2.4 Preventing Family Homelessness

Lauren Donnelly, Supervisor Housing Help ProgramThe Legal Aid Society2012 National Conference on Ending Family andYouth Homelessness in Los AngelesFebruary 9, 2012

 South Bronx is the poorest Congressional District in the U.S. 49% of all children in congressional district 16 live in poverty Highest rates of unemployment in NYC Highest rent burdens in NYC The Bronx has NYC’s highest number of evictions It also has NYC’s highest share of shelter entrants: over 40% Highest rates of shelter entry in NYC are from zip codes 10452 and 10456 in the South Bronx 2

Bronx HousingHelp Zip Codes10452 & 10456 = EvictionFilings = Shelterentrants 3

Eviction and HomelessnessMost families who are evicted and enter shelter are unable toobtain help before homelessness is imminent.Over 95% of landlords are represented by an attorney in HousingCourt, while over 90% of tenants are not. This tenantdisadvantage contributes to eviction because: tenants lack an understanding of the law, legal notices,proceedings and defenses; are intimidated by the legal process; and/or are unable to effectively negotiate with the landlord’s attorney. 4

For many tenants, Housing Court is thelast stop before entering shelter.Bronx Housing Court is the busiestHousing Court in NYC. In 2011:∼ 80,000 eviction petitions filed∼ 90,000 applications to stop evictionsCourt is committed to collaborativerelationships with City and Stateagencies and community-basedorganizations to prevent homelessness 5

 The Housing Help Program (HHP) was developed to prevent homelessness by providing legal and social services directly from the courthouse. The initial pilot was funded by the United Way 6

 The program is based in Housing Court HHP cases are heard by two judges who are dedicated to the program. Staffed by lawyers, paralegals and social workers HHP is subject to rigorous evaluation 7

 Provides services from the moment the tenant appears in Housing Court and is automatically referred to HHP when they first come to court. All tenants facing eviction meet with HHP staff HHP tenants have access to a broad spectrum of social services during and after the case

 HHP targets resources to serve more vulnerable families. HHP allocates its resources to ensure that virtually all are served. Unlike HHP, traditional legal services organizations lack theparalegal, social worker and attorney resources to assist in all cases. HHP paralegals and attorneys provide hands-on assistance totenants through every step of their case. Cases are constantlymonitored through final resolution with full representation availablewhen needed. 9

 Legal Services: Brief and Full  70% Receive Brief Legal Services ▪ Provided when tenant is unlikely to need full representation ▪ Paralegals walk the tenants through the process  Remaining 30% Receive Full Legal Services Short-Term Social Service  Help tenants apply for public assistance and restore and retain housing subsidies  Provide financial counseling Long-Term Social Services  Tenants needing longer-term assistance are referred to NYC’s community-based homelessness prevention program, Homebase 10

Homebase workscollaboratively with HHPstaff, offering such servicesas: Short-term emergency funding Assistance with obtaining employment, public benefits and accessing other social service. Relocation as last resort 11

ZIP CODE Borough ENROLLED HHP10456 Bronx 51510452 Bronx 35711207 Brooklyn 23211691 Queens 247 12

 Evaluate the program based on the rate of program participants who avoid shelter Used traditional family anti-eviction legal services as a control group  Available in all neighborhoods  Emphasis on full legal services  Most services provided in community offices  Traditional model takes a triage approach rather than focusing on long-term homelessness prevention 13

10% 9.4%9%8% 7.4% 7.6%7%6% 5.1%5% 4.2%4% 2.9%3%2%1%0% 1-Year 2-Years 3-Years HHP FALS 14

 HHP associated with reduced hazard of shelter entry Our results may understate program efficacy  FALS is subject to two counts of selection bias  Comparing HHP to a pre-existing program Success due to many unique program features Further research required 15

 Can be adopted by localities  Needs a willing Housing Court partner  Requires a legal and social service team  Can be tailored to each community’s needs 16

2.4 Preventing Family Homelessness

by National Alliance to End Homelessness

Accessibility

Upload Details

Usage Rights

1 Embed 321

Statistics

2.4 Preventing Family Homelessness Presentation Transcript