HOMELESSNESS

PREVENTION - INTERVENTION

Metro Detroit’s Community SummitTo End Homelessness

Broadly, it means that someone who is threatened with homelessness does not become homeless.

(National Alliance to End Homelessness)

WHAT IS PREVENTION

Who Is the Target for Prevention

Those most at risk are those who:

Have been homeless before;Have no support networks (family or friends) that can help them with housing or finances;

Have an institutional history (prison, jail, hospitals, etc.);

Have been in foster care; orAre victims of domestic violence.

Target for Prevention Cont’d

Amongst people who fall into any of the above categories, the people most likely to become homeless are:

Single men;Female-headed households, particularly ones with no experience of independent living;People with chronic mental illness;People with substance or alcohol abuse illness; andPeople with serious health problems.

Benefits of Prevention Programs

They can be cost effective.They prevent people from entering the homelessness system.Make it easier for people to maintain steady employment and self-sufficiency.Avoids the human and social costs of homelessness.

Recommendations

Implement preventive programs, ie, intervention, stabilization and infrastructure:

Intervention ProgramsRental assistanceMortgage assistanceTenant/landlord mediationDomestic violence counselingFamily counseling

Legal aid

Case management

Emergency utility payments

Recommendations Cont’d

Recommendations Cont’d

Stabilization Programs

Institutional transition (prisons, hospitals, jails, etc.)

Drug/alcohol treatment

Domestic violence programs

Budgeting assistance

Tenant education

Recommendations Cont’d

Infrastructure Programs

Housing Assistance:

Section 8

Single Room Occupancy

Housing and mortgage insurance

Public housing

Supported housing

Infrastructure Programs Cont’d

Income Assistance:

Veterans benefits

Family Independent Agency

Emergency assistance

General assistance

Food stamps

Infrastructure Programs Cont’d

Service Assistance:Health careCase managementCounselingJob training and placementDrug/alcohol treatmentMental health care