Strategic Action Plan to End Homelessness Presentation to Interagency Council on Homelessness March 2010

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Process of Developing Plan ICH’s Strategic Planning Committee met several times in November 2009 through February 2010, building on the work of the previous year & Homeless No More Plan. DHS presented a concept for system redesign at a day-long meeting & got feedback from community representatives. Subcommittees worked on identifying key outcomes & production of housing. Draft reviewed by Strategic Planning Committee. There was wide representation including from homeless advocates, nonprofit providers, DHCD, DHS, and other interested individuals and agencies.

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Strategic Goals 1.Reduce the overall number of individuals and families who are homeless. 2.Redesign the Continuum of Care to develop an appropriate mix of services, interim housing, and permanent housing options in order to help people move out of homelessness as rapidly as possible. 3.Develop a mechanism and an evaluation strategy to track the District’s progress in preventing and reducing homelessness.

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Critical Success Factors Supply of affordable permanent housing, with and without supportive services Financial resources Track outcomes

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Client Focused Outcomes to Measure Reduce length of homelessness for families and individuals. Reduce number returning to homelessness. Increase income from employment. Increase income and supports from public benefits and services. Prevent homelessness following institutional exit or release. Reduce individuals/families who become homeless through eviction or ejection. Reduce second request for prevention assistance. Increase stability in permanent housing. Tenants experience improved quality of life. Reduce cost burden on DC’s public and emergency service systems.

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Work Plan To be updated annually. Identifies major tasks to achieve goals. Actions include: –Issue Request for Proposals for redesign of system. –Apply for additional funding through HUD. –Fully implement Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re- Housing Program. –Continue to develop permanent housing options, working with DHCD and DCHA.

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Current Family System VWFRC Emergency Shelter DCGH Temporary Shelter Transitional Housing Permanent Housing Diversion Prevention

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Reconfigured Reconfigured Family System Provisional Shelter Shelter Eligibility System of checks and balances Homelessness Prevention/ Diversion Connection with mainstream services Re-housing Family Assessment Center short-term placement in program designed to address housing barriers Specific to: Economic/ed ucational training Addiction Domestic violence/ trauma Temporary/ Transitional Placements Long term affordable Permanent supportive housing Housing Stability – w. short term assistance Permanent Housing 2 wks 1 – 18 mos

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Current system for individuals Temporary Transitional PSH Re-housing Low barrier shelter

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Screening and assessment Diversion Re-housing Connection to permanent housing or temporary program Connections to mainstream services Resource Center Assessment at 2 weeks Case management Performance based contracts create incentives to reduce LOS Low Barrier Tailored to address presenting housing barrier Performance based contracts create incentives to reduce LOS Temporary Programs PSH Permanent Housing Aimed at moving individuals off of the street Performance based Non- traditional hours Outreach Reconfigured Individual System

District of Columbia Department of Human Services Next Steps Public comment open until 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, Comments may be sent via US Postal Service to: Monica Parran, Special Assistant DC Department of Human Services 64 New York Ave, NE 6th Floor Washington, DC Submit to ICH for approval in April. Continued work by ICH subcommittees.