REPORT ON HOMELESS CONDITIONS IN PASCO COUNTY 2009
COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS OF PASCO COUNTY SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY PASCO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
April 2009
Prepared by Eugene Williams, Project Supervisor and Christina Cazanave
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Table of Contents
Overview…………………………………………………………... ....................................................................... 1 HUD 2008 Supernofa Competition Results…………………………………………………………………………..3 Homeless Conditions in Pasco County Point-In-Time Count ........................................................................................................................... 4 Subpopulations chart .......................................................................................................................... 6 Survey Results…………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
Development of Continuum of Care Pasco County Continuum of Care....................................................................................................... 9 Housing Bed Inventory ....................................................................................................................... 10 Recommendations......................................................................................................................................... 11
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Overview
Each year, the Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County, Inc., (Coalition) submits a report on the number of homeless individuals in the County to the Florida Department of Children and Families. The Pasco County report and data from the other 26 local homeless coalitions is combined and presented to the Governor and legislative leaders of the State of Florida. On January 28, 2009, the Coalition conducted its one-day, enumerated count; and during that week, managed to collect over 500 surveys, which resulted in its estimated number of homeless individuals on any given day. Based on the enumerated count and surveys collected in Pasco County, there are an estimated 4527 homeless individuals (3018 adults and 1509 children) in the County on any given day in 2008. This estimated number did not include the 2119 individuals and children who are doubled up, nor did it take into account the 225 men and women incarcerated who indicated they do not have a home to go to after their release date. The number of persons sheltered was 1,674 and the number of unsheltered was 2,853. While these numbers appear to be extremely high, it has been consistent since 2005. Since 2005, the County has had an average of 3,500 homeless individuals on any given day. This year, we used the enumerated count method, which took into account those persons counted, but not surveyed. During 2008, the Coalition was able to increase its transition housing stock to over 47 units for substance abuse and veterans. We were unable to increase the number of emergency shelter beds. The Coalition did assist some 16 families with emergency motel vouchers. Although there are challenges associated with eliminating homelessness in Pasco County, the Coalition and its member service providers have been providing shelter and services to the homeless for over 20 years. Pasco County continues to experience a need for affordable housing units. Therefore, it has not improved the capacity to move homeless persons from unsheltered status to sheltered status. The Continuum of Care has leveraged a considerable level of funding for services to the homeless population, but still has not created the necessary number of units required to house the growing populations of homeless. 10-Year Plan In June 2008, the Coalition began forming the initial planning committee to develop the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) ―America’s Road Home‖ project. The initial meeting of County leaders was called by Senator Mike Fasano. At the inaugural meeting two City officials were chosen to lead (Champion) this effort. They were for the Eastside of the County, Steve Spina, Zephyrhills City Manager and for the Westside of the County, Port Richey Mayor Richard Roper. Also include on this initial planning committee was Andy Coble, Youth and Family Alternatives and Dan Campbell of the Homeless Coalition. Eugene Williams, Pasco Community Development Division was asked to facilitate the future meetings and keep the committee on target. As a result of these efforts, the committee was able to garner the support of all Pasco County six municipalities and the County Commission. This support materialized in the form of a Proclamation adopting the principles of ―America’s Road Home‖. These are the principles used by over 477 Counties and Cities in their 10 year plans to end homelessness. The USICH has championed these principles and has assisted these communities. On February 13, 2009, a press conference featuring USICH Director Philip Magano, Senator Mike Fasano and District 1 County Commissioner Ted Schrader was held on the steps of the Dade City Historical courthouse. This press conference launched the organizing and writing of the 10year plan to end homelessness.
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The development and writing of the 10-year plan will allow the Coalition to better organizer its’ resources and systems to eliminate this problem. It is anticipated that the plan would be finished by the end of 2009 Because there has been no strategic plan in place there has also been a lack of available funding for Pasco County to deal with its homeless problems. It is anticipated that with the implementation of the 10-year plan strategies, the county could attract additional resources to address its problems. Below is a funding chart, indicating federal funding for homelessness in the County. Amount 2001 2002 $ 0.00 Catholic Charities and Permanent Supportive Housing for Disabled Families Program (Bethany House) Benefactor(s)
$1,003,373.00
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
$ $ $
0.00 0.00 19,950.00 Homeless Management Information System Renewal of Supportive (Bethany House) Housing Program
$ 210,545.00 $ 223,735.00 223, 735.00
Renewal of Supportive Housing Program (Bethany House) and Renewal of Homeless Management Information System Renewal of Bethany House And expansion of HMIS program
According to the HUD 2008 debriefing, the Coalition must improve its strategic planning, improve its’ placement into housing performance on its application in order to receive funding in the future. The competitive nature of the HUD application process has continually raised the thresholds for the funding. All renewal applications are funded regardless of point score. Each year the Continuum has not been able to capitalize and receive the $845,000 federal pro rata share the County is entitled to in this competition. Homeless Management In formation System (HMIS) The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) has been making steady progress through the efforts of Christina Cazanave. The Coalition now has HMIS coverage throughout the Continuum of Care. We are still encouraging our emergency shelters to utilize the system. There are currently 13 users of the system. We will be adding the Housing Authority and Victorious Life Church in May 2009. The HMIS program is an electronic data gathering system which allows the service providers to track the progress and outcomes of their clients. The more agencies that use this system, the greater our ability to record progress of clients moving from the streets to permanent housing.
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Supernofa Below are the results of the 2008 Supernofa application. HUD 2008 SUPERNOFA COMPETITION RESULTS
Continuum of Care: Name: Pasco County CoC Continuum of Care: Number: FL-519 National Scoring Information High Score: 92.0 Low Score: 35.75 Median Score: 78.5 Funding Line: 78.25 The below chart indicates the maximum amount of points available for each scoring category and the actual score Pasco County CoC received. Scoring Category Maximum Score (Points) 14 24 16 28 18 100 CoC Score (Points) 9.25 17.75 9 20.75 18 74.75
CoC Housing, Services, and Structure Homeless Needs and Data Collection CoC Strategic Planning CoC Performance Emphasis on Housing Activities Total CoC Score
In order to improve Pasco County's chances for increased funding, we must produce projects which directly move homeless persons from unsheltered environments to permanent housing. The mission of the Coalition is to initiate, facilitate, and maintain the high level of coordination, community planning, resource development and sharing, and advocacy needed to effectively meet the needs of the homeless population of Pasco County. In order to fulfill this mission, the Coalition will need assistance from all affected by the homeless problem. Homelessness has become an economic problem more than a social problem. It financially affects all aspects of society and requires large levels of funding. The Coalition must continue to engage service providers, businesses, health administrators, law enforcement, employment training institutions, universities and colleges, and, most importantly, people and religious institutions that want to improve the quality of life of homeless persons in Pasco County. Homelessness is a complex issue and contains many sets of circumstances, which require people to make choices between food, shelter, and other basic necessities. Providing jobs which pay a living wage; providing adequate support for those who cannot work; increasing the availability of real, affordable housing; and providing accessibility to affordable health care will begin to bring about an end to homelessness.
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HOMELESS CONDITIONS IN PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA: 2009
Point-In-Time Count On January 28, 2009, the local homeless coalition performed a one-day, point-in-time count of the homeless. This enumerated community count of the homeless is mandated by HUD every two years this year’s count was mandatory by HUD regulations. The results of 2009 showed an increase in the number of homeless. Saint Leo University and the Coalition jointly developed a standard survey tool. The University also performed the survey analysis on those surveyed. In addition, the Federal mandate also prescribed allowable methods to count the homeless. This year's count was developed using the number of persons observed at known homeless locations and using the survey sampling method. The result of the homeless census in Pasco County exceeded 4527 in January 2009. The definition used for the count was as follows: An Unsheltered Homeless Person: Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, such as parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the street. A Sheltered Homeless Person: Resides in an emergency shelter, including temporary emergency shelters only open during severe weather. Point-In-Time Analysis The total number of estimated persons believed to be homeless on the day of the count is as follows: Sheltered Unsheltered Total Adults Children Total 1,674 2,853 4,527 3,018 1,509 4,527`
Doubled up Pasco County Jail
2119 225
(per the District School Board of Pasco County). Students, children, and adults—not included in homeless total. (per the Pasco County Sheriff's Office). To be released within the next 6 months—not included in homeless total.
A bill has been presented in the State to have the doubled-up category included in the definition of homeless. The information on the characteristics of the Pasco County homeless population was captured from interviews conducted as part of the January 2009 point-in-time counts. Not everyone counted agreed to be interviewed; therefore, the data reported in this section reflects the number calculated from the universe of 4,527 persons.
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The table below contains the findings of our point-in-time survey and other data gathered during 2008, which covered all aspects of homelessness in the County. The Coalition engaged Pasco-Hernando Community College and Saint Leo University to provide over 50 student volunteers to assist in the surveying of over 75 locations throughout the County. These students of social work were provided two hours of training on how to interview homeless persons, the purpose of the count, safety issues, and the economic effects of homelessness on the County. The results of this one-day, enumerated count; one-week survey; and other data are categorized in the following table.
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Homeless Population and Subpopulations (a) Point-in-Time Homeless Population and Subpopulations Chart
Point in Time count
1/28/2009
Part 1: Homeless Population
1. Number of Households with Dependent Children: 1a. Total Number of Persons in these Households (adults and children) 2. Number of Households without Dependent Children** 2a. Total Number of Persons in these Households Total Persons (Add Lines 1a and 2a):
Sheltered
Emergency Transitional Unsheltered
Total
450
836
1286
1125
2090
3215
252
504
756
549 1674 0
763 2853
1312 4527
Part 2: Homeless Subpopulations (Adults only, except g.
below) a. Chronically Homeless b. Severely Mentally Ill c. Chronic Substance Abuse d. Veterans e. Persons with HIV/AIDS f. Victims of Domestic Violence g. Unaccompanied Youth (Under 18)
Sheltered
378 54 91 25 5 30 15
Unsheltered 617 81 137 53 15 10 25
Total
995 135 228 78 20 40 40
Part 2 are the results of survey questions, it does not represent all counted.
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Data Elements and Results of the Surveys Sex Male Female Age Under 18 18-60 Over 60 Race/Ethnicity American Indian Asia Black Hawaiian Hispanic White Other Marital Status Single Married Veterans 65% 35% Disabling Conditions Yes No Types of Conditions Physical Developmental Mental health Drug and alcohol HIV/AIDS Other Cause of Homelessness Employment/financial Housing issues Medical/disability Forced relocation Family problems Natural/other disasters Recent immigration Length of Stay in County 1 week or less More than 1 week 1-3 months 3-12 months 1 year or longer Foster Care Child Yes No 18%
46% 54%
4% 86% 10%
4% .001% 8% .001% 13% 71% 3%
27% 2% 18% 31% 3% 19%
75% 25%
46% 7% 11% 6% 26% 2% 1%
Episodes of Homelessness 1 time 47% 2-3 times 23% 4 or more times 30% Length of Current Homelessness 1 week 6% 1 week to 1 month 14% 1-3 months 23% 3-12 months 26% 1 year or longer 31%
3% 4% 9% 16% 68%
10% 90%
Of the subpopulations of the homeless in Pasco County, our greatest groups in need have been identified as: 1. 2. 3. Chronic homeless men Families with children Substance abuse
Those groups with the least amount of resources available to serve are: 1. 2. Chronic homeless men Families with children
The groups most effectively being served are: 1. 2. Domestic Violence HIV/AIDS -74/23/09
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The three top unmet needs in Pasco County are: 1. 2. 3. Employment Permanent, affordable housing Transportation
The County and Coalition have increased direct support to Homeless Prevention activities by awarding Florida Challenge Grant and HUD Emergency Shelter Grant funds to 5 agencies for the purpose of providing homelessness-prevention services. These direct services include payment of past due rent, past due utility payments, and security deposits. The issue of shelter for families and children is still one of the major emergency housing obstacles which need immediate attention. From July – March 2009, the Coalition provided emergency motel housing to 16 families and 43 family members. Currently, Pasco has 243 emergency beds for families and individuals. These facilities are always at capacity. The unsheltered count registered in our Point-In-Time count shows 2853 families and individuals. The Coalition needs to continue its effort to develop emergency and transitional housing beds.
There is also a tremendous need for permanent affordable housing in the County. Families need to move from transitional housing to permanent housing. The majority of vacant units in Pasco (some 600 units) are not considered affordable. Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed "affordable" to a group of people within a specified income range. Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial means of those in the lower income ranges of a geographical area, the concept is applicable to both renters and purchasers in all income ranges.
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DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUUM OF CARE PLAN
A Continuum of Care Plan is intended to be a "blueprint" for a comprehensive program for prevention of homelessness, emergency shelter, transitional housing supportive services, and ultimately the provision of permanent affordable housing to those who are deemed homeless in accordance with Chapter 420.624, Florida Statutes. This homeless planning effort is used by both the Federal and State governments to allocate and award homeless assistance grants to local providers. The plan covers services provided by local organizations responsible for various aspects of the plan as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Outreach, intake, and assessment of individuals and families to identify their needs and link them to local services. Emergency sheltering no longer than 45 days. Transitional housing for up to two years. Support services to develop an action plan for curing the problems of families and individuals. Permanent, supportive housing for individuals and families that can sustain housing with the help of services. Permanent affordable housing. Information exchange between service providers to move individuals and families to self-sufficiency. Resources and collaborations to prevent homelessness.
This planning effort is used to take into account the local needs of homeless persons and designed to develop services and solutions to local problems of homelessness. Each Continuum of Care serves a specific geographical area of one or more counties. There are currently 27 recognized continuum of care planning areas in the State of Florida. The Continuum of Care planning process provides a guideline to local service providers on how to coordinate services through multiple providers. The continuum allows local areas to identify their unmet needs for services, housing, and funding. It also provides the local planning group with the ability to set priorities on ending its homeless issues. Pasco's Continuum of Care Currently, there are over 21 organizations, both County and private not-for-profits, providing services to the homeless population. Those organizations provide services such as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Legal services. Case management. Supportive housing services. Employment services. Homeless prevention services. Mental health services. Foster care and adoption services. Domestic violence shelter. Prescription medication. Substance abuse. Outreach. HIV/AIDS.
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Bed Inventory
The Continuum of Care is the plan and process for local homeless services. The local continuum's data and statistics on available resources advise the Federal, State, and local governments on the community's need for resources. The plan also assists as a tool to determine the unmet needs of the community. In 2008, Pasco County reported the inventory of beds to serve the homeless in its application to HUD. 2009 Continuum of Care Housing Bed Inventory Year-Round Family Beds 55 0 30
Family Units Emergency Shelters 20 Transitional 0 Permanent 10
Individual Beds 188 47 0
Total 243 47 30
The inventory of homeless housing beds has risen since the 2007 submission of the SuperNOFA. In fact, the inventory has increased. In 2005, the number of year-round beds was 362. In 2006, the number of yearround beds was 301. In 2008 our bed count increased due to the introduction of 47 transitional housing beds. The County has been outreaching to organizations to provide programs with emphasis on housing to increase our inventory. As you can see we have 2,853 persons unsheltered. This creates a tremendous need for emergency shelters and permanent affordable housing units. In the 2008 HUD Supernofa submissions, Pasco County requested funding in the amount of $996,697 for one transitional housing program, renewal of permanent supportive housing and 30 Shelter Plus care vouchers, and expansion of the HMIS programs. Funding was renewed for the supportive services of the ten family units and also included renewal funding for the HMIS, including the expansion project The results of the survey indicated the number one need in the County remains emergency shelters for chronically homeless men and women. Today, we need approximately 500 beds to house the current homeless population. The second greatest need is for families. We need 800 units of affordable housing for this population. Also, the need for 250 beds of transitional housing with supportive services is required to better equip individuals and families who have experienced homelessness to better succeed in permanent housing. And finally, the production of affordable housing units is necessary to end homelessness in lieu of managing as we have done over the last 20 years.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Pasco County should continue developing a ten-year strategic plan to eliminate homelessness in conjunction with the Coalition, business leaders, religious institutions, law enforcement, courts, and health institutions, and encourage the Pasco County Coalition to advocate for Federal and State support for its programs. This County-wide task force could review the current status of homelessness in Pasco County and develop recommendations. Create permanent, supportive housing units which are affordable for low income. Create additional County-wide rental assistance programs in addition to the Section 8 Program currently in effect. Develop two (east and west) multiservice centers for homeless assistance. Adopt a housing first model with supportive services.
―The methodology is premised on the belief that vulnerable and at-risk homeless families are more responsive to interventions and social services support after they are in their own housing, rather than while living in temporary/transitional facilities or housing programs.‖ , Beyond Shelter, Inc La County
2. 3.
4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Evaluate the need for transitional housing. Create scatter-site, emergency shelter units for families with children. Review and improve emergency housing assistance for single men and women. Increase the number of affordable housing units. Increase funding for homeless prevention activities. Coordinate efforts to address youth aging out of foster care. Develop a coordinated effort with the Sheriff's Office to address prisoner re-entry into the community.
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Left Blank Intentionally
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