System Wide Housing First: The Columbus Experience Barbara Poppe Community Shelter Board Presented at The National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness February 9, 2007 Washington, DC Sponsored by the National Alliance to End Homelessness

Overview zPrinciples & Framework zImpact zInitiatives yFront Door Shelter yFamily Housing Collaborative yTier II Shelter

zCreated in 1986 zNon-profit intermediary yFunder yPlanner yCoordinator

“It is unacceptable for anyone in our community to go without food or shelter for even one night." Mel Schottenstein, CSB Founder

Guiding Principles zHousing is basic human need – must be affordable and safe. zFamilies are better off in “home-like” settings. zBasic needs met first – recovery, parenting, education follow

Guiding Principles (cont.) zFamilies can set own goals, manage their homes, and take charge of their lives. zServices should be focused on families and individual members of the family. zHealthy families create health communities and healthy communities support healthy families.

Housing 1 st Philosophy (vs. Housing 2 nd) Housing 1 st Housing placement with services available Housing 2 nd Mandatory treatment/rehab with housing upon completion

System Framework zPrevention & diversion zMinimize shelter stay/move to appropriate housing quickly zMeasures results and manage for outcomes

Franklin County Family System First contact between YWCA Family Center and family:  Triage  Referral  Assessment  Services  Guidance Permanent housing, usually with Transition assistance (CSB) Referral to direct housing: Family Housing Collaborative (Salvation Army, CSB) Diversion: Helping families stay in the housing they’re in, with support from community programs, social service agencies, family and friends, and other community agencies. Welcome to the Family Center Referral to Tier II shelter (Homeless Families Foundation, Volunteers of America) Referral to transitional housing (Amethyst) Referral to permanent supportive housing (2 years - permanent) (Community Housing Network, Amethyst, Volunteers of America) Permanent housing Treatment programs for severe issues (ADAMH agencies)

System Design Characteristics zExtensive housing partnerships zAccess to short-term rental assistance zHighly collaborative yRegular system meetings yMOA’s among agencies yShared resources

System Design Characteristics (cont.) High accountability & transparency zShared HMIS zDaily bedlist zQuarterly indicators zAnnual program evaluations

Impact: Family homelessness declined Data from is unavailable.

Impact: Increased housing outcomes Data from is unavailable.

Front Door Shelter zSingle point of entry zSupply expands to meet demand zTriage before intake zHousing First design zCoordinated with all housing resources

YWCA Family Center

zSupportive services yCase management yResource center yLife skills zChild & youth programming zCollaborative partnerships

Front Door Shelter Results Reduces homelessness  50-60% of contacts don’t need to come to shelter  43% Decline in family homelessness since 1997 Successful in re-housing within short time  65% families sheltered move to next step housing  Average length of stay = 20 days Achieves long-term success  Recidivism < 1%

Family Housing Collaborative zDirect housing yQuick placement in permanent housing yhome-based case management ytransitional rent subsidy zService Provider, Front Door Shelter, and Fiscal agent

FHC Target Population zFront Door Shelter clients  desire an independent, stable apartment;  have or will have, within 30 days, income and community-based supports sufficient to be independent;  are appropriate for permanent housing; and  are unable to obtain or maintain an apartment due to barriers primarily related to income, employment, debt and/or previous evictions.

FHC Results Quick re-housing  Assessment and referral time shortened as the project progressed – typically <10 days. Successful housing outcomes  77-90% successful in securing permanent housing Breaks the cycle of homelessness  < 1% do not have subsequent shelter stay Cost effective  $1,065 FHC vs. $6,410 - Tier II shelter (per hh served)

Tier II Shelter zReferrals from Front Door Shelter zHousing First zNo sobriety/treatment requirements for admission zFurnished apartments

Tier II Shelter zIndividualized case management zExtensive children and youth programming zCollaborative partnerships

Tier II Shelter Results Serves hardest-to-serve families  About one-half are actively using at time of admission  Multiple barriers to housing (credit, legal, etc.) Successful in re-housing  87% families sheltered move to permanent housing  Average length of stay = 71 days Achieves long-term success  Recidivism < 1%

Family System Successes zSeamless system for families zSingle point of access zClear admission practices zContinuity of services

Family System Successes zShared values & shared goals z100% commitment to housing outcomes as primary purpose z100% commitment to increasing community resources for families zResponsive & nimble to changes zGenerally high trust among agencies and CSB

Family System Successes zProblem solve well both outside and within the shelter system zPartnership with Columbus Public Schools has significantly reduced school mobility zNew demonstration program provides wrap around services for children with severe needs

Challenges zLack of affordable housing zServices for actively using families zDeclining household incomes zFamilies with multiple episodes and/or long-term homelessness zVery young mothers with limited skills zMobility of kids in schools

What’s Next? zNew longer-term direct housing pilot zHousing First supportive housing for families zComprehensive system evaluation and strategic plan

Wish List zMore affordable housing and more transitional supports for families exiting shelters zMore community prevention resources zBetter paying jobs, quality education, and better community supports for families

System Wide Housing First: The Columbus Experience Barbara Poppe Community Shelter Board Presented at The National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness February 9, 2007 Oakland, California Sponsored by the National Alliance to End Homelessness