Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) March 24, 2009 Audio Conference Sponsored by the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness

Questions? questions at any point during the call to

Additional Materials Visit for an analysis of the HUD regulations as well as other materials.

Today’s Agenda  Overview of Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program  Community Planning Tools, Resources and Suggestions  Questions  Best Practices in Prevention  Housing Barrier Assessment - Katie Van Arnam, Virginia Supportive Housing  Outreach to Landlords / Norfolk’s Housing Broker Team - Claudia Gooch, The Planning Council

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program - What Is It  $1.5 billion in homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing  Part of economic stimulus package (HR 1)  $25 million for Virginia

Prevention - a host of housing-related services available to people at risk of homelessness Rapid re-housing - a model of housing and housing-related services available to people who meet HUD’s current definition of homelessness

Allocations VA STATE PROGRAM$11,389,160 ALEXANDRIA$512,214 ARLINGTON COUNTY$728,367 CHESAPEAKE$507,406 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY$515,089 FAIRFAX COUNTY$2,462,398 HENRICO COUNTY$603,481 NEWPORT NEWS$659,087 NORFOLK$2,097,079 PORTSMOUTH$724,490 PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY$789,775 RICHMOND$2,044,088 ROANOKE$766,017 VIRGINIA BEACH$1,010,599

Who will receive funds? Commonwealth of Virginia - directly from HUD Local Government - Some directly from HUD; Others may be able to apply to other government units Private non-profit organizations - May be able to apply for funds

What will funds be used for? Note that the Commonwealth of Virginia and the local governments who are receiving the funds from HUD will determine additional details of the program. Any questions regarding how the Commonwealth and the local governments plan to use the funds should be directed directly to them.

When will funds become available? May 18, Each “eligible grantee” must complete a local plan for how to use the funds Each unit of local government can (1) sub-grant to nonprofit organizations or other units of local government or (2) administer the program itself or (3) both July 2, HUD will accept the local plans or request they be revised Sept 2009 – Funds available to serve clients

Program Goal Program Goal = “Assistance should be focused on housing stabilization, linking program participants to community resources and mainstream benefits, and helping them develop a plan for preventing future housing instability” Shorter term supports - 18 month maximum

Definitions / Eligible Clients Those eligible for prevention assistance:  Must have an initial consultation with a case manager or other staff who can determine the appropriate amount of assistance  At or below 50 percent Area Median Income  Must be homeless or at risk of losing housing and meet both of the following (1) have no appropriate subsequent housing options and (2) lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in existing housing.

Definitions/ Eligible Clients Those eligible for rapid re-housing:  Meets HUD’s current definition of homelessness

Eligible Uses 1. Financial Assistance 2. Housing relocation and stabilization services 3. Data Collection and Evaluation 4. Administrative Costs

Ineligible Uses  Long term supports including permanent supportive housing  Mortgage Assistance  Child Care  Employment Services  Construction

Community Planning  Community discussions  To become involved and / or offer suggestions for how to use the funds, contact the government entity directly

Community Planning Tools and Resources  HUD’s Homelessness Resource Exchange  Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness  National Alliance to End Homelessness

For Local Government For those in local and state government, VCEH sponsored conference call on April 2 to share ideas

Local Plan Development  VCEH tool  NAEH tool

Examples of What You Could Do  Community Response  Stretching Dollars - Assessing Clients (VSH Example)  Landlord Mediation (The Planning Council example)

Examples of What You Could Do  Follow Up Case Management - Home Based Case Management  Central Intake

Coordination with Other Economic Recovery Funds  TANF  Employment services  Community Development Block Grant  Emergency Food and Shelter Program

Recommendations 1. Identify ways to link to existing resources 2. Identify ways to link to other economic recovery funds 3. Use these funds to strengthen a community response to homelessness. 4. Include follow-up case management as an activity. 5. Set a goal for housing stability.

Prevention and Re-housing Components  Targeting / Determining Eligibility  Accurately Assessing Housing Barriers  Providing Appropriate Interventions  Linking to other services  Tracking Housing Outcomes

Best Practices in Virginia  Housing Barrier Assessment - Katie Van Arnam, Virginia Supportive Housing  Outreach to Landlords - Norfolk’s Housing Broker Team - Claudia Gooch, The Planning Council

About VCEH  Making ending homelessness a priority  Building a coordinated statewide response to homelessness  Focusing on prevention and re-housing  Building Capacity & Supporting Communities

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~Thomas Edison

Phyllis Chamberlain Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness