Solutions start here

Solutions start here.

ANNUAL REPORT 2013

Looking back on the past year, I am inspired by the many people and organizations who work tirelessly alongside MHSA as we strive to end homelessness in Massachusetts. As you read this report, you will find stories of partnerships between MHSA member agencies, government agencies and private partners who are collaborating to expand housing opportunities for individuals struggling to survive on the streets and in shelters. You will meet Toni, whose life turned around when she moved from homelessness into housing through MHSA’s Home & Healthy for Good program. You will learn about MHSA’s advocacy to link housing and health care; our recently launched Leadership Development Program for people who have experienced homelessness; and the public and private entities that are partnering to make Social Innovation Financing a reality in Massachusetts. None of this would be possible without you – our member agencies, community partners, donors, and all who are willing to stand up for our shared belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.

But at MHSA, we’re not afraid to ask the tough questions. Even as we reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, we are faced on a daily basis with the reality that our most vulnerable neighbors – those who are most in need of support – often fall through the cracks of the very systems of care designed to serve them. Individuals struggling with mental illness or substance abuse find themselves unable to access the scarce resources available to them. People leave the corrections system and, unable to secure housing or a job, end up at the front door of homeless shelters. Rents are becoming increasingly unaffordable, leaving many individuals unable to make ends meet.

We have work to do. And we can’t do it without you. We need your advocacy, your resources and your energy to continue this mission. We need your vigilance as well. Push your public officials to become sensitive the incredible problems facing unaccompanied adults toon our streets and in shelters around the Commonwealth. Hold us all accountable – advocates and providers, the public and private sectors – for the social disgrace of homelessness and for the change that is necessary to end it.

Solutions start here – and you make it all possible.

Thank you.

Joe FinnPresident & Executive Director

2 | MHSA 2013 Annual Report

> MESSAGE FROM MHSA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JOE FINN > MHSA AND OUR MISSION

> MHSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MHSA 2013 Annual Report | 3

> MHSA AND OUR MISSION

> MHSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pamela Feingold, Chairperson Eastern Bank

Thomas Collins, Vice-Chairperson Cushman & Wakefield of Massachusetts

Wilton Hyman, Treasurer New England Law Boston

Reverend Linda Wood-Boyle, ClerkHomeStart

Dean AtkinsTranswestern | RBJ

Anna BissonnetteHearth

Peter BurnsMental Health Advocate

James CuddySouth Middlesex Opportunity Council

Dennis Culhane, PhDUniversity of Pennsylvania

Lyndia DowniePine Street Inn

Kiley Gosselin Holland & Knight

Donald GreeneU.S. Trust

Suzanne KenneyProject Place

Mark LevineBoston Rescue Mission/Project Place

Thomas LyonsMassHousing

James O’Connell, MDBoston Health Care for the Homeless Program

James SabitusSelf Employed

Reverend John SamaanBoston Rescue Mission

Reverend Jep StreitCathedral Church of St. Paul

John YazwinskiFather Bill’s & MainSpring

The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance (MHSA) is a nonprofit, public policy advocacy organization with the singular mission of ending homelessness in the Commonwealth. Founded in 1988, MHSA represents nearly 100 community-based agencies statewide.

What we do:Educate about the struggles of homeless individuals and solutions to their homelessness

Advocate for strategic use of public and private funding based on research and best practices

Innovate more cost-effective and humane solutions to homelessness

Collaborate with all levels of government and the private sector to bring our poorest neighbors home for good


> MHSA STAFF

Joe FinnPresident and Executive Director

Kaye WildVice President

Thomas YottsDirector of Finance and Administration

Tom BrighamHousing First Coordinator

Melody BrownSenior Support Specialist

Jessie Gaeta, MDPhysician Advocate

Caitlin GoldenDirector of Public Relations and Community Engagement

Daniel LacharStaff Accountant

Allison LexDirector of Development

Douglas TetraultProgram Manager

> MHSA MEMBER AGENCIES

BostonAction for Boston Community DevelopmentBack on My Feet BostonBoston Alcohol & Substance Abuse

Program, Inc.Boston Health Care for the Homeless ProgramBoston Public Health CommissionBoston Rescue MissionBridge Over Troubled WatersChildren’s Services of RoxburyCommonwealth Land TrustCommunity Resources for JusticeCommunity Work ServicesEcclesia Ministries

Elders Living at Home ProgramFamilyAid BostonHearthHomeStartMedeiros Center for ChangeMetropolitan Boston Housing PartnershipNew England Center for Homeless

VeteransPine Street InnProject BreadProject HopeProject PlaceSelf Esteem BostonSpan, Inc.

Boston (continued)St. Francis HouseStarlight MinistriesTri-Ad Veterans League Victory ProgramsVolunteers of AmericaWomen’s Lunch Place

Greater BostonAdbar Ethiopian Women’s AllianceCambridge Multi-Service CenterCambridge Salvation ArmyCambridge YMCACascap, Inc.CASPAR, Inc.Catholic Charities Boston, St. Patrick’s ShelterCenter for Social InnovationEliot Community Human ServicesHarvard Square Homeless ShelterHeading HomeJustice Resource InstituteMiddlesex Human Service AgencyOn the RiseShelter Legal ServicesShortStop Transitional HousingSolutions at WorkSomerville Homeless CoalitionTri-City Community Action ProgramYouth on Fire

NortheastAction Inc.BridgewellCommunity Teamwork, Inc.Emmaus, Inc.Grace Center, Inc.Lawrence Community Development

DepartmentLifebridgeLowell Transitional Living CenterLynn Shelter AssociationNeuro-Rehab ManagementThe Psychological CenterSylvia’s Haven Veterans Northeast Outreach Center

CentralAIDS Project WorcesterAthol Area YMCAThe Bridge HouseCommunity HealthlinkDismas HouseJeremiah’s InnLUK, Inc.Our Father’s HouseRCAP SolutionsSouth Middlesex Opportunity CouncilVeterans, Inc.Worcester Homeless Action Committee

Southeast/Cape CodBay State Community ServicesCatholic Social Services of Fall RiverDuffy Health CenterEsther R. Sanger Center for CompassionFather Bill’s & MainSpringHigh Point Treatment CenterHousing Assistance CorporationNam Vets Association of the Cape & IslandsQuincy Community Action ProgramsVeterans Transition House

WestBerkshire Community Action DIAL/SELF Youth & Community ServicesFamily Life Support Center, Inc. Louison

HouseFriends of the HomelessGreater Westfield Committee for the

HomelessHAPHousingHealth Care for the Homeless – Mercy

Hospital, Springfield Massachusetts Career Development

InstituteMental Health Association, Inc.ServiceNetSoldier OnWestern Massachusetts Sober Living Alliance



> MHSA ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION

MHSA’s advocacy and innovative program development are focused on providing permanent housing opportunities and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. From our low-threshold permanent housing initiatives for chronically homeless individuals to our recently launched rapid rehousing initiative for individuals who need time-limited financial assistance and supportive services, MHSA is committed to developing and implementing evidenced-based, cost-effective housing solutions to homelessness.


Individuals experiencing chronic or persistent homelessness are often among the highest utilizers of emergency health care and other public systems of care. Instead of accessing mainstream preventative and primary care, these individuals often utilize much more costly emergency services to address their health care needs. The Community Support Program for People Experiencing Chronic Homelessness (CSPECH), an innovation of the Massachusetts Behavorial Health Partnership and MHSA, is a proven model of Medicaid reimbursement that can benefit the development of low-threshold housing opportunities for chronically homeless individuals. With support from the Oak Foundation, MHSA has worked this year with communities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New York to promote the replication of models like CSPECH nationwide. MHSA also serves on the Dual Eligible Implementation Council, which monitors the progress of efforts to integrate health care for adults ages 21 through 64 who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. MHSA continues to lead the way in advocating for initiatives that link health care and housing.

Linking Health Care and Housing

After experiencing homelessness, Maggie and Sarah now live in permanent supportive housing thanks to CSPECH and MHSA member agency South Middlesex Opportunity Council.

Housing and Supportive Services

In FY13, MHSA helped over

1,000people obtain or maintain permanent housing.



MHSA and MHSA member agency HomeStart have launched a new Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Rehousing program in the City of Boston. The program helps homeless individuals move quickly from Boston’s shelters or streets into housing by offering short- and medium-term rental subsidies, security deposits, utility assistance, and other start-up costs. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, the ESG-Rapid Rehousing program is a collaboration between MHSA and HomeStart, with support from the Boston Public Health Commission, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, and other Boston-area shelter providers. In FY13, the program housed 344 individuals, far exceeding MHSA’s original goal.

Some homeless individuals face significant housing barriers due to their history of drug and alcohol abuse. MHSA works with the recovery and housing communities to identify key strategies for supporting recovery in housing. MHSA believes that housing can be the stabilizing factor that allows individuals to pursue their recovery. Journey to Success (JTS) is a 22-unit low-threshold, permanent supportive housing program administered by MHSA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (DPH-BSAS) with support services provided by Kit Clark Senior Services.

Post-Detox/Pre-Recovery (PDPR) program is a 41-unit permanent supportive housing program that is federally funded and administered in a partnership between MHSA and DPH-BSAS. MHSA’s PDPR partners are High Point Treatment Center and the South Middlesex Opportunity Council.

Supporting Recovery in Housing

Home & Healthy for Good-Boston: HHG-Boston is a 35-unit low-threshold, permanent supportive housing program for chronically homeless individuals. Modeled after MHSA’s statewide HHG program (pages 8-9), HHG-Boston is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in partnership with the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development. MHSA partners with Caritas Communities and Pine Street Inn for HHG-Boston.

Spotlight on New Rapid Rehousing Program



Home & Healthy for Good > MHSA ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION

MHSA’s Home & Healthy for Good (HHG) initiative is at the forefront of a significant paradigm shift in how Massachusetts addresses the costly phenomenon of homelessness, particularly for chronically homeless individuals and individuals who represent the highest usage of emergency public services. HHG continues to demonstrate that providing housing and supportive services to chronically homeless individuals through a low-threshold, Housing First model is less costly and more effective than managing their homelessness and health problems on the street or in shelter.

Since 2006, HHG has placed 678 chronically homeless adults into permanent housing with supportive services. HHG results continue to show a trend toward tremendous savings in health care costs, especially hospitalizations, when chronically homeless individuals are placed into housing with services. Housing is a cost-effective and humane solution to homelessness — one that brings stability to individuals’ lives.

As the chart above illustrates, MHSA estimates an annual cost savings to the Commonwealth of $9,464 per housed tenant.

$33,582

$8,650

$15,468

$0

$5,000

$10,000

$15,000

$20,000

$25,000

$30,000

$35,000

$40,000

Before Entering HHG After Entering HHG

Housing First (HHG) Cost

Medicaid, Shelter and IncarcerationCosts

Total Overall Savings:$9,464

Annual Cost Per Tenant



As a result of leveraged private resources last year and effective advocacy for an increase to the HHG line item this year, MHSA welcomed three new HHG partners in FY13: Action Inc. in Gloucester, Boston Public Health Commission, and Mental Health Association, Inc. in Springfield.

Social Innovation FinancingThe HHG model is the basis for the Commonwealth’s first Social Innovation Financing (SIF) initiative focused on chronic homelessness. In FY13, MHSA was awarded the right to negotiate with the Commonwealth as the “intermediary” for a SIF initiative to expand permanent supportive housing opportunities in Massachusetts. MHSA is partnering with Corporation for Supportive Housing and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, with the support of Third Sector Capital Partners, to pursue this initiative.

Under this innovative form of financing, also known as “pay for success,” MHSA must raise funds from private investors, which will be used to scale up the HHG program; when certain benchmarks are met, those who invested in the program will be paid back with public dollars. MHSA has consulted with communities across the nation that are exploring the opportunities and challenges of SIF. In April 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco published an article on SIF by MHSA’s Joe Finn and Jeffery Hayward of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

Action Inc.Boston Health Care for the Homeless

ProgramBoston Public Health CommissionCommunity HealthlinkDuffy Health CenterFather Bill’s & MainSpringFriends of the HomelessHeading Home

HomeStartHousing Assistance CorporationMetropolitan Boston Housing

PartnershipMental Health Association, Inc.Pine Street InnSomerville Homeless CoalitionSouth Middlesex Opportunity CouncilVeterans, Inc.

Special Thanks to MHSA’s HHG Partners:

Toni’s apartment is spotless. Pictures of her children and grandchildren decorate the walls, and a puzzle – one of her favorite pastimes – is spread out on a table by the window. But Toni doesn’t take any of it for granted. She remembers what it’s like to sleep on the streets. Toni first became homeless 14

years ago, when she fled domestic violence. She moved from shelter to shelter across Massachusetts for seven years, occasionally spending nights sleeping outside. Toni was already recovering from substance abuse at the time she became homeless, but the stress of homelessness put her recovery in jeopardy. “I don’t think I could have stayed [sober] if I stayed homeless,” Toni says. Toni’s homelessness was exacerbated by her hereditary heart condition, which was difficult to manage on the streets and in shelters. Since she didn’t have a primary care doctor, Toni had to resort to the hospital emergency room for medical care. “I was glad when they took me to the hospital because of my heart condition,” she recalls. “I had a home for four days.” Toni’s life began to turn around seven years ago when she moved into an apartment through MHSA’s Home & Healthy for Good program. Toni receives support services from her case manager at MHSA member agency Heading Home, and she pays 30 percent of her income toward her rent. Toni will eagerly tell you that her life is “180 degrees different” now that she has her own apartment. Now Toni has a wonderful primary care doctor, and she hasn’t been to the hospital in several years. She is actively involved in her church, and she loves to read and chat with her grandchildren using the webcam on her computer. Even staying sober is much easier now that she has her own housing. Toni beams when she talks about her life today. “I love the house,” she says simply.


> MHSA ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION > MHSA ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION

Toni’s Story

Toni, seated in her apartment.



MHSA has partnered with the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, the Department of Veterans’ Services, the Department of Housing and Community Development, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of a statewide Steering Committee to address homelessness among veterans. In March 2013, the Steering Committee released the Massachusetts Integrated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Among Veterans. Through this committee and our veteran-specific programs, MHSA works tirelessly to expand housing opportunities for veterans experiencing homelessness.

Bringing Veterans Home

Safe Haven: Safe Haven is a low-threshold, residential program administered by MHSA in partnership with VA, Boston Rescue Mission and South Middlesex Opportunity Council. Each of the two Safe Haven sites provides 10 units of transitional housing for chronically homeless veterans who have had difficulty navigating other systems of care and housing. MHSA works closely with VA and our service partners to identify ways in which Safe Haven can lead these veterans from homelessness to permanent housing.

Housing for VeteransHome Front: Home Front is a 15-unit scattered-site permanent supportive housing program that serves chronically homeless veterans in Greater Boston. Home Front tenants are veterans with the highest barriers to housing who cannot otherwise access traditional housing programs. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and jointly administered by MHSA and the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development. MHSA partners with the New England Center for Homeless Veterans and Caritas Communities for this program.

Home & Healthy for Good: Of the 678 individuals housed in MHSA’s Home & Healthy for Good (HHG) program as of June 2013, 123 of those were veterans, representing 18 percent of the total population served through that program. Housing First, a fundamental concept to the HHG program, has been identified as a best practice for housing homeless veterans by a number of grant-making and planning bodies throughout Massachusetts and the nation.

Advocacy


> MHSA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT > MHSA ADVOCACY AND INNOVATION

Homeless older adults face a number of unique challenges, particularly in terms of access to medical care and – for those who are disabled – long-term supportive services that will allow them to age with dignity. In November 2012, MHSA presented the results of the 2012 MHSA Survey of Homeless Older Adults to the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH). As a result of the advocacy of MHSA and our members, the ICHH formed a Homeless Elder Working Group charged with formulating policy recommendations to address the challenges of homeless older adults. MHSA and our member agencies conducted the second MHSA Survey of Homeless Older Adults in March 2013. In April 2013, MHSA presented at the The Keys to Ending Homelessness Conference Series in Lowell in a session focused on providing care to homeless seniors.

The FY13 Massachusetts State Budget included language establishing the Special Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth. MHSA was named in the legislation as a member of the Commission and has been a leader in policy discussions on appropriate housing responses for homeless young adults. Young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 often fall into a gap in services available to children and older adults. MHSA’s advocacy is focused on creating low-threshold housing opportunities for young adults living in adult shelters or on the streets.

MHSA’s legislative advocacy during the spring of 2013 resulted in a $200,000 increase to the Home & Healthy for Good line item in the FY14 Massachusetts State Budget. This increase is specifically designated for a low-threshold, permanent supportive housing pilot for LGBTQ unaccompanied homeless young adults. Through rigorous data collection and evaluation, MHSA will work with the Commonwealth to test the hypothesis that providing housing and support services targeted to unaccompanied LGBTQ homeless young adults will result in positive housing outcomes for these young adults and produce cost savings for the Commonwealth in the form of reduced Medicaid costs and other emergency expenses.

Housing Young Adults

Ending Elder Homelessness

In January 2013, the Speakers’ Bureau launched the Ending Homelessness Leadership Development Program (LDP) for individuals who have experienced homelessness. The LDP is a nine-week, workshop-based program. This initiative provides an opportunity for participants to strengthen their leadership skills so they can actively participate in community efforts to end homelessness, with the hope

that participants will serve as informed advocates on MHSA member agency boards and throughout Massachusetts. The workshops provide a comprehensive overview of the leadership responsibilities and skill sets needed to be on a board of directors, and many of the workshops draw on the expertise of pro bono guest speakers from the MHSA community.


> MHSA COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Massachusetts Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau is part of a national network founded by the National Coalition for the Homeless and supported through the AmeriCorps VISTA program of the Corporation for National and Community Service. MHSA began the Massachusetts branch of the Speakers’ Bureau in 2010, bringing together a roster of currently and formerly homeless individuals to share their personal experiences with communities across Massachusetts. Over the past three years, the Speakers’ Bureau has traveled to schools, faith communities and civic organizations to encourage community members to look beyond the stereotypes of homelessness and take action to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

Massachusetts Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau

AUDIENCE MEMBERS REACHED IN FY13:

5,300

Leadership Development Program

The first graduating class of the Leadership Development Program.


> MHSA EVENTS > MHSA FINANCIALS

10th Annual Spring Event,Home for Good: Solutions Start HereOn May 8, 2013, MHSA and more than 200 supporters gathered at the Omni Parker House Hotel in Boston to celebrate MHSA’s tenth annual fundraising event, Home for Good: Solutions Start Here. The evening honored Tom Lorello of Heading Home, Susanne Beaton of The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, and Michael Durkin of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. MHSA wishes to express our gratitude to this year’s Raise the Roof sponsor, Eastern Bank, and to all of our honorees, event sponsors and attendees.

Clockwise from top left: Honoree Susanne Beaton, MHSA President & Executive Director Joe Finn, Honorees Tom Lorello and Michael Durkin; MHSA Board Member Dr. Jim O’Connell of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and Jerry Ray of Mental Health Association, Inc.; Jane Tewksbury of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, Secretary Coleman Nee of the Department of Veterans’ Services, Liz Rogers of the Massachusetts Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Bob Pulster of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Laila Bernstein of Victory Programs, and Rose Evans of the Department of Housing and Community Development; MHSA Advisory Council Members Nathaniel Stinnett, Marnie Gale and Dan Dworkis.

Statement of ActivitesFor the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012

Revenues and Support

$262,808799,238477,185

13,69710,250

$1,563,178Program expenses:

$9,154

$1,572,332

$878,328147,100

$ 1,025,428

$440,076106,828

$546,904

$1,572,332

Financial PositionFor the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013

AssetsCurrent AssetsCash and cash equivalentsContracts receivableInvestmentsPrepaid expenses and other assetsSecurity depositsTotal Current Assets

Total Furniture and Equipment, Net Total Assets

Liabilities and Net AssetsCurrent LiabilitiesDue to subrecipientsAccounts payable and accrued expensesTotal Current Liabilities

Net AssetsUnrestrictedTemporarily restrictedTotal Net Assets

Total Liability and Net Assets

Statement of ActivitesFor the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012

Revenues and Support$8,816,476

474,098108,321

16,40939,652

$9,454,956

ExpensesProgram expenses:

$5,167,0712,896,784

967,33362,215

$9,093,403

$120,003137,762

$9,351,168

$103,788443,116546,904

Statement of ActivitiesFor the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013

Revenues and SupportGovernment contracts Grants and contributions Program fees Interest income Realized and unrealized

gains on investments Total Revenues and Support

ExpensesProgram ExpensesTransitional program and

emergency shelter services Permanent housing Rapid rehousing Advocacy, planning and technical assistance Program Expenses Total Fundraising and development General and administrative Total Expenses

Change in Net Assets Net assets at beginning of year Net assets at end of year

> MHSA FINANCIALS


MHSA Expenses

Program Expenses 97.2%

General and Administrative 1.5%

Fundraising and Development 1.3%

MHSA Revenues

Government Contracts 93.6%

Grants and Contributions 5.0%

Program Fees 1.2%

Interest Income and Gains on Investments 0.2%

> THANK YOU

MHSA extends our thanks to the following recent corporate and foundation donors. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the many individuals, member agencies, and others who contribute financially and otherwise to our work every day. Thank you for being a part of solutions to homelessness.

André and Marilyn Danesh FundApex Medical ProductsThe Baupost GroupBen & Kate Taylor FoundationBlue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

FoundationBMC HealthNet PlanBoston Community CapitalThe Boston FoundationBoston Private Bank & Trust CompanyBowman Selig Families Charitable

FoundationBrian J. Honan Charitable FundClipper Ship FoundationCosiCushman & WakefieldEastern BankEllen D Kunkel Revocable TrustFoundation Realty GroupFresh Pond TrustThe Gannett FoundationG.T. Reilly & CompanyGlassman Family FundHealthcare Financial, Inc.Highland Street FoundationJus and Kumud Singh Giving AccountKrokidas and Bluestein LLPLazar ScientificMargulies Perruzzi ArchitectsMassachusetts Behavioral Health

PartnershipMassHousingMoon Family Charitable Gift FundNAIOPNeuro-Rehab Management, Inc.North Carolina Housing Finance AgencyO’Neill and Associates

Oak FoundationPatricia P Irgens Larsen Charitable

Foundation IncThe Paul & Phyllis Fireman FoundationPetit Robert Central BistroRay Family FundRed Sox FoundationShirley Goldstein TrustThe Staples FoundationThe Stifler Family FoundationSucherman Consulting Group Inc.United Way of Massachusetts Bay and

Merrimack Valley

We strive for accuracy and regret any omissions or mistakes. Please contact MHSA at 617-367-6447 with any corrections.

P.O. Box 120070Boston, MA 02112

617-367-6447www.mhsa.net

Documents

Solutions start here