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A Journey Home: Progressing Toward Housing First and an End to Homelessness Presented by: Corporation for Supportive Housing November 13, 14, 15 2007 www.csh.org Welcome and Introductions Program Models and Philosophies Transitional Housing Street Outreach Rapid Housing First Re-Housing Harm Reduction Affordable Housing Warming Shelter/ Engagement Center Emergency Overnight Shelter Permanent Supportive Housing 3 Workshop Goals and Objectives Introduce Housing First Model Identify and present Best Practice (Real Life) models Discuss Challenges Identify Resources & Tools 4 Summary of Housing First Trends Brief History of the Shelter Movement MSHDA Promising Models Housing First versus Housing Ready 5 A Brief History Vagrants, Rough Sleepers, Hobos and Immigrants Bridewells, Spikes, Settlement Houses – Hull House, 1889 Rescue Missions – The Bowery House, 1879 6 “Modern” Homelessness Beginning in the 1970’s with psychiatric deinstitutionalization. – Closing of SRO’s – Urban Gentrification – Closing of State psychiatric facilities – Reduction in Affordable Housing units • 7.7 million ELI renters to 6.0 ELI units (2003) 7 Response to Homelessness McKinney-Vento Act Emergency Shelters Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness… HOUSING FIRST 8 MSHDA’S Response Five Year Plan major objectives in the area of supportive housing include: – the creation of effective financing strategies for the production of new supportive housing development; – establishment of effective models and assurances that all tenants in supportive housing have access to appropriate social services (Housing First). Campaign to End Homelessness Housing Initiatives NOFA 2008 – 2009; MSHDA has made $1 million available for a Housing First Initiative; up to $125,000 per community. 9 MSHDA’S Response 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness – 93% of all Michigan Plans include a focus on Housing First – Michigan Housing Locator – TBRA and other vouchers 10 What is Housing First? Housing First operates under the philosophy that: – safe, affordable housing is a basic human right – and that it is a prerequisite for effective psychiatric and substance abuse treatment It is an approach that focuses on placing individuals or families in permanent housing as rapidly as possible; then wrapping around supportive services designed to help them maintain housing It has the benefit of being consistent with what most people experiencing homelessness want and seek help to achieve. 11 Key Components of Housing First Simple application process to connect individuals/families rapidly to housing placement Housing is permanent Variety of services are available to promote housing stability and well-being Services are either short-term or long-term depending on the individual need Incorporates a Harm Reduction approach Housing is not contingent on compliance with services. Individuals must comply with a standard lease agreement (services and supports are available, as necessary, to help them do so successfully). 12 Housing First vs. Housing Ready The housing first approach offers the direct placement from the street (or an institution) to housing with support services available, but not required. Often, the only requirements are that individuals abide by the traditional lease obligations of paying rent and refraining from violence and destruction of property. In contrast, housing ready starts with treatment and progresses through a series of increasingly less service-intensive options with the goal of permanent supportive housing as people are ―ready.‖ Housing is transitional in housing ready models and generally features services that are ―high demand,‖ meaning much is “demanded” of the participant. 13 Example: Canon Barcus Community House San Francisco, CA 48-unit project that provides permanent supportive housing for homeless families Voluntary services approach Housing is not contingent on accepting/participating in treatment or services Must comply with terms of lease—pay rent, maintain the apartment, etc. Substance use must not disturb other tenants Alcohol, drug use or intoxication are not permitted in community areas or in front of the building No selling, distributing or drug seeking behaviors allowed in building 14 15 Minute Break WELCOME BACK! Featured Speaker Presentation – Organizational Challenges – Overcoming Obstacles – Q&A 16 30 Minute Lunch Small Group Work Organizational Evaluation – – – – – Mission Statement Board of Directors Financing and Funding Organizational Climate Other? Identify one concrete action step that your organization could take to be further aligned with the Housing First model 18 Small Group Work Report Out 19 Featured Speaker Presentation Making the Transition – Staff – Cultural Climate – Q&A 20 15 Minute Break Large Group Work Force Field Analysis – – – – – Define Change Issue List forces driving the change (For) List forces resisting the change (Against) Discuss strength of all of the forces Discuss increasing driving forces and decreasing resisting forces 22 Wrap-Up and Evaluations
