1. Can we Promise Housing in Geneva
Consulting for Family Promise of Ontario County
John Hillenbrand, Kayla Jones, Hannah Brooks & Molly Dietrich
Sociology Senior Seminar; Professor Jack Harris
City Officials
OBSTACLES
“Invisible”
Housing Discrimination with Landlords
Specific
Landlords do not have to rent to DSS families
RESOURCES
Code Blue
DSS can break policy to place families in homes
Pass minor infractions through (lights, leaks, etc).
Leads to a permanent placement very quickly
What is family Promise?
National organization
Mission: combat homelessness, specifically for families
Partner with local affiliations
Families that have at least one child stay in a shelter and are transported to a day center where they receive professional help
Laundry Services, Showers, Computers, Job help, Social Services, etc.
Our Role
Research Question: What are the obstacles and resources to finding affordable, permanent housing in Geneva, NY?
Methodology: We interviewed landlords, city government officials, and DSS employees to gain a multifaceted perspective on the housing issues in the City of Geneva.
Deliverables: Comprehensive list of the obstacles and resources facing homeless families, a housing inventory of Geneva, and a list of proposed partnerships with other local non-profits.
Social Services
OBSTACLES
Landlord “Blacklist”
Burning bridges
City Code
Mental Health / Substance Abuse
Transportation
“Safety Nets”
18-65
RESOURCES
Paying Rent v. Temporary Housing Costs
There are some good landlords
Try to house families over individuals
Housing In geneva, NY
5,564
Total Properties in Geneva 203 Properties are for sale or rent
53% are Owned
47% are Rented
Based on 2015 US Census Data Average rent for a one bedroom apartment is $575/month
National Low Income Housing Coalition of Ontario County
$ /month for a two bedroom apartment
The Ontario county program
14 religious affiliations
Temporary
Still in the planning phase
Looking for a Day Center location
Finalizing plans to have transportation for the families
Landlords
OBSTACLES
“Problem Tenants”
Discrimination
Lack of information about DSS vs. Section 8
Financial burden
“Get rid of problem tenants”
RESOURCES
LawNY
Education on rights
Does Geneva Have a Dire need?
Recommendations
Homeless Statistical Report
October 15, 2016
January 21, 2017
Total homeless families sheltered by local district 17 20
Number of families homeless for more than six months 2 1
Number of families for which Temporary Housing Assistance was Discontinued for Non-Compliance (during the four weeks prior to the count)
Number of families placed by your district in shelters/hotels outside of your district (during the four weeks prior to the count) 3
Organizing workshops at the Day Center
LawNY on Fair Housing
DSS
FLX Landlords Association
Host a Housing Consortium
Landlords, city officials, and social services meet with an unbiased mediator
Break out sessions
Mutual goals
Get everyone on the same page
Events in Geneva
Graduation, Parents Weekend, etc
Type of Housing Used by Homeless Families
October 15, 2016
January 21, 2017
Number of families in hotel/motel 16 17
Number in emergency shelters
Number in emergency apartments
Number in room and board arrangements
Number in other accommodations 1 3
Works Cited
$3,288,920
Spent on housing the homeless in Ontario County in 2016