A Prevention-Centered Homelessness Assistance System: A Paradigm Shift? Dennis Culhane, Stephen Metraux and Thomas Byrne
Dec 12, 2014
A Prevention-Centered Homelessness Assistance System:
A Paradigm Shift?
Dennis Culhane,
Stephen Metraux and
Thomas Byrne
Typology of Single Adult Homelessness(Philadelphia)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Transitional Episodic Chronic
% of Persons % Days Used
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)
0%10%
20%30%40%50%
60%70%80%
90%
Mental Illness Physical SubstanceAbuse
Any One
Transitional Episodic Chronic
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 createdHUD reported a 30% decline in CH from 05
to 09
Typology of Family Homelessness(Massachusetts)
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Transitional Episodic Long-stayers% of Persons % Days Used
Transitionals: 1.0 stays 105 days
Episodics: 2.0 stays 195 days
Long-Stayers: 1.0 stays 444 days
Intensive Service Histories of Families
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Child WelfarePlacement
Inpt MH Inpt SA Any one
Transitional Episodic Long-Term
Income Sources
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Earned Income SSI
Transitional Episodic Long-Term (n=99)
The Average Cost of Shelter Stays by Type
(Massachusetts)
Transitional $11,550Episodic $21,450Long-term $48,440
Does not include McKinney-Vento funding or non-DTA public service contracts.
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 CareEmployment 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” counselingFamily mediationTransition planningFlexible emergency cash assistanceEmployment 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 PlanDeeper Assessment and Services ScreenService Coordination – referral until “touch” is madeRelocationEmergency 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 clientStrong agency collaborations with mainstream systemsTimeliness – 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 SustainmentService CoordinatorsBenefits CounselorsHousing Relocation SpecialistsFamily MediationHome 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/