HomeMy WebLinkAboutPreventing Homelessness – Potential StrategiesPreventing Homelessness: In Search of Evidence-Based Solutions
August 8. 2025 Housing Task Force Meeting
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AH Providers
Homeless Response System =
Housing Service Providers
System Goal: Reduce Homelessness and Housing Insecurity/Risk of Homelessness
Bayside, Dove House, OlyCAP, Owl 360,
Winter Welcoming Center
-- PLUS –
Lived Experts
Habitat EJC,
Peninsula Housing Authority,
Olympic Housing Trust, Hugging Tree, Community Build
Community housing organizations, homeless service/advocacy organizations, By and For organizations, social service providers and educational organizations, and government agencies and
boards.
Service Network
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Affordable Rental Void
The number of housing units needed to eliminate current homelessness and cost burden is 2200 (HAPT 2020 data)
Of the 4,119 housing units needed in Jefferson County over the next twenty years, 70% or 2,900 units fall into the affordable housing income brackets of at or below 80% AMI. In Port
Townsend, the affordable housing need is even higher - 85%, equivalent to 1,403 affordable units of the 1,648 total.
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Source: ACS Table B25106 5 Yr Estimates
Rental households below 80% AMI are at greatest risk for homelessness and displacement from the housing shortage.
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Source: Draft Housing Needs Analysis, City of Port Townsend, Feb 2025
BIPOC/PGM are more likely to rent with the exception of Asians.
Seniors, BIPOC/PGM, and families with minor children see higher rates of cost burden than other adults, whites, and families without children respectively.
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Supply versus Demand
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Homelessness Prevention
-- from Needs Assessment
Financial Assistance: Expand the use of subsidies and bridging grants and loans to cover rent, security deposits, and other upfront and moving costs.
Community Support: Foster social connections and advocacy to help individuals navigate housing challenges and prevent isolation.
Community-Based Solutions: Engage local organizations, schools, and faith groups to provide resources and destigmatize homelessness.
Sustainable Funding: Secure operational funding for prevention programs and case management services and increase staffing to meet the growing demand for housing services.
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Barriers and Gaps
Lack of Affordable Rentals Nowhere to go
Significant Downrenting – Housing must not only Affordable but Available
Unacknowledged Problem of Underhoused Results in Lack of Outreach and Access to Resources
Also undermines Comp Plan goals
Small Landlords Struggle to Manage Properties Profitably Rentals Conversion to Home Ownership Loss of Rentals (700 in last 13 years)
Broken Continuum Disconnect between HRS and AH Market
AH Providers not integrated part of continuum specifically Coordinated Entry’ process for placement in housing (Placement is handled mostly by case managers)
You aren’t entered into the HMIS coordinated entry system until you are homeless and case management must be in place.
Eviction Prevention dollars (through OlyCAP) can cover 3 months of back rent. Before accessing, you need to have a pay or vacate notice and it takes many months for the landlord to
get the money.
Time and Effort to Access HRS Resources is Administrative and Emotional Burden
Lack of resources – references, financial history, and savings to pay upfront costs of new housing – present formidable additional barriers to securing housing in private market, while
the eligibility requirements for low-income subsidized housing (less than $18-19/hour) is a barrier.
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Bright Spots
Passage of Rent Stabilization Bill
Success of Prevention Interventions (5 times more cost effective than shelter services)
Success of Global Lease Model Coupled to Client Centered Programs
The Nest and Recovery Cafe providing community and access to resources
Step Up in Service Provider Development of PSH and AH
Successful Home Ownership Housing Programs – as low income renters move into homeownership frees up rentals
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Needs-Based Solutions (1)
1. Expand Information Resources
Example: Provide a model lease available by download that followed all the rules and was legally vetted. The lease could be trusted and would help both renters and landlords
Example: Information campaign on new rent stabilization law
Example: Master lease program and/or toolkit.
2. Lower Barriers to Accessing Resources
Meet people where they are at
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3. Non-Profit Rental Management Service
Need: Coordinated access to below-market rate rentals.
Create a broader (supply-side) service for identifying and matching Affordable Housing properties and people in addition to individual case management networking
Training for Tenants and Landlords
4. Tenants Rights Union
Need: Protection for renters, especially underhoused
5. Incentivizing Community-based Rentals
Repair program aimed at upgrading rental properties
Local tax credits for building affordable housing units
Needs-Based Solutions (2)
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