1 / 22

SIGHT UNSEEN: THE NEGLECTED PROBLEM OF RURAL HOMELESSNESS

SIGHT UNSEEN: THE NEGLECTED PROBLEM OF RURAL HOMELESSNESS. Diana T. Myers Diana T. Myers & Associates, Inc. dtmdtma@hotmail.com July 17, 2006. LESSONS LEARNED Ending Homelessness Requires:. Prevention strategies Discharge planning Linkages to mainstream resources.

niles
Download Presentation

SIGHT UNSEEN: THE NEGLECTED PROBLEM OF RURAL HOMELESSNESS

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. SIGHT UNSEEN: THE NEGLECTED PROBLEM OF RURAL HOMELESSNESS Diana T. Myers Diana T. Myers & Associates, Inc. dtmdtma@hotmail.com July 17, 2006

  2. LESSONS LEARNED Ending Homelessness Requires: Prevention strategies Discharge planning Linkages to mainstream resources

  3. LESSONS LEARNED Ending Homelessness Requires: • A range of appropriate housing options • Available support services • Consistent outreach and engagement

  4. Rural Areas Face Special Challenges: • Population is dispersed, hidden, doubled-up • Transportation is limited • Outreach and coordination are difficult

  5. Rural Areas Face Special Challenges: • Federal priorities favor urban areas • Programs prioritize chronically homeless • Doubled–up don’t meet HUD definition of homeless

  6. Rural Areas Face Special Challenges: • Affordable Housing for Homeless is Virtually Nonexistent • New Site-Based Housing is Difficult: • NIMBYism • Lack of Infrastructure • Lack of Resources for Rental Assistance

  7. Rural Areas Face Special Challenges: • Financial Resources are Shrinking or Nonexistent • Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Services Funding • Multi-purpose Agencies become Primary Providers

  8. Rural Areas Face Special Challenges: • Technical Resources are also Shrinking or Nonexistent • Limited Capacity for Resource Development including Grant Writing and Management

  9. To Meet These Challenges Rural Communities Need: • Formal Coordination • Access to Information on Best Practices

  10. To Meet These Challenges Rural Communities Need: • Access to Financial and Human Resources • Expertise in Housing Development • Trained Outreach and Engagement Teams • MH & D and A Services • Grant Writing and Management Assistance

  11. Best Practices: Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless • Common Themes for Successful Outreach and Engagement: Staff • Understand structural barriers and personal vulnerability • Treat people with dignity and respect • Are dedicated and sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity • Don’t engage individuals until ready

  12. Best Practices: Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless • Common Themes for Successful Outreach and Engagement: Agencies • Collaborate and pool resources • Demonstrate commitment to education and training • Engage in good public relations with the community

  13. Best Practices: Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless • Common Themes for Successful Housing First • Tie to successful outreach & engagement • Encourage, but do not require acceptance of services as prerequisite to housing • Require a range of housing options and flexible subsidies • www.pahousingchoices.org- Click on Information

  14. Best Practices: Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless • Common Themes for Successful Housing First Programs • Need intensive support services, such as Assertive Community Treatment Teams • Require strong partnerships between housing providers and service providers • Tap all available funding streams

  15. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS What is an LHOT? (pronounced L-HOTS) • A Local Housing Options Team • Collaboration/Consortium • Key stakeholders coming together on the county or multi-county level

  16. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS Who are the members of an LHOT? • Key stakeholders in participating county or counties: • Disability • Housing • Human Service • People with Disabilities/Family Members

  17. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS LHOT Activities? • Networking • Educating other members • Troubleshooting/problem solving (case studies) • Conducting needs assessments

  18. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS LHOT Activities? • Developing housing strategies • Creating partnerships to address problems • Planning and financing specific housing programs or projects

  19. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS Notable Accomplishments? • New Housing Opportunities • Shelter Plus Care Programs • Supportive Housing Programs • Local Housing Authority Set-Asides and Preferences • HUD Section 811 Programs

  20. Models/Best Practices: LHOTS Notable Accomplishments? • Innovative Housing Options • Cooperative • Fairweather Lodge • Shared Housing • Educational Forums (Fair Housing, Home Modifications, Section 8) • Landlord Outreach Programs

  21. Best Practices: Technical Assistance and Training • Pa Technical Assistance Model • PA DCED Best Practices Conference TA to Rural Housing Providers • PA OMHSAS Form and Assist LHOT’s Work Directly with County MH Offices

  22. Best Practices: Technical Assistance and Training • HUD SHP TA • Contact your HUD Regional Office • HUD.gov • Projects to Assist in the Transition for Homelessness • pathprogram.samhsa.gov • HAC

More Related