1. HOW COMMUNITIES PREVENT HOMELESSNESS: LESSONS FOR HOWARD COUNTY

2. BACKGROUND Bridges’ Stabilization Services Task Force Researched family homelessness prevention strategies to: Educate selves and others Identify successful strategies Identify strategies potentially appropriate for Howard County

3. Selection of Best Practices Communities Reviewed select literature Focused on NAEH’s Promising Strategies to End Family Homelessness Solicited staff recommendations

4. Selection of Best Practices Communities (continued) Selected communities with: – Similar demographics – Relevant strategies – Success!

5. Five (5) Questions What are your key success factors? What are your program components? Key points of client intervention? What have been your major barriers/pitfalls/issues? How do you determine success? What are/have been your funding sources?

6. Communities Interviewed Sacramento, CA Boston, MA Montgomery County, MD Dayton, OH Columbus, OH Lancaster County, PA Hennepin County, MN Fairfax/Falls Church, VA

7. FINDINGS

8. Success Factors Community Commitment – Support from key leaders – Community partners working together in single system Case Management Relationships and work with landlords Use of both a holistic approach and housing approach

9. Key Program Components Assessment (Intensive) case management Housing First Landlord/tenant relationships, involvement, mediation Legal assistance (eviction prevention)

10. Key Program Components (continued) Flexible financial assistance Referrals to community-based supportive services Follow-up

11. Intervention/Entry Points Central intake - Single or uniform entry process Catchment areas (by zip code); service centers Shelters Schools

12. Intervention/Entry Points (continued) Court system: eviction filings, rental delinquencies Public Housing Authority Departments of Social Services, welfare offices 2-1-1; 311;information and referral agencies

13. Barriers Community buy-in and support Engaging all relevant services, not just housing Limited funds Staffing requirements Affordable housing

14. Barriers (continued) Severity of poverty Number of families needing assistance Limitations and inflexibility of funding criteria and rules Mistrust and turf issues among and between agencies

15. Measurement and Evaluation Significant variability Rate of return for assistance within “x” (often 12) months Period of time housing is maintained Comprehensive system of data collection and analysis is important; HMIS used by some

16. Funding Multiple resources with as much flexibility as possible Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re- Housing Program (HPRP) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) State and local government funds

17. Funding (continued) Local tax revenue (recordation tax, property tax levy, human service levy) Private sector (foundations, United Way, churches, corporations and businesses) State Trust Fund Grants

18. Next, we will hear from some of these successful communities!

19. BREAK!