1. NCDA Winter Legislative & Policy Conference 2008 Notes from a 10-year plan to end homelessness in Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon

2. Background  National movement to address homelessness through local 10-year plans began in 2000  New research (Culhane, et al) released in 2002 provided basis for policies focused on ending chronic homelessness  In 2002, local research documented that extremely low-income adults with special needs (disabilities) were disproportionately represented among homeless; recommended more housing linked to services, and many systems changes.

3. Resources  Hit the trifecta of awards in Fall 2002 - $9.8 million  $625,000 from CSH for Taking Health Care Home  $3,430,440 – ICH Chronic Homeless Grant  $5,741,900 – HUD/DOL Chronic Homeless Grant  These resources helped build momentum towards 10-Year Plan

4. Portland’s Process  Citizens Commission established by Mayor with County Chair endorsement  Community Based Planning in Coordinating Committee  Involved over 250 people from more than 90 agencies & organizations via 8 workgroups and other community forums

5. Three Principles  Focus on the most chronically homeless populations;  Streamline access to existing services to prevent and reduce other homelessness;  Concentrate resources on programs that offer measurable results.

6. Nine Action Steps  Move people into housing first  Stop discharging people into homelessness  Improve outreach to homeless people  Emphasize permanent solutions  Increase supply of permanent supportive housing

7. Nine Action Steps, cont.  Create innovative new partnerships to end homelessness  Make rent assistance system more effective  Increase economic opportunity for homeless people  Implement new data collection technology

8. Elements of Successful PSH  Multiple, stable funding sources (rent or operational subsidy, services, capital)  Flexibility in blending resources  Commitment to work across jurisdictions  Strong working relationship with developer, operator and service provider

9. Sustainable funding challenges Initial grants have come to an end Innovative programs began with OTO funds, requiring annual renewal Costly to run “old style” homeless program & simultaneously advance PSH agenda

10. Political challenges Turn-over of elected officials who have championed the program Sweeps by local law enforcement and other “public safety” measures NIMBY lives on Fending off “the next big thing”

11. Industry challenges Some partners resist reorienting mission of housing program to PSH Fragmented social housing delivery system difficult to reorient to PSH CDC industry concerns about service funding needed to achieve PSH goals

12. Working around the obstacles Sustainability plan calls for converting programs funded with OTO to on-going funding Funders Committee can commit both housing and service resources to PSH projects Great data demonstrates value of program Consultant reviewing social housing delivery system

13. STAY FOCUSED

14. Goals and Outcomes Outcome2 ½ Year Goal Cum.% achieved Chronically homeless who have homes 7601,260166% Families housed6251,028165% (high resource using families) 213400188% Permanent supportive housing opened 260480185% (added to pipeline)48043992%

15. Street Count Outcomes January 23, 2007 1284 2355 386 1438 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 OverallChronic 2005 2007 -39% -70%

16. Reduced Use of Emergency Systems (Community Engagement Program)

17. Lessons learned.  Seek commitment and creativity at the political, bureaucratic, and provider level  Hire dedicated staff to lead the planning and implementation effort  Follow a clearly defined goal of ending and preventing homelessness  Replicate best practices from other jurisdictions

18. Lessons learned.  Don’t be afraid to engage the most vocal critics  Seek out individuals and systems self-interest for participating in a process/program  Create an environment of shared accountability and mutual support for goals  Simplicity and flexibility allow for change down the road  Celebrate successes!

19. Portland Goals & Achievements  1600 units for chronically homeless individuals  600 units for homeless families  837 opened or in pipeline for homeless individuals  171 opened or in pipeline for homeless families

20. Some Online Resources www.portlandonline.com/bhcdwww.portlandonline.com/bhcd - look for PSH toolkit www.csh.orgwww.csh.org – lots of online resources, guides, studies, best practices

21. Thank you Copies of the plan and outcome reports are available online at: www.portlandonline.com/bhcd Homeless Team Program Manager: Heather Lyons City of Portland, Bureau of Housing and Community Development hlyons@ci.portland.or.us 503-823-2396

22. Who was homeless in Multnomah County in FY2005-06? Annual Approximately 19,200 served in FY 05-06:  10,936 adults without children (3.6% reduction from FY 04-05)  7,865 persons in families (5.4% increase from FY 04- 05)  384 homeless youth (12% reduction from FY 04-05) Point in time  1,438 unduplicated “street count”  2,840 unduplicated in “shelter count” – 48.5% individuals in families with children