Instituting A Community-Wide Housing First Approach in Norfolk

Instituting A Instituting A Community-Wide Community-Wide Housing First Approach Housing First Approach in Norfolkin Norfolk

Presentation by Katie KitchinPresentation by Katie Kitchin

Office to End HomelessnessOffice to End Homelessness

Norfolk, VANorfolk, VA

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

Background on our system and its Background on our system and its historyhistory

Why/How we decided to make a Why/How we decided to make a changechange

What our system looks like nowWhat our system looks like now Outcomes to dateOutcomes to date Projections forwardProjections forward Lessons learnedLessons learned

The Short Story on The Short Story on NorfolkNorfolk

Norfolk serves as the urban Norfolk serves as the urban core for Southeastern Virginia core for Southeastern Virginia (population of Norfolk = (population of Norfolk = 240,000, population of region 240,000, population of region = 1.2 million)= 1.2 million)

Norfolk has high poverty Norfolk has high poverty (18%), but improving (down (18%), but improving (down from 20%) as downtown from 20%) as downtown redevelopment and economy redevelopment and economy thrives (less than 4% thrives (less than 4% unemployment, AMI up).unemployment, AMI up).

Homeless population = 540 Homeless population = 540 (down from 665 last year)(down from 665 last year)

Regional homeless number is Regional homeless number is 1500.1500.

The Norfolk System The Norfolk System Pre-Rapid ExitPre-Rapid Exit

Strong family homeless Strong family homeless service providers; but service providers; but fragmented service delivery.fragmented service delivery.

Families experience Families experience intensive/effective services in intensive/effective services in shelter/transitional housing shelter/transitional housing environment but little support environment but little support after exit when stressors after exit when stressors return.return.

Families connected to services Families connected to services as a result of abuse/neglect.as a result of abuse/neglect.

Why We Decided to Why We Decided to Make a Change…Make a Change…

Situation for families was Situation for families was difficult: had to call many difficult: had to call many agencies over and over agencies over and over seeking help.seeking help.

Dozens of families were Dozens of families were turned away daily; hotel turned away daily; hotel utilization was expensive utilization was expensive and ineffective.and ineffective.

Length of stay in shelter Length of stay in shelter was two months or more.was two months or more.

City adopted a ten year City adopted a ten year plan to end homelessness plan to end homelessness which included central which included central intake and rapid exit.intake and rapid exit.

How We Started the How We Started the ProcessProcess 2004, DHS begins to adopt 2004, DHS begins to adopt

Director’s mission – HART is created.Director’s mission – HART is created. 25 families expected, 1,000 come in 25 families expected, 1,000 come in

the first month.the first month. Site visit to Hennepin County in Site visit to Hennepin County in

2005 included Family Shelter ExDir, 2005 included Family Shelter ExDir, and City staff.and City staff.

DHS/City leadership strongly DHS/City leadership strongly supportive of Home-Based services, supportive of Home-Based services, family preservation, etc.family preservation, etc.

Providers given role to develop Providers given role to develop program elements.program elements.

January 2007, Central Intake January 2007, Central Intake launched.launched.

What We Look Like What We Look Like NowNow

One call will result in One call will result in shelter intake, eviction pre-shelter intake, eviction pre-vention, family pres. services.vention, family pres. services.

Average 800 families/monthAverage 800 families/month Average 26 shelter placements;Average 26 shelter placements;

hotel utilization down to 0.hotel utilization down to 0. Communications have greatlyCommunications have greatly

improved.improved. All families who exit shelter are guaranteed All families who exit shelter are guaranteed

access to first month’s rent/deposit assistance.access to first month’s rent/deposit assistance. Housing Broker Team (2 FTEs) with case Housing Broker Team (2 FTEs) with case

management to begin in early August.management to begin in early August.

What Data Tells Us What Data Tells Us About Homeless About Homeless FamiliesFamilies

18%

38%45%

4%

93%

4%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

SDM Score Housing Barriers

LowModerateHigh

Using Shelter Stay As Using Shelter Stay As A Screening ToolA Screening Tool All families must agree to accept All families must agree to accept

a shelter placement (should one a shelter placement (should one be available) in order to receive be available) in order to receive financial assistance.financial assistance.

45% of families refused.45% of families refused.

Challenges We Are Challenges We Are FacingFacing

Of 88 families tracked, 27 were Of 88 families tracked, 27 were already receiving services, only 7 already receiving services, only 7 more became engaged with more became engaged with services (SA,MH, and family pres.)services (SA,MH, and family pres.)

Only those court-mandated Only those court-mandated participate regularly.participate regularly.

Families still struggling to Families still struggling to maintain housing.maintain housing.

3 Month Follow-UP Results

5%

84%

11%2%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Stable Housing Lost Housing Shelter Utilization Unknow n

6 Month Follow-Up Results

56%

23%

3%

21%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Stable Housing Lost Housing Shelter Utilization Unknow n

12 Month Follow- Up Results

37%

55%

4%8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Stable Housing Lost Housing Shelter Utilization Unknow n

Other Other Results/Projecting Results/Projecting ForwardForward Family Homelessness held constant or decreasing Family Homelessness held constant or decreasing

slightly; dramatic difference in neighboring cities.slightly; dramatic difference in neighboring cities. Evictions drop dramatically (3000 in 2005 to 1300 in Evictions drop dramatically (3000 in 2005 to 1300 in

2006).2006). Pressure growing on housing-based case management.Pressure growing on housing-based case management. HUD funding for services presents a major issue.HUD funding for services presents a major issue. Public Housing/Section 8 subsidies in high demand Public Housing/Section 8 subsidies in high demand

(NRHA serves est. 16,000 people, 36,000 people are (NRHA serves est. 16,000 people, 36,000 people are below poverty) waiting lists closed for several years.below poverty) waiting lists closed for several years.

Evolving role of homeless service providers, securing Evolving role of homeless service providers, securing connections with Child Welfare, MH/SA services a must!connections with Child Welfare, MH/SA services a must!

Prediction $4 million in additional expenditures through Prediction $4 million in additional expenditures through child welfare system – State may look to restrict funds.child welfare system – State may look to restrict funds.

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Leadership from funders is Leadership from funders is essential.essential.

Take the time to Take the time to listen/understand the viewpoints listen/understand the viewpoints of stakeholders.of stakeholders.

Slow progress is okay!Slow progress is okay!