6.5 effective strategies for street and abandoned buildings outreach
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Effective Strategies for Outreach to the Street and Abandoned Buildings
Angela Patterson, Deputy DirectorKaty Quigley, Outreach
July 15, 2011
UNITY of Greater New Orleans
• UNITY of Greater New Orleans is a nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 60 organizations providing housing and services for the homeless. Our mission is to coordinate community partnerships to prevent, reduce and end homelessness in the New Orleans area.
• In addition to raising and distributing funds to support our member organizations’ work, UNITY conducts homeless outreach on the streets and in abandoned buildings, rehabs apartment buildings, helps the public locate affordable housing, and advocates for public policy to prevent and reduce homelessness.
Housing and Services Provided by the CoC
Supportive Services
Permanent Supportive
Housing
Transitional Housing
Emergency Shelters
Homeless Prevention/
Rapid Rehousing
Safe Haven for Women
Outreach
Crisis Line/Information Referral
Case Management
Employment Assistance
Medical Care
Mental Health Services
Day Program
Substance Abuse Treatment
HIV/AIDS Services
Domestic Violence Services
Legal Services
Youth Drop-In Center
Day Care for Children
Transportation
Housing Search
Supportive Services:
Homelessness TodayComprehensive Estimate of Homelessness Feb. 2011
• Homelessness remains a huge problem in New Orleans, 5 ½ years after Katrina.
• 9,165 persons meeting the HUD definition of homelessness (including people facing imminent eviction or discharge from institutions) in Orleans and Jefferson Parish on any given night. An additional 1,603 persons residing in Permanent Supportive Housing.
• 6,687 Core Homeless Persons – persons residing in places not meant for human habitation, emergency shelters and transitional housing.
• 70% increase in homelessness since Hurricane Katrina.
Homelessness in New Orleans: Large-Scale Homeless Camps
• Between Nov. 2007 and July 2008, 452 people housed from two large squalid homeless camps in the heart of downtown New Orleans – a national record.
• 975 different individuals documented who lived in one or both of these camps.
• 64% said they came from an abandoned building
• In 2011, homelessness no longer concentrated in downtown as it was before Katrina – now it is spread across the city, with Central City the largest “hot spot.”
Homelessness in New Orleans: Abandoned Buildings
• Random sample survey Feb. 2011: Estimated 4,767 homeless persons residing in abandoned buildings on any given night.
• 38,382 abandoned residential and commercial buildings.
• 75% are Katrina survivors.
Abandoned Building Outreach
We are the only outreach team in the nation to send its outreach workers, armed only with flashlights, into abandoned buildings in the middle of the
night to find and rescue severely disabled homeless people.
Where People Sleep When They Have Nowhere Else to Live
Homelessness in New Orleans: Five Factors Causing Post-K Homelessness
1. Devastation of Rental Stock2. Escalating Rents3. Physical and Mental Health
Trauma4. Loss of Healthcare
Infrastructure5. Loss of Extended Family and
Neighborhood Supports
By the Numbers
$674 SSI monthly check for a disabled person in Louisiana. There is no state supplement to SSI in Louisiana.
$850 2011 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for 1 bedroom apartment in New Orleans. Pre – Katrina, FMR for a 1 bedroom apartment was $578.
47% Percentage that rents have increased since Hurricane Katrina.
66% Percentage of persons who are rent-burdened in New Orleans. Highest percentage in the country.
2011 Point in Time Count DataCore Homeless
Emergency Shelter
Transitional Housing
Streets Abandoned Buildings
459 375597
4679
116363
10 88
Individuals Persons in Families
2011 Point in Time Count DataHomeless Veterans
Emer
genc
y Sh
elte
r
Tran
sitio
nal H
ousing
Stre
ets
Aban
done
d Bu
ildin
gsTo
tal
50 45 90
330
515
UNITY’s Abandoned Building Outreach Strategies
• Who: Strength in Diversity
• What: Systematic and Responsive Outreach
• Where: Geographic and Structural Challenges
• Why: Targeting the must Vulnerable
• When: Unique Times for Unique Circumstances
• Safety: Things to Keep in Mind
Who: Strength in Diversity
• Eight trained and committed Outreach Workers with many skill sets.
• Four are tasked with primary responsibility to work with men and women who are living within some of the 38,000 abandoned buildings in New Orleans.
• All have experienced homelessness for a period of time post-Katrina.
What: Systematic and Responsive Outreach
• Primary Mission• Vulnerability
Index• Systematic
Searches• Responsive
Searches
What: Geographical and Structural Challenges
The types of abandoned structures where we have found people:• Residences• Factories• Churches• Hospitals• Schools• Hotels• Retail Establishments• Private and Government Offices• Abandoned Amusement Parks
and Bowling Alleys
Homeless Within Their Own Homes: The Reyes Brothers
Why: Targeting the Most Vulnerable
• 87% of persons living in abandoned buildings have some Mental Health or Physical Disability
When: Unique Times for Unique Circumstances
Daytime Abandoned Buildings Outreach• Search buildings• Structural Challenges• Safety Concerns• Global Neighborhood Issues• Leaving Indicators
Night Time Abandoned Buildings Outreach
• HMIS• Vulnerability Index• Releases of Information• PSH/HPRP/SRO/VASH applications as
appropriate• Identity Documentation
Safety: Things to Keep in Mind
• Team Approach• Right Equipment• Day/Night Contacts• Leaving Identifying
Information• Use of Identifying
Clothing
Remaining Need for Resources
• Additional Outreach funding• More PSH housing • More Rapid Rehousing• Safe Haven/Low Shelter threshold options• SRO’s• Wet Beds• Hotel Vouchers for immediate Safety
Contact Information
Angela PattersonDeputy [email protected]
Katy QuigleyAbandoned Buildings [email protected]
www.unitygno.orgwww.unityhousinglink.orgwww.facebook.com/UNITYGNO