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Creating Community Through Homeless Prevention

Rethink Homelessness. Creating Community Through Homeless Prevention. April 23, 2013. Our Purpose Today. Rethink Homelessness. To raise awareness of the problem of homelessness in Plano, Texas.

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Creating Community Through Homeless Prevention

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  1. Rethink Homelessness Creating Community Through Homeless Prevention April 23, 2013

  2. Our Purpose Today Rethink Homelessness • To raise awareness of the problem of homelessness in Plano, Texas. • To connect faith communities and begin collaborative efforts to proactively lead community solutions to homelessness.

  3. 2012 Collin County Homeless Data

  4. Primary Reasons for Homelessness THERE IS A NEW FACE OF HOMELESS Top 3 in 2012 – UNEMPLOYMENT (52%) Not enough money (39%) Domestic Abuse (9%) Top 3 in 2007 – DOMESTIC ABUSE (48%) Unemployment (37%) Not enough money (32%) Source: Collin County 2012 Annual Point-in-Time Homeless Count

  5. PLANO’S HOMELESS – WHERE ARE THEY? • CURRENT SHELTER CAPACITY - FAMILIES • SAMARITAN INN total 161 beds - turns away 57 people per week that qualify for their program; in 2012 over 3,500 QUALIFIED PEOPLE TURNED AWAY DUE TO NO CAPACITY. Over 25% of the requests come from Plano folks. • FAMILY PROMISE – overnight lodging and meals for max of 14 people (to comply with Plano city council); rotates weekly in 14 congregations, weekdays 6 pm – 7 am. CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY

  6. PLANO’S HOMELESS – WHERE ARE THEY? • CURRENT SHELTER CAPACITY – Youth & Children • CITY House – Transitional Living Program TWO 6 bed homes for ages 16-21 • MY FRIEND’S HOUSE – Emergency Shelter - 24 beds for 30 days

  7. Plano & Collin County Available Shelter Resources • CURRENT SHELTER CAPACITY – DOMESTIC VIOLENCE • HOPES DOOR- Current domestic violence victim - 22 BEDS AND AT FULL CAPACITY NOW • EMILY’S PLACE (formerly Providence House) – Transformational live-in program from single women & with children up to 10 yrs. Now has 12 BEDS AND ARE CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY. New campus to open December 2013 with 1st of 3 units • Each of which will • provide 28-30 beds • (net increase of • 16-18 beds.)

  8. PLANO’S HOMELESS – WHERE ARE THEY? EXTENDED STAY HOTELS – Sun Suites and other extended stay hotels in Plano serve as make shift homeless shelter. PISD PROVIDES BUS SERVICE TO SUN SUITES Dwayne Hill, his wife Denise Collier and their 4 children shared 1 room at Sun Suites; Dwayne has a college degree

  9. Invisible Homeless An Explosion In Extended Families The weak U.S. economy, and the high unemployment that has come with it, have forced many Americans to move in with relatives. In 2010 there were 159 million Americans who were 35 or older, up 14.1 percent from the year 2000. But the 12.5 million in that age group who were living with relatives was up 36.4 percent According to census data, more American households have “doubled up” in recent years, as adults lose their own housing and move into somebody else’s home. In spring 2007, prior to the recession, doubled-up households totaled 19.7 million. By spring 2011, the number of doubled up households had increased by more than 10 percent to 21.8 million. Source: Census Bureau Credit: NPR

  10. Invisible Homeless – Especially children & youth SOFA SURFING, staying with friends, is the first stage on a relatively short path to street homelessness. The reasons for family breakdown are often multiple and complex. Unless there is meaningful intervention at an early stage the results are always the same, Street Homelessness.

  11. PLANO POVERTY & HOMELESS INDICATORS Plano Independent School District Data: actual homeless students est. to be 4 x reported; actual students on SBP/NSLP is < total who would qualify. Pride and residency deter many applications.

  12. GAPS IN THE SYSTEM: REAL STORIES – REAL LIVES • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS – do not allow teen sons of victims, who are themselves victims most likely to repeat cycle Meet Mary and her sons Thomas & James (not their real names) Mary fled a situation of severe domestic violence leaving everything but her sons. Because her sons are > 13, NO shelter, including domestic violence shelters, would take them. With the help of a Good Samaritan, Mary moved into a 1 bdr apt in West Plano so her sons could continue in quality schools. Their response to the violence, move, loss of friends and new poverty Thomas ended up in Juvenile Detention. No job, no money, no food…and soon no shelter led her to seek help from a church. Through the collaborative efforts of several organizations, Mary was trained as a Certified Nurse Assistant, her sons received mentoring and counseling, Thomas finished high school and hopes for college. Community collaboration provided 1st steps to hope.

  13. GAPS IN THE SYSTEM: REAL STORIES – REAL LIVES UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH hundreds in crisis eminently homeless and vulnerable DETERMINATION: a mother on probation, a father in jail and a 17 year old brother to care for and keep out of Juvenile Detention do not stop Karen from pursuing her dream of college. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) helps, but does not solve problems of bed bug infestation and flooding. Both youth work & go to school, Karen to Collin College and Casey to Plano East, but minimum wage is not enough for them to live on. Plano churches are collaborating to fund 2 weeks in an extended stay hotel… but what next? There are NO apartments in Plano they can afford even with a HCV. Meet Karen, 19, who is guardian of her 17 year old brother Casey (not their real names)

  14. Children & Youth Suffer the Most Collin County Youth > ½ of total – Plano is largest city in county 2012 beyond abc; assessing Children’s Healthi n the North Texas Corridor. Published by Children’s Medical Center Dallas

  15. Children Suffer the Most Challenges for Children in Collin County 2012 US poverty level for family of 4 = $23,050 10% or 25k children don’t have health insurance. In 2010 over 8,000 families were living in poverty., up 166% over 2000 In 2010 39,176 children lived in single-parent families, up 87% over 2000 In 2010, 40,130 children in Collin County lived in food insecure households In 2010, 1,971 children were homeless, up 113% since 2008 2010 teen pregnancy rate of 7% is among worst in the U.S. 7.7% of children live in families with income below federal poverty levels 39,595 children eligible for school meals in 2012 up 211% over 2002 • “Low income children and youth… are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges. Premature Births of 11.8% in 2010 is 62% higher than 2002 & higher than March of Dimes 2020 goal of 9.6% 2012 beyond abc; assessing Children’s Health in the North Texas Corridor. Published by Children’s Medical Center Dallas

  16. Increase in Children’s Health Services 2005 – 564 Mental Health & 94 Substance abuse. 2011 – 1,085 Mental Health & 235 Substance Abuse 10% or 25k children don’t have health insurance. Children enrolled in CHIP* 2002 – 4,122 2012 – 10,965 Children enrolled in Medicaid 2002 – 7,530 2012 – 31,673 69% increase in pediatric Medicaid enrollment from 2008 to 2011 59% of Texas infant deliveries are paid by Medicaid 11,422 children received services through WIC (2010) 2012 beyond abc; assessing Children’s Health in the North Texas Corridor. Published by Children’s Medical Center Dallas

  17. GAPS IN THE SYSTEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE • NO EMERGENCY SHELTER in Collin County, INCLUDING PLANO • ALL TRANSITIONAL SHELTER PERPETUALLY AT CAPACITY leaving thousands in crisis and eminently homeless each year • NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING in Plano and critically inadequate supply county wide. Collin County had 1,585 low rent and Section 8 housing units for its 60,337 residents living in poverty in 2010.

  18. GAPS IN THE SYSTEM WILL ONLY GET WORSE • NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN to stay beyond 30 days and only 12 beds in Plano available for unaccompanied youth • NO COORDINATED INTAKE SYSTEM among agencies serving homeless. Navigating a complicated and critically under resourced homeless resources while in crisis adds to stress and critically adversely impacts effected children & youth • NO COUNTY HOSPITAL – 25 % of Texans are uninsured; Minimal access to affordable healthcare for children and adults • NO CONTINUUM OF CARE PLAN for Plano or county wide

  19. Plano’s 5 year Strategic Plan Proposal Given the top needs identified by the special needs population analysis and during the public input process, the city has developed the following priorities for homeless and homeless prevention request over the course of the Consolidated Plan • The creation of additional shelter, supportive services, and transitional housing for homeless and under- housed. (High) • Housing accessibility modifications for elderly an disabled residents within the City of Plano. ( High) • Support to organizations that engage in public services for Plano residents, especially special needs populations, including but not limited to low income elderly, persons with disabilities, persons with HIV/AIDS and at risk youth. (High) • The creation of a homeless shelter with supportive services (a campus) and transitional housing was mentioned by the community service providers as a top need. • Emergency and /or transitional housing for youth, especially youth ages 18 – 20, along with supportive services. Survey respondents also rated services and facilities for abuse/neglected children a top priority.

  20. City of Plano Public Housing Access • As 12/2009, Plano had 24 public housing units, 842 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) administered by Plano Housing Authority (PHA ) and an additional 306 HCV’s within the city administered by other housing authorities. All reported to be in suitable living conditions. • Access to public housing units is in demand. There were 43 families on the public housing waiting list and 585 on the HCV list as of December 2009. According to 2009 PHA Plan, households on the wait list for public housing an HCV included:

  21. City of Plano PHA continued • The last time the PHA wait list were open in September 2007 approximately 1,200 families signed up within a four hour period. • The majority of families have never previously applied for social service assistance and are people who have lost their jobs and mortgages foreclosed. The request are coming from an entirely different part of the population who commonly do not need assistance. • Therefore the projected housing need for public housing residents is most likely greater than 1,200 families with this number continually increasing as the weekly request for assistance continues on. • The most recent City of Plano 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan can be obtained on line at: • http://pdf.plano.gov/planning/PlanoConsolidatedPlanFinal3-15-10.pdf

  22. City of Plano PHA continued 2008 Block groups % of population earns low to moderate income (LMI = household earns < 80% of HUD median family income The most recent City of Plano 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan can be obtained on line at: • http://pdf.plano.gov/planning/PlanoConsolidatedPlanFinal3-15-10.pdf

  23. City of Plano PHA continued Block groups IN 2012 where Household earns < 80% of HUD median family income The most recent City of Plano 2012-2013 Action Plan can be obtained on line at: • http://www.plano.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2009

  24. City of Plano PHA continued Housing Cost and Affordability - 2008 The most recent City of Plano 2010 – 2014 Consolidated Plan can be obtained on line at: • http://pdf.plano.gov/planning/PlanoConsolidatedPlanFinal3-15-10.pdf 2012 poverty level for family of 4 $23,050

  25. COLLABORATION FOR SOLUTIONS Faith Based Community to pursue a New Approach to address & prevent homelessness STRATEGY Gather Intelligence and Identify Resources for Current Solution & Opportunity for Prevention EXECUTION Differentiate Our Plan from others & Assess why we will succeed REPORT Coach and Develop Analytics and Progress

  26. COLLABORATION FOR SOLUTIONS Faith Based Community to pursue a New Approach to address & prevent homelessness Study and Understand Past National and Regional commitments to end homelessness. Find past strategies, look at how it was executed and see if we can improve the processes. Thought – Bring together people, churches and strategic leaders to help build a plan. Market Analysis- Identify and share data. Share past thoughts, ideas and how the current planned solution came about. STRATEGY Gather Intelligence and Identify Resources for Current Solution & Opportunity for Prevention

  27. COLLABORATION FOR SOLUTIONS Faith Based Community to pursue a New Approach to address & prevent homelessness Leverage resources through volunteer commitments – Logistics to organize church members for volunteer hours. Local Centralized Support and extended hours- Work with other programs to become a Central Point of Contact to track success and identify opportunities to improve. People, Process & Technology – Come to the congregation with the plan. Introduce opportunities to help. Categorize the areas of need . Begin the processes needed to tackle the issue and improve on the initial process. EXECUTION Differentiate Our Plan from others & Assess why we will succeed

  28. COLLABORATION FOR SOLUTIONS Faith Based Community to pursue a New Approach to address & prevent homelessness Voice of the Customer- Gather feedback from people we assist and look for ways to reach others and improve our program. Establish management accountability – Ongoing Tracking and Reporting of Results in place via SalesForce.com Performance Analytics: Track the results. Most Cities look at homeless numbers and base results off of that. We will look at actual feedback and have true outcomes to identify from our efforts. REPORT Coach and Develop Analytics and Progress

  29. What Can Your Faith Community Do? Get started! STEP 1 – EMBRACE THE RESPONSIBILITY! • COMMIT to Collaborate to be PART OF THE SOLUTION • SEND delegates to Faith Community Connection • RAISE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE TOP 5 NEEDS of 2012 homeless: food, shelter, health & dental services, bus passes and gas cards • PROVIDE meals, toiletries & laundry quarters & soap for those in Emergency Shelter • HOST A HOMELESS AWARENESS LUNCH & LEARN at your faith community or interest groups • Host a “Hygiene Kit Party” to put together the essential toiletry needs for families and individuals in crisis • WRITE CARDS of encouragement for families and individuals in crisis • PRAY … for guidance, support, resources & community

  30. What Can Your Faith Community Do? Get involved! STEP 2 – SHOW UP! • Serve with & support agencies that provide • SHELTER & TRANSFORMATIONAL SUPPORT • the Samaritan Inn • Emily’s Place (formerly Providence House) • CITY House & My Friend’s House • Family Promise • Serve with & support FOOD PANTRIES, especially those with high volume and low resources • Serve with and support TRANSFORMATIONAL PROGRAMS such as training, tutoring, budgeting • Become a HOST FACILITY for Family Promise • Participate in the 3 X 4 SHELTER PLAN • Help BUILD a connected INVENTORY OF SHELTER resources for Plano

  31. What Can Your Faith Community Do? Faith Collaboration Connection Services STEP 3 – COLLABORATE! • CRITICAL – Create & facilitate EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS to transform homelessness to self-sufficiency, with a high emphasis on prevention (prevention costs less than rehabilitation). • Advocate policy change to address current homeless problem and initiate prevention action • Close the gap between cost of housing and available household income for shelter • Support Plano Housing Authority to increase and maintain access to safe affordable housing • Collaborate with City of Plano to assist in the timely and effective accomplishment of its 5 year plans for addressing homelessness • Address homelessness with your voice during voting season..

  32. What Can Your Faith Community Do? Stay Connected STEP 4 – COMMUNICATE! • Help develop and maintain a Faith Collaboration Connection communication network including web site, newsletter, awareness events, life skills training programs & sharing of resources & needs. • Monitor web site & meet specific needs of collaborative agencies • Share the progress with your faith community • Raise awareness through articles and speakers in community connections and organizations • Invite others to get involved

  33. What Can Your Faith Community Do?TAKE THE FIRST STEP! “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Lao-tzu “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?”Robert Schuller “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does.” Margaret Mead “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” Mahatma Gandhi “We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.”Mother Theresa “The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends on large measure upon how our children grow up today.” Margaret Mead “With God all things are possible.”Jesus “Up to this point the Lord has helped us.” Samuel’s Ebenezer, 1 Sam. 7:21

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