western massachusetts network to end homelessness
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Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness. Goals. Public health approach to benefit households affected and broader community Focus on best use of resources, “best fit” Goal: reduce incidence & prevalence of homelessness Fewer enter homelessness/shelter - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness
Goals
•Public health approach to benefit households affected and broader community
•Focus on best use of resources, “best fit”
•Goal: reduce incidence & prevalence of homelessness▫Fewer enter homelessness/shelter▫Reduced length of stay in shelter▫Reduced number who are homeless at point-
in-time
Strategies• System Change:
▫Meaningful assessment & accurate referral▫Coordination of right resources to right
person at the right time▫Early warning system▫Inclusiveness and transparency
• Innovations:▫Regional REACH model for individuals▫Flexible prevention, diversion & rapid
rehousing for families
• Generate broad community support for goal of ending homelessness
Network Diagram
Leadership CouncilFiscal Sponsor -
PVRVC
WMIC
Springfield
10YP
Pioneer Valley 10YP
Berkshire10YP
Springfield CoC
Three- County
CoC
Berkshire CoC
Franklin
Hampshire
Hampden
Service Coordination
Data & Performance Measurement
Community Engagement
Families
System Change/Community
InitiativesSupportive Housing
DevelopmentEmployment & Training
Interfaith MentoringEarly Warning System
Project Homeless Connect
Individuals
Leadership CouncilChair: Dr. Evan Dobelle, President, Westfield State CollegeVice-Chair: Lynne Wallace, Principal, Dietz & Co. Architects
Fr. Stan Aksamit, Our Lady of PeacePaul Bailey, Springfield Partners for
Comm. ActionAndrew Baker, Hilltown CDCTim Brennan, Pioneer Valley Planning
CommissionRebecca Caplice, Greenfield Savings BankMartin Chaisson, INOE TechnologiesDave Christopolis, Berkshire Comm. ActionAmy Clark, Franklin Co. Community MealsSteve Como, Soldier OnSenator Ben DowningLinda Dunlavy, Franklin CR Council of
GovtsJudge Robert Fields, W. Div. Housing CourtBob Fleischner, Center for Public
Representation
David Gadaire, CareerPointSteve Huntley, Valley Opportunity CouncilLori Ingraham, Easthampton Savings BankPeg Keller, City of NorthamptonJohn Klenakis, UMASS Donohue InstituteCharlie KnightGerry McCafferty, City of SpringfieldBetty Medina Lichtenstein, Enlace de
FamiliasAndrew Morehouse, Food Bank of W MassRebecca Muller, GrantsWorkYasmin Otero, Dept. of Transitional
AssistanceJoe Peters, Universal PlasticsJane Sanders, Community ActionLinda Stacy, United Way of Franklin
CountyLiz Sullivan, Dept. of Mental HealthMayor Mike Sullivan, City of Holyoke
Affiliated Committees & Workgroups• Individual and Family Workgroups• Western Mass Interagency Council• Supportive Housing Development Committee• Regional Faith-Based Action Initiative• Three Continua of Care• Springfield 10-Year Plan Implementation
Committee▫Project Homeless Connect▫Education, Training & Employment Workgroup▫Housing First Workgroup
Overview of Western MassachusettsRegional profile
Western Massachusetts
•Four counties• Berkshire• Franklin• Hampden• Hamshire
•35% of the area of the state
•13% of the state’s population
•Urban: Springfield is the third largest city in the state, and the fourth largest city in New England
•Rural: 67% of the regions towns and cities have less than 5000 people
•The region contains two of seven state ‘hotspots’ for family homelessness—Holyoke and Springfield
Urban, Suburban, RuralTension between very overwhelming need in urban areas and need to have basic service infrastructure in suburban and rural areasURBAN SUBURBAN & RURAL
• Hampden County holds about half the region’s population.
• Springfield and Holyoke contain among the highest populations of concentrated poverty in the nation.
• Springfield is ranked sixth in the nation for child poverty.
• Hampshire County. 5 colleges contribute to very high housing costs. Pockets of poverty, especially in Amherst.
• Berkshire and Franklin Counties are predominately rural, but contain urban areas: Greenfield, Pittsfield, North Adams.
Regional profile• 75% of jobs are in service sector
• Education & skills gap (50% high school drop out rate in Springfield)
• Immigration gateway
• Housing costs affordable compared to eastern part of state, but still out of range for very poor households
• High foreclosure rate
Homelessness in Western Massachusetts
January 2009 PIT Count:
465 Individuals
383 FamiliesAs of mid-July, 2009, region had 195 homeless families in motels, out of a state total of 862 (23% of motel families)
Western Mass InnovationsREACHFlexible Prevention, Diversion &
Rapid ReHouse
Regional Engagement and Assessment of Chronically Homeless Individuals (REACH)
• REACH grew out of WMIC prior to ICHH; ICHH allows expansion of local best practice
• Monthly coordination meetings by county: identification of all chronically homeless individuals, “best fit” housing & services
• REACH providers must provide housing units• 38 REACH services slots regionally• So far, 2 agencies to provide 23 units/services;
more sought in 2nd RFP
Funding for Individual InnovationsAgency Individual
s ServedHousing Match Funding Location
MHA 11 Tier 4 New S+C McKinney grant 2009
$121,000 Springfield
ServiceNet 8 Tier 34 Tier 4
Northampton Housing Authority, Hampshire Interfaith Friends, FCRHRA, Greenfield Housing Authority
$115,185 Greenfield &Northampton
TBD 7 Tier 38 Tier 4
TBD $127,614 In four counties except Greenfield, Northampton & Springfield
Total 15 Tier 323 Tier 438 Total
$363,799
Prevention, Diversion and Rapid ReHouse for Families
• Flexible funding for prevention, diversion & rapid rehouse
• Monthly coordination meetings by county—prevention & rehouse agencies + DHCD/DTA
• Integration with RAFT, ESFP, HPRP, CSBG funds
Agency County ICHH Funding
Families to be served
Other prevention funds
Notes
Berkshire Housing Development Corp.
Berkshire $71,190 40Tier 1,2,3,4
RAFTHPRP
Partnership w/BCAC (CSBG)
Community Action Hampshire & Franklin
$28,147 18Tier 1,2
CSBG
Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority
Franklin $46,095 22Tier 1,2,3,4
RAFT
HAP Housing Hampden & Hampshire
$279,888 155Tier 1,2,3,4
RAFTHPRP-applied
Partnership w/SPCA (CSBG)
New England Farmworkers Council
Hampden $50,750 35Tier 1,2
ESFPDTA – EA
Valley Opportunity Council
Hampden $60,000 40Tier 1,2
CSBGESFPHPRP-applied
TOTAL $536,070 310
Funding for Family Innovations
Community Support• The regional network is more than the innovations• Building leadership & community support
▫Bring additional resources to the table▫Build political support for continued funding
• Engaging full community in working toward solutions▫Faith-based initiatives▫Coordination with local governments▫Engage United Ways and foundations in
solutions▫Work with consumers & community members
ICHH Grant ComponentsLeadership Council: inclusion of civic & business
leadersDirector of Regional Coordination
Public relationsCommunity organizing
Website/Blog: transparencyExpertise of providersStrong data and results; Outcomes rather than outputs
Other ElementsFaith-based Action GrantConsumer Advisory CouncilProject Homeless Connect