GOALS FOR TONIGHT 1) What is the status of homelessness in Redding/Shasta County? 2) What is currently being done? 3) What can further reduce the impact homelessness is having on our community? 4) What are the next steps? 5) What is the community’s role in solving homelessness in Shasta County?
AGENDA I. Welcome and Introductions II. Why an Analysis? III. Findings and Recommendations IV. What’s Next V. Q&A
A LITTLE ABOUT US HomeBase Symmetric Solutions • Non-profit consultants • Professional consulting since 1985, working on the firm founded in 1991, local, state and national level to support specializing in large-scale communities in human service agency successfully implementing project implementations effective responses to homelessness Shasta County Homeless Strengthening the Shasta County Management Information System Homeless Response System: (HMIS) Review Recommendations for Building Capacity in the Homeless System of Care
BACKGROUND: WHY AN ANALYSIS? Homelessness is a vast and complex challenge in Redding/Shasta County that affects everyone .
BACKGROUND: WHY AN ANALYSIS? The 2015 PIT counted 559 homeless persons , down from 851 in 2013. • But there is reason to believe these numbers are not accurate and the problem is much greater. • At least 3,000 homeless persons – and probably many more – rely on the service system each year. Inquiry #1: In your experience, how does homelessness affect Shasta County?
THE PUBLIC COST OF HOMELESSNESS Public costs of homelessness are very high it is far more cost-efficient to have effective programs responding to homelessness than to do nothing. • Emergency Room • Health Complications • Law Enforcement/Jail • Ambulance • Lost Taxable • Fire Department Employment Income
LIGHT IN THE TUNNEL: VETERANS • Thanks to targeted strategies and effective coordination, there has been a 33% decrease in homeless veterans nationally since 2009. • Communities are successfully ending veteran homelessness, for example: • Houston, TX • State of Connecticut • Lancaster, PA • New Orleans, LA
LIGHT IN THE TUNNEL: OTHER COMMUNITIES • Other communities are also taking great strides toward the ultimate goal of ending homelessness: Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville, FL, Santa Clara County Santa Clara County Utah has driven down Utah has driven down reduced its chronic reduced its chronic has committed to has committed to chronic chronic homeless population homeless population ending homelessness ending homelessness homelessness by homelessness by by 25% this year by 25% this year by 2020 by creating by 2020 by creating 91% over the past 10 91% over the past 10 6,000 new housing 6,000 new housing years years opportunities opportunities Every community is different and there is no one-size-fits all solution – but there are ideas and lessons that can be adapted to Redding/Shasta County.
SOLVING HOMELESSNESS • Research and experience proves it is possible to transform what homelessness looks like in communities, large and small • Solving homelessness means having the system – the right mix of affordable housing and support services like case management, job training and addiction treatment – so people can get housed and stay housed We know what needs to be done , what the system and tools are that turn homelessness into a solvable problem
WHAT ABOUT SHASTA COUNTY? • Redding/Shasta County already has a variety of programs and services and many dedicated providers working hard to reduce homelessness. • While the problem would be far worse without these services, the current response and resources are insufficient to meet the need. Inquiry #2: What would it take to solve homelessness in Redding/Shasta County?
METHODOLOGY: HOW WAS THIS REPORT CREATED? Stakeholder Stakeholder Local Interviews Workshop Documents (June – Aug) (July 16) Best Regulatory Practices Requirements Material
JULY 16 STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP • Nearly 60 diverse members of Redding/Shasta County community gathered to discuss gaps and opportunities for strengthening the homeless response. • Participants included: • Elected • Faith Community • Public Library Representatives • Business Community • Public Schools • Law Enforcement • Journalists • Neighborhood Safety • Service Providers • Property Managers • 2-1-1 • Housing Authority • Health Care/Community • County Residents • Health & Human Svcs Clinics
JULY 16 STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP Unification of approach Recurring and vision themes What do people Transformation of the Strong leadership to drive community perception of creation, implementation, homelessness and the and community buy-in to want? local homeless response cohesive central plan Sustainability and accountability to promote Increased resources participation and engagement
UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE: WHY ARE PEOPLE HOMELESS IN SHASTA COUNTY? • Diverse homeless population – some visible, many not – lots of different stories: • Mental illness • Drug or alcohol • Domestic Violence addiction • Missed Paycheck • Medical crisis • 85% of the county’s very low income renters spend over 50% of their income on housing, much of which is substandard • For some, a single crisis is enough to fall down the homeless spiral
POINT IN TIME COUNT 2013 2015 Individual Adults 631 504 People in Families 220 55 Chronically Homeless 199 298 Veterans 203 87 Total Homeless 851 559 Still missing crucial information about who is homeless, how many, and why. Inquiry #3: What else do you want to know about homelessness in Shasta County? What other information would be helpful to solving the problem?
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY • There is a lot to celebrate in the current system. • The system will benefit from more centralized leadership, coordination, and community-wide engagement. • Emphasis on growing resources and targeting them to the most effective interventions.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY Many excellent programs and local initiatives operated by dedicated community providers, including – to name just a few : • The Woodlands, in development, affordable housing complex with 19 beds set aside for persons with severe mental health issues • Shasta Community Health Center provides services to approximately 3,000 homeless people a year with programs including the Hope Van • HHSA case managers are helping persons move on from encampments to permanent housing • 34 unit permanent supportive housing project operated by Northern Valley Catholic Social Services (NVCSS) • County administered VASH vouchers for 55 veterans, and support services and SSVF for many more via the Veterans Resource Center • Successful transition of 120 homeless persons to permanent housing in 2014 by the Good News Rescue Mission
RECOMMENDATIONS: FIVE GOALS What about resources? • This is ALL about resources: Right Mix of Services • Using resources more effectively Leadership • Building a system to Data Planning bring in new, sustainable resources COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS: ENGAGEMENT Right Mix of Services Leadership Data Planning COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
FINDINGS: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Strengths Challenges • July 16 stakeholder meeting of • Insufficient public information over 60 diverse community regarding homelessness and members demonstrating the service system commitment to solving homelessness • Frustration and lack of awareness and support for the • Volunteerism and support, interventions that could best including from the faith impact homelessness in Shasta community; tremendous County community generosity • Public sentiment that “something must be done”
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: COMMUNITY CARE FUND • Stakeholders in the faith community are developing a flexible community fund to address housing barriers – e.g., deposits, utilities – that will support households leave homelessness more quickly. • Stakeholders are also exploring ways community members can get involved in providing housing navigation and support.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: LANDLORDS • Homeless and formerly homeless people face many challenges in locating an apartment. • Poor credit • No recent rental history • Criminal history • Mistrust by landlord • No community references One-third of vouchers issued by the City of Redding go unused, partly because the household can’t find a rental.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: BUSINESS COMMUNITY • Studies show that the vast majority – around 88% – of homeless persons would prefer to be employed or already are. • With the right tools and support, many homeless persons can be successful in the workplace. • Support from the business community can create job and skill building opportunities.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: BUILDING SOLUTIONS THAT WORK • Solving homelessness requires the support of the community around the solutions that work. • Participation in the planning process to identify steps that will turn the tide on homelessness in Shasta County/Redding.
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