Mayor’s Faith-Based Community Symposium Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus June 5, 2013

Homeless Services and Hunger Services Hilda M. Fernandez, Executive Director Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust Rev. Ron Brummitt, President, Miami Rescue Mission

You will always have happiness if you seek and find how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer

Approximately 8,000 people on the streets* Homeless encampments throughout urban core  Effect of “Pottinger v City of Miami” Lawsuit  Creation of “safe zones”  Need for alternatives to homelessness Fewer than 1,000 beds available *using duplicator model HOMELESSNESS 20 YEARS AGO

No meaningful funding No defined leadership/Limited-to-No involvement by the private sector/business community No identified plan to address the increasing problem  Loose-knit collection of social service agencies and faith-based organizations serving the homeless  Little to no coordination among the system of services

What resources exist to help the homeless today? F & B Tax Approved by the State Legislature in 1992  1 st dedicated source of funding for homelessness in the country  85% for homeless;15% for domestic violence  Collected at all restaurants in Miami-Dade County* that have >$400k in sales and a liquor license NO AD VALOREM TAX SUPPORT *except Miami Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour

Other  USHUD  Leverages the F & B 2:1  Homeless Trust the “Lead Agency” for the Miami-Dade County Continuum of Care  State of Florida  Private Sector

How is funding allocated? Competitive Process  Advertised in newspapers, Homeless Trust website Tied to identified needs in the continuum  Example: permanent supportive housing Must be a 501(c) 3 at time of application

Who is the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust? Created by the Homeless Plan  Implements the Miami-Dade County Community Homeless Plan  Administers the proceeds of the local 1% Food and Beverage Tax, Federal and other funding streams 27-member board with diverse representation  Education, business, homeless/formerly homeless, providers, religious community, elected officials, etc.

Homeless Trust is not a service provider Funds 30+ agencies;100+ programs  Monitors for compliance  Ensures continuum meeting expected outcomes  Tracks homelessness data Develops, through a community process, performance measure for the CoC Develops, through a community process, Standards of Care for the continuum

How are we addressing homelessness? Community Homeless Plan 10 Year Plan  Plan was required in order to levy tax  Approved in 1992  Dynamic plan; addresses changing needs/goals  Implementation includes and requires diverse representation and participation ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS TODAY Plan

“Close the Front Door” Reduce the number of people who become homeless “Open the Back Door” Rapidly place homeless people back into housing “Build the Infrastructure” Increase the supply of affordable housing, access to services, as well as people’s incomes.

A COUNTYWIDE “Continuum of Care” of homeless housing/services Coordinated Intake and Assessment process  Toll-free number  Common assessment tools  Standards of Care/performance measures

Participation of most homeless programs in the County Continuum of Care tied together with a homeless management information system  Analysis of data collection drives planning and resource allocation

Homeless Helpline: HELP or CARE Prevention & Diversion Programs Outreach Teams According to Geography Emergency Housing/Shelter Supportive Services Transitional Housing & treatment Permanent Supportive Housing

ONE CALL ACCESS TO THE CONTINUUM! Tri-lingual Answered 24/7 Toll-free Diverts individual(s) to the service needed/appropriate services

Homeless Helpline: HELP or CARE Prevention & Diversion Programs Outreach Teams According to Geography Emergency Housing/Shelter Supportive Services Transitional Housing & treatment Permanent Supportive Housing

FOR INDIVIDUALS ABOUT TO BE HOMELESS Eviction Prevention Security/Utility deposits for new locations

Homeless Helpline: HELP or CARE Prevention & Diversion Programs Outreach Teams According to Geography Emergency Housing/Shelter Supportive Services Transitional Housing & treatment Permanent Supportive Housing

FOR INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY HOMELESS Handled geographically Team assesses needs & assists accordingly Placement (detox, housing, DV shelter) Relocation Services (transit passes, ID, etc.) No family with minor children will sleep on our streets!

Homeless Helpline: HELP or CARE Prevention & Diversion Programs Outreach Teams According to Geography Emergency Housing/Shelter Supportive Services Transitional Housing & treatment Permanent Supportive Housing

Emergency Housing Transitional Housing Permanent Supportive Housing  For disabled individuals/families Supportive Services Only  Legal Services  Employment  Mental Health Assessment  Health Care

Approximately 8, people on the streets Total of 2,963 sheltered TOTAL COUNT = 3,802 (3,976 in January, 2012) Homeless encampments throughout urban core  No large homeless encampments Fewer than 1,000 beds available  beds in the Continuum of Care ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS TODAY How are we doing?

In 2012: Over 15,000 homeless adults and children placed into housing:  9,084 = emergency housing  1,231 = transitional housing  4,756 = permanent housing programs (subsidized and unsubsidized) 52,819 contacts* made by outreach teams 444 women and children provided domestic violence emergency shelter *includes duplicated contacts

Street count (unsheltered homeless) 1/20138/2012 1/2012 6/2011 8/2009 Miami= Miami Beach= Miami-Dade N= of Kendall Dr Miami-Dade S= of Kendall Dr TOTAL:

37% of people experiencing homelessness are in families  In January, 2012 :  427 Households  1,459 persons 1 in 11 on the street are veterans For 2 out of 5: 1 st experience of homelessness 43% on the street are chronic homelessness (Homeless for >1 year or 4+ times in 3 years, AND disabling condition)

Based on Street Homeless Count – 1/24/13 Gender: Males = 81%Females = 13% Race: White = 43% Black = 48% Unknown = 9% Age: =.8% = 9.2% = 17.8% = 33.3% = 73.2% = 22.1% 62+ = 6.2% Unknown= 10.7%

Employment/financial24.2% Alcohol or Drug Problems17.4% Not enough income to meet needs 9.0% Source: MDHT PIT Survey 2013

How can WE help YOU help our community? Provide you with an easy, one-call way for you to help individuals at risk or currently homeless to obtain needed services Provide you with information on how community organizations can make the biggest impact when serving the homeless

How can YOU help US help our community? Refer individuals at risk or currently homeless to the Homeless Helpline

How can YOU help US help our community? “Sponsor” an individual/family leaving homelessness Assist with Furniture/furnishings Assist in identifying job opportunities Assist in identifying housing Provide a support system where none may exist!

How can YOU help US help our community? Donate “Time, Talent, Treasure” Feed homeless at a residential facility Facilitate programs for homeless youth Mentor homeless individuals in emergency or transitional housing Donate clothes, food to residential programs

How can YOU help US help our community? Direct individuals that want to help to programs that make the most/best impact Indoor Feeding Program Homeless Meter

INDOOR Feeding Program Why an Indoor Feeding Program? Allows organizations to continue to meet their mission Provides meals in a humane setting Restrooms, tables, showers, clothing exchange Connects homeless individuals to services Ensures there are meals every day Street feeding may enable continued homelessness

Homeless Meter Program Why give change to a meter and not a panhandler?  Not all panhandlers are homeless  100% of proceeds GUARANTEED to assist the homeless

Food Vouchers/Pantries (individuals) Switchboard of Miami EFSP Programs Contact: Food Distribution (for organizations) Feeding South Florida: (954) Farm Share: (305) Utility Assistance (individuals) Switchboard of Miami EFSP Programs Contact: 2-1-1

How do our Faith-based partners currently help the homeless? Open Discussion

Q & A

Hilda M. Fernandez, Executive Director, Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust , Rev. Ron Brummitt, President, Miami Rescue Mission , Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

How do our Faith-based partners currently help the homeless? Open Discussion