1. Safe Havens and Homeless Vets
Low Demand/Safe Haven Programs
Paul Smits
Senior Policy Analyst
VA National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans
Florida Mental Health Institute
University Of South Florida

2. Why Do We Need New Approaches like Safe Havens?

3. The Chronically Homeless and Traditional Homeless Programs
Require sobriety and compliance with TX as a condition of admission
Require sobriety and compliance with TX as a condition of continued stay

4. The Low Demand/Safe Haven Model
Targets chronically homeless with mental illness and substance use problems
Targets Veterans who have failed in traditional programs
Does not require sobriety or compliance with MH TX as a condition of admission
Does not require sobriety or compliance with MH TX as a condition of continued stay
Demands are kept to a minimum
Environment of care is non-intrusive as possible
Rules focus on staff and resident safety

5. What? No Rules? W

6. What are the rules?
No dealing or use of illicit drugs in the facility
No buying or selling of alcohol or drugs in the facility
No sexual activity between residents
No violence or threats of violence

7. House Rules and Expectations
Rules are kept to a minimum
Simple and easily understood
Focus on safety of residents and staff
Infractions are used to engage residents

8. Demands are Minimal But Expectations Are High Focus on Keeping the Resident Stably Housed

9. The Four Demonstration Model Programs
Bedford/Boston
Bronx
Philadelphia
Tampa/Bay Pines

10. HUD Safe Haven Program
Authorized by McKinney-Vento Act of 1994
Congress has not appropriated funds for Safe Havens
Funded from HUD’s Supportive Housing Program
HUD has not published regulations for Safe Havens

11. HUD Safe Haven Requirements
Safe Haven Design
The Safe Haven must comply with all SHP requirements in addition to specific Safe Haven requirements:
Must serve hard-to-reach homeless persons with severe mental illnesses who are on the streets and have been unable or unwilling to participate in supportive services
Must allow 24-hour residence for an unspecified duration
Must have private or semi-private accommodations
Must limit overnight occupancy to no more than 25 persons
May include a drop-in center as part of outreach activities; and
Is a low demand facility where participants have access to needed services, but are not required to utilize them

12. Key Differences in VA’s Safe Haven Program
Program is a Model Development Initiative
HCHV contract funding authority is used to support the program
Program has time limits
Carries the expectation that veterans and their families will transition to permanent housing
Program effectiveness and fidelity will be measured on an ongoing basis

13. Are Safe Havens Effective?
The Ward Family Foundation Study
Review of 79 Safe Haven Programs
Identified Best Practices of Safe Havens
Further Reference:

14. Best Practices of Safe Havens
Smaller is better
Privacy (private room) is desired by both residents and staff
Best facilities stayed fully occupied 80% of time

15. More Best Practices Admission Practices
-Staff assist residents with admission forms
-Facility allowed trial visits to see if there was
a “good fit”
Admission Criteria
-Will not accept unless truly homeless
-Target dually diagnosed chronic homeless
-Targets those who cannot or will not be served by
other homeless programs

16. More Best Practices
Services Available to Residents
-Case Management Services
-Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Treatment
-Vocational Services
*Services are not a condition of admission or continued stay

17. More Best Practices Daily Life
-Opportunities available for residents to participate in program governance
-Senior residents provide mentoring and positive support to new residents
-Facility provided programs of general interest
(sports, cooking classes, birthday parties, etc)
-Facility provided incentives for doing daily chores

18. Serving the Hard to Serve
New Models
New Approaches
Innovation