Help! I Don’t Speak Housing!

1. Help! I Don’t Speak Housing! Mattie Lord Mlord@umom.org

2. Introducing UMOM • UMOM New Day Centers mission is to provide homeless families and individuals with safe shelter, housing and supportive services to assist them in reaching their greatest potential. • Established in 1964 • $11M Annual operating budget • Privately fundraise 50% • 178 employees • Served 6,000 people last year • Serve greater Phoenix area/Maricopa County

3. Watkins Basic Needs Shelter Basic shelter Congregate living Capacity: 120 single women 17 families

4. New Day Centers Campus • Capacity • 81 units of family emergency shelter • 50 units of family transitional housing • 75 units of rapid rehousing for families • 61 units of permanent supportive housing • Performance • emergency shelter - 45% exit to permanent housing • transitional shelter - 70% exit to permanent housing • rapid rehousing - 85% sustain permanent housing after assistance ends

5. Permanent Housing • 212 affordable family units • 80 affordable units for seniors • 61 units of PSH • 45 for families • 16 for singles

6. RESEARCH The single greatest intervention is to move the family into permanent housing.

7. We have to help families move from temporary situations to permanent housing. Shelter Housing

8. HEARTH Enacted in 2009 Reauthorizes the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Calls for paradigm shifts in the industry for HUD programs Outcomes Coordinated Access and Assessment Targeting resources

9. HEARTH Outcome Measures • Reduce the # of people experiencing homelessness for the first time; (prevention) • Reduce the overall # of people experiencing homelessness; increase exits to permanent housing • Reduce length of homelessness • 20 days (ultimate goal); 10% reduction per year • Reduce the rate of return to homelessness to 5% • Increase jobs and income growth for people experiencing homelessness • Provide access to services within the entire geographic area

10. Outcomes - Then

13. Focus on Outcomes - Now

14. Homeless Definition Individuals and Families defined as Homeless under the following categories are eligible for assistance:  Category 1 – Literally Homeless  Category 2 – Imminent Risk of Homeless  Category 3 – Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes  Category 4 – Fleeing/Attempting to Flee DV

15. Individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning: • Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; • Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); or • Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution “Literally homeless” Category 1 Eligible for: Street Outreach Emergency Shelter Rapid Rehousing Support Service Only Safe Haven Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing

16. Individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that: • Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance; • No subsequent residence has been identified; and • The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing “Imminent Risk of Homeless” Category 2 Eligible for: Emergency Shelter Prevention Support Services Only Transitional Housing

17. Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition, but who: • Are defined as homeless under the other listed federal statutes; • Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing during the 60 days prior to the homeless assistance application; • Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two moves or more during in the preceding 60 days; and • Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time due to special needs or barriers “Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes” Category 3 Eligible for: Emergency Shelter Prevention Support Services Only Transitional Housing (with special approval from HUD)

18. Any individual or family who: • Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence; • Has no other residence; and • Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing “Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence” Category 4 Eligible for: Street Outreach Emergency Shelter Rapid Rehousing Prevention Support Services Only Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing

19. USICH United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Set goals: End veteran homelessness by 2015 End Chronic homelessness by 2015 End youth homelessness by 2020 End Family homelessness by 2020 Set a path to ending all homelessness

20. HUD’s Continuum of Care HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) system is designed to address the critical problem of homelessness through a coordinated community-based process of identifying needs and building a system to address those needs. A regional or local planning body that applies for, distributes, & coordinates HUD homeless assistance funds in a geographic area.

21. Continuum of Care – Education provisions • Continuum of Care plans must describe how they will collaborate with LEAs to identify families, and how families and youth will be informed of their eligibility for McKinney-Vento education services. Sec. 427(a)(1)(B)(iii) • Agencies must certify that programs that provide housing or services to families will designate a staff person to ensure that children are enrolled in school and connected to appropriate services in the community, including early childhood programs such as Head Start, part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and McKinney-Vento education services. Sec. 304(b)(4)(D).

22. Continuum of Care – Education provisions • Collaborative applicants for HUD Continuum of Care funding must take the educational needs of children into account when families are placed in emergency or transitional shelter and will, to the maximum extent practicable, place families with children as close to possible to their school of origin so as not to disrupt children’s education. Sec. 304(b)(7). • Project applicants must demonstrate that their programs are establishing policies and practices that are consistent with, and do not restrict the exercise of rights provided by the education subtitle of the McKinney-Vento Act, and other laws relating to the provision of educational rights and related services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

23. Continuum of Care - Funding • Competitive programs funded: • Supportive Housing Program (SHP) • Shelter + Care • Rapid Rehousing • HMIS • Planning • Formula-based programs funded: • Emergency Solutions Grant • Funded only through renewals: • Transitional Housing • Support Services Only 5-10% reduction

24. Continuum of Care

25. PROGRAM SELECTION How do we determine which intervention to assign to each family? Who gets what and why?

26. Progressive Engagement Community-based Prevention (Diversion and Stabilization) $1-2k per case Rapid Exit: Relocation $2-4k per case Up to 2-4 weeks shelter Housing StabilizationService I Relocation, Critical Time Intervention CM, Temp Rental Ass. 1 year shallow rental subsidy Housing Stabilization Service II More intensive services, 1 more year of Temp Rent Ass. Long-Term Subsidy and Service Engagement Transition to mainstream systems Shelter exit Shelter admission

27. Matching the intervention to the family

28. COORDINATED ASSESSMENT How do we target the community’s resources? What housing and service assistance strategy is best for each household of the several services available?

29. Coordinated Assessment – HUD CoC § 578.7 Responsibilities of the Continuum of Care. • (a) Operate the Continuum of Care. The Continuum of Care must: • (8)In consultation with recipients of Emergency Solutions Grants program funds within the geographic area, establish and operate either a centralized or coordinated assessment system that provides an initial, comprehensive assessment of the needs of individuals and families for housing and services. The Continuum must develop a specific policy to guide the operation of the centralized or coordinated assessment system on how its system will address the needs of individuals and families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, but who are seeking shelter or services from non-victim service providers. This system must comply with any requirements established by HUD by Notice.

30. Assessing Housing Barriers ___ Head of Household is under 25 ___ More than 3 children in household ___ Earns less than 30 % AMI ___ No income (2 points) ___ Employed less than 3 months ___ No high school diploma or GED ___ Felony (past ten years = 2 points; over 10 years ago = 1 point) ___ Misdemeanor (Class A, violent crimes, or drugs) ___ Money owed to a landlord ___ Money owed to a utility company for electricity, water, or gas ___ Past evictions (one = 1 point; 2 or more = 2 points) ___ Current or past involvement with child welfare ___ Additional credit problems (cable, phone, medical bills) that may preclude obtaining housing ___ Mental health or substance abuse issues

31. F-SPDAT • Family Service Prioritization Decision-Assistance Tool • Developed by Iain DeJong at OrgCode Consulting • Core Premise: Get the right household to the right program at the right time to end their homelessness, based upon evidence of strengths, understanding of needs and housing status. • Prescreen tool for triage • Full assessment for case management tool

32. F-SPDAT

33. Homeless Population – Not Homogeneous “Funnel” Of Homeless Services Intake & Assessment – Acuity Determined General Housing Help Housing First/ PSH Rapid Re-housiing

34. Emergency Shelter Time limited, Short term Typically 1-6 months Basic services Funded by ESG (not CoC) Nationally 28% exit to PH UMOM: 120 days, average 81 days Service rich exits to PH: 45% Average barriers to housing: 6

35. Transitional Housing Time limited, Medium term Maximum of 24 months Service rich, often includes child care HUD requires 65% exit to PH HUD targets: Substance users, DV, & youth UMOM: 2 years, average 313 days Service rich exits to PH: 70% Average barriers to housing: 7

36. Shift in Eligibility for Transitional Living Then Now • Completion of ES program • Enrolled in a full time activity for at least 30 days • Program compliant • Demonstrated progress on case plan goals • Clean drug screen • Have enough $ saved to pay program fees • Significant barriers to housing • Barriers cannot reasonably be resolved in 120 days in Emergency Shelter • Absolutely no options for permanent housing in the community

37. Rapid Rehousing Time limited, Medium term rental assistance Maximum 5(SSVF) -18 (HUD) months Monthly case management National average 85% exit to PH HUD targets: Anyone UMOM: average 6 months Monthly case management exits to PH: 85% Average barriers to housing: 5

38. Permanent Supportive Housing NOT Time limited Long term – permanent Housing subsidy & intensive Services HUD requires 85% housing retention HUD targets: disabled and chronic UMOM: No time limit Service rich, 1:12 ratio Average barriers to housing: 10 Must meet hud eligibility & need PSH

39. Which intervention? EMERGENCY SHELTER RAPID REHOUSING TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

40. Match the Family to the Intervention Isabel • 25 YO single mother • 2 children • Earns less than 30% AMI • Employed less than 3 mos. • 2 past evictions • Owes money to utility company • Major credit problems

41. Match the Family to the Intervention Liz and Tom • 5 children • No employment • NO HS diploma/ GED • Recent felony and misdemeanors • 2 past evictions • Major credit issues and wage garnishments • History of mental health and substance abuse on and off for 10 years.

42. Match the Family to the Intervention Sandra • 38 Year single mother • Served 2 years in military • Recently lost employment • Earns less than 30% AMI • 2 previous evictions • Received eviction notice but still in unit • Has resided in same housing for 2 years

43. Match the Family to the Intervention Marcus • 32 year old single dad • 2 children • Employed less than 3 months • Felony 10 years old • past eviction

44. Match the Family to the Intervention Michaela • 41 year old single mom • 3 children • History of DV • Receives sporadic child support • Recent multiple felonies • History of substance abuse • Multiple shelter stays

45. Match the Family to the Intervention Ava • 35YO single mother • 5 children (infant – 12years) • Multiple shelter stays • Traumatic brain injury • Mental health issues • No GED or H.S. diploma • Felony conviction • Son with serious emotional issues • History of addictions

46. Match the Family to the Intervention Tracy • Single mother • 3 children • Multiple shelter stays • History of DV • Highest earning $7.50/hr; inconsistent work history • CPS involvement • Eviction history • Children’s father in prison • Active alcoholism – in denial

47. Other Housing Options

48. Low Income Tax Credit Housing • An option for low income families • Makes market rate housing “affordable” for families at 30-60% AMI • Rental rates are reduced due to local or state tax credits • Typically mixed income properties • Must recertify annually; otherwise no time limit • Lease = Landlord Tenant Act applies

49. Section 8 (subsidized) Housing • HUD program with Public Housing Authorities or private owners • Rent = 30% of income • Sex offenders & people with certain drug offenses are ineligible • Other eligibility criteria determined by local PHAs • No time limit • Lease = Landlord Tenant Act applies • Project-Based • Subsidy remains with the unit • Housing Choice Voucher • Subsidy remains with the family • Family can select unit (based on FMR and inspection)

50. HUD VASH (subsidized) Housing • Collaboration with HUD, VA, and PHAs • Section 8 voucher • Available to families with veteran status • Referrals are made by the local VA • Must accept ongoing VA case management • Rent = 30% of income • Sex offenders and people with certain drug offenses are ineligible • Other eligibility criteria determined by local PHAs or local VAMCs • No time limit • Lease = Landlord Tenant Act applies