2.5: A Rising Tide: How to Respond to Increased Family Homelessness

Michelle C. Flynn, The Road Home Salt Lake City, Utah www.theroadhome.org NAEH Conference on Ending Family Homelessness February 10, 2011, Oakland, CA

Utah / Salt Lake County
Utah Population 2.78 million (1.035 million in SL County)
2010 Utah Homeless PIT count is 3,372. SL County is 2,022. (The Road Home shelters 850-950 individuals per night in winter; 650-700 year-round)
2011 FMR for a 2 bedroom in SL County is $826
Salt Lake Rental Vacancy Rate for December 2010 is 8.2%
February 10, 2011 NAEH: A Rising Tide

The Road Home Family Shelter
31 individual rooms for families year-round
30-60 families in large dorm space
Other family shelters include two DV shelters and Church based

Service Delivery for Families
Historically Emergency Shelter stays for families averaged 3-4 months, some up to a year
We had very limited options to help families with rent assistance and services in housing
Many families waited in shelter until their name came up for public housing, Sec. 8

February 1, 2011 One Month or 18?

Housing Program Capacity
2000 – Transitional Housing 26 units. Started Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA Program) and placed 22 households in scattered site housing.
2005 – Managed 3 TBRA Programs w $500,000.00. Also accessed S+C, TH, small PSH program, etc. Served 90 households/year.
WE NEEDED MORE OPTIONS!

Coordinated Plan for Increase in Homeless Families
Utilize unused beds in men’s overflow
Decrease use of motels
Centralize Rapid Rehousing - combined HPRP RRH and TANF funding for Salt Lake County at The Road Home. All providers can access.
Partner with Housing Authorities, Service Providers to coordinate and streamline housing options

Current Service Delivery
Old Shelter Focused Model: Families in shelter were slated for very limited TBRA, S+C, Transitional Housing or PSH options.
Current Housing Focused Shelter: Every family in shelter more than 7 days is assessed for housing, majority approved for Rapid Rehousing.
Families who are struggling in RRH or return to Shelter are then slated for TH, TBRA, S+C or PSH options. These are limited.

February 10, 2011 NAEH: A Rising Tide A B C D First Time Homeless, Few Barriers Repeat stay in Shelter with barriers but can be overcome with help. Can maintain housing but needs help paying the rent. Multiple Stays, Multiple Barriers, Difficulty Stabilizing/Obtaining Income, Landlords are hesitant to rent to this group. Have returned from Rapid ReHousing or struggling in RRH Multiple Barriers, Long Term Shelter or Street Homelessness, Inability to stabilize without long term supportive services. Rapid Rehousing Rapid Rehousing TH, S+C, TBRA, etc. Includes intensive supportive services. Permanent Supportive Housing Programs with Intensive Supportive Services

Serving Families with Housing
Currently support 370 families (693 households including singles) in housing on a given night
Currently support 81 families in emergency shelter
Without Rapid ReHousing program, we would have needed another shelter facility for families last winter and this winter.

What Type of Housing Is Needed?
ALL TYPES!
Rapid Rehousing
Transitional
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (temporary with cm)
Permanent Supportive Housing
Master Leasing
Housing Authority programs

Using Shelters Effectively February 10, 2011 NAEH: A Rising Tide

February 10, 2011 NAEH: A Rising Tide Traditional Emergency Shelter Average length of stay 110 Days Rapid Rehousing for Families Housing for Chronic Shelter Singles Shelter Capacity Increases due to shorter length of stay for chronic individuals and all families (30-45 days for RRH) CHANGE

Shelter Provider Creating a Housing Focus
Centralize housing options
Funding for housing going directly to shelter operator
Designated housing staff onsite
Housing begins with shelter intake
Continue even after HPRP funds are gone
Work closely with Housing Authorities, but run rapid programs from the Shelter

Michelle C. Flynn, Associate Executive Director
801-819-7320
[email_address]
www.theroadhome.org

2.5: A Rising Tide: How to Respond to Increased Family Homelessness

by National Alliance to End Homelessness

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