Ending Family Homelessness in Rural America Presented at: National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness February 8, Seattle, Washington Sponsored by the National Alliance to End Homelessness Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW Coalition On Homelessness and Housing in Ohio

Large geographic area Less than 100,000 people More than 100 miles from urban area Higher poverty rates Less educational attainment More agricultural and extractive industries Characteristics of Rural America

Challenges Faced By Rural Providers Lack of public transportation Single agencies providing multiple services Personnel wear several “hats” Sense of isolation Fewer resources - funding Difficult for staff to attend trainings & meetings

Rural Homelessness Per the National Coalition for the Homeless - “Rural homelessness is numerically less and often proportionately more than urban homeless.”

Rural vs. Urban The picture of rural homelessness is not the same as urban homelessness. Lack of qualitative & quantitative knowledge about the needs of rural homeless and the causes of their homelessness has prevented providers & policy makers from adequately addressing the problem.

Problems with Current Systems Housing is not seen as the primary intervention Some programs incentivize shelter entry versus prevention High cost interventions are not always targeted to the most vulnerable families

Costs of Homelessness - Family & Children Families  Involvement in Foster Care and Child Welfare  Incidence of families separating or dissolving Children  Poor health  Developmental delays  Mental health  Behavioral problems  Academic achievement

Ohio Rural Homelessness Initiatives COHHIO Technical Assistance Capacity Building Rural Advisory Council Rural Convenings

Ohio Housing Trust Fund Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) Direct Housing Emergency Shelter ** Family Homelessness Prevention Pilot Project Foreclosure Prevention Home Repair Homelessness Prevention Housing Development Assistance Program Permanent Supportive Housing Supportive Services Transitional Housing

Ohio Balance of State HMIS December 28, % HMIS Coverage Shelters households 964 HH members 469 Adults 495 children Transitional Housing households 822 HH members 357 Adults 465 children

Accessing Mainstream Resources Ohio Benefit Bank Knox County has trained OBB counselors to help low-income households access Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child Care Subsidy/Tax Credit, Home Energy Assistance Program, Tax Assistance, and Earned Income Tax Credits.

Regional Collaboration 4 County Collaboration Continuum of Care Referrals to services within the alliance Information shared on available resources & new programs Case reviews

Project TOTAL Prevention & Housing Assistance Targeting High Risk Families Greene County provides outreach and follow-up support for homeless and those at-risk for homelessness. Services include: case management, systems advocacy, crisis intervention, landlord- tenant mediation, peer support, life skill development, and linkages to community resources.

“Positive Balance” Financial Literacy Prevention Approach Licking County utilizes an AmeriCorps Grant to provide financial literacy at 12 local agencies/organizations. Budgeting counseling

Housing First Rapid Re-Entry Delaware County utilizes supportive services and time- limited subsidy by relying on early identification and resolution of a family’s “housing barriers” and assist them to return to permanent housing.

Shelter Plus Care Targeting Services Portage County utilizes the Shelter Plus Care Program to provide a rental subsidy to homeless families with a severe mental disability. Mental Health agency provides Supportive Services.

Jonda Clemings, MSEd, LSW Rural Housing Program Coordinator Coalition On Homelessness and Housing In Ohio 175 S. Third St. - Suite 250 Columbus, Ohio P