Working Together …to Eliminate Veteran Homelessness

Outreach and Education-Justice and Prevention ServicesInnovative Housing -Support Services

Joanne Joseph, LCSWSt. Louis VA

Homeless Programs Supervisor

Health Care for Homeless Veterans

St. Louis VA Homeless Program

Opening Doors United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Key Principles:

Collaborative Solutions-driven and evidence-based Cost-effective Implementable and user-friendly Lasting and scalable; and Measurable, with clear outcomes and accountability Build on HUD’s existing 10 yr plan to end Chronic

Homelessness and expand to include goal to end veteran homelessness

VA’s National Five Year Plan

One of the Secretary’s highest priorities

A Veteran-centric “no wrong door” approach

Community level plan

Develop new initiatives that promote transformation efforts and optimize the six integrated pillars of the VA’s Plan. Prevention Employment/Income Housing and Supportive Services Treatment Outreach Community Collaboration

Expand prevention and employment services Justice Outreach Vocational Rehabilitation

Incorporate evidenced-based practice Critical Time Intervention Motivational Interviewing

Increase Collaboration Stand Down, Homeless Summit, HUD, City/County Homeless Programs

Provide individualized, recovery-focused care Low barrier, non-linear

Stakeholder-driven Needs assessments

St. Louis Homeless Program Five-year plan to end Homelessness OUTLINED

VA Homeless Program Growth

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

5 5 6 7 8 15 18

0 0 0

35

70

95

120

40 40 40

120

146 146 146

Staff

Permanent Housing Vouchers

Transitional Housing

Fiscal Year

Catchment Area

14 Counties Illinois

9 Counties Missouri

St. Louis City

VA Homeless Program Structure

HCHV

Homeless ProgramGrant and Per Diem

Transitional Housing

HUD VASH Supportive

Housing

Outreach and Case

Management and

Referral

St. Vincent DePaul, St. Patrick's Center, Salvation Army, The Joseph Center, DMH, HUD, St. Louis and Madison County Veterans’ Courts,

Department of Corrections

St. Louis VA Homeless Programs: Services Provided

• Prevention Services• National Call Center• Healthcare Re-Entry• Veterans Justice Outreach• Supportive Services for Veteran

Families-Referrals

• Housing and Supportive Services• HUD-VASH• GPD (St. Vincent DePaul, Salvation

Army, Joseph Center, St. Patrick’s/DMH)

• Substance Abuse Education• Peer Support

Employment/Income• Voc Rehab Specialists• Computer Classes

• Treatment Services• Referral & Case Management• Health: Nursing Assessments &

Dental benefits for qualifying veterans

• Domiciliary

• Outreach Services• COC• Prisons• Working with The Bridge, Centenary

Church• Stand Down Collaboration

• Assessment• Outcomes Monitoring

24-month programsVA grant with community partners

St. Vincent DePaul Salvation Army Harbor Lights The Joseph Center DMH/St. Patricks Center

VA provides oversight, supportive services, as needed clinical care

Grant Per Diem- Transitional Housing

Transitional Housing

Factors associated with positive outcomes Individualized care Privacy (private or semi-private settings) Integrated approach: employment, substance abuse,

mental health Structured harm-reduction

Challenges Capacity (GPD and Affordable housing options) Chronic, complex presenting conditions Employment

Grant Per Diem: Transitional Housing Program

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Federal collaboration

Housing-FirstNon-linear Targeting: Chronically homeless,

families, women and those returning from combat.

HUD-VA Supported Housing Program

Successes 2008 vouchers: 62% Veterans successfully

participating in program for more than 2 years 75% for more than 1 year Intact families Flexibility and Recovery

Can successfully discontinue case management and keep voucher

Challenges Chronic, complex presenting conditions Intensive case management needs (staff: Veteran)

HUD-VASH

Housing and Homeless PreventionIdentified Opportunities for Growth

Expand Catchment Area Collaboration and Outreach Efforts

Increase collaboration with VA Medical Foster Care Program

Expand Prevention Services Supportive Services for Families (Open NOFA-Closes March 2012)

Expand Housing Emergency beds (contract) GPD (TBA: NOFA) HUD VASH

Targeting of Specialized Populations Women and Families OEF/OIF Incarcerated Veterans

Thank you for you continued dedicated service to

Veterans and the community.

Questions, Concerns, Ideas?Contact:

St. Louis VA Homeless Programs(314) 652-4100 ext 55460