south central pennsylvania housing recovery summit 2014 special housing needs of youth, veterans,...
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SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIAHOUSING RECOVERY SUMMIT 2014
Special Housing Needs of Youth, Veterans, and Ex-Offenders
Presenters:
Youth: Elizabeth Scott – Educating Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH)
Veterans: William Reed – YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Veterans’ Programs
Ex-Offenders: Melanie Snyder – Lancaster County Re-Entry Management Organization (RMO)
Moderator: Kelly Blechertas, York County Human Services/ York County Planning Commission
YORK LEARNING CENTER 300 EAST 7 T H AVENUE, SUITE 600
YORK, PA 17404717-718-5924
Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness
(ECYEH)
Region 3
Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness Regional Coordinator: Sonia Pitzi
[email protected] 717-718-5924
Assistant Liaison: Elizabeth Scott [email protected] 717-718-5944
Introduction – Contact Us
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
WHYStudents were being denied an education because they did not have a proof of residency or records.
It was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 22, 1987
Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Children or youth (K – 12) who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including: Sharing the housing of other persons due to
loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (“doubling up”)
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations
Living in emergency or transitional shelters Abandoned in hospitals
Who Qualifies for Services?
Who Qualifies? (cont.)
Awaiting foster care placement Living in a public or private place not
designed for humans to live Living in cars, parks, abandoned
buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or a similar setting
Migratory children living in the above circumstances
Unaccompanied youth living in the above circumstances
Region 3 Statistics:Number of Homeless Students Identified
2013-2014: 1,404
2012-2013: 1,467
2011-2012: 1,059
* Fiscal year runs from 07/01-06/30
* 2013-2014 data is from 07/01/13 to 02/28/14
10%19%
8%
1%
0%
3%2
%
58%
AdamsCumberlandFranklinHuntingdonJuniataMifflinPerryYork
Region 3 Statistics:Students Served by County (2012-2013)
Doubl
ed-U
p
Shelte
rs/T
rans
ition
al/A
waitin
g
Unshe
lted
Hotel
/Mot
el
Unkno
wn
Total
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
1,200
1,400
1,600
Nighttime Status Region 3 (Enrolled)07/01-06/30
2010-20112011-20122012-2013
Region 3 Statistics:3 Year Comparison
Addressing the Issue: What Works?
What are the next steps
Resources
ECYEH Wikispaces http://ecyeh.wikispaces.com/District+Policies
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ECYEHPA
Shelters-Surrounding areas
Food listing
Children & Youth Services list of Homeless Liaisons
Resources-childcare, funding, housing, community programs
Local and National links
Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness Regional Coordinator: Sonia Pitzi
[email protected] 717-718-5924
Assistant Liaison: Elizabeth Scott [email protected] 717-718-5944
Contact Information
Homeless Veterans Housing
William Reed – YWCA of Greater Harrisburg
Veteran Presence in the Region
There are approximately 953,644 veterans residing in Pennsylvania
697,736 were War Time veterans209,602 are Gulf War through Post 911 era161,906 veterans or 17% live in this regionPA has one of the most active/deployed
National Guards in the Nation with 19,000 members and 35,000 deployments since 911
Eliminating Veteran Homelessness a Regional and National Challenge
2013 National Point in Time (single night) count was 57,849 homeless veterans
2013 Area Point in Time count was 118Homelessness among veterans has
declined 24% since 2009 with an 8% decline between 2012 through 2013
Young Homeless Veterans make-up 8.8% of total and growing
Eliminating Veteran Homelessness a National and Regional Challenge
Veterans seeking housing assistance through the VA nationally during final quarter of 2013 was 12,495
Total Veterans seeking housing assistance through sample VISN 4 VA medical Centers: Lebanon 73 Coatesville 117 Altoona 31 Philadelphia 161
Area VA Housing Resources
Approximate number of area VA Housing resources for homeless and at risk veterans:
VA HUD-VASH Voucher 200Grant and Per Diem Beds 50Transition in Place Apartments 16Contract Housing Beds 25Supportive Services 250
for Veteran Families
Additional Area Resources to Assist Homeless & At Risk Veterans
Area Continuum of Care MembersLocal Human Service AgenciesGovernment Service ProvidersVeterans OrganizationsFaith Based OrganizationsProfessional Organizations and
Community GroupsVolunteers
Keys to Success
Develop a network of resources and providers working together
Understand cultural challenges & stereotypes
Communicate through traditional and non-traditional resources
Break down barriers to servicesInvolve Family/Friends/Community
networks for early intervention…think prevention
Follow-Through
Develop Supports for the long term solutions
Do not try to be the only solution, eliminating homelessness is a community challenge
Promote understanding and expect results from the veterans you are serving
Empower veterans to help veteransVeterans place great value in
“commitment”
Thanks for Your Service!
Our Contact Information:William M. ReedDirector Veterans’ ServicesYWCA of Greater Harrisburg, 1101 Market Street,Harrisburg, PA 17103Phone: 717-234-7931 Fax: 717-234-1779Email: [email protected] regional provider of Veteran’s services including:
Housing, Employment and Supportive Services
MELANIE G. SNYDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LANCASTER COUNTY, PAREENTRY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (RMO)
AUTHOR, GRACE GOES TO PRISON (BRETHREN PRESS, 2009)
Special Housing Concerns for Returning Citizens
HOUSING
IDENTIFICATION
EMPLOYMENT
TRANSPORTATION
SUPERVISION requirements/restrictions
FINES & COSTS
CRIMINAL HISTORY (specific charges)
FAMILY SITUATION
Common Barriers for Returning Citizens that Impact Housing
Federal HUD public housing restrictions http://csgjusticecenter.org/documents/0000/1090/REE
NTRY_MYTHBUSTERS.pdf
Local zoning restrictionsNotification rules under Walsh Act for
persons convicted of sexual offensesFederal and state laws – see ABA Collateral
Consequences database http://www.abacollateralconsequences.org/
Other Factors: Collateral Consequences
Pennsylvania Laws Restricting Housing for Persons with Criminal Records
Reluctant landlordsNIMBY attitudes from communityShortages of:
Affordable housing Transitional / supportive housing for female
returning citizens with older children Housing for persons convicted of sexual offenses
Other Factors that may Impact Housing
Collaborative Approach to Reentry
Reentry partnerships / coalitions forming in many regions
Include criminal justice entities plus human services and faith-based groups that provide: Housing Employment training and placement Education (GED, ESL, adult basic ed) D&A treatment/counseling MH services Legal aid Family services Food, clothing, other “basics”
Collaborative Approach to Reentry
Potential Benefits: Complex issues: no single agency can “do it all” Leverage resources and knowledge of multiple
agencies Improved outcomes for clients Ultimately:
Reduce recidivism Improve community safety
Collaborative Approach to Reentry
Potential Challenges: Differing goals Different terminology/language Information sharing agreements Assumptions of “the system” (non-compliance,
defiance) vs clients’ actual abilities and limitations
Collaboration Example: Lancaster County Reentry Management Organization (RMO)
Over 50 partnering agencies including courts, prison/jail, law enforcement, probation & parole, human services, faith-based groups
Relationship-building, trust-buildingClear communication, info sharing
agreementsGovernance/decision-making structureDirect service to clientsAdvocacy for policy change
Contact
Melanie G. Snyder, Executive Director Lancaster County, PAReentry Management Organization (RMO)
Author, Grace Goes to Prison (Brethren Press, 2009)
E: [email protected]: 717-572-2110RMO website:
http://lancastercountyreentry.org/