Models to Consider

1. Strategies to End Homelessness in Rural CommunitiesApril 14, 2008Presented by:Tammy Weaver, M. Ed., L.P.C.Chief Officer, Coleman Behavioral Health, Trumbull County

2. Models to Consider • Blueprints to End Homelessness • Strategic Plans • Locally driven • May be based on focus and leadership of the local continuum

3. Tasks to Consider • Establish subcommittee that focuses specifically on goals and objectives • Set aside several hours to focus on strategic plan development • Invite the key stakeholders • SWOT Analysis to determine areas on which to focus

4. Strategic Planning Tasks • Review/Develop Mission and Vision • Leader to keep information developed that day and return to the group • Work with the subcommittee to evaluate the information and develop areas on which the housing group wants to focus • Develop goals and objectives for each area

5. Strategic Planning Tasks • Assign timelines and responsibilities • Determine any budget issues • Have the committee report at each meeting to show progress • Update annually • See plan from Medina County

6. 10 year plans • Initiated by the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the National Alliance to End Homelessness– www.ich.gov and www.naeh.org • Approximately 100 communities in the nation have written a plan • Some funding providers are beginning to ask if the community has this document and tie funding to its existence

7. Blueprints • The blueprint format focuses on four (4) key areas • Plan for Outcomes • Close the front door • Open the back door • Build the infrastructure

8. Plan for Outcomes • Collect data in a better way • Create a planning process that focuses on the outcome of ending homelessness • Bring together key stakeholders to coordinate, leverage and develop new and existing resources

9. Close the front door • Invest in prevention • Stop homelessness before it happens • Invest in rent/mortgage/utility assistance, case management, landlord/lender intervention • Have mainstream programs be accountable for outcomes of the most vulnerable customers

10. Open the back door • Quickly re-house everyone • Focus on the chronic population as they are most costly to the system (10%) • Address the episodically homeless (9%) and transitionally homeless (81%) • Develop a Housing First model with linkages to supportive services

11. Building the Infrastructure • Address Housing Affordability • Provide safe and decent housing in low crime areas • Provide opportunities for people to increase their income • Provide services that are flexible, individual and well coordinated

12. Blueprint to End Homelessness • Other Areas to focus on: • Healthcare, economic stability, systems coordination, housing stock, current resources, need as evidenced by gathered data, mainstream resources, supportive services

13. Why a Blueprint to End Homelessness? • The costs to the community system are increasing through homeless persons accessing the jails, prisons, emergency rooms, detox facililities, shelters, private hospitals and state hospitals • Funds to provide safe, decent and affordable housing are decreasing

14. Why a Blueprint to End Homelessness? • To increase the availability of permanent supportive housing • A recent study in Columbus showed the following costs: jail $70/day, prison $59.34/day, shelter $25.48/day, state hospital $451/day, private hospital $1550/day • Supportive housing is $30.46/day

15. Why a Blueprint to End Homelessness? • To reduce duplication • To increase coordination • To increase knowledge of the extent of the problem – yes there really is a problem and need • To increase resources, develop partnerships, leverage additional funds

16. Other resources • Toolkits • www.ich.org • www.naeh.org