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Planning the End of Homelessness in Albuquerque. Findings from Community Focus Groups – April 2006. Defining a Strategy. Data Gathering Identify Long and Short-term Goals Outline Action Steps Seek Input on Plan Publish and Distribute Plan Implement Action Steps. Community Focus Groups.
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Planning the End of Homelessness in Albuquerque Findings from Community Focus Groups – April 2006
Defining a Strategy • Data Gathering • Identify Long and Short-term Goals • Outline Action Steps • Seek Input on Plan • Publish and Distribute Plan • Implement Action Steps
Community Focus Groups • Supportive Services for the Homeless • Affordable Housing for the Very-Low Income • Community Perspectives on Homelessness • Homeless Perspectives • Improving Access to Mainstream Resources
Common Themes • Housing is the answer to Homelessness • Collaboration/Cooperation • Long-term and intensive support • Difficulties with Mainstream Resources • Need for Centralized Information • Marketing/PR campaign
Frequently Identified Problems • Discharge policies or (lack of) • Lack of community/political will • Access to Mainstream Resources • Transportation • Constraints placed by Funding agencies • Perceptions
Supportive Services • Model of wrap-around services • Collaboration – get inside each other’s programs – Case Management by Team • Broker-style case management • Create public spaces for homeless • Support until self-sufficient • Database of services
Affordable Housing • Must create incentive for developers • Workforce Housing Ordinance • Require affordability in planning • Mixed Income housing example • “Dramatize” Homelessness • Seek funding from State for Housing • Collaboration with Developers
Community Perspectives • Economic Impact to Community • Community needs to own problem • Massive public campaign • Formalize Collaboration • Centralize service access in City
Homeless Perspectives • Discharged to streets • Need for long-term support • Disincentive of Mainstream Resources • Homeless cooperative operated by tenants • Change stereo-type/perceptions • Keep families together • Need volunteer opportunities
Mainstream Resources Valid address and phone Responsibility/motivation for communication Internet application Barriers to sharing information/HIPPA Need bus service and free phones Training for provider staff
Interesting Ideas • Collaboration • Creating case management teams • Database of services linked with 311 • Formalize cooperation among stakeholders • Joint marketing campaign • Cooperate with housing developers • Support Work Force Housing Ordinance/State Housing Trust Fund
Interesting Ideas Con’t • Use of volunteers • As mentors • Opportunities for the homeless • Cross-training • Providers train systems personnel • Systems train provider staff
Other Things to be Addressed • Institutional Discharge Policies • Transportation • JobAccess • Bus service to SSA and TANF • Break through systems barriers • Felony convictions for housing • Phones/communication