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Outline of Presentation

Outline of Presentation. Homeless Services in NYC: The Origins of the HomeBase Program NYC’s HomeBase Program HELP USA’s HomeBase Program: Preventing Homelessness in the South Bronx City-wide Outcomes/ Lessons Learned: 2004 – 2007 The Future of the HomeBase Program.

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Outline of Presentation

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  1. Outline of Presentation • Homeless Services in NYC: The Origins of the HomeBase Program • NYC’s HomeBase Program • HELP USA’s HomeBase Program: Preventing Homelessness in the South Bronx • City-wide Outcomes/ Lessons Learned: 2004 – 2007 • The Future of the HomeBase Program

  2. HELP USA : Agency Overview • HELP USA is a non-profit organization founded by Andrew Cuomo in 1986 • HELP is NYC-based; also has facilities/ programs in Philadelphia, Buffalo, Las Vegas and Houston • Developed and currently operates more than 2,300 units of transitional and permanent housing for homeless and at-risk populations • Serves more than 11,000 individuals and families each year • Provides emergency and transitional housing and supportive services for victims of domestic violence • Operates employment and training programs that have placed over 5,500 clients into unsubsidized employment

  3. Origins: NYC’s Homeless Services • New York State has a ‘Right to Shelter’ • NYC has developed an extensive shelter system administered by the Department of Homeless Services • Multiple city agencies & non-profits offer transitional housing, rental assistance, eviction prevention, aftercare • Series of studies conducted on homeless services in NYC • Special Masters Panel: Family Homelessness Prevention (2003) • NYC’s 5 year plan Uniting for Solutions Beyond Shelter (2004) • Vera Institute: Understanding Family Homelessness in NYC (2005)

  4. Origins: Recommendations • Affordable Housing and Rental Subsidies help prevent homelessness • Early Identification: Identify precipitating factors; high-risk populations • Identify prior housing sources, conditions and precipitating events that lead to family homelessness • Incidents of Prior Homelessness, Areas of high receipt of public assistance • “Doubled up” households, Young head of household • Families at risk may not be help-seeking: need for Outreach, Community Education

  5. Origins: Recommendations • Prevention Services must be Data-Driven, Targeted • NYC develops geo-coded agency tracking system • Includes data matches with multiple city agencies • Geographic Analysis • Patterns of shelter entry, poverty, public assistance • Prevention services must be community-based, provide a range of interventions in a variety of settings • Cross-agency coordination is essential; need exists to tie together a range of services provided through a variety of sources • Program design must be flexible and timely • Legal (anti-eviction) services must be included • Short-term financial assistance is key

  6. HomeBase: The Pilot Program • Services Begin: Fall 2004 • $12 million dollar commitment per year • Programs operated by 6 community-based not-for-profit organizations • Funding 40% federal (TANF) and 60% city funds

  7. HomeBase Program Model Eligibility: Clients must be at imminent risk of entering shelter and… • Reside in a designated community district within NYC • May currently be living in an institutional setting or supportive living environment and will be returning to one of these community districts • Their household income may not exceed 200% of the federal poverty line • Must have a documented threat to their housing stability

  8. HomeBase Program Model Ongoing Program Evaluation Client outcomes Community impact measure Process measures Data Will Inform Program Implementation Data sharing: daily, weekly, monthly program and entrant data Collaborative program development (public- private partnership between DHS and non-profit organizations

  9. HomeBaseMonthly CD Map

  10. HomeBase Daily Report

  11. HomeBase Shelter Profile

  12. HomeBase: Outreach • Presentations to Local Groups, Community Leaders and Elected Officials • City-wide media campaign by DHS • ‘Branding’ of HomeBase through common logo, graphics & advertising • Triage services available by dialing ‘311’ • Community Outreach • Fliers & brochures • Mass Mailings- by zip code; aftercare clients are next • HomeBase Mobile Unit • Used by diversion workers to pick up clients at conditional shelters • Used by outreach workers to canvas target areas • Served as advertising tool for the program • Used to deliver family items and household supplies

  13. HomeBase : Intake & Assessment • Intake Case Manager and Supervisor determine applicant’s eligibility/ need for services • Assess risk of homelessness; verify housing crisis by calling landlord, primary tenant, etc. • Intake Case Manager conducts an Intake Interview with eligible clients • Intake Case Manager provides resources that may be able to assist applicants who are found ineligible for the program • Eligible clients are assigned a permanent Case Manager

  14. HomeBase : Services • Case management • Legal services (anti-eviction) • Money management and household budgeting seminars • Day care, education (GED, ESL, job training) referrals and in-house job placement • Service referrals: mental health & substance abuse, immigration services, etc.

  15. HomeBase : Services • ‘Broker’ of relationships with welfare offices, housing court, other non-profit agencies • Cross-agency service coordination • Flexibility & timeliness of service delivery • Client advocacy with Landlords, NYC agencies • Full time Advocacy Case Manager • Short term financial assistance (for those who qualify) • HomeBase is the ‘funder of last resort’

  16. HomeBase : Services • Short-Term Financial Assistance • Most Financial Assistance is limited to one time per family so as not to promote long-term reliance upon HomeBase • Rent arrears, deposit/brokers fees, furniture, moving expenses, household repairs • Short term rent contributions • Work expenses/training • HomeBase typically leverages financial assistance from many other funding sources (financial broker)

  17. HomeBase : Services Established collaboration with HELP USA’s Fair Housing Justice Center • Housing Discrimination • Violates the civil rights of your clients • Restricts housing choice and life opportunities • Contributes to homelessness (rights in housing court) • Disseminate Information about Housing Rights • Presentations and Brochures • Rental Search Logs • Examples of Illegal Housing Discrimination • Sexual harassment, Disability discrimination, Family status discrimination

  18. HomeBase : Housing &Relocation HomeBase provides housing relocation assistance to clients whose current living arrangements are no longer viable. Clients on this track: • Meet regularly with the Housing Specialist • Apply for all possible subsidized housing opportunities • Work closely with the Subsidy Coordinator for assistance with the Section 8 process

  19. HomeBase: Diversion • Many shelter applicants are in need of immediate housing assistance, but do not require an actual shelter stay. • HELP USA piloted diversion program at PATH (family intake center) to identify these families and offer them HomeBase services. • HELP HomeBase staff screened interested applicants and triaged appropriate clients to all of the HomeBase providers

  20. HomeBase : Diversion HomeBase diverts families & individuals who are: • Able to return to a safe doubled-up situation • Can be restored to their own housing apartments/homes • Have no housing options but have other resources (employment, existing housing subsidy, etc.) Who makes a good diversion candidate? Client has income or the ability to obtain employment • Demonstrate eligibility for housing subsidies • Positive & motivated attitude • Family does not wish to enter the shelter system; is motivated to pursue other options

  21. HomeBase : After Care • HomeBase families in pilot program receive After Care services for 1 year in an effort to stabilize housing & reduce shelter recidivism • Case Managers keep clients engaged to be a support to the family, as well as to ensure that they maintain their employment and housing • In new city-wide program, HomeBase will be the after care provider for all clients leaving the shelter system, working with DHS to ensure that self sufficiency plans stay in place.

  22. HomeBase Outcomes • In 2005, HomeBase neighborhoods saw a 12 % decline in shelter entry compared to 2004, while the rest of the city experienced only a 7% decline. (5% differential) • In 2006, the HomeBase community districts saw a 9% increase in shelter entrants compared to 2004, while the rest of the city saw a 20% increase in entrants compared to 2004. (11% differential) • In 2007, the HomeBase community districts saw a 4.5% decrease in shelter entrants compared to 2004, while the rest of the city has seen a 16% increase compared to 2004. (20.5% differential) • Of the over 8,400 families and single adults that have been served by the HomeBase program through 2006, only 7% of all clients have entered the shelter system within 18 months. Ninety-three percent of this at-risk population has remained housed.

  23. HomeBase: Lessons Learned • Targeting • Target populations were indeed non-service seekers • Need to refocus on shelter history and front door (diversion) • Service strategies • Housing relocation needed; landlord relationships important • Coordinated, accessible employment services are essential • Aftercare services must be part of HomeBase • Spirit of public/ private collaboration must be maintained • Performance-based Contracting • Dollars to be allocated according to shelter demand

  24. HomeBase Scope of Services

  25. City-Wide Expansion • Total funding will grow to 20 million dollars in FY 2009, and 22 million dollars in FY 2010. • Increases in funding will come from reinvestment of shelter savings. • DHS is also seeking additional funding from other government and private sources. • Performance-based contracting • Nearly 50% of budget • Paid per diversion that does not enter shelter for 1 year

  26. The Future of HomeBase • Currently securing outside evaluation • Targeting of services • Client outcomes and impact • Cost-benefit analysis • Implementation of Aftercare Services • Housing stabilization • Employment • Day care and Education • “Brief” Services Model • “Open House” service model, short consultation: • Seamless transition to full services if necessary

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