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Presenters . Erik Sten was the elected City Commissioner in charge of Portland’s homeless work. Heather Lyons was the Manager in Charge of the City’s homeless efforts. revitalize your community’s ten year plan to end homelessness. Lessons from Portland, Oregon Erik Sten & Heather Lyons.

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  1. Presenters • Erik Sten was the elected City Commissioner in charge of Portland’s homeless work. • Heather Lyons was the Manager in Charge of the City’s homeless efforts.

  2. revitalize your community’s ten year plan to end homelessness Lessons from Portland, Oregon Erik Sten& Heather Lyons

  3. In the first three years of the plan, from January 2005-December 2007: 1,560 chronically homeless individuals, and 1,483 homeless families with children were housed, of whom 574 were high-resource using/special needs families. Additionally, chronically homeless individuals experienced an 84% retention rate after 1 year of being placed in housing. For families, that rate goes up to 86%. Also in the first three years, 710 units of permanent supportive housing opened and another 298 were in the development pipeline. Accomplishments

  4. Portland Street Count 3000 2500 2355 2000 2005 2007 1500 1438 1284 1000 500 386 0 Overall Chronic The Street Count showed a 39% decrease in overall numbers of people who are homeless and sleeping outside. Additionally, we saw a 70% reduction in the number of chronically homeless people between January of 2005 and 2007. Accomplishments

  5. Who’s on the webcast today? Poll

  6. The National Alliance to End Homelessness had pushed the Bush Administration to require 10 Year Plans. While the administration was no friend tothese issues, we decided to take it seriously and push ourselves to improve. Supported by Federal Resources from USICH and a systems change grant from CSH Local environment “ripe” for change The Impetus Behind the Plan Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  7. Strong non-profit partners. Political will. Commitment to affordable housing. Very interested citizens. Challenge: To turn those assets into a workable plan. Characteristics of the Local Environment Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  8. Focus on the most chronically homeless populations. Streamline access to existing services in order to prevent and reduce other homelessness. Concentrate resources on programs that offer measurable results. Principles Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  9. Research with people experiencing homelessness Building support without asking for money – at first Connecting with broader community groups on the issues Engaging agencies beyond homeless system Organizing provider community Honoring the Human Connection Some Unique Features Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  10. Sisters of the Road Cafe did in-depth interviews with 600 people Many things in common: broken homes, lack of education, substance abuse, and/or mental illness. One constant -- severed ties to just about all family and friends. Engagement with People who are Homeless Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  11. Link to the actual research and interviews conducted by Sisters of the Road Cafe: http://sistersoftheroad.org/wa/sisters/of_the_road/C180 Research Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  12. While we didn’t have enough money, it was clear that the money we had wasn’t getting enough results. We were spending $35 million in 2005, and not getting the results that we wanted. Like most cities, a large portion of resources were dedicated to people who were chronically homeless, but not getting them housed. Money Comes Second Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  13. One way to create more resources was to focus on getting people who were chronically homeless off the street. Had a meeting with foundations and political leaders and said we would come back in a year with results, and then ask for money. Money Comes Second (con’t) Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  14. Corrections/Jails Hospitals Police/Public Safety Mental Health Addictions Public Health/Primary Care Family Services Urban Renewal Agency Housing Authority Etc., Etc.... Engaging Agencies Beyond the Homeless System Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  15. Blue Ribbon Committee – Citizens’ Commission on Homelessness Shadow Committee – Coordinating Committee to End Homelessness Subcommittees for everything – issue not covered? Head up a subcommittee! Consumer involvement Organizing the Provider Community Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  16. Portlanders wanted to help. We were unable to articulate what they could do. Finding a strategy to allow people of good will to help was critical to our success. We set out to design a sustainable strategy to connecting the two sides. Why was this connection so important, and perhaps the key to success? Connecting with the Community Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  17. As our research demonstrated, people who are chronically homeless often lose their connection to the rest of society, and experience a “broken spirit.” It takes a “Human Connection” to bring them back. Erik’s paper: http://www.livingcities.org/urbanfellows/ The Human Connection Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  18. Easily accessible for both sides. Featuring “normal” activities that are familiar and make people feel comfortable. We took the very popular “Homeless Connect” concept and tried to make it more of a philosophy than a sporadic event. What Type of Events Work? Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  19. Family photos and a writer chronicling the story of each family at the Homeless Connect event. (Photos are from that interaction.) Local Greek Church created a six-week Greek cooking class. Portland Trailblazers expanded their holiday meal to include Homeless Connect and did a powerful video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF98ulbFhnA Examples Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  20. New principle about equity 10 year plan still has political value & institutionalized in City & County policy 7,000 individuals housed More supportive and deeply affordable housing Short-term rental assistance system that made HPRP easier to implement Better data HUD VASH 110 + potential increase in next round What’s happened in Portland, Ore. since? Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  21. Economic recession Changes in political champions Changes in operational staff Policy directions shifted Homelessness increase in some communities The Current Environment: Nationwide Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  22. Systems Change Garnering Resources Galvanizing the Provider Community Building Strategies for Others to Help Lessons for Other Cities Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  23. Need new approaches to maintain momentum Keep it interesting to maintain political leadership Take advantage of community will Keep focus, but consider integrating with other initiatives. Structure for Sustained Success Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  24. Q&A with Erik & Heather Photo Courtesy Brian McDonnell

  25. “A Human Connection,” Erik’s paper: http://www.livingcities.org/urbanfellows/ Sisters of the Road’s interviews: http://sistersoftheroad.org/wa/sisters/of_the_road/C180 “Home Again,” a video about Portland’s efforts to end homelessness: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF98ulbFhnA Homelessness Resource Center: http://homeless.samhsa.gov/ Corporation for Supportive Housing: http://www.csh.org National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.endhomelessness.org Resources

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