how communities prevent homelessness:
DESCRIPTION
HOW COMMUNITIES PREVENT HOMELESSNESS:. LESSONS FOR HOWARD COUNTY. BACKGROUND. Bridges’ Stabilization Services Task Force Researched family homelessness prevention strategies to: Educate selves and others Identify successful strategies - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
HOW COMMUNITIES PREVENT
HOMELESSNESS:LESSONS FOR
HOWARD COUNTY
BACKGROUND
• Bridges’ Stabilization Services Task Force• Researched family homelessness
prevention strategies to:• Educate selves and others• Identify successful strategies• Identify strategies potentially
appropriate for Howard County
Selection of Best Practices Communities
• Reviewed select literature• Focused on NAEH’s Promising
Strategies to End Family Homelessness• Solicited staff recommendations
Selection of Best Practices Communities (continued)
• Selected communities with:–Similar demographics–Relevant strategies–Success!
Five (5) Questions• What are your key success factors?• What are your program components?
Key points of client intervention? • What have been your major
barriers/pitfalls/issues?• How do you determine success?• What are/have been your funding
sources?
Communities Interviewed
• Sacramento, CA• Boston, MA• Montgomery County, MD• Dayton, OH• Columbus, OH• Lancaster County, PA• Hennepin County, MN• Fairfax/Falls Church, VA
FINDINGS
Success Factors
• Community Commitment– Support from key leaders– Community partners working together in single
system
• Case Management• Relationships and work with landlords• Use of both a holistic approach and
housing approach
Key Program Components
• Assessment• (Intensive) case management• Housing First• Landlord/tenant relationships,
involvement, mediation• Legal assistance (eviction prevention)
Key Program Components (continued)
• Flexible financial assistance• Referrals to community-based
supportive services • Follow-up
Intervention/Entry Points
• Central intake - Single or uniform entry process• Catchment areas (by zip code);
service centers• Shelters• Schools
Intervention/Entry Points (continued)
• Court system: eviction filings, rental delinquencies
• Public Housing Authority• Departments of Social Services, welfare
offices• 2-1-1; 311;information and referral
agencies
Barriers
• Community buy-in and support• Engaging all relevant services, not just
housing• Limited funds• Staffing requirements• Affordable housing
Barriers (continued)
• Severity of poverty• Number of families needing assistance• Limitations and inflexibility of funding
criteria and rules• Mistrust and turf issues among and
between agencies
Measurement and Evaluation
• Significant variability• Rate of return for assistance within “x”
(often 12) months • Period of time housing is maintained• Comprehensive system of data collection
and analysis is important; HMIS used by some
Funding• Multiple resources with as much flexibility as
possible• Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-
Housing Program (HPRP)• Community Development Block Grant
(CDBG)• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
(TANF)• State and local government funds
Funding (continued)
• Local tax revenue (recordation tax, property tax levy, human service levy)• Private sector (foundations, United
Way, churches, corporations and businesses)• State Trust Fund• Grants
Next, we will hear from some of these successful
communities!
BREAK!