A Collaborative Effort to End Homelessness Among Veterans in Salt Lake County COSCDA Presentation: Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Salt Lake County  2010 census population: 1,029,655  37% of the State’s population  Veteran population: 51,513 (2010 census)  2,066 homeless persons (2013 PIT)  64% of the State’s homeless population  216 homeless veterans (2013 PIT)  167 sheltered through VA programs  74% of the State’s homeless veteran population

Collaboration Timeline  October 2012 – Initial veteran housing boot camp;  core team formed  initial 100 day goal established  January 2013 – Annual Point-in-Time Count;  chronic homeless veteran count; verification & follow-up  February 2013 – 2 nd boot camp;  report on initial goals  new/renewed 100 day goal  August 2013 – 3 rd boot camp;  new/renew 100 day goal

What is a boot camp?  National, State and Community leaders come together to:  Identify needs and barriers  Create a goal in which all parties are invested in the outcome  Create a team of people from community organizations to carry out this goal  Specify a timeline for carrying out the goal (100 days)  Participants:  U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH)  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  Rapid Results Institute  100,000 Homes Campaign  Community Teams

Expected Outcomes  Significantly reduce processing times for HUD-VASH vouchers  Target VASH vouchers for chronically homeless veterans  Policy and Process innovations  Improved coordination and cooperation across agencies and local organizations  Sense of shared accountability for community-100-day- goal and the ultimate goal of ending veteran homelessness by 2015:  100 Day Goal: Have all infrastructure and systems in place by 1/1/13 to end chronic homelessness among eligible veterans in Salt Lake County.

Salt Lake County Innovations  Relocating the VA outreach clinic to the emergency shelter for increased access.  Expediting HUD-VASH and PHA applications so they are completed upon the initial assessment with VA outreach.  Housing authorities accepting non-traditional supplemental documents, actively recruiting landlords, and expediting housing inspection.  VA dedicating 2 employees as temporary housing specialists.

Measurable Results Expected Outcome: Significantly reduce processing times for HUD-VASH vouchers 69% decrease in the average number of days from VASH intake to application (71days to 22.1 days) Expected Outcome: Target VASH vouchers for chronically homeless veterans 20-30% increase in the number of chronically homeless veterans referred, issued and placed in VASH Result:

Homeless Veterans in Salt Lake County * Sheltered Unsheltered16145 Total Homeless Veterans Chronically Homeless Veterans2212 *During the 2013 PIT, every counted chronically homeless veteran in Salt Lake County was identified, assessed and offered a VASH voucher for permanent housing prior to the announcement of the 2013 numbers.

The next step for our community to end Veteran’s homelessness by 2015….. Next Steps:  Continue regular community meetings to discuss high resource users and chronically homeless veterans. Target these individuals for rapid housing using a Housing First approach.  Using data from 2013 Registry Week and HMIS, Identify name-specific eligible Veterans for permanent housing.  Expand methods developed in SLC area to other areas in the State (i.e. Ogden & St George). Need HUD support in order to be effective.  Discussion among VA to explore contract shelter housing for non-chronic couples or families, with housing first philosophy; i.e. “Bridge Housing” or Safe Haven. Ongoing Goal:  Maintain sufficient resources to immediately offer VA funded programs or permanent housing to 100% of eligible veterans  Increased focus on housing retention.

The Salt Lake County Team

Reflections on the Experience  Implementing a Housing First approach requires extensive resources and intensive time commitment.  Amazing communication and collaboration has occurred among community agencies.  Out of the Box thinking was required, combined with a No Barriers approach to assist the most difficult-to-house chronically homeless population.  Ongoing communication with veterans after a voucher is issued is a major barrier. (Free cell phones with limited minutes are generally not available without a residential address.)  Extremely low vacancy rate and a “Landlord’s Market” has made finding affordable housing for the chronically homeless population very difficult.

Suggestions to Future Teams  Most effective approach occurs when ALL providers in the community, involved to any degree with homelessness, are included and actively involved.  Ready access to HINQ and VIS databases (VA) are necessary to determine veteran eligibility – primarily for those not enrolled and without a DD-214.  Need to have or develop an inter-agency agreement/ROI to facilitate an open discussion regarding specific individuals.