Shelters in the HEARTH era The Lyceum, Hartford, CT April 7, 2014 Katharine Gale

FocusStrategies.net Overview Quick review of HEARTH highlights Where are we now? The critical role(s) of shelter Discussion

FocusStrategies.net What happened before HEARTH? Programs developed locally in response to a growing crisis FEMA Emergency Food and Shelter Stewart B. McKinney Act - More than 20 programs in seven different Federal agencies Mid- 90’s - Introduction of “Continuum of Care” approach Late 90’s/early 00’s - greater movement toward PSH and 30% set aside in NOFA 2000’s -HMIS and Point in Time counts

FocusStrategies.net From the HEARTH Preamble “…to establish a Federal goal of ensuring that individuals and families who become homeless return to permanent housing... within 30 days” HEARTH Act Purposes – Sec. 1002(b)

FocusStrategies.net Top Five HEARTH Act Changes 5. Creation of the Federal Plan to End Homelessness - National goals 4. Changes to ESG Program (Solutions, adds rapid re-housing, deeper prevention targeting, HMIS) 3. Creation of CoC program from three programs (SHP, S+C, SRO – with more flexibility for change) 2. New coordination and administrative functions (Collaborative Applicant, coordinated entry, Board structure, standards for assistance, etc.) 1. Performance Measurement Criteria!

FocusStrategies.net First Out of the Box: A Federal Plan Opening Doors, mandated by HEARTH, is the first federal Plan to end homelessness

FocusStrategies.net Objective for Local Communities “Transform homeless services to crisis response systems that prevent homelessness and rapidly return people who experience homelessness to stable housing” - Opening Doors

FocusStrategies.net What does it mean to be a system? Different functions … working together toward the same end. In a strong system, it’s clear: Who the client or customer is What the product or result is What resources go into making the product/result How each part of the system contributes to result …. And everyone in the system can answer the first four questions

FocusStrategies.net HEARTH Performance Criteria The number of people who become homeless Length of time homeless Returns to homelessness Jobs and income Thoroughness in reaching homeless population Other accomplishments Reduce overall homelessness!

FocusStrategies.net Where are we now? Interim regulations for both ESG and CoC require greater coordination and standards for who is offered what, including shelter Requirement for coordinated assessment CoC NOFA focusing more on outcomes and encouraging reallocation Greater cross department collaboration (e.g. VASH)

FocusStrategies.net 16 Where are we now? HPRP, passed at same time as HEARTH, provided new information and models to the field- new roles for shelter providers Resource environment tight… but targeted investments still happening – public and private

FocusStrategies.net So… Role of Shelter First - What is the housing crisis response system?? Remember, in a strong system, it’s clear: Who the client or customer is What the product or desired result is What resources go into making the product/result How each part of the system contributes to result

FocusStrategies.net Role of Shelter Safety Basic Needs Springboard to Housing Links to community-based services Other?

FocusStrategies.net These things are critical! Safety – from the elements, from violence, from crime… Basic Needs – meals, beds, hygiene, phone, etc. Springboard to Housing –housing search and placement assistance, financial assistance, references… Links to Services in the community that support housing stability and meet other needs

FocusStrategies.net Culture Shift From "come on in and let us get to know you" to "How can we help get you out of here?" (or keep you out in the first place?)

FocusStrategies.net Finding New Motivation for Staff Clients have shorter stays Providing support as requested Exits to housing Making connections in the community Empty beds

FocusStrategies.net So, should shelters provide…? Child care? Health care/ on-site clinics? Mental health services? Case managers? Employment specialists? Rapid rehousing resources? Diversion resources?

FocusStrategies.net A proposed lens Does the person or household need this now to be safe, have basic needs met, and/or to seek/gain housing? Would they chose it now? Is it essential for shelter safety or functioning? Can this support be continued after they leave or will they have to make new connections? Is providing it using resources that could be used to rehouse people?

FocusStrategies.net Example: Child Care How does it fit under the lens: Needed to meet shelter role/goals? Wanted by the clients? Essential for shelter functioning? Continues after household leaves? Best use of the resources dedicated to it?

FocusStrategies.net Example: Child Care 1.Child care center in shelter paid for by ESG and County general funds; only for children while in shelter 2.Child care center in shelter paid for by State Tobacco settlement funds; only for children while in shelter 3.Head Start program operates in shelter; for children while in shelter and up to a year after they leave 4.Child care program operated by shelter agency with a mix of funds in building next to shelter; serves neighborhood and has dedicated slots for sheltered children 5.Shelter has relationships with various child care and Head Start providers in communities that take children while family seeks housing and after

FocusStrategies.net Example: Child Care Child care center in shelter paid for ESG funds; only for children while in the shelter Child care center in the shelter paid for by Tobacco settlement funds; only for children while in shelter Head Start program in shelter; serves children in shelter and after they leave they can come back for a year Child Care and Head Start program next door shelter; serves children in shelter and children in the neighborhood Relationships with child care and Head start programs throughout community who take children while in shelter

FocusStrategies.net Role of Shelter In our crisis response system with coordinated assessment, how specialized should shelter be? Should shelters be able to screen out? On what? Should there be shelters for special populations? Who? WHY?

FocusStrategies.net Shelter Specialization System Lens: Are all needs covered in the system? Are beds in special programs frequently vacant? Does this specialization contribute to the system goal(s)? (shorter stays, exits to housing, lower returns) Does this specialization contribute to the component role? (safety, basic needs) Are any additional resources used for this specialization balanced by improved outcomes?

FocusStrategies.net Conclusion Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing It’s got shelter written all over it!