Using Rapid Re-Housing To Serve the Most Vulnerable

1. Using Rapid Re-Housing To Serve the Most Vulnerable Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness Conference: “Housing Virginia’s Most Vulnerable” Monday Sept. 22, 2:45pm Ben Cattell Noll Project Coordinator- Friendship Place bnoll@friendshipplace.org 202-306-6524

2. Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) • U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs grant • Started in 2011 at $60 million • Expanding in FY2015 to over $300 million covering every state and several territories • Served nearly 100,000 people in first two years of program and expect to serve another 100,000 in FY2014 alone • Unique program • Grants to Community Partners • Serves Veterans AND their family members • Housing First approach utilizing Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention strategies • Variety of Services: Housing Search Assistance, Move-in Costs, Case Management, Transportation Assistance, Employment Assistance… • “But For…” criteria • Goal: End Veteran Homelessness by end of 2015! Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs FY2014 SSVF Grant Awards Fact Sheet

3. Housing First Works! • SSVF National- 97,979 people served, 85% exited to permanent housing • 60% exit to unsubsidized rental housing • 26% HUD-VASH • Friendship Place SSVF- 749 people served, 95% exited to permanent housing • Average length of participation: • National- 90 days • Friendship Place • Prevention- 94 days • Rapid Rehousing- 103 days • Cost: $2,480 per household (Nationally) Sources: US Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) FY2013 Annual Report Friendship Place- Veterans First Monthly Dashboard Report

4. …for the vast majority of people, • 12,505 (31.5%) of Veterans in FY2013 had zero income, and an additional 3,189 (8%) earned $500 or less per month. • 80% of those with no income and 82% of those earning $500 or less monthly had obtained or remained in their permanent housing by program exit. • Serious Physical and Mental Health Diagnoses • 51% Cardiovascular Disease • 44% Substance Use Disorder • 23% Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • 20% Major Depressive Disorder Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) FY2013 Annual Report

5. Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) FY2013 Annual Report

6. …in the vast majority of places. Friendship Place and the DC Metro Region • Average entry-level rent: $1,298 Source: ApartmentGuide.Com • 87% of SSVF households below 30% AMI -Under $22,500 in annual income for individual ($10.80/hour) • And again, 95% exit to permanent housing in an average time of around 100 days Sources: Friendship Place- Veterans First Monthly Dashboard Report

7. And they stay housed, too! • 90% of single Veterans and 95% of Veterans in families who received SSVF PREVENTION services did not use VA homeless services within a year following their exit from the SSVF program. • 88% of single Veterans and 93% of Veterans in families who received SSVF RAPID REHOUSING services did not use VA homeless services within a year following their exit from the SSVF program. Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) FY2013 Annual Report

8. Source: Byrne, Thomas. “Housing Outcomes of Veterans Following Exit from the SSVF Program.” VA National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, Research Brief Feb 2014.

9. WE CAN DO IT!!!