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Rural Homelessness: Challenges & Strategies NAEH National Conference July 17, 2006. Mark Kudlowitz, Research Associate Housing Assistance Council mark@ruralhome.org. Housing Assistance Council. HAC helps communities achieve their goals by providing: Technical Assistance Training
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Rural Homelessness: Challenges & StrategiesNAEH National ConferenceJuly 17, 2006 Mark Kudlowitz, Research Associate Housing Assistance Council mark@ruralhome.org
Housing Assistance Council HAC helps communities achieve their goals by providing: • Technical Assistance • Training • Loan Fund(s) • Research and Information • Advocacy
Overview & “The Numbers” • Diverse populations • Unreliable data • 3.5 million homeless nationally • Burt et al. – 9 percent of all homeless live in rural areas
Key Differences of Rural Homeless • Less likely to receive government assistance • Experience shorter periods of homelessness • As likely to have mental health, alcohol, or drug problems • Less likely to have health insurance and access to medical care (Post 2002)
The Barriers • Common Barriers to Serving the Rural Homeless • Definitional Issues • Access to Services • Assessing Needs • Community Awareness & Support
Overcoming Barriers • What ways have you overcome these barriers?
Overcoming Barriers What HAC has found: • Homeless prevention • Collaboration/Networking • Emergency Shelters/Transitional Housing • Utilizing state resources
Successful Rural Models • Carey Counseling Center • SW Georgia Housing Development Corp.
Carey Counseling Herrington PlaceCamden, Tennessee
Southwest Georgia Housing Development Corporation Millennium CenterCuthbert, Georgia
Successful Models: Lessons Learned • Collaborations are necessary!! • Federal program: HUD, RHS, HHS, FHLB • State agencies: Mental Health, Housing, Courts • Local activism, energy, and innovation
USDA Rural Housing Service Programs • Section 515 • Section 538 • Section 514/516 • Section 523 Self Help • Section 502 • Section 504 • Community Facility Loans and Grants
HAC Office Locations Housing Assistance Council 1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 606 Washington, DC 20005 202-842-8600, fax: 202-347-3441 hac@ruralhome.org HAC Southwest Office 3939 C San Pedro, N. E., Suite 7 Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-883-1003, fax: 505-883-1005 southwest@ruralhome.org HAC Midwest Office 10920 Ambassador Drive, Suite 220 Kansas City, MO 64153 816-880-0400, fax: 816-880-0500 midwest@ruralhome.org HAC Southeast Office 615 Peachtree Street, N. E., Suite 1130 Atlanta, GA 30309 404-892-4824, fax: 404-892-1204 southeast@ruralhome.org HAC Western Office 131 Camino Alto, Suite D Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-381-1706, fax: 415-381-0801 susan@ruralhome.org