New Strategies for a New Era Rebuilding Lives:

Community Shelter Board A leader in Franklin County for 21 years “No one should go homeless, for even one night, in Columbus.” Mel Schottenstein

Focus on “Rebuilding Lives” Launched in 1999 Focus on people homeless for a long time Commons at Chantry

Research Findings

Homeless in Franklin County 7,000+ men, women and children

At the outset of the study period, shelter programs were concentrated in downtown Columbus (63% of all beds). By 2006, 70% of shelter units were located in other zip codes. Improved Geographic Distribution

Daily Cost of Emergency Shelter Note: Excludes Youth Shelter, which is undesignated by gender.

Making a difference Decrease in shelter admissions

Success for families Impact: More families in housing Data for is unavailable.

Emergency Shelter Results and Outcomes Housing Outcomes Family shelters improved housing outcomes to almost 70% by Single adult housing outcomes also improved. Return to Shelter and Multiple Shelter Use Single men (36.4%) and women (25.9%) return to shelter at relatively high rates. For families, repeat shelter episodes are a considerably rarer event (10%).

What is the overlap with other programs and systems of care? Huckleberry House 5.9% of Huck House youth also accessed adult emergency shelter services at some point. No substantial relationship between the youth and the adult shelter stays. Minimal cross-over between the shelters.

What is the overlap with other programs and systems of care? CHOICES 34.4% of women served by CHOICES had also a record of stay in the adult emergency shelter system. High percentage of single adult women entering shelter in a short period of time after their exit from CHOICES. Substantial cross-over, more likely for women of black race and with no children.

What is the overlap with other programs and systems of care? ADAMH: the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board 21.7% and 18.2% of the single adults accessing shelter received mental health and substance abuse services, respectively. The longer people stay in shelter, the more likely they are to access ADAMH and consume a disproportionately high share of services. ADAMH service use shows dramatic increase in the month prior to shelter entry.

What is the overlap with other programs and systems of care? Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS) 56% of adult women in shelter with families and 46.9% of single women had records of FCCS cases when they were children. 14.7% of adult men in shelter with families and 22.8% of single men had records of FCCS cases when they were children.

What is the overlap with other programs and systems of care? Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services Single Adults and Families receiving ongoing benefits at entry or initiated while in shelter Single AdultsFamilies Medicaid10.8%74.1% Food Stamps35.2%63.7% Disability Assistance11.6%5.4% TANF26.0% 10.6% Childcare Assistance

Services are currently provided by multiple programs in a “scatter shot” approach with limited emphasis on housing placement. Nine (9) programs provide a variety of services with 33 FTE staff. Only 6% of FTEs use a Housing First approach Homeless Outreach

Permanent supportive housing Total of 1,292 in virtually every ZIP code

Permanent Supportive Housing Residents Average 42.3 years old Almost three-quarters were male Two-thirds of them were black Only 12% reported being employed at the time of moving into this housing. 59% reported zero income at admission.

Supportive housing works 70% stayed housed Reduced the use of shelters - only 9% return to homelessness Increased employment and benefits (30% gained access to benefits) Greater independence Lower costs than institutional settings

Rebuilding Lives Program Impact on Shelter Utilization Shelter Use by Rebuilding Lives Residents vs. Control Group

Changes in Supportive Housing Capacity Over Time By Program Type

Funding Sources for Rebuilding Lives Programs, 2006, by Local, State, Federal SourceAmountPercent Local$ 3,289,49640% State$ 135,6752% Federal$ 4,858,75158%

What is the overlap with other systems of care? ADAMH, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board ADAMH services use decreased by 6.1% from pre- admission to post-placement into the RL-PSH unit Drastic reduction in substance abuse services Increase in outpatient mental health services

What is the overlap with other systems of care? Franklin County Children’s Services (FCCS) 58% of adult women RL PSH had records of FCCS cases when they were children 13% of adult men in RL PSH had records of FCCS cases when they were children

What is the overlap with other systems of care? Single Adults receiving benefits at entry or initiated while in RL PSH At EntryInitiated after entryTotal Medicaid17.4%5.1%22.5% Food Stamps50.5%17.9%68.4% Disability Assistance24.7%5.5%30.2% Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services

What are the answers? New Rebuilding Lives strategy

100+ community leaders

Rebuilding Lives Access Making sure community resources are available to prevent or end homelessness

Rebuilding Lives Crisis response Preventing and resolving housing crises as quickly as possible

Making it work Single point of access to emergency shelter for adults

Rebuilding Lives Transition Guiding exits from homelessness to stable housing

Making it work Developing 1,400 more supportive housing units

Rebuilding Lives Advocacy Leveraging public policy to work toward ending homelessness

Questions?

Community Housing Network Communities In Schools Gladden Community House Homeless Families Foundation Lutheran Social Services/Faith Mission Maryhaven National Church Residences The Salvation Army Southeast, Inc./Friends of the Homeless Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio YMCA of Central Ohio YWCA Columbus

community shelter board 111 liberty street, suite 150 columbus, ohio