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Home My WebLink About003 05 t1 . ~.-z ,~~~ ) .;JILL W /.03'0:} COUNTY OF JEFFERSON State of Washington Endorsing the Creation and } Implementation of a Ten-Year Plan } to End Chronic Homelessness } RESOLUTION NO. 03-05 WHEREAS, chronically homeless individuals and families, those with the most persistent forms of homeless ness, are ~filicted not only by poverty but also by chronic conditions such as mental illness and substance abuse; and, WHEREAS, many of these individuals and families require a variety of support services from City, County, State, and private sources, and WHEREAS, many of these individuals and families have been identified through the Point in Time Homeless Survey; and WHEREAS, the abolition of chronic home1essness requires a coordinated planning process including the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the Department of Community Development and other respective departments as appropriate to best determine how to implement prevention and intervention strategies, and WHEREAS, the Federal government has mandated that local communities, through their Continuum of Care Committees, develop long-range plans identifying the strategies necessary to end chronic home1essness within their jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, the Jefferson County Commissioners have participated with the Continuum of Care planning for the homeless through informal representation in the Continuum of Care Planning group. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Jefferson County Commissioners that Jefferson County supports the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, as described in Attachment A; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Jefferson County will assign staff time to formal representation by the County on a working group to provide necessary information and input to the development and implementation of action items related to the County for the completion of the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. i'/ r::i. ~q?f.~S J daYOf~<wUd' ,2ooS. \:~ \ 'J;.fi' ~~ .1 .. ' .../ ~~ ;J#~ ATTES'l\,,'., \.~",,:",,":' .#t, :~. ,,/' ~ ~~~'O~~:: /21 :~~ - TO: DATE: SUBJECT: Jefferson County Commissioners January 3, 2005 Jefferson County Resolution Regarding Chronic Homelessness Introduction: The purpose ofthis resolution is to endorse a ten-year plan to end chronic homelessness in this community. The Jefferson County Continuum of Care developed the plan for the Homeless in response to a mandate from the U.S. Congress and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recommended Action: That the Commissioners approve this resolution. Background: Congressional Mandate. On a nationa11eve1, the U.S. Congress has mandated that Continuum of Care Committees offering assistance to homeless persons implement a plan by December 31,2004 to reduce the numbers of chronically homeless persons in their regions. Congress defines a chronically homeless person as someone who has been without a permanent place of residence and suffers from a chronic mental illness and/or has a substance abuse issue. Since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides most of the funding in support of programs for this population under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, HUD has been charged with carrying out this mandate. The local Continuum consists of representatives from the City of Port Townsend, Jefferson County, and the homeless service providers. The attached Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness was developed by the local Continuum. Input into the plan was primarily provided by the agencies that provide direct services to the homeless, including shelter, medical services, faith based services, case management, counseling and support. Plan Summary. The plan includes a four-part strategy to end chronic home1essness. The four parts are summarized below: · Prevention. Homelessness can result from a variety of problems ranging from a housing crisis caused by the loss of a job to domestic violence. With emergency support services and temporary housing options in place, such as emergency rent assistance and shelters, these situations can often be addressed and resolved. They need not result in long-term home1essness for an individual. Thus, these services are critical to the prevention of chronic home1essness. Although many of these services are currently available, there are ways to improve access to them through better coordination, education, and networking efforts. · Coordination. The local Continuum of Care is dedicated to providing a comprehensive, coordinated array of housing options and supportive services for the homeless. Coordination among service providers helps to reduce gaps and duplication in the delivery of services. It also ensures that resources are being used as efficiently as possible. The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) through the CAPi10t client tracking system is currently being implemented by Olympic Community Action Programs. This computer system will allow our County to coordinate client services and track client usage of services. · Maintenance. For persons caught in the cycle of homeless ness, supportive services frequently need to continue beyond the point where they obtain permanent housing. The Continuum will continue to work towards strengthening the infrastructure of our mainstream support services. · Evaluation. The last component in the plan to end chronic homelessness is evaluation. A regular assessment ofthe needs of homeless persons and the services available to them allows the Continuum to respond to changing demands and continue to provide effective solutions to the problem ofhome1essness. This may be the area most lacking in the local Continuum. The CAPilot program will provide a much needed assessment tool and will allow service providers to track progress and identify where changes need to be made. Endorsement of the Plan. Approval of this resolution will demonstrate the County's endorsement ofthe Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and the strategies that accompany it. Alternatives: Alternative 1: This alternative would lend the County's endorsement to the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. a. Advantages · Demonstrates the County's support for strategies that may help individuals break the cycle of chronic home1essness. · The development of collaboratively funded housing plus services projects can lead to a net increase in income for the County. · Projects developed to assist the homeless can also benefit the larger low-income community. b. Disadvantages · The plan only addresses a specific type ofhome1essness. Those individuals or families that do not meet the definition of chronically homeless are not covered under this plan. · Although Congress and HUD have mandated that communities develop this long-range plan, the federal budget for programs designed to address the homeless problem has not significantly increased over the last several years. , Alternative 2: By defeating this resolution, the County would refrain from endorsing the plan as written. Board members could also choose to provide a conditional endorsement ifthey objected only to specific strategies included in the plan. a. Advantages · This alternative would allow Board members to state their objections to all or parts ofthe plan. · The State Consolidated Plan lists homeless prevention as a priority for this community. Failure to endorse the Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness could appear inconsistent with this Consolidated Plan priority. Staffing Impact. Staff attend monthly meetings of the Continuum of Care. In order to implement the 10 Year Plan a total commitment of 10 hours per month is required. Prepared by: Sylvia Arthur, Coordinator, Continuum of Care Planning for the Homeless Reviewed by: ~AJ John chbach, County AdImmstrator IZ./!!J 1>10{ Date Page 2 "ATTACHMENT A" A Place for Everyone- Steps for Ending Chronic Homelessness What perceptions do you have of homelessness? For many it is the picture of a single male, perhaps holding a handmade sign asking for money. For some perhaps it is a picture of the Depression when families packed all they had and headed to places like California, Oregon a~d Washington, looking for work. Twenty years ago there was not widespread homelessness in America. Tonight neariy 1 million people will be homeless. The beginnings of this new wave of homelessness started in the 1960's and 70's with the deinstitutionalizaiton of mental health patients. The responsibility for caring for ex-long tenn residents of state mental institutions were supposed to be transferred to community based mental health centers. However, the funds to support community based mental health care were never appropriated or were cut. Until the late 1970's many ex-residents lived in single resident occupancy units in low cost hotels or rooming houses. Between the mid 1970's and the mid 1980's, the country lost 780,000 units with rents less than $250 mostly because of urban renewal, inflation and or gentrification. By 1990 housing cost rose so dramatically that a persbn would have had to spend their entire SSI (Social Security Insurance) check on rent. Also, between 1980-1987 federal expenditures on public housing were cut. By 1995 the number of low-income renters exceeded the number of low cost units by 4.4 million. Housing costs have risen. Earnings from employment and from benefits have not kept pace with the cost of rent for low-income people. Mainstream social programs like TANF (welfare), Medicaid, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, veterans assistance do have the ability to prevent and end homelessness, but cuts in spending to these programs and changes in outcome priorities have prevented these organizations fonn being able to respond adequately. Affordability Gap Households in Jefferson 2,780 Count who rent % Living below Federal 25.1% Poverty level ($9,310 for a family of 1, $18,850 for a famil of 4 % Renters who are cost 42.4% burdened (pay >30% of income on housin % Renters who are 22% severely cost burdened (pay >50% of income on housin Max affordable 30% 50% monthly housing cost AMI* AMI $653 Fair Market Rent 1 Bdr 2 Bdr 3 Bdr for Jefferson $443 $545 $738 Count Continuum of Care for the Homeless Housing Wage Gap Hourly Wage @ 4Ohrs. /wk. needed to afford: 123 Bedroom Bedroom Bedroom Apartment Apartment Apartment $8.52 $10.48 $14.19 # Of work Hourslwk Necessary @ minimum wage needed to afford: 49 hrslwk 60 hrslwk 81 hrslwk * Jefferson County Area Median Income (AMI) from HUD- $52,220 per year/$4,35O per month. 30'% of AMI is $15,660 per year. Oct. 1,2004 - 1 - Why are people Hom less? Homelessness can be broken down into t ree general categories. 1. Chronic Homelessness refers to an eXtended pisode of homelessness (more than one year or four or more times over a thr+e-year period. 2. Episodic Homelessness is sporadic use of thel~helter system. People leave shelters when they get income or use them seFlsonally. 3. Transitional Homelessness last for a brief perifd' It is usually due to- economic hardship and temporary housing loss. I Factors that contribute to h melessness People are homeless because there isn't enou h affordable housing. In Jefferson County there is a need for: I . . Rent subsidies for people who are Irent bu . Affordable housing construction inq:entives . Appropriate funding for housing and servi . A funding plan for building housing People are homeless because work doesn't pay.,ough to cover the cost of housing. Some homeless have lost their jobs and h$ve no savings. Some cannot find employment or are taking a long time to find employnjlent. Living Wage Crisis in Washington State Living Wage - Calculated using a subsistence budget, 33% lesl than average family income Livable Wage for a Family of Four in Washington State $33,829.30 % Of jobs with the most growth in Washington that pay less tha a Living Wage 71 % % Of above jobs that pay less than half a Living Wage 46% The fast food. retail services, grocery. health care, janitorial and security industries employ low wage workers in Washington's fasted growing occupations. IAn exam nation of CEO salaries in these industries finds CEO compensation ranging from 143 to 812 tim$s the mal ian income of workers. Compensation can ranee from $14 - $16 oar minute. I i People are homeless because mental Illness ancllk>r substance abuse interfere with their ability to obtain and retain housing and/or employment Solutions fo . Perm Total # of chronic Stated 4isabilities homeless in JC I 56 Substance Mental Mental 3 or more Abuse Illness Illness disabilities and SA 10 5 4 17 r chronic homelessness include: anent low demand housing and medical care. for the Homeless Oct. 1,21)04 -2- Continuum of Care People are homeless because the safety net or mainstream systems have been compromised. . Funding cuts limit our ability to sustain existing useful programs. . Changes in state and federal policies result in mainstream organizations having to restructure internally and adopt new objectives and outcomes. This is an added workload in" and of itself. It further compromises our ability to help prevent and end homelessness. Budget Cuts Proposed Cuts in the federal budget for fiscal year 2005 Highlights . Total grants to State and local governments $28 billion less than FY2004 . Notable cuts- local law enforcement, juvenile justice, community policing services, violence against women. Some funds would go up but overall the Office of Justice would be cut by almost $900 million, or 25% . State and local homeland security and firefighter assistance under Community Development, funding would be cut, emergency food and shelter under Income Security. . Grants to States for Medicaid accounts Washington could lose an estimated $558.2 million if the FY2005 passes unamended including: . Housing Assistance $39,822,860 . Title I education assistance $11,933,319 . Community Development $2,354,055 . Clean Water Fund $10,888,142 People are homeless because they are fleeing abuse. This category includes foster children, runaways and victims of Domestic Violence People are homeless because: . They are resistant to or have given up receiving help that could stabilize their housing situations . They are not aware of help . They choose to balance their small income and oftentimes mental health needs by living simply in public and private spaces . They do not qualify for public funded housing . Personal behaviors, bad credit or poor landlord references interfere with their ability to obtain and retain housing. Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct. 1,2004 - 3- The Continuum of Care fo the Homeless Federal steDs towards helDina the homeless In 1994 the US Department of Housing and Urban D velopment (HUD) initiated the Continuum of Care p~ss to encourage and coordi ate strategic approaches to planning for programs that assist individuals and fam lies who are homeles~. The Continuum of Care approach is the means by which eral McKinney Homeless Assistance funds for shelters and supportive housing programs can be applied for. The Key Elements of the Continuum of Care approa are: . Strategic planning . Data collection systems . Inclusive processes The goal of ending chronic homelessness was first arlticulated in July 2000, when the National alliance to end Homelessness included it as Ipart of its ten-year plan toe en~ homelessness altogether. The Department of Housirjg and Urban Development accepted this goal in 2001. President Bush made "eliding chronic homelessness in the next decade a top objective" in his FY 2003 budget. i Local Efforts i In 1992 the Homeless Planning Committee met on J~fferson County. They organized to find services and shelter for persons without housi~g. They also responded to specific needs or crisis. i I ! In 1997 the Olympic Community Action Program spo sored a planning meeting with 28 social service representatives and members of the mmunity. They developed priorities for our homeless problem and created a 1-y ar action plan. In 2001 another planning group met and detennined hat we needed up to date infonnation on our local needs and resources. The ntinuum of Care for Jefferson County was fonnally created with Olympic Commun' Action Council being the lead agency. The Continuum has identified local barriers to afforda Ie housing. They fall into four categories: 1. lack of sufficient income to afford available ho es. 2. Insufficient infonnation I understanding about ffordable housing among local citizens. 3. Little history of collaboration among stakehold rs. 4. High cost of developing new housing: Includin land, infrastructure, and construction. Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct. I, 2004 -4- The Continuum arouD created a Five-vear action Dlan for 2001-2005 1. Create a' County-Wide Housing Coalition 2. Support Affordable Housing Projects in the development Process 3. Initiate Planning for Adult Shelter Projects 4. Initiate a Major Campaign to Increase Affordable Housing 5. Increase the Use of a Strong Case management Model in Homeless Programs 6. Expand Housing Rehabilitation Programs in Port Townsend What is happeninG todav? In 2002 the United States Interagency Council On Homelessness was reactivated. The mission of the council is to develop and implement a comprehensive national approach to end homelessness in the United States through interagency, intergovernmental, and intercommunity collaborations. The Council was created as an independent establishment through the Stewart McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. It is composed of twenty Cabinet Secretaries and agency heads. To date over 100 cities and some states have committed themselves to developing a plan to end chronic homelessness in 10 years. Currently, the ICH is taking the federal lead in the campaign to end Chronic Homelessness in 1 0 Years. Every community that receives McKinney Homeless funding has been encouraged to write a 1 0 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. Nationally the chronically homeless represent 10% of the homeless population, yet they consume over 50% of homeless resources. In Jefferson County, approximately 30% of individuals counted in our Point In Time survey were chronically homeless. The ICH plans to end chronic homelessness with a housing first approach, new federal funding and interagency collaboration. The 10-year planning process requires: . A long tern commitment . Staff time and energy . A willingness to forge new partnerships . An ability to think creatively about old problems and existing resources Indeed, collaboration and a strong working group made up of staff from all stakeholders is the successful model being used across the country to create needed outputs and adapt to new funding processes. Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct. 1,2004 -5- The Continuum of Care .for the Homeless Planning 9roup for efferson County Washington is pleased and proud to present to you our Ten Year Flan for nding Chronic Homelessness. Our V~sion The following vision was-developed in April2p01 th ugh a visioning process involving members of the Jefferson County Continuum! of Care Planning Committee:- We visualize a Continuum of Care for the hom less in Jefferson County that provides adequate shelter and housing r~source , along with a menu of services effectively utilized by an active and collaborative provider community to plan and implement programs and activities that facilita e homeless persons towards independence and stable housing. The principal elements of this Continuum are: . Adequate shelter and transitional housing s will be available for the period . Affordable housing will be available and in equate supply needed by the client. . A full range of services will be made availabl ,including a solid base of intensive case management services. I . Services will be provided throughout the c04nty, and transportations will not be a barrier I . Barriers to obtaining access to services will ~ reduced. . Prevention activities will be adequate to reduce the number falling into I homelessness ' . Foster care will be adequate for housing yo~h . There will be a close working collaborative \fIith regular meetings on an administrative and clinical level, and there will ~ adequate resources to afford to meet and plan collaboratively. ' . Living wage jobs will be obtainable for those 0 seek them We need to: ~ Bring our projects into alignment with current nd future funding streams ~ Adopt a financing strategy that works for the si e and makeup of our community ~ Increase our capacity (time, money and know- ow) to get the work done. ~ Increase our knowledge of building affbrdable ousing and shelters, and funding strategies that lead to a net increase irtl resout'1 s into Jefferson County. ~ Create the infrastructure to develop and maint in public housing ~ Adopt a new, "way we always do things" Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct. 1,2004 -6- Our Strateaies Our strategies are based on the comprehensive approach of the National alliance to End Homelessness. Along with other Continuums of Care across the country, we support and endorse their 4-step model and agree that these steps should pe taken simultaneously. SteD 1 Plan for Outcomes Simply managing homelessness does not create the outcome we are looking for. We need to plan to end homelessness. Our objectives for Step 1 are: . Collect better local data . Utilize a planning process that brings not just members of the assistance community but members of state and local government to the table as well. SteD 2 Close the Front Door We close the front door through homeless prevention programs. Many families and individuals are at risk for homelessness because of a hiah rent burden, (paying more than 30% of income for housing expenses). Services through existing safety net programs like food stamps, TANF and fuel assistance are limited. Income supports allow clients to maintain good rental or ownership histories. Mainstream systems today are under funded relative to the true need for these supports. This step also addresses discharge planning from institutions like jail, mental hospitals and foster care. Prevention holds the promise of saving money on expensive systems of remedial care. SteD 3 ODen the Back Door People should be helped to exit homelessness as quickly as possible through a housing first approach. For the chronically homeless, this means pennanent supportive housing with services- a solution that will save money as it reduces the use of other public systems. For families and less disabled single adults it means getting people very quickly into pennanent housing and linking them with services. This is the most challenging step. We do not have a large population of homeless and each subpopulation requires a different kind of housing solution. Because of our size we will seek to be creative in our solutions and our financing. Step 4 Build the Infrastructure Ultimately, people will continue to be threatened with instability until the supply of affordable housing is increased; incomes are adequate to pay for neces~ities such as food, shelter and health care; and people can receive the services they need. Attempts Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct I, 2004 -7- to change the homeless assistance system can resul in building an infrastructure that can 'address the larger context of people with low in meso Healthy families return the investment to the community through increased sale tax revenues and a decreased need for expensive services like the emergency roo . At the federal level, organizations like DSHS and th Veterans Administration are beginning to collaborate to address the needs of the omeless. We could possibly see the effects of these new Collaborative efforts at the 10 I level in 2 - 3 years. Our infrastructure needs to be designed so that we can pture these collaborative-based funds. Participants in the Jefferson County Continuu of Care Planning process Department of Corrections Department of Social and Health Services USDA Rural Development Health and Human Services Department Port Townsend Police Department Building and Community Development City Council Members County Commissioners Affordable Housing Task Force Olympic Area Agency on Aging Housing Authority of Jefferson County Olympic Community Action Programs Domestic VIOlence ISexual Assault Program Jefferson Mental Health Services Citizens at large Continuum of Care for the Homeless Oct. I, 2004 -8- Ending Chronic Homelessness Target: Homeless households who have experienced long-term homelessness. Goal Action Steps Responsible Target Dates Or anizations Mainstream Resources Continue to improve 1. Continue, on-site services by OIyCAP, DOH, DSHS 1. BcgiDniDg January . Medicaid access to Job & " OIyCAP family sIie1t<< 2005 and oagoiDg . State Oilldml's Health Insurance Family services 2. Monitors progress quarterly and thctafter Program programs. provide ongoing technical 2. January, April, July, . TANF assistance and training. October 2005 -2014 . Food ~tamps 3. Conduct annual dala matches to 3. Febauary 2005 and . Workforce Investment Act detennine incidence of IIIIlUlIlly thctafter. . Social Services Block Grant homelessness for families with childrc:n Continue to improve 1. CcaIiaue to liIciIitIde plnDiDc IUd JC Mash, JAS 1. Ncnaaber 2004 - 2014 . Medicaid access to health care impIemeataCioa of 8Ctivitiea in the Jeffcnon Healtbcarc . SCBte CbiJdrc:n's Health lnsuraDce programs, including beaIlh ClR COIIIIIIIIIIity. Committee, OIyCAP, 2. JaDua1y, April, July, Program primaly, cilncqeilcy 2. Monitors progress quarterly and DepaJtmcot of October 2005 -2014 . As:.cess Health and ~ve heIllh provide oagoiDg technical Vetmms AffiUrs . DOH Primary Cue sernces. ' assistance and training. . DOH Health Care for the Homeless 3. Determine feasibility of IIDIlII8l 3. Februaty 2005 De:partmcot ofVderans AfIiIiIs dala matches to detennine . incideace ofhomelesoroo- for . HOPWA disc Continueto ~ Addiction & MeoIal JMHS, OIyCAP, Safe 1. Oagoiug after Jaauary . AlcoboI & Drug block access to Addiction' HealtbIShdtec providcz' group HaJbod'I'uming Paim 200S grants and Memal Health' ineet feguIarly and discuss ways 2. Jaauuy, April. July, , . SubsIaoce Abuse block gntids . progiuns &Teduce toJeduce refeoaIIdiscbaIge to October 2005 -2014 . Medicaid . IlUIJJbe:r ofhmiieless shelteI'S ' 3. Febnwy 2006 and . Mallal Health block grants people with drUg 2. Monitors progress quarterly and IIIIlUlIlly thctafter. . RSN Memal Health block gauD and/or medal health provide ongoing technical . Medicaid problems. assistance and training. . GAU/GAX 3. Conduct annual dala matches to detenDioe incideace of homclessness for ADAMH c:onsumen Continue to reduce 1. Develop plan to reduce disCbaIge OIyCAP, Shelt<< I. May 2005 discharge fiom to homelessDess providen, JAS, WADOC Departmeot of 2. Monitors progress quartcdy and JCMASH 2.1amIa1y, April, July, Com.rctioas & provide cmgoing technical October200S -2014 Rebabilitation (DOC) assistance and training. , to homelessDess 3. If feastble; conduct ammal data 3. January 2005 and matches to detennine incidence of lIIIIRIlIlly thctafter homelessness for disc Develop SO units of pennaneot supportive housing for the 2. Provide ongoing training and cbroDically homeless. technical assistance Mainstream Wodcgroup Oagoiug (2005 - 2014) 2. 0ag0iDg (2005- 2014) Develop 3 units of 1. Monitor progress quarterly pennaneot supportive housing for 2. Provide ODgoing training and cbroDica1ly homeless teclmical assistance families with childre:n CnntiNDIID of Cue Shelt<<Team 1. Ongoing (2005 - 2014) 2. Ongoing (2005 - 2014) Mainstream Workgroup Continue to improve Continue technical assistance to access to HAJC developers and providers programs HAlC, BMA, OIyCAP, Ongoing (2005 - 2014) JMHS, DVISa of JC, City of PI AlITF . SSJlSSDI . Medicaid . ~ based Section 8 . Section 8 & TBRA wuchers . HOME/CDBG . Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Low IQcome Housing Tax Credits . W A Housing Trust Fund . United Way IUGN . Olhea- . vate . . ' . SSIISSDI . Medicaid . Project based Section 8 . Section 8 & TBRA vouchers . HOME I CDBG . Affordable Housing Trust Fund . Low Income Housing Tax Credits . W A Housing Trust Fund . United Way IUGN . Other 'vate ' , . Project based Section 8 . Section 8fI'BRA vouchers Goal Action Steps Responsible I arget Dates Mainstream Resources 0 anizations I Expedite benefits 1. Study feasibility of implementing 1. sheltea-&: (2005-2014) . SSI/SSDI eoroUment by the SSI expediting project based on supportive housing . Medicaid Social Security Baltimore model. providers Administration 2. Conduct data match to determine 2. Case mmagement extalt of population uodea--saved providers by Medicaid. 3. case IDlIIIpl'S; 3, Convene provida-/fuada'pllllniDg shelter, ftmdcn, group to defiDe implcmematiOll supportive housing viders ~ benefits Conwne providedfimder pllllniDg DepaI1meDt of . VA Health ~ eoroUment by the group to detamine extalt Of Deed lIIId Vctcnns Affairs, . V A Disability Bcoefits, V deiaDs next steps Vctcnns Service Adminislration Commission, shelter &: supportive housing viders CoatimJe to UlIe loc,aJ. slate, lIIId City of Port . Project based Section 8 federal fimdiDgto iocn:asc the supply ToWDSeDd, Jdfc:noa . Section 8!lBRA wuchas of a1fordabIc housing targeted to Iow- County, HAJC~ United . HOME! CDBG iDeome houseboJds (<50'-' AMI) WayOlyCAP, WA . A1ford8ble Housing Trust Fund HI'F, WSHFC . Low IDcom.e Housing Tax CmIits . UIIited Way IUGN . 0dleI' ~'JJOmeleSS Condnue.to expIIIid.lCCeSStO joblIlt . Wodd'oree Iovesl:mlP Boatd peopIC ~ living wage . emplOymciot that , nic.cits ,bIsic needs IDcRase availability ContUlue to expmIlCCeSS to human DSHS,DOH; JMHS, . ' Alcobol &: Drug Addiction block of~ services ' OIyCAP DV/SA graDIs supportive services Vctcnns Affairs, . Subsbmce Abuse block grams Develop an effective advocacy system Jefferson Couuty, City . Medicaid for sIlIte lIIId feda;d fimdiDg ofpOlt ToWDSald . Meolal Health block grants 03A, DOC, JCMASH, . RSN Meolal Health block grants JAS, NORlIN . Agiug block gIlIIds . TANF CODtIacts for services . Wodd'oree Investmr.ot AI::t . Social Savica Block CiraDl <ADduct data match withJMHS, OIyCAP, JMHS, Sheltet Provida's, DSHS;DOC DSHS, Sheltet Providers, DOC ConductIllllUll POint In Time CoDtinuum. of Care JIIQuy 2005, and lIIDI8Ily homeless c:c:asus COUIIt PIamIing Group , ~ 1. Createwodc pIlIIl for 10 Yeer Plan o.nm--un of Care i. aiL - MIlCh 2005 PIamJiDg Group, 2. , April, July, 1. Mouilor progress ammaIIy lIIId Mainstream 2005-2014 W, Utilize tools for 'Wilder CoDaboratiOll Factors Continuum of Care evaluating outcomes InveotoJy , Annual Gaps Survey and PlaJmiDg Group Annual Td..mifnhon ofHoDle1ess needs Other Goals and Action Steps to Address Homelessness Target: Non-Chronic Homeless households, short-term homelessness, as well as households at-risk ofhome1essness. Continue providing homeIessness prevention and shelter diversion services Advocate to assure no net loss of assisted housing units fix low income households Action Steps I. Continue ESGPIESAP fimding fix' these services and impk:mcatatioo by OlyCAP and their satdlite partners 2. Expand shelter services to include adult shelters 3. Evaluatefor effectiveness MonitOr Section 8/IBRA Re- structuring 1. OlyCAP, City of Port ToWDSaMl, JelfersQDCounty, WA CTED, HAJC, YWCA, and satellite pmtners 2. Above plus adult shelter providers UDited Good Neighbors, City of Port ToWDSaMl, JeffersQD County & o AP JCHA Target nates 1. 00g0iDg 2. 2006 ioitial expIIISioD, then oogoiug 0ag0iDg Mainstream Resources . Medicaid . S1ate aDldm1's Health lnsumnce Prognun . TANF . Food Stamps . Workforce Investmeot Act . Social Services Block Grant . HOME/CDBG . Low Income Housing. Tax Credits . W A Housing Trust Fund . UDited Way United Good Neighbors . OCher corporate foundations and cbaritable . . . Public Housing . Project blISed Section 8 . Section 8/lBRA vouchers Cootiuue providing financial assistance and housing resource services to assist households to exit shelters Continue providing financial assistaDce and direct housing services to assist households to exit shelters Continue providing operations and services funding for traDsitional housing Assure the homeless children have access to public schools Continue to improve access to HAlC programs ContinuefuodiDg fix'these services and implementation by satdlite partners Continue fimding for these services and implcmmCation by OlyCAP Continue Continuum ofCam plaoning for fimding these services and implementation by the transitiooal housing providers I. Assess CUlTCDt compliance with federal and state laws regarding enrollment 2. Determine action plan if areas for vement are identified Continue teclmical assistance to developers and providers United Good Neighbors, City of Port ToWDSaMl, JelfersQD County & OlyCAP United Good Neighbors, City of Port Townsead, JelfersQD County & OlyCAP Continuum ofCam Steering Committee, ESD, OlyCAP, Youth Progratm OlyCAP, HAJC 0ag0iDc 00g0iDg Ongoing . March 200S . July 200S Ongoing . Project blISed Section 8 . Section a/lBRA vouchers . HOME I CDBG . Local Aft'onJable Housing Trust Fund . Low Income Housing Tax Credits . W A Housing Trust FUDd . UDited Way I United Good Neighbors . OCher COlpOI3te foundations and cbaritable . . . Medicaid . Slate aDldm1's Health lnsumnce . TANF . Food Stamps . Workforce Investment Act . Social Services Block Grant . HOME ICDBG . Low Income Housing Tax Credits . Ohio Housing Trust FUDd . United WaylUnited Good Neighbors . Other corporate foundations and charitable . . . TANF . Social Services Block Grant . HOME ICDBG . Low Income Housing Tax Credits . W A Housing Trust FUDd . United WaylUnited Good Neighbors . Other corporate foundations and charitable . . . Local Levd . S1ate Funding . Public Housing . Project blISed Section a . Section a/IBRA vouchers Why Housing Matters by Lance George Our homes and our communities are inextricably linked to everything we do and are. HOUSing matters. Housing and communities are comer- , stones for quality of life and economic well-being. The Housing AssistaDce Council's State of the Nations Rural Housing report for the year 2000 not only examines recentdata on rural housing conditions, but also details the connections between housing and, other aspects .of life. The report pays particular attention to special populations including low- ,income families, minorities, seniors, and households with children. Some of the report's findings are excerpted below. Other articles in this issue of Rural J.&Jref provide more detail on why _housing matters Jor economic development, welfare reform, farmworker health, and children. Brief stories about real people's experiences help illustrate the points made in the articles. The report begins with a description of rura1 housing conditions and an analysis of several important trends in rura1 housing. It is based on an analysis of 1997 American Housing Survey data, with Mrural" places defined as nonmetropolitan areas. Among the conditions and trends noted are: . About 22 million, or 22 percent, of all occupied housing units in the United States are'in nonmetropolitan areas. . Owner-occupied units, traditionally prevalent in rura1 areas, continue to comprise the major portion of the nonmetro housing stock. The homeownership rate of rural Americans is significantly higher than the national rate. . Rural rental households, who tend to have lower incomes than owners, experience some of the most significant housing problems in the United States. . Mobile homes make up one of the fastest growing housing segments in the U.S., and in rural areas in particular - their numbers have grown by 38 percent since 1987. . While a majority of Hispanic households live in metropol- itan areas, proportionally their increase has been more significant in nonmetro areas. The number of nonmetro Hispanic households increased 86 percent between 1985 and 1997. Nonmetro Hispanic-headed households experience inade- quate housing at twice the rate for all nonmetro households. . Elderly households are already more prevalent in nonmetro Housing Assistance Council areas than metro areas, and the proportion of elderly residents is increasirtg nationwide. A disproportionate number of nonmetro seniors are single women. Approximately 60 percent of elderly ,householders in nonmetro areas are either poor or near poor. . IncQmes are lower in nonriletro areas than in the rest of the country. Approximately 9.7 million nonmetro households (45 percent) have incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income and are considered low-income. . Approximately 19 percent of nonmetro households have incomes below the poverty level, compared to 16 percent nation- wide. Certain subpopu1ations of nonmetro households experience even greater-levels-of poverty. namely Native American house- holds at 41 percent, African American households at 38 percent, and female-headed households at 35 percent. The Census Bureau's 'most recent reports on poverty and income are examined in a separate article in this Issue of Rural J.&Jres. . Despite the fact that housing costs are lower in nonmetro areas than in metro areas, many nonmetro households, particu- larly renters, find it difficult to meet their housing costs. . Most cost-burdened households have low incomes, and a disproportionate number are renters. . In the past half century, the quality of housing in rura1 areas has improved dramatically. Housing quality problems persist in the United States, however, and tend to be most common in rura1 areas and central cities. An these facts are important because a safe, secure, and affordable living environment serves as a catalyst for many factors that contribute to a high quality of life. In general, nonmetro residents tend to express higher satisfaction with their housing and neighborhoods than do their metropolitan counterparts. These satisfaction levels decrease for nonmetro households experiencing quality or cost problems, but increase for low-income households with government housing assis- tance. Furthermore, an overwhelming proportion of assisted renters and owners indicate that their subsidized housing is better than their previous dwellings. Satisfaction is only one of many indicators of housing's impact on quality of life. Other indicators include community Rural Voices' Winter 2()()().-2001 Why Housing Matters to Economic Development by Leslie R. Strauss and Frederick M. Toney Development of affordable housing and economic development are interconnected in many ways. A,' ' ',' wonderful job creation prograin can fall if incoming workers have no place to llve,.and abeautlful new , ' ,,', " hollSing develppmeIltcan fall if incoming residents lulve no place to wQrk~ Housing development can serve as economic development. by providing jobs' and job training, can accompany economiC:, development by helping to make an area stable and attractive, and can have far"ieaching ripple effects in the local economy. Economic development can spur housing development by improving the financial situations of existing workers, new workers and entire communities, Somespecific linkages are: JOB CREATION The National Association of Home Builders estimated that in " fiscal year 1993 Section 515 rural rental housing generated $326mlllioninwages within a $573 million program. In an article in th~ Winter 1997-98 issue of Ruial UJices, Gordon Goodwin, a fOrmer staffer at the Rural Development and Finance Corporation, noted that numerous jobs and industries are involved in each step of the housing development process: t Housing developers (nonprofit, for"profit, or public) hire staff and pay taxes. t Land purchases generate fees to Realtors; brokers, title companies, and local governments. t Architects and engineers help prepare a site for development. t Local governments collect permit fees. . t Banks, government agencies, and other lenders make housing loans, receive fees, and pay employees. t Suppliers of lumber, paint, drywall, and other materials are often local businesses that hire local workers and pay local sales taxes. t Laborers and skUled workers are paid for their work, as are utlllty company employees. t People moving to a new home - especially, though not necessarily, a home they own - often buy new furniture, decorating materials and services, and appliances. t Rental properties use ongoing maintenance workers, and Housing Assistance Council service-enriched developments provide jobs for caseworkers. day care,workers, and others. JOB TRAINING. A housing developer can train workers on the job. Some programs, such as HUD's Youthbuild program, provide funding specifically for this purpose. Others may yield training as a side benefit. For example, in USDA's self-help housing program, homebuyers keep costs down by helping to build their own homes and some of them go on to careers in related trades. ENTREPRENEURSHIP A revitalized housing market provides opportunities for entre- preneurs and small businesses such as real estate services, home repairs, and odd Jobs. A sizeable new housing development may generate enough demand for a new convenience store, grocery store, or gas station to open in the area. RIPPLE EFFECTS .In the mid" 1990s USDA calculated that a single-family home financed by the Section 502 program generates 1.75 jobs, $50,201 in wages, and $20,560 in annual tax revenues to rural America. Local officials in the Mississippi Delta region estimate that the construction of 20 homes worth over $50,000 each generates $1 mUlion in tax revenue. INCR~ASED DISPOSABLE INCOME Both renters and homeowners often reduce their housing expen" dltures when they receive housing assistance. Reducing their housing cost burden has the same effect as increasing their income. In addition, homeowners can take advantage of income tax deductions for mortgage interest. Additional retained income can then be used to purchase more goods and services. WEALTH CREATION A home is the largest asset most Americans will ever own. "'. Rural Voices' Winter 2000--2001 Why Housing Matters to Employment and Welfare Reform by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Research increasingly suggests that government housing subsidies can help to promote work among long-term welfare recipients when combined with a well-designed welfare reform program. ,A recent evaluation of , the Minnesota Family Investment , Program (MFIP) by the Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation (MDRC) found reductions in poverty, as well as increases in employment and earnings and even increases in marriage, the strongest gains ever documented for a welfare reform undertaking in the United States. Employment and earnings increased far more among residents of public and subsidized housing than among poor famllies not receMng housing assistance. (Note: Most of the MFIP families that lived in public or subsidized housing resided in housing where their rent was subsidized with Section 8 vouchers, rather than in public housing.) MDRC found that eligibllity for full MFIPservices boosted the employment rates of long-term welfare recipients living in public or subsidized housing by 18 percentage points. a large increase. This was more than double the gain in employment rates that MDRC found under MFIP for long-term welfare recipients not living in public or subsidized housing. MD RC also found that a very large share of the gain in earnings that MFIP produced occurred among famllies living in public or subsidized housing. Quarterly earnings increased an average of 25 percent among the famllies eligible for full MFIP services that lived in public or subsidized housing. Earnings increased 2 percent, an amount that was not statisti- cally significant, among famllies eligible for full MFIP services that did not live' in public or subsidized housing. Other recent studies have reported comparable results. The available research does not provide definitive explanations for why studies are finding larger welfare-reform-related gains in employment among families that receive housing assistance than among those that do not. There are a number of possible explanations for why housing subsidies may help families to secure and retain employment: Housing Assistance Council t By making housing more affordable, housing subsidies may help to stabilize the lives of low-income famllles and thereby improve their ability to secure and retain jobs. t By reducing housing costs, housing subsidies can free up funds within the budgets of low-income families for work- related expenses, such as child care, work clothes, and transportation. t Tenant-based housing vouchers can help famllies move to areas with greater job opportunities. In addition to helping to promote employment among participants of well-deslgned welfare-reform initiatives, housing subsidies may yield other important Social benefits: t Education. Housing subsidies may help to improve chlldren's educational prospects. Some studies have shown that the children of familles that move frequently tend to do less well in school. In addition, there is some evidence to suggest that school performance is correlated with certain neighbor- hood characteristics, such as poverty concentration. t Child health. Studies by doctors in Boston suggest that receipt of housing subsidies may lead to improvements in child health. The most likely explanation for these results is the increased ablllty of famllles with housing subsidies to afford nutritious food. There also is some evidence to suggest that the use of tenant-based subsidies to move to low-poverty neighborhoods may help to reduce chUd health concerns and improve chUd safety. t Domestic violence. Housing vouchers can help victims of domestic violence escape abusive living situations. . These findings are excerpted from a Center 00 Budget and Policy Priorities paper entitled "Research Evidence Suggests That Housing Subsidies Can Help Long-Term Welfare Recipients Find and Retain Jobs, - The full paper is available free at WW'.v.cbpporg or from CBPP. 202-408-1080, Rural Voices. Winter 2000-2001 Table 1: One-Year Economic Impads of the Development of 100 Housing UnitsS f'Y~~~-'~---~-~---'~VY~~~'-_Y^-~^-~ _m.__'_'.' _,~___,~___~y_~_____~_____v,,_,~~y'_w.y_',.y.yyy_y',~_yy',.,,,_y___.'_'__y',,,_~y__y"_"_V_y__w.,,-.......___YYVN_",,,,_"__________T......--..__-"'--__v.._,~._._.__v.._",_.,..~y"".,_.,...._....""..=.._w...,...y..,y_~._.y~...,y"_.,,,_,.....,, ; I ! I, !~_!m_~ J"lAW~_"d I... smgteF...uY . il__ . ..... -='~. ..,. ... ..11_ 11.,_~~~=:.I~__Jl.,.,.,._.~_:~_'" ",.., '" ".",1,"'. "''''''''~='.~~=~,~'''''',. I I LoeaI Business Owner's ,.. ... .......m........ m . ......~~~,~,~'.~'"_.''',...,'''.....,JI..''' "'''',..,'''_'''.,.~='.~?~:.~....,' ... $1,280,000 Table 2: Ongoing, Annual Eeonomic Impads After 100 New Units Are Oeeupied' l~; I LoeaI ; ! Taxes ..,,! ,.",.'.',,"" , i I , ",_.1 $854,000 ! $409,000 Type of I Loal Jobs ."'..~~~~."'J..__~~p~~,. 1..:.~~:~~~~~~,....Jl,.."..,',.. .._"..,..?~_...,...,..,...".. t" M~:~i~Y J .__. ,__ ..~~_.._,_ LoeaI Wages and Loal Business Owner's Salaries ' Income """,,' """""_,..,,,"',,,,,.,,,,."'.,,.,..."'''''''..,....,,..,.,,.,.'''''..._,,...,..,.,..,,,,...,,,,,..1 ""_,.,,.,., ""'.,..'""..,,,...."'.,,.,'" "" "''''"-''',-"'''-""''',,,..''',,,, ,., "" ,., ,.ll,.,.,...,',.,',...,.,~~,~~~='.~,.~...,_,....,',.,11,. ",,,,_._,,.,,~~~5,~_,.,,, .____....11_ " ll~; I Loeal ! ,.,.,..,_I_"'_._~~~""'_J ""___._"___,.._.~'l~~~,......,..___,,.,,__,,., .11,._, .,~=~=~~, "''''.. __ $~,8,OOO.__. _. ,_. Jt $~~3,~ _ _ Good sites for staying up to speed on Homelessness and Affordable Housing 1. This is a very comprehensive site for affordable housing and community development information. http://www.know1edgta>lex.org/ 2. National Low Income Housing Coalition Good data source, fact sheets and Legislative updat4es http://www.n1ihc.org 3. Washington State Coalition for the Homeless http://www.endhome1essnesswa.org/ 4. The Urban Institute measures effects, compares options, shows which stakeholders get the most and least, tests conventional wisdom, reveals trends, and makes costs, benefits, and risks explicit. http://www.urban.org/ Assessing the New Federalism is a multi-year Urban Institute research project to analyze the devolution of responsibility for social programs from the federal government to the states. It focuses primarily on health care, cash assistance and other income benefits, family structure, child care, child welfare, immigration, and long-term care. http://www.urban.org/Content/Research/NewFedera1ismlAboutANF/AboutANF.h tIn Sylvia Arthur Continuum of Care Planning for the Homeless January 2, 200S