Michigan s Interagency Counsel on Homelessness

Transcription

1 2016 Michigan s Interagency Counsel on Homelessness 1930 to 1980 Homelessness not noticeable in the U.S Severe Recession noticeable increase in the U.S. 1

2 Increase in Unemployment Changes in Social Policy Treatment of People with disabilities Changing of the Job Market Who falls into homelessness? People at the bottom of the economic ladder: Very Poor Disabilities Physical/Mental Addictive Personality Drug and alcohol Lack of Education Lack of Social Capital The only known anecdote to homelessness is H O U S I N G 2

3 Homeless Categories: Chronically Homeless Family Homelessness Youth Aging out of Foster Care Survivors of Domestic Violence In MSHDA made available HOME and state money to fund Tenant Based Rental Assistance providing over 1,500 units. Emergency Solutions Grant introduced by Steward McKinney (R-CT) and Bruce Vento (D-MN) Signed into law by President Reagan in 1987 with prompting from Ray Flynn, Mayor of Boston Emergency Solutions Grant Since ESG began: MSHDA matches HUD s grant approximately $4.3M annually. Shows Michigan s long-term commitment to ending homelessness. ESG used for short-term leasing assistance, rapid re-housing, case management and sheltering. One Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) per CoC Body - Purpose: - Streamline/Ease the housing process for people living in homelessness; - Staff who works with landlords Housing Resources Specialist 3

4 - History Michigan began the Campaign in 2006 Since 2006 the Michigan Departments of Health & Human Services, Education and MSHDA all collaborate to end homelessness. Every square inch of Michigan is covered by a Plan to end homelessness There is an over-arching State plan. There is a federal Plan Opening Doors State Homeless Coordination In 2013, Prosperity Region structure unveiled by Governor Snyder. CTEH restructured to align with new Prosperity Regions. Created Housing Assessment & Resource Agencies (HARA) Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) SOAR Across Michigan assists with SSI The Campaign To End Homelessness web site Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) 4

5 Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness State Homeless Coordination HMIS Mandated by HUD Required for state housing programs Data used to analyze program performance and inform state level decision making Administered by MSHDA and implemented by HMIS Lead: Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) State Homeless Coordination HARA Centralized intake and assessment related to housing Works in partnership with local Continuum of Care (CoC) body State Homeless Coordination SPDAT - Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool Evidenced-informed approach to prioritize households for services by determining an acuity score Moves the discussion from who is eligible to who is eligible and in most need VI-SPDAT Vulnerability Index Shorter survey to quickly identify who should be recommended for a full SPDAT HARAs are required to use the VI-SPDAT and SPDAT ESP Providers are required to use the VI-SPDAT only 5

6 Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness Target HUD Housing Choice Vouchers to the homeless as they become available through attrition; Target HUD Project Based Vouchers to supportive housing developments; Tax Credit Allocation Plan QAP requires construction of units for the homeless. : Veterans Silver Star Apartments Battle Creek, MI 75 units, fully furnished for homeless veterans. Each unit has a project based Section 8 voucher along with case management services. Piquette Square Detroit, MI 150 units, fully furnished for homeless veterans. Each unit has a project based voucher along with case management services. Housing Choice Vouchers To strategically end homelessness long-term subsidies go to most in need; Emergency Solutions Grant money goes to people that need to be stabilized but can make it on their own with a smaller amount of assistance. 6

7 Continuum of Care Planning Body A Continuum of Care (CoC) is a body of people organized to deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. Goal End homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness. Continuum of Care Planning Body Who sits at the CoC table? Elected Chair & Co-Chair Local non-profit agencies, e.g. food bank, Salvation Army, United Way, HARA Local DHHS representative, MSHDA Homeless Assistance Specialists Local CMH worker Local sheriff s office Others MSU Extension Office, JTPA, Head Start, etc. Continuum of Care Planning Body Singles (men & women) Youth Elderly Veterans Drug or alcohol addictions Mental Illness Domestic Violence HIV/AIDS 7

8 Continuum of Care Planning Body Facilitate movement towards permanent independent living; Address multiple needs; Anticipate new groups and issues. Continuum of Care Planning Body Why is a CoC Important? Assess capacity and identify gaps; Be proactive rather than reactive; Common goals for which to advocate; Coordination and linkages. HUD s Definition of Homeless Homeless means: Category (1) An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:(i) An individual or family with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;(ii) An individual or family living in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state, or local government programs for low-income individuals); or(iii) An individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution 8

9 HUD s Definition of Homelessness Category (2) An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence provided that: (i) The primary nighttime residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance;(ii) No subsequent residence has been identified; and (iii) The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks, e.g., family, friends faith-based or other social networks, needed to obtain other permanent housing HUD s Definition of Homelessness Category(3) Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition, but who:(i) Are defined as homeless under section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (42 U.S.C. 5732a), section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832), section of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C e-2),section 330(h) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(h)), section 3 of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012), section 17(b) of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786(b)), or section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C a) (ii) Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy agreement in permanent housing at any time during the 60 days immediately preceding the date of application for homeless assistance;(iii) Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two moves or more during the 60-day period immediately preceding the date of applying for homeless assistance; and(iv) Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence or childhood abuse (including neglect), the presence of a child or youth with a disability, or two or more barriers to employment, which include the lack of a high school degree or General Education Development (GED), illiteracy, low English proficiency, a history of incarceration or detention for criminal activity, and a history of unstable employment; 4) Any individual or family who: (i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual or a family member, including a child, that has either taken place within the individual's or family's primary nighttime residence or has made the individual or family afraid to return to their primary nighttime residence;(ii) Has no other residence; and(iii) Lacks the resources or support networks, e.g., family, friends, and faith-based or other social networks, to obtain other permanent housing. 9

10 Michigan s 811 Program Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Reformed Section 811 Program Shifts mainstream vouchers to Section 8 HCV program Vouchers remain targeted to people with disabilities Creates new Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) PRA funding to State Housing Finance Agency (MSHDA) in partnership with Medicaid Section 811 PRA Overview Goal: Integrated LIHTC rental units for people with disabilities at or below 30% Area Median Income in multi-family housing developed with affordable housing funds Supports the integration of individuals with disabilities into the community through subsidized rental assistance and long-term supports and services. 10

11 Section 811 PRA Overview MSHDA will support 174 PRA units, as well as 100 Housing Choice Voucher Units Eligible Multi-family Properties Eligible properties must have financing commitments from Low Income Housing Tax Credits Eligible Units No more than 25% of total units in properties can: Be provided Section 811 PRA funds, Be used for supportive housing for persons with disabilities, or Have any occupancy preference for persons with disabilities NOTE: Persons with disabilities may not be prohibited from applying for residency in non-pra units Units must be dispersed throughout the property Units may be accessible but not required 11

12 Eligible Tenants Disability Extremely low-income households with at least one individual with a disability Non-elderly: between 18 and 61 years of age at time of lease-up Household member must be eligible for community-based, long-term services such as those provided through Medicaid waivers Services must be available. Services are voluntary Income Annual household income at or below 30% Area Median Income Tenant pays 30% of income toward rent and utilities Timeline for Opening New Subsidized Rental Assistance Units PRA Units PRA Units PRA Units Housing Choice Vouchers Questions and Resources Janet Irrer Homeless Programs Manager irrerj@michigan.gov Please contact Janet or go to the MSHDA website regarding their upcoming educational offerings. 12