CITY of ST. LOUIS2012

Department of Human ServicesHomeless Services Division

Closing a Homeless Encampmentthe tactical plan

ANTOINETTE TRIPLETT, MAProgram Manager

DARA ESKRIDGE, BArch, MSUPProgram Specialist

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 2/14

the TAKE-AWAY(what we learned)

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven ApproachInvaluable during the planning stages to identify solutions that are consumer-centered and consumer-supported

Community CollaborationCommunity CollaborationAlong with unconventional partnerships, provides the much needed financial resources and human capital

Transparency & CommunicationTransparency & CommunicationKeeps consumers, partners and public informed of each step and builds trust throughout the process

Braided FundingBraided FundingProvides creative means for assisting the “hard to house”

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 3/14

LATE

2010

MARCH

2012

Homeless encampment established along the Downtown St. Louis riverfront in late 2010

Comprised of 4 individual communities: Hopeville, Dignity Harbor, Sparta, Atlantis

Mississippi River

Bing, 2012

Hopeville

Dignity Harbor

Sparta

Atlantis

BACKGROUND RIVERFRONT ENCAMPMENT

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 4/14

LATE

2010

MARCH

2012

BACKGROUND RIVERFRONT ENCAMPMENTTotal of 61 persons counted in Fall 2011

By January 2012, 38 persons relocated to housing, with family or to unknown place

POP BreakdownMen 65%

Vets 11%

MI 54%SA 15%Disabled 48%

From City 38%Not From City 62%

Women 35%

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 5/14

JAN

2012

MARCH

2012

REGROUP LISTEN TO CONSUMERS, IDENTIFY BARRIERS

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

Why did nearly half of the residents remain in the camps despite our efforts?

I want to take my pets.

This is my family.

I’D RATHER STAY HERE THAN GO IN A SHELTER.

I don’t want to be housed without my

partner.I want to choose where

I live.

Housing has too many rules.

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 6/14

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

Community partners helped remove barriers and create a more efficient process

Partners were diverse and some were rare collaborators in the provision of homeless services

Closing PartnersCamp Leaders

Mayor’s Office City Dept. of Streets St. Louis Metro Police

City Parks Dept. City Health Dept.Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center

Faith Community Citizen Volunteer

Relocation PartnersCamp Leaders

Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center St. Louis Mental Health Board United Way of Greater St. Louis

St. Louis Cat Coalition Downtown BusinessesFaith & Non Profit Community K-Mart Move for Less

City Dept. of Human ServicesArea Landlords CoC Agencies

Clean Up PartnersCity Dept. of Streets

St. Louis Metro Police City Parks Dept.City Health Dept.

MARCH

2012

APRIL

2012

REGROUP FIND (UNLIKELY) PARTNERS

Community CollaborationCommunity Collaboration

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 7/14

Step 1. Meet with Camp Leaders to devise plan of actionWhat should we do first?When do we bring everyone together?Who should deliver the message? How?What’s most important to you for a smooth process?

Step 2. Meet with entire encampment communityHow can we make this a good process for all?What do you need in order to relocate?When is the best time to come together for future meetings?

Step 3. Take a final CensusHow many people in total?How many newcomers?Are there any children?Who has stable income?How many vets?Who wants to share housing?Who wants to take their pets into housing?Is anyone in need of immediate health care?Who is already receiving services/support from an agency? What agency?

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

APRIL

2012

TRY AGAIN THE TACTICAL PLAN

Transparency & CommunicationTransparency & Communication

April 2012 Census

Men 52%

Total Counted 64

Vets 9%

SA 28%MI 32%

Disabled 16%

Stable Income 11%

From Fall 2011 42%Not From City 58%

Women 48%Children 3

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 9/14

Step 4. Organize all hands on deckAssign tasks to each partner.Set a date and time for each task to be completed.Ensure partner has all necessary tools to complete task.

Step 5. Establish deadlines & adequately publicizeSet firm deadlines and stick to them.Discuss timeline of events with encampment community.Post multiple signs in areas of high visibility.Distribute written notice of events in consumer-centered language.

Step 6. Maintain a constant presence in encampmentVisit camp residents frequently.Formally meet with camp community at least weekly.Ensure residents know who to contact with questions and ideas.

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

TRY AGAIN THE TACTICAL PLAN

Transparency & CommunicationTransparency & Communication

Community CollaborationCommunity Collaboration

APRIL

2012

MAY

2012

Step 7. Couple closing with housing placement and assistanceAssign Case Managers to work with residents while still in camps.CMs help with housing search, contacting landlords and applications.Residents receive temporary storage to secure personal belongings.CMs help residents relocate to hotels as camps close in phases.

TRY AGAIN THE TACTICAL PLANAPRIL

2012

MAY

2012

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

Braided FundingBraided Funding

Community CollaborationCommunity Collaboration

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 3/223/223/2210/14

1. Residents gather personal belongingsAll personal items are bagged, tagged and placed in secure storage.Residents sign a waiver indicating they have collected all that they wish to take with them into housing.

RIVERFRONT ENCAMPMENT CLOSING PHASES

2. Pets go to temporary homesPets are fostered until client relocates to permanent housing.

Pets receive food and shots.

3. Residents vacate camp as a unitOne camp at a time, residents leave the encampment to relocate to a hotel until stable housing is secured.

RIVERFRONT ENCAMPMENT CLOSING PHASES

4. Post demolition notice

5. Conduct final walk-through

6. Clear land of structures and debris

All household compositions accepted

No shelter stay during relocation period

Each client assigned a Case Manager

18 months of intensive case management- Housing search assistance- Assistance with obtaining mainstream benefits- Employment training and placement- Behavioral health counseling- Substance abuse treatment- Assistance with obtaining other permanent supportive housing- Family reunification

- Assistance gradually reduces over the 12-month period after the first 3 months- Allows clients to progressively gain self sufficiency on their terms

12 months of rental assistance (includes utilities)

Clients not required to move once rental assistance ends

HPRP, ESG, St. Louis Mental Health Board, Private Donors

TRANSITION IN PLACE HOW IT WORKSMAY

2012

CITY OF ST. LOUISClosing a Homeless Encampment: The Tactical Plan DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES HOMELESS SERVICES DIVISION 2012 3/223/223/2213/14

Consumer Driven ApproachConsumer Driven Approach

Braided FundingBraided Funding

Community CollaborationCommunity Collaboration

Transparency & CommunicationTransparency & Communication

Funding Sources:

Active in TIP 47

Reunited w/ FamilyExited TIP to PH 4

3

Unknown Status 10

Housed 100%Employed 15%Seeking Employment 24%Receiving Benefits 17%Pursuing Benefits 35%

PROGRESS TO DATE