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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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First Avenues Rental Subsidy Entries &

San Francisco Family Shelter Waitlist

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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

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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!

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Contact:

Devra M. Edelman

Deputy Director, Programs

Hamilton Family Center

415-409-2100 x122

dedelman@hamiltonfamilycenter.org

www.hamiltonfamilycenter.org

Questions???