Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness

Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness

Goals

•Public health approach to benefit households affected and broader community

•Focus on best use of resources, “best fit”

•Goal: reduce incidence & prevalence of homelessness▫Fewer enter homelessness/shelter▫Reduced length of stay in shelter▫Reduced number who are homeless at point-

in-time

Strategies• System Change:

▫Meaningful assessment & accurate referral▫Coordination of right resources to right

person at the right time▫Early warning system▫Inclusiveness and transparency

• Innovations:▫Regional REACH model for individuals▫Flexible prevention, diversion & rapid

rehousing for families

• Generate broad community support for goal of ending homelessness

Network Diagram

Leadership CouncilFiscal Sponsor -

PVRVC

WMIC

Springfield

10YP

Pioneer Valley 10YP

Berkshire10YP

Springfield CoC

Three- County

CoC

Berkshire CoC

Franklin

Hampshire

Hampden

Service Coordination

Data & Performance Measurement

Community Engagement

Families

System Change/Community

InitiativesSupportive Housing

DevelopmentEmployment & Training

Interfaith MentoringEarly Warning System

Project Homeless Connect

Individuals

Leadership CouncilChair: Dr. Evan Dobelle, President, Westfield State CollegeVice-Chair: Lynne Wallace, Principal, Dietz & Co. Architects

Fr. Stan Aksamit, Our Lady of PeacePaul Bailey, Springfield Partners for

Comm. ActionAndrew Baker, Hilltown CDCTim Brennan, Pioneer Valley Planning

CommissionRebecca Caplice, Greenfield Savings BankMartin Chaisson, INOE TechnologiesDave Christopolis, Berkshire Comm. ActionAmy Clark, Franklin Co. Community MealsSteve Como, Soldier OnSenator Ben DowningLinda Dunlavy, Franklin CR Council of

GovtsJudge Robert Fields, W. Div. Housing CourtBob Fleischner, Center for Public

Representation

David Gadaire, CareerPointSteve Huntley, Valley Opportunity CouncilLori Ingraham, Easthampton Savings BankPeg Keller, City of NorthamptonJohn Klenakis, UMASS Donohue InstituteCharlie KnightGerry McCafferty, City of SpringfieldBetty Medina Lichtenstein, Enlace de

FamiliasAndrew Morehouse, Food Bank of W MassRebecca Muller, GrantsWorkYasmin Otero, Dept. of Transitional

AssistanceJoe Peters, Universal PlasticsJane Sanders, Community ActionLinda Stacy, United Way of Franklin

CountyLiz Sullivan, Dept. of Mental HealthMayor Mike Sullivan, City of Holyoke

Affiliated Committees & Workgroups• Individual and Family Workgroups• Western Mass Interagency Council• Supportive Housing Development Committee• Regional Faith-Based Action Initiative• Three Continua of Care• Springfield 10-Year Plan Implementation

Committee▫Project Homeless Connect▫Education, Training & Employment Workgroup▫Housing First Workgroup

Overview of Western MassachusettsRegional profile

Western Massachusetts

•Four counties• Berkshire• Franklin• Hampden• Hamshire

•35% of the area of the state

•13% of the state’s population

•Urban: Springfield is the third largest city in the state, and the fourth largest city in New England

•Rural: 67% of the regions towns and cities have less than 5000 people

•The region contains two of seven state ‘hotspots’ for family homelessness—Holyoke and Springfield

Urban, Suburban, RuralTension between very overwhelming need in urban areas and need to have basic service infrastructure in suburban and rural areasURBAN SUBURBAN & RURAL

• Hampden County holds about half the region’s population.

• Springfield and Holyoke contain among the highest populations of concentrated poverty in the nation.

• Springfield is ranked sixth in the nation for child poverty.

• Hampshire County. 5 colleges contribute to very high housing costs. Pockets of poverty, especially in Amherst.

• Berkshire and Franklin Counties are predominately rural, but contain urban areas: Greenfield, Pittsfield, North Adams.

Regional profile• 75% of jobs are in service sector

• Education & skills gap (50% high school drop out rate in Springfield)

• Immigration gateway

• Housing costs affordable compared to eastern part of state, but still out of range for very poor households

• High foreclosure rate

Homelessness in Western Massachusetts

January 2009 PIT Count:

465 Individuals

383 FamiliesAs of mid-July, 2009, region had 195 homeless families in motels, out of a state total of 862 (23% of motel families)

Western Mass InnovationsREACHFlexible Prevention, Diversion &

Rapid ReHouse

Regional Engagement and Assessment of Chronically Homeless Individuals (REACH)

• REACH grew out of WMIC prior to ICHH; ICHH allows expansion of local best practice

• Monthly coordination meetings by county: identification of all chronically homeless individuals, “best fit” housing & services

• REACH providers must provide housing units• 38 REACH services slots regionally• So far, 2 agencies to provide 23 units/services;

more sought in 2nd RFP

Funding for Individual InnovationsAgency Individual

s ServedHousing Match Funding Location

MHA 11 Tier 4 New S+C McKinney grant 2009

$121,000 Springfield

ServiceNet 8 Tier 34 Tier 4

Northampton Housing Authority, Hampshire Interfaith Friends, FCRHRA, Greenfield Housing Authority

$115,185 Greenfield &Northampton

TBD 7 Tier 38 Tier 4

TBD $127,614 In four counties except Greenfield, Northampton & Springfield

Total 15 Tier 323 Tier 438 Total

$363,799

Prevention, Diversion and Rapid ReHouse for Families

• Flexible funding for prevention, diversion & rapid rehouse

• Monthly coordination meetings by county—prevention & rehouse agencies + DHCD/DTA

• Integration with RAFT, ESFP, HPRP, CSBG funds

Agency County ICHH Funding

Families to be served

Other prevention funds

Notes

Berkshire Housing Development Corp.

Berkshire $71,190 40Tier 1,2,3,4

RAFTHPRP

Partnership w/BCAC (CSBG)

Community Action Hampshire & Franklin

$28,147 18Tier 1,2

CSBG

Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority

Franklin $46,095 22Tier 1,2,3,4

RAFT

HAP Housing Hampden & Hampshire

$279,888 155Tier 1,2,3,4

RAFTHPRP-applied

Partnership w/SPCA (CSBG)

New England Farmworkers Council

Hampden $50,750 35Tier 1,2

ESFPDTA – EA

Valley Opportunity Council

Hampden $60,000 40Tier 1,2

CSBGESFPHPRP-applied

TOTAL $536,070 310

Funding for Family Innovations

Community Support• The regional network is more than the innovations• Building leadership & community support

▫Bring additional resources to the table▫Build political support for continued funding

• Engaging full community in working toward solutions▫Faith-based initiatives▫Coordination with local governments▫Engage United Ways and foundations in

solutions▫Work with consumers & community members

ICHH Grant ComponentsLeadership Council: inclusion of civic & business

leadersDirector of Regional Coordination

Public relationsCommunity organizing

Website/Blog: transparencyExpertise of providersStrong data and results; Outcomes rather than outputs

Other ElementsFaith-based Action GrantConsumer Advisory CouncilProject Homeless Connect