Rapid Rehousing Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness “Welcome Home: Addressing Today’s Challenges in Homeless Services” Tuesday, June 2, 2009 Peggy Carlos – Housing Case Manager – Hilliard House

Outcomes Hilliard House Aftercare/Leasing Program

Housing by Aftercare

Outcomes by Rental Assistance

Internal Rental Assistance

External Rental Assistance (Vouchers)

Income Type by Aftercare Status

Why Rapid Rehousing?  Statistics show that “housing first models” are the most efficient way to move families to permanency; then engage in services  Families can be assisted with short term rental assistances, less costly than long term placement in transitional housing programs  Existing Short Term – Long Term shelters and transitional programs will be able to serve more of the population in need of permanent housing

How Do We Join?  Recognize that we must think “outside of the box” when working with Level 3 and Level 4 families as it relates to Housing Barriers  Engage our communities in Virginia’s plan to end homelessness and secure affordable housing for population in need  Continue to collaborate with other agencies, know your partners, use your resource directory - it must stay up-to- date. Don’t call just in a crisis. Know your neighbor.  Pledge to pass the baton. Know who will be the anchor in providing services.

Newsworthy Notes  Displaced low-skill workers found refuge in retail and distribution industries. The pay is low, and that usually means three jobs instead of one, both spouses working day and night while the kids take care of themselves (often without health insurance, retirement plans and other once-common employee benefits. It’s paycheck-to- paycheck. The least educated, lowest-skilled workers are always the first to fall in economic downturns. This time low-end work force concentrated in expendable retail-sector jobs, its going to be a fast, hard fall. Unemployment compensation and welfare have time limits. (Congress just authorized 13 additional weeks, and may do so again, but that string eventually will run out. Taken from Style Weekly Richmond’s Alternative for news, arts. – Welfare School by Clarke Bustard  If you live in the city, you face the prospect of paying an extra $6-$10 a month to City Hall to receive those utility services beginning July 1, when the new fiscal year starts. Businesses, schools and everyone else using those services also will pay more. The proposals for across-the-board increases in the cost of water, sewer and natural gas service are included in the budget papers City Council will consider next Tuesday, May 26. Taken from Richmond Free Press, May 21-23, 2009 –Green light expected for city budget by Jeremy M. Lazarus

Newsworthy Notes Continued  Both businesses and consumers save cash by bartering. The U.S. Department of Commerce said bartering accounts for 30 percent of the world’s total business. There are 16 businesses and consumer barter exchanges listed in the Virginia Barter Directory on-line. Taken from Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sunday, May 24, 2009 – Iris Taylor Staff Writer  A new report, “Poverty in Our Time: The Challenges and Opportunities of Fighting Poverty in Virginia”, shows there has been no progress in the last 20 years towards reducing the number of Virginians living in poverty and the weakened economy will only add to the ongoing issue. The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis released the report during a Poverty Summit called by Gov. Time Kaine last week. Taken from The Richmond Voice, Vol. 23 No. 331 (1123 rd Edition) May ,2009 Tiffany Satchell Staff Writer

Hidden Rules Among Classes (Poverty) Ruby K. Payne, Ph.D. (a leading U.S. expert on the mindsets of Poverty, Middle Class, and Wealth notes the following “Hidden Rules” for those who are living in poverty:: Possessions=People Money=To be used, spent. Personality=Is for entertainment. Sense of humor is highly valued Social Emphasis=Social inclusion of people he/she likes. Food=Key question: Did you have enough? Quantity important Clothing=Clothing valued for individual style. Time=Present most important. Decisions made for moment based on feelings or survival. Education=Varied and revered as abstract but not as reality. Destiny=Believes in fate. Cannot do much to mitigate chance. Language=Casual register. Language is about survival. Family Structure=Tends to be matriarchal. World View=Sees world in terms of local setting. Love=Love and acceptance conditional, based upon whether an individual is liked. Driving Forces=Survival, relationships, entertainment Humor=About people and sex.

How do we “microwave” services?  Affordable, permanent, sustainable housing must be our first priority  Continue to advocate for aftercare/follow-up services. Funding “push” must be collaborative effort between all agencies. We must remove our borders  Know how long your “recipe” will take. Believe that you are able to offer a well balanced, service plan although prepared more quickly and with less steps than previously conventional

Thank You To VCEH, Phyllis G for allowing Hilliard House to be part of this conference and share our experiences in joining Virginia’s commitment to end homelessness. To Dr. Margot Ackerman for her enthusiasm and patience in making me a believer! I even remembered “orthogonal.” To the Hilliard House Team, whose tireless work and dedication continues to be such an integral part in moving our women and children to permanency. TOGETHER WE CAN ASSIST OUR FAMILIES IN CROSSING THE FINISH LINE