Homeless Assistance in Ohio Changes in the 2012 Consolidated Plan

Activity Breakdown Previous Funding Cycles Homeless Assistance Grant Program (HAGP) Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) Emergency Shelter Supportive Housing Tenant-based scattered site Project-based Permanent Supportive Housing Homelessness Prevention Rapid Re-housing

Activity Breakdown Program Year 2012 Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP) Supportive Housing Program Emergency Shelter Permanent Supportive Housing Rapid Re-housing (Tenant-based Scattered Site Supportive Housing ) Supportive Housing (Project-based Transitional Housing) Homelessness Prevention

Rapid Re-Housing vs. Supportive Housing Rapid Re-housing (Tenant-based Scattered Site Supportive Housing) Supportive Housing (Project-based Transitional Housing) the unit the tenant “Transition in place” or “Direct housing” Traditional transitional housing Subsidy is attached to … When a tenant completes or “times out” of assistance … the subsidy is removed, but the tenant can remain in the unit. the tenant must leave the unit.

Supportive Housing Program Permanent Supportive Housing Supportive Housing (Project-based transitional housing) Almost no changes from 2011 Income requirement remains at or below 35% AMI Each provider applies directly to ODOD, as in the past. Applications due July 11, 2012 by 5 p.m.

Homeless Crisis Response Program Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP) Emergency Shelter Rapid Re-housing (Tenant-based Scattered Site Supportive Housing ) Homelessness Prevention Regional Structure Application process Regional Homeless Service Coordination Plan Programmatic changes

Regional Structure Balance of State Only: Coordinate Point in Time Counts and Housing Inventory Charts Designate one representative to the BOSCOC Advisory Committee Statewide: Convene a regional homeless planning group Create a Regional Homeless Services Coordination Plan Submit one regional application for homelessness prevention and re-housing funds Regions DO NOT replace local Continua of Care.

Regional Planning Groups Must meet at least twice annually Convened by the state-designated lead grantee All shelters applying directly to ODOD for HCRP funding must participate and adopt the regional plan. Must have representation for each county and local CoC in the region Should also include representation from : shelter, supportive/transitional housing and permanent supportive housing providers; mainstream service providers (i.e. ADAMH boards, local JFS office, veterans agencies, schools)

Application Process Changes Homeless Crisis Response Program (HCRP) Supportive Housing Program Emergency Shelter Permanent Supportive Housing Rapid Re-housing (Tenant-based Scattered Site Supportive Housing ) Supportive Housing (Project-based Transitional Housing) Homelessness Prevention One regional application Individual agency application

Administrative Funding HUD ESG Award (7.5%) and Ohio Housing Trust Fund (TBD) ODOD (.5%) State-appointed lead grantee Partner agencies

Regional Homeless Service Coordination Plans Threshold requirement for accessing homelessness prevention and re-housing funds through HCRP Written standards for implementation required by HUD through ESG regulation Essential Elements: 1. Inventory of Community Resources 2. Coordinated Intake and Assessment System Common screening tool Common assessment tool Referral process Diversion plan Prevention & re-housing policies Other considerations

Centralized vs. Coordinated Intake Centralized Intake Single location or phone line All clients are assessed by the same team of staff and referred to appropriate services High levels of consistency in referrals and data management Can serve large numbers of clients quickly Coordinated Intake Coordinated network of locations “No wrong door” approach Clients can be assessed at any “front door” service provider and referred to appropriate services Less consistency in referrals and data More points of entry in larger geographic areas

Common Screening Tool What it is: A set of very basic questions i.e. Do you have children with you? In which county are you living? Who uses it: All homeless services agencies, at a minimum Purpose: Questions help providers to determine where to make the most appropriate referral for assessment

Common Assessment Tool What it is: Single set of intake and assessment questions and processes agreed upon by each provider within a region Who uses it: Each front-door provider in the region Purpose: Clients complete assessment only once, even when receiving services from several agencies. Agencies can make better referrals, further reducing the burden on clients in crisis

Referral Process What it is: Process by which clients can be referred to any agencies within a community, regardless of point of entry Who is involved: All homeless services providers, as well as mainstream service agencies Purpose: To connect clients with the most optimal combination of appropriate resources available within a community

Diversion Plan What it is: A set of policies and processes that assess for alternatives to emergency shelter stay, when safe and realistic, while other stable housing is secured What it is not: Diversion is not equal to denying access to shelter, when needed. Who uses it: Purpose: Diversion planning assures that clients have exhausted other options, decreasing overall length of stay in the shelter Everyone!

Prevention and Re-housing Policies What is it: A standard set of policies across the region determining when and how prevention and re-housing dollars can be used Percentage of rent clients contribute Maximum length or amount of assistance How amounts are adjusted over time Maximum amount of relocation assistance Prioritization and targeting standards

Other Considerations Will your region set policies on: Maximum length of stay in emergency shelter? Discharge protocol? Safety measures for special needs populations? Targeting and methodology for street outreach? If not, each region should distribute a summary of each agency’s policies to better inform the referral process

For Entitlements Only: CoC can serve as your regional planning group No additional meetings are necessary If you are already using centralized or coordinated intake, – You do not need to meet specifically to write a plan – All shelters applying for HCRP funds must still agree to the plan – You must still submit a summary of your system to ODOD to satisfy HUD requirements

Programmatic Changes Homelessness Prevention and Re-Housing activities do not require income for eligibility. Re-Housing activity initial income verification must take place 90 days after the first date of re-housing assistance and be reevaluated every three months following. Homelessness Prevention and Re-Housing income eligibility has changed from at or below 50% AMI to below 30% AMI. Sustainability is a program goal, but not a threshold requirement.

Important Dates State-appointed Regional Leads Announced By the end of next week Supportive Housing Applications Due July 11, 2012 HCRP Applications Due September 5, 2012 Implementation Date January 1, 2013

Accessing Technical Assistance What assistance is available? Sample policies, forms, etc. Introductions within regions Planning meeting facilitation To request assistance: Contact Jacqui Buschor