ending family homelessness in rural america presented at: national conference on ending family...
TRANSCRIPT
Ending Family Homelessness in Rural
AmericaPresented at: National Conference on Ending Family
HomelessnessFebruary 8, 2008 - Seattle, Washington
Sponsored by the National Alliance to End Homelessness
Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSWCoalition On Homelessness and Housing
in Ohio
www.cohhio.org
• Large geographic area• Less than 100,000 people• More than 100 miles from urban area
• Higher poverty rates• Less educational attainment• More agricultural and extractive industries
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Characteristics of Rural America
Challenges Faced By Rural
Providers
• Lack of public transportation• Single agencies providing multiple services
• Personnel wear several “hats”• Sense of isolation• Fewer resources - funding• Difficult for staff to attend trainings & meetings
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Rural Homelessness
Per the National Coalition for the Homeless - “Rural homelessness is numerically less and often proportionately more than urban homeless.”
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Rural vs. Urban
• The picture of rural homelessness is not the same as urban homelessness.
• Lack of qualitative & quantitative knowledge about the needs of rural homeless and the causes of their homelessness has prevented providers & policy makers from adequately addressing the problem.
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Problems with Current Systems
• Housing is not seen as the primary intervention
• Some programs incentivize shelter entry versus prevention
• High cost interventions are not always targeted to the most vulnerable families
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Costs of Homelessness - Family & Children
• Families Involvement in Foster Care and Child Welfare
Incidence of families separating or dissolving
• Children Poor health Developmental delays Mental health Behavioral problems Academic achievement
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Ohio Rural Homelessness Initiatives
COHHIO• Technical Assistance• Capacity Building• Rural Advisory Council• Rural Convenings
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Ohio Housing Trust Fund
•Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP)
•Direct Housing•Emergency Shelter** Family Homelessness Prevention Pilot Project
•Foreclosure Prevention
• Home Repair• Homelessness Prevention
• Housing Development Assistance Program
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Supportive Services• Transitional Housing
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Ohio Balance of State HMIS
December 28, 200766% HMIS Coverage
• Shelters - 42• 471 households• 964 HH members• 469 Adults• 495 children
• Transitional Housing - 37• 355 households• 822 HH members• 357 Adults• 465 children
Accessing Mainstream Resources
Ohio Benefit Bank
• Knox County has trained OBB counselors to help low-income households access Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child Care Subsidy/Tax Credit, Home Energy Assistance Program, Tax Assistance, and Earned Income Tax Credits.
Regional Collaboration
4 County Collaboration
• Continuum of Care • Referrals to services within the alliance
• Information shared on available resources & new programs
• Case reviews
Project TOTALPrevention & Housing
AssistanceTargeting High Risk
Families
• Greene County provides outreach and follow-up support for homeless and those at-risk for homelessness. • Services include: case management, systems advocacy, crisis intervention, landlord-tenant mediation, peer support, life skill development, and linkages to community resources.
“Positive Balance”Financial Literacy
Prevention Approach
• Licking County utilizes an AmeriCorps Grant to provide financial literacy at 12 local agencies/organizations.
• Budgeting counseling
Housing FirstRapid Re-Entry
• Delaware County utilizes supportive services and time-limited subsidy by relying on early identification and resolution of a family’s “housing barriers” and assist them to return to permanent housing.
Shelter Plus CareTargeting Services
• Portage County utilizes the Shelter Plus Care Program to provide a rental subsidy to homeless families with a severe mental disability.
• Mental Health agency provides Supportive Services.
Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSWRural Housing Program CoordinatorCoalition On Homelessness and Housing In Ohio
175 S. Third St. - Suite 250Columbus, Ohio 43215P [email protected]
www.cohhio.org