HUD-VASH/TRIBAL LANDS 4/23/18 Dot Hostetter, LICSW NMVAHCS HUD-VASH/TRIBAL LANDS

Maya Angelou

Objectives Number of Homeless Veterans in New Mexico. Crises of not having Housing First. HUDVASH. Tribal HUDVASH.

Point In Time Count-January 2017 184,661 people were homeless. just over 40,000 Veterans were experiencing homelessness. On the same night, just over 15,000 of the Veterans counted were unsheltered or living on the street.

Point in Time Count - PIT The PIT Count is among the ways VA estimates the homeless population nationwide to help direct resources based on need. Here’s who performs the PIT Count and what it measures: The PIT Count is administered by HUD’s more than 400 Continuums of Care (CoCs), which are local planning bodies responsible for coordinating all homelessness services in a geographic area.

Homeless Veterans in New Mexico Emergency Transitional Safe Haven unsheltered Total Female 3 9 0 5 17 Male 48 61 0 36 145 Transgender 0 0 0 0 0

Houseless Zuni Veterans 5 Veterans did not meet criteria for program Did not serve the full 2 years (National Guard, or reserves, was not active duty-but still houseless.) Not meant for human habitation. Chronic homelessness. Overcrowded.

Gallup, NM Balloon Festival Home of Inter-Tribal Ceremonial Most Patriotic Small town Adventure Capital of the World Best of the Best Rodeo 2018 Gorgeous Sunrise and Sunsets

Gallup, NM “Gallup, New Mexico — 'Drunk Town, USA'

Mayor Jackie McKinney “They come to Gallup from Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, and they come in with a hope and a dream. But we can’t employ all these people and they lose hope. They fall into these lifestyles of drinking.”

Exposure Deaths in Gallup, NM 2016 – 18 people 2017-1 Person

Exposure Death Hypothermia Intoxication Medical Issues

Housing First in Gallup HUDVASH Tribal Lands. HUDVASH Supportive Services for Homeless Veterans and Families-SSVF. Care 66. Hozo Center. Na’nizhoozhi Center Inc.Detox Center- NCI. Gallup Outreach Action Team-G.O.A.T. Ditch Patrol.

What is HUD-VASH? The Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines healthcare and housing for homeless Veterans. This partnership between VA and HUD began in 2008. It targets the most vulnerable homeless Veterans through a two pronged approach: VA provides case management and supportive services. HUD provides rental housing assistance through Section 8 vouchers.

Tribal HUD-VASH U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), partnered with Tribal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Demonstration program that offers permanent housing and supportive services to Native American Veterans who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Indian tribes and Tribally Designated Housing Entities, (TDHEs) must partner with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide case management and supportive services to eligible Native American veterans. January of 2015

Tribal HUD-VASH Program For Native American Veterans that live “on or near” reservation. Serves homeless and “at risk” of homelessness Veterans. Tribe/Tribally Designated Housing Entity (TDHE) administers the program. Combines aspects of IHBG rental assistance and housing choice voucher program.

AWARDS Funding for housing subsidy - $5.9 million. 30 tribes invited to participate - based on a formula. 26 tribes submitted applications and were approved for participation in Tribal HUD-VASH. No more than 20 vouchers for any tribe. Approximately 500 “vouchers” awarded in the demonstration program.

Housing First Evidenced Based Practice • Clinical approach. • House the client First, then wrap supportive services around the client. • Fewer access barriers – treatment not required for housing. • Treatment available – client goals primary. • Goal is housing stability and meeting tenancy. • Expect the client to meet tenancy requirements.

Barriers to HUD-VASH in Indian Country Homeless definition. Public Housing Authority boundaries/limitations. Data on need-Identifying Veterans. Transportation Housing Stock. Case manager for some very remote tribes. Outreach Trust Limited resources.

Identifying Participants Widespread awareness of program . Referrals Outreach to places where homeless Veterans might be. Collaboration with tribal communities and agencies, especially Veteran’s organizations. Serve based on highest need, not “first come first served”. Assessment – does the Veteran meet criteria?

PROCESS The VA Case Manager, with the Veteran: Determines program eligibility (homeless, VHA, need status). Assists with services and getting documentation. Refers Veteran to tribe/TDHE for subsidy. Tribe/TDHE determines eligibility and offers Veteran rental assistance. VA and TDHE help Veteran locate and obtain housing. Clinical services to sustain the Veteran in housing.

VA/IHS/Traditional Treatment Services Roles of Service Homeless Veteran VA/IHS/Traditional Treatment Services TDHE Services SSVF Program VA Case Manager

Outcome Native American Veterans who are homeless in areas where the standard HUD-VASH program operates can access the assistance of HUD-VASH. Tribal HUD-VASH provides the same access in Tribal trust lands and areas that the Tribe/TDHE covers.

Conclusion Number of Homeless Veterans in New Mexico. - Including Houseless Veterans. Housing First Evidenced Based Best Practice. -Getting them off the streets. HUDVASH -VA Services. Tribal HUDVASH -Differences of HUDVASH and services.

Adrian Quetawiki “There’s always going to be people drinking. They have a reason to drink; they’re hurting inside and they don’t see themselves living a better life. But as long as they’re out here, I’ll be out here. “

Resources Department of Veterans Affairs VA Tribal HUD-VASH Program-Teresa Pittman, LCSW Indian Country Today- Drunk Town, USA: ?The Ditch Patrol Trying to Save Drunks in Gallup, NM March 14,2016 https://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/i h/tribalhudvash https://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/pit_count.asp http://www.nmceh.org/pages/reports/2017%20ABQ/2017%20PIT%20Count%20Repo rt.pdf https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/2017-AHAR-Part-1.pdf Zuni Housing Authority- Zuni, NM

Tribal HUDVASH Dot Hostetter,LICSW NM VAHCS Dorothy.Hostetter@va.gov 505-250-3131