A Prevention-Centered Homelessness Assistance System: A Paradigm Shift?

A Prevention-Centered Homelessness Assistance System: A Paradigm Shift?
Dennis Culhane,
Stephen Metraux and
Thomas Byrne

Typology of Single Adult Homelessness (Philadelphia)
Transitionals:
1.19 stays
20.4 days
Episodics:
3.84 stays
72.8 days
Chronics:
1.53 stays
252.4 days

Disability Rates (Single Adults in Philadelphia)

Implications
Transitionally Homeless: Prevention and Relocation Assistance
Episodically Homeless: Low Demand Residences (Safe Havens), Harm Reduction, Transitional Housing, Residential Treatment
Chronically Homeless: Permanent Supportive Housing

What has been done?: Chronic Homeless Initiative
Congress and Bush/Obama have increased funding $600 million since 2003; 45% increase
80,000 units created
HUD reported a 30% decline in CH from 05 to 09

Typology of Family Homelessness (Massachusetts)
Transitionals:
1.0 stays
105 days
Episodics:
2.0 stays
195 days
Long-Stayers:
1.0 stays
444 days

Intensive Service Histories of Families

Income Sources

The Average Cost of Shelter Stays by Type (Massachusetts)
Transitional $11,550
Episodic $21,450
Long-term $48,440
Does not include McKinney-Vento funding or non-DTA public service contracts.

Summary
Cluster patterns are robust across sites
Most families (75%) leave quickly and don’t return
A small number (5%) return repeatedly
20% of families have long stays, using 50% of resources
BUT – unlike singles – long stays do not indicate personal barriers to housing stability

Conclusions
Policies and programs driving long stays
Characteristics of “graduates” may reflect selection effects of policies and programs
Most costly service users are not differentially service-needy
Need for reform

Volume Cost per Case Model Service System for Addressing Housing Emergencies Prevention Supportive Housing Shelter Admission Diversion, Relocation, and Emergency Rental Assistance Mainstream systems Community- Based programs

Shelter Day Care Employment Assistance Housing Placement Family Supt Services MH/SA Services Prevailing Model Emerging Model Housing Stabilization Day Care Employment Assistance Shelter Family Supt Services MH/SA Services Turning the Continuum of Care Inside – Out?

Target Population Prevention Objective Most At – Risk Protocols for Institutional Discharges Imminently Homeless Crisis Intervention and Tenancy Preservation (Shelter Diversion) Homeless Emergency Shelter and Rapid Rehousing

Most At-Risk
Prisoners awaiting discharge
Patients Exiting Hospital or Detoxification
Youth Exiting from FC
Domestic Violence Victims
Formerly Homeless
Protocols Needed with Standard Screening for Risk, Tenancy Preservation, and Rehousing Plans

Imminently Homelessness (HH w/ Eviction Notice, Shelter Requestors)
For Primary Tenants – Landlord Tenant Mediation and Relocation Grant (if necessary)
For Those Leaving Family/Friends:
Home visits
“ Options” counseling
Family mediation
Transition planning
Flexible emergency cash assistance
Employment coaching

Homeless
Crisis Intervention (same as for “imminently homeless”) for newly homeless to restore prior tenancy or provide relocation grant
At some threshold (3-4 weeks): Rehousing Plan
Deeper Assessment and Services Screen
Service Coordination – referral until “touch” is made
Relocation
Emergency Assistance - flexible cash assistance, can provide shallow rent supports, with six month review

Shelter admission Community-based Prevention (Diversion and Stabilization) Rapid Exit: Relocation Up to 2-4 weeks shelter Housing StabilizationService I Relocation, Critical Time Intervention CM, Temp Rental Ass. 1 year shallow rental subsidy Housing Stabilization Service II More intensive services, 1 more year of Temp Rent Ass. Shelter exit Transition to mainstream systems Long-Term Subsidy and Service Engagement “ Progressive Engagement” Approach

The English Experience: Prevention Oriented System Funded in 2003
New Ethos: All Cases Can Be Prevented/Rehoused
50% Decline in Homelessness from 2003-2006
Keys to Success:
Flexible resources that could be tailored to client
Strong agency collaborations with mainstream systems
Timeliness – intervening as early and quickly as possible

Systems Transformation
From “the Continuum” to “the Network”
Creating a New Field of Practice: Housing Stabilization
New Service Priorities:
Tenancy Sustainment
Service Coordinators
Benefits Counselors
Housing Relocation Specialists
Family Mediation
Home Visitors

Challenges
Engaging Human Services Systems: Prevention Concept has to be embraced across systems
Local Housing Authority Participation – Need for some permanent subsidies for households with long-term needs
New Data Collection and Performance Standards Needed

Issues for Philanthropy
Engaging and convening community stakeholders
Supporting “systems change” and “culture change” activities
Mobilizing private sector participation into a housing and jobs network: landlords, legal services, employers
“ Home” programs – move-in assistance, house-starter kits, furniture banks, etc.

Suggested web resources
National Alliance to End Homelessness web site: HPRP Resources section, includes “guides for good practice”
Funders Together to End Homelessness:
http://funderstogether.org/

A Prevention-Centered Homelessness Assistance System: A Paradigm Shift?

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