A Collaborative Effort to End Homelessness Among Veterans in Salt

Lake CountyCOSCDA Presentation:

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Salt Lake County 2010 census population:

1,029,655 37% of the State’s population

Veteran population: 51,513 (2010 census)

2,066 homeless persons (2013 PIT)

64% of the State’s homeless population

216 homeless veterans (2013 PIT)

167 sheltered through VA programs

74% of the State’s homeless veteran population

Collaboration Timeline October 2012 – Initial veteran housing boot

camp; core team formed initial 100 day goal established

January 2013 – Annual Point-in-Time Count; chronic homeless veteran count; verification &

follow-up

February 2013 – 2nd boot camp; report on initial goals new/renewed 100 day goal

August 2013 – 3rd boot camp; new/renew 100 day goal

What is a boot camp? National, State and Community leaders come together

to: Identify needs and barriers Create a goal in which all parties are invested in the outcome Create a team of people from community organizations to

carry out this goal Specify a timeline for carrying out the goal (100 days)

Participants: U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rapid Results Institute 100,000 Homes Campaign Community Teams

Expected Outcomes Significantly reduce processing times for HUD-

VASH vouchers Target VASH vouchers for chronically homeless

veterans Policy and Process innovations Improved coordination and cooperation across

agencies and local organizations Sense of shared accountability for community-

100-day-goal and the ultimate goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015: 100 Day Goal: Have all infrastructure and systems in

place by 1/1/13 to end chronic homelessness among eligible veterans in Salt Lake County.

Salt Lake County Innovations Relocating the VA outreach clinic to the

emergency shelter for increased access. Expediting HUD-VASH and PHA applications so

they are completed upon the initial assessment with VA outreach.

Housing authorities accepting non-traditional supplemental documents, actively recruiting landlords, and expediting housing inspection.

VA dedicating 2 employees as temporary housing specialists.

Measurable Results

Expected Outcome: Significantly reduce processing times for HUD-VASH vouchers

69% decrease in the average number of days from VASH intake to application (71days to 22.1 days)

Expected Outcome: Target VASH vouchers for chronically homeless veterans

20-30% increase in the number of chronically homeless veterans referred, issued and placed in VASH

Result:

Result:

Homeless Veterans in Salt Lake County

2011 2012 2013*

Sheltered 235 244 211

Unsheltered 16 14 5

Total Homeless Veterans 251 258 216

Chronically Homeless Veterans

22 12

*During the 2013 PIT, every counted chronically homeless veteran in Salt Lake County was identified, assessed and offered a VASH voucher for permanent housing prior to the announcement of the 2013 numbers.

The next step for our community to end Veteran’s homelessness by 2015…..

Next Steps: Continue regular community meetings to discuss high resource

users and chronically homeless veterans. Target these individuals for rapid housing using a Housing First approach.

Using data from 2013 Registry Week and HMIS, Identify name-specific eligible Veterans for permanent housing.

Expand methods developed in SLC area to other areas in the State (i.e. Ogden & St George). Need HUD support in order to be effective.

Discussion among VA to explore contract shelter housing for non-chronic couples or families, with housing first philosophy; i.e. “Bridge Housing” or Safe Haven.

Ongoing Goal: Maintain sufficient resources to immediately offer VA funded

programs or permanent housing to 100% of eligible veterans Increased focus on housing retention.

The Salt Lake County Team

Reflections on the Experience

Implementing a Housing First approach requires extensive resources and intensive time commitment.

Amazing communication and collaboration has occurred among community agencies.

Out of the Box thinking was required, combined with a No Barriers approach to assist the most difficult-to-house chronically homeless population.

Ongoing communication with veterans after a voucher is issued is a major barrier. (Free cell phones with limited minutes are generally not available without a residential address.)

Extremely low vacancy rate and a “Landlord’s Market” has made finding affordable housing for the chronically homeless population very difficult.

Suggestions to Future Teams

Most effective approach occurs when ALL providers in the community, involved to any degree with homelessness, are included and actively involved.

Ready access to HINQ and VIS databases (VA) are necessary to determine veteran eligibility – primarily for those not enrolled and without a DD-214.

Need to have or develop an inter-agency agreement/ROI to facilitate an open discussion regarding specific individuals.