Tool:Strategically targeting resources to maximize opportunities for homeless families
Housing Assessment Matrix:
http://hamiltonfamilycenter.org/
Videos & News / Evidence Based Practice
Housing Assessment Matrix ~ Options & Indicators
14
Assessment Indicators include:
Income level
History of Homelessness
Housing options
Lease History
History of Evictions
Age of Primary Caregiver
Mental Health History
Substance Use
Criminal Justice Barriers
Temporary Financial Strain
Recent Trauma
Child Welfare History
Education Level
Work Experience
Work Inhibiting Disabilities
Income Plans
Family Composition
Transportation Barriers
Child Care Barriers
Income Sources
•Housing Assessment Matrix (HAM) tool used at all entry points:
•Emergency Shelter Intake
•Transitional Housing Referral / Application
•Housing Subsidy Program Application
•Housing Options / “Fit” May be:
•Market Rate Housing
•Short-term Rental Assistance
•Medium-term Rental Assistance
•Affordable Housing
•Deeply Subsidized Housing
•Transitional Housing Program
•Permanent Supportive Housing
Cultural Shift to Smart Shelter
Agency-wide Cultural Shift to support Core Philosophies of:
Harm Reduction: Motivating change in a collaborative, empathic environment; policies based upon behaviors; explore options with clients and encourage to identify own needs
Trauma-Informed Services: adopting a holistic view of care and recognizing the connections between housing, employment, mental and physical health, substance abuse, and trauma histories; and
Provide Effort Based Support: moving from a model of Social Services to Social Support
While focusing on STABLE HOUSING FIRST at all times!
15
Contact:
Devra M. Edelman
Deputy Director, Programs
Hamilton Family Center
415-409-2100 x122
dedelman@hamiltonfamilycenter.org
www.hamiltonfamilycenter.org
Questions???
Recommended