The DC Experience – Intersection of Homelessness and Child Welfare Marta Beresin Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless Third Annual ABA Parent Attorneys Conference July 2013

WLCH  WLCH strives to break down barriers to justice for people struggling with homelessness in DC. Through staff and more than 200 volunteer attorneys we provide low barrier, comprehensive legal services at intake sites throughout DC. Rooted in this client work, WLCH staff engages in policy advocacy and community education to improve and expand local and federal programs that serve the low- and no-income community.

Rising Family Homelessness Since recession hit, homelessness among families has increased sharply in DC & nationally and families now comprise the fastest growing segment of the homeless population:  DC: 18% increase from 2011 to % increase (!!) from 2008 to % increase (!!) from 2008 to 2012  Nationally: Increased 28 percent between 2007 and 2010 to nearly 170,000 families in 2010 (HUD data) Increased 28 percent between 2007 and 2010 to nearly 170,000 families in 2010 (HUD data) Families now comprise more than 1/3 of homeless population (HUD 2011 Point In Time count) Families now comprise more than 1/3 of homeless population (HUD 2011 Point In Time count) In 16 states, at least 1 in 5 homeless families was unsheltered in 2011 (HUD Point in Time count) In 16 states, at least 1 in 5 homeless families was unsheltered in 2011 (HUD Point in Time count)

Recession’s Impact on Affordable Housing & Shelter  Recession = decreased city and federal revenues  Decreased revenues = cutbacks in affordable housing, safety net, and human services programs like emergency shelter  In DC, 60% of cuts have fallen on human services programs  Human services = only 30% of budget

Result: Change in Long-Standing Shelter Policy  Right to shelter in DC only in winter, but long-standing policy of sheltering year- round families with no safe place to stay  End of hypothermia season 2009, families applying for shelter began calling WLCH  DC told them if they couldn’t find a safe place to stay, they would have to call CPS  Families were often asked: “Are you sure you have no safe place to stay because if you don’t we’ll have to report you to CPS?”  No other assistance was offered.

Concerns with Change in Policy  Government is reporting families for doing the right thing, asking for help  Chilling effect on shelter applications – families will not take this risk  Housing is more cost-effective than foster care  Part of national trend towards criminalization of homelessness and poverty  Not consistent with local law on “neglect”

DC “Child Neglect” Law  Neglected child means a child “who is without proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his or her physical, mental, or emotional health, and the deprivation is not due to the lack of financial means of his or her parent.” DC Code (9)(A)(ii)

WLCH took Two-fold Approach Built coalition of advocates including:  Domestic Violence advocates  Homeless/housing advocates  Parents/children’s attorneys… to: 1) Advocate with DC agencies (DHS, CFSA, Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth and Families) to change policy/protocol; and 2) Advocate for new housing resources for homeless families from local budget $$

Agency Reform Strategy Engaged Directors of CFSA, DHS, & office of Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth and Families:  Intolerable to have families deterred from seeking assistance and reported for doing so  Chilling effect on parents applying for shelter will put children at greater risk  Housing is the solution – (i.e., yes, homelessness has a debilitating effect on children, BUT housing not foster care is answer)  Housing is humane & more cost effective  Asked for support for housing proposals, $$ for short-term solutions, and a new protocol from the shelter intake office.

Budget Advocacy for More Housing Resources 1.Educated Public: Via our blog, used stories about clients who were reported to CPS just because they were homeless and seeking shelter 1.Educated Public: Via our blog, used stories about clients who were reported to CPS just because they were homeless and seeking shelter 2. Educated our local legislature (DC Council): Via campaigns and meetings with Councilmembers 2. Educated our local legislature (DC Council): Via campaigns and meetings with Councilmembers 3. Worked with local arm of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (DCFPI) to develop and advocate for a budget proposal to target locally funded Section 8 vouchers to 250 “Priority 1” homeless families 3. Worked with local arm of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (DCFPI) to develop and advocate for a budget proposal to target locally funded Section 8 vouchers to 250 “Priority 1” homeless families

What we Achieved  DC Council included funding for 285 locally funded Section 8 vouchers in FY 13 Budget to target homeless families  Council funded another 200+ housing vouchers for FY 14 (this budget season) targeted at homeless families  $1 million in FY13 & FY14 for a “Flexible Family Services Fund” within CFSA for hotel stays, temporary rent assistance, or back rent for homeless families.

Potential Housing Resources to Advocate for in your Jurisdiction Unique opportunity to advocate for housing solutions, which are so much more cost-effective and humane than foster care:  Permanent Supportive Housing (local or federal)  Locally funded Section 8 vouchers  Transitional Housing for Reunifying Families  FUP Section 8 vouchers  Vouchers for young parents aging out of Foster Care  New Federal funding opportunities – e.g., Health and Human Services (HHS) gave out $5 million in housing/child welfare partnership grants this year – look out for more of such opportunities

Contact information  Marta Beresin, Esq.  Staff Attorney/Policy Advocate  Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless  1200 U Street, NW  Washington, DC   