1. Rural Homelessness: Challenges & Strategies NAEH National Conference July 17, 2006 Mark Kudlowitz, Research Associate Housing Assistance Council mark@ruralhome.org

2. Housing Assistance Council HAC helps communities achieve their goals by providing:  Technical Assistance  Training  Loan Fund(s)  Research and Information  Advocacy

3. Overview & “The Numbers”  Diverse populations  Unreliable data  3.5 million homeless nationally  Burt et al. – 9 percent of all homeless live in rural areas

4. Precariously Housed Rural Residents Housing CharacteristicsNumber of Units Cost Burden4,979,000 Poor Quality1,041,000 Crowding268,000 Multiple Housing Problems662,000 Total Number of Units6.95 Million Units

5. Key Differences of Rural Homeless  Less likely to receive government assistance  Experience shorter periods of homelessness  As likely to have mental health, alcohol, or drug problems  Less likely to have health insurance and access to medical care (Post 2002)

6. The Barriers  Common Barriers to Serving the Rural Homeless - Definitional Issues - Access to Services - Assessing Needs - Community Awareness & Support

7. Overcoming Barriers  What ways have you overcome these barriers?

8. Overcoming Barriers What HAC has found:  Homeless prevention  Collaboration/Networking  Emergency Shelters/Transitional Housing  Utilizing state resources

9. Successful Rural Models  Carey Counseling Center  SW Georgia Housing Development Corp.

10. Carey Counseling Program Description: 23-unit facility for persons with chronic mental illness and/or physical disabilities. Funding Sources:  HUD SHP (Acquisition, Development, & Supportive Services)  FHLB AHP (Acquisition & Development) Herrington Place Camden, Tennessee

11. Southwest Georgia Housing Development Corporation Program Description: 20-unit supportive housing project serving women and families with alcohol and/or drug addiction issues Funding Sources:  Georgia DCA (Housing Development)  Georgia DHR (Clinical Services)  Randolph County (Land Donation)  USDA RD (Infrastructure; Daycare Facility)  HUD (Section 8)  Cuthbert Housing Authority (Equipment Purchase)  GA Dept. of Tech. Education (College) Millennium Center Cuthbert, Georgia

12. Successful Models: Lessons Learned  Collaborations are necessary!! Federal program: HUD, RHS, HHS, FHLB State agencies: Mental Health, Housing, Courts Local activism, energy, and innovation

13. USDA Rural Housing Service Programs  Section 515  Section 538  Section 514/516  Section 523 Self Help  Section 502  Section 504  Community Facility Loans and Grants

14. HAC Office Locations Housing Assistance Council 1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 606 Washington, DC 20005 202-842-8600, fax: 202-347-3441 hac@ruralhome.org HAC Southwest Office 3939 C San Pedro, N. E., Suite 7 Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-883-1003, fax: 505-883-1005 southwest@ruralhome.org HAC Midwest Office 10920 Ambassador Drive, Suite 220 Kansas City, MO 64153 816-880-0400, fax: 816-880-0500 midwest@ruralhome.org HAC Southeast Office 615 Peachtree Street, N. E., Suite 1130 Atlanta, GA 30309 404-892-4824, fax: 404-892-1204 southeast@ruralhome.org HAC Western Office 131 Camino Alto, Suite D Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-381-1706, fax: 415-381-0801 susan@ruralhome.org