1. March 12, 2012 1

2.  May 2010 Governor Bob McDonnell signed Executive Order 10 calling for a Housing Policy Framework  The Homeless Outcomes Policy Report is a component of that larger Housing Policy  An Advisory Committee was convened to help develop the homeless policy 2

3.  Advisory Committee was chaired by Governor McDonnell’s senior advisor Bob Sledd.  Consisted of 15 homeless service providers, advocates and state agency staff working on homeless issues.  Met from spring through fall of 2010.  Reviewed local and regional plans and models from other states.  Members analyzed state and federal research on needs and resources. 3

4.  Four input sessions around the state engaged over 140 stakeholders to help identify ways in which state agencies can more effectively prevent and reduce homelessness.  Input was presented to the Advisory Committee and incorporated into its work.  Goals, strategies and action steps included in Virginia’s first comprehensive housing policy  Information and documents available at: http://www.virginiahousingpolicy.com/ http://www.virginiahousingpolicy.com/ 4

5.  Increase the number of permanent supportive housing units in the Commonwealth.  Increase flexibility of funding to prevent homelessness and support Rapid Re-housing for individuals and families.  Increase statewide data collection and system coordination.  Increase access to substance abuse and mental health treatment.  Evaluate, develop and ensure implementation of statewide, pre-discharge policies for the foster care system, hospitals, mental health facilities and correctional facilities. 5

6.  Consists of agency/organization directors  Ability to make commitments and target resources as necessary  Members: o Department of Housing and Community Development o Virginia Housing Development Authority o Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services o Department of Social Services o Department of Veteran’s Services o Governor’s Re-Entry Council o Department of Corrections o Department of Criminal Justice Services o Secretariat of Health and Human Resources o Secretariat of Commerce and Trade o Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness o Two representatives for Virginia continua of care o Two representatives from homeless service providers 6

7. Council sub-committees structured around major recommendations ◦ Four sub-committees:  Supportive services and funding  Data collection and system coordination  Access to substance abuse and mental health treatment  Discharge policies ◦ Sub-committees met monthly to develop specific action steps ◦ Committee chairs report progress to Coordinating Council 7

8.  Serves as sounding board  Provides feedback as implementation of action steps progress  Participants: ◦ Initial Homeless Outcomes Advisory Committee members not on Coordinating Council ◦ Additional representatives from continua of care ◦ Advocates and service providers associated with:  Domestic violence  Foster care  Prisoner re-entry  Veterans  Special needs populations ◦ Rural and urban representation ◦ Between 20 and 30 members 8

9.  DHCD’s Funding Shift o FY 12 - Virginia Promising Practices Program; shifted $1 million from State Shelter Grant funding pool set aside for rapid re-housing programs; competitive application process o FY 12 – added prevention and RRH as eligible activities for ESG o FY 13 – changing from State Shelter Grant to Homeless Solutions Grant; will shift more funds to RRH; will be awarded through competitive application o FY 13 – changing from Homeless Intervention Program to Homeless Prevention Program; greater emphasis on diversion and targeting those most likely to become homeless  Reducing Family Homelessness Initiative in Virginia o Collaborative effort between the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, the Commonwealth and the Freddie Mac Foundation o Technical assistance; funder’s collaborative; staff for Coordinating Council 9

10.  Annualized number of homeless per year  Average length of homelessness  Recidivism rate  Baseline – FY 2011 10

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12. Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development Kathy Robertson Associate Director Homeless and Special Needs Housing 804-225-3129 kathy.robertson@dhcd.virginia.gov 12