ncda winter legislative & policy conference 2008 notes from a 10-year plan to end homelessness...
TRANSCRIPT
NCDA Winter Legislative & Policy
Conference 2008
Notes from a 10-year plan to end homelessness in
Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon
Background National movement to address
homelessness through local 10-year plans began in 2000
New research (Culhane, et al) released in 2002 provided basis for policies focused on ending chronic homelessness
In 2002, local research documented that extremely low-income adults with special needs (disabilities) were disproportionately represented among homeless; recommended more housing linked to services, and many systems changes.
Resources Hit the trifecta of awards in Fall 2002 -
$9.8 million $625,000 from CSH for Taking Health
Care Home $3,430,440 – ICH Chronic Homeless Grant $5,741,900 – HUD/DOL Chronic Homeless
Grant
These resources helped build momentum towards 10-Year Plan
Portland’s Process Citizens Commission established by
Mayor with County Chair endorsement
Community Based Planning in Coordinating Committee
Involved over 250 people from more than 90 agencies & organizations via 8 workgroups and other community forums
Three Principles Focus on the most chronically
homeless populations;
Streamline access to existing services to prevent and reduce other homelessness;
Concentrate resources on programs that offer measurable results.
Nine Action Steps
Move people into housing first Stop discharging people into
homelessness Improve outreach to homeless
people Emphasize permanent solutions Increase supply of permanent
supportive housing
Nine Action Steps, cont.
Create innovative new partnerships to end homelessness
Make rent assistance system more effective
Increase economic opportunity for homeless people
Implement new data collection technology
Elements of Successful PSH
Multiple, stable funding sources (rent or operational subsidy, services, capital)
Flexibility in blending resources Commitment to work across
jurisdictions Strong working relationship with
developer, operator and service provider
Sustainable funding challenges
•Initial grants have come to an end•Innovative programs began with OTO funds,
requiring annual renewal•Costly to run “old style” homeless program &
simultaneously advance PSH agenda
Political challenges
• Turn-over of elected officials who have championed the program
• Sweeps by local law enforcement and other “public safety” measures
• NIMBY lives on• Fending off “the next big thing”
Industry challenges•Some partners resist reorienting
mission of housing program to PSH•Fragmented social housing delivery system difficult to reorient to PSH•CDC industry concerns about service funding needed to achieve PSH goals
Working around the
obstacles•Sustainability plan calls for converting programs funded with OTO to on-going funding• Funders Committee can commit both housing and service resources to PSH projects •Great data demonstrates value of program•Consultant reviewing social housing delivery system
STAY FOCUSE
D
Goals and OutcomesOutcome 2 ½
Year Goal
Cum.
% achiev
edChronically
homeless who have homes
760 1,260
166%
Families housed 625 1,028
165%
(high resource using families)
213 400 188%
Permanent supportive housing opened
260 480 185%
(added to pipeline)
480 439 92%
Street Count OutcomesJanuary 23, 2007
1284
2355
386
1438
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Overall Chronic
2005
2007-39%
-70%
Reduced Use of Emergency Systems
(Community Engagement Program)
0
20
40
60
80
1 2
Jail/ Arrests Hospitalizations
Utiliz
atio
n in
Day
s
Pre CEP
Post CEP
Lessons learned. Seek commitment and creativity at
the political, bureaucratic, and provider level
Hire dedicated staff to lead the planning and implementation effort
Follow a clearly defined goal of ending and preventing homelessness
Replicate best practices from other jurisdictions
Lessons learned. Don’t be afraid to engage the most vocal
critics Seek out individuals and systems self-
interest for participating in a process/program
Create an environment of shared accountability and mutual support for goals
Simplicity and flexibility allow for change down the road
Celebrate successes!
Portland Goals & Achievements
1600 units for chronically homeless individuals
600 units for homeless families
837 opened or in pipeline for homeless individuals
171 opened or in pipeline for homeless families
Some Online Resources
www.portlandonline.com/bhcd - look for PSH toolkit
www.csh.org – lots of online resources, guides, studies, best practices
Thank you
Copies of the plan and outcome reports are available online at: www.portlandonline.com/bhcd
Homeless Team Program Manager: Heather LyonsCity of Portland, Bureau of Housing and Community
[email protected] 503-823-2396
Who was homeless in Multnomah County in
FY2005-06? Annual
Approximately 19,200 served in FY 05-06:
10,936 adults without children (3.6% reduction from FY 04-05)
7,865 persons in families (5.4% increase from FY 04-05)
384 homeless youth (12% reduction from FY 04-05)
Point in time 1,438 unduplicated
“street count”
2,840 unduplicated in “shelter count” – 48.5% individuals in families with children