Centralized Intake 5 months in…Statistics are alarming!
During the first five months of centralized intake (“Access Point 4 Housing” or “AP4H”), we have gained a greater understanding of who is seeking housing assistance in Pierce County.
- AP4H received an average of 1780 unduplicated requests for assistance per month (Editor’s Note: That is a lot!)
- 38% were literally homeless, and 61% were at risk of homelessness
- 49% were in the process of being evicted, generally from a non-subsidized rental
- 81% were families with children (Editor’s Note: This is important – most of these people calling for help have kids and don’t fit the homeless stereotype.)
- 60% were female, and 40% were male
- 40% were African American, compared to 7% of the general population of Pierce County
- 61% were facing homelessness for the first time (This is also an important fact – most of these people had never faced this as a part of their lives)
- In 5 months, Associated Ministries, which oversees AP4H, has used $200k of its $230k available homelessness prevention funding.
*All statistics provided by Pierce County Community Connections and Associated Ministries
What do these statistics tell us? There are far more people on the brink of homelessness or living without a stable home than anyone thought – even the housing providers. Stay tuned for more information on this in the months to come.
ARTICLE: What does the “debt deal” mean for homelessness?
This article comes from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, an organization that Helping Hand House has worked alongside in implementation of national-level strategies here in Pierce County. More at www.endhomelessness.org.
What does the “debt deal” mean for homelessness?
Today’s guest post was written by Alliance Vice President for Programs and Policy Steve Berg.
Many of us – especially people outside the beltway – are asking ourselves, “What just happened?”
People who follow what goes on in Washington, D.C. have been watching an ugly debate over federal spending, taxation, and borrowing. On the news, it’s been commonly referred to as the “debt ceiling” debate. For now, that debate is over, to be resumed at a later date.
There are plenty of people commenting on who got the better of whom; today I’ll try to cover what the “debt deal” could mean for homelessness.
First, a quick summary of the debt deal. It cuts federal spending in two ways:
First, it sets maximum levels for discretionary spending (spending that is set each year through the appropriations process, including virtually all targeted spending for homelessness programs) for the next 10 years. The impact of the debt deal comes mostly in the later years. For the 2012 fiscal year that begins in October 2011, discretionary spending is set at $1.042 trillion, $7 billion less than FY 2011 funding levels and $98 billion less than the Obama Administration’s budget request for FY 2012.
Second, the debt deal cuts spending through additional across-the-board reductions to most domestic and defense programs, this time including not only discretionary spending but also some entitlements like Medicare. These will begin in 2013, with the total cuts over ten years to be $1.2 trillion. Some programs for low-income people (Medicaid, for example) would be exempt from the automatic cuts, but others, like Section 8, would not be exempt, which could mean that thousands of families lose their housing. Instead of allowing these cuts, Congress can pass a bill proposed by a “super-committee,” reducing federal debt by at least $1.2 trillion through some combination of spending cuts and revenue increases. But the super-committee has to do that by the end of the 2011 calendar year.So how will this affect homelessness? No decisions have been made on the details, but there are two ways this deal could have an impact.
First is the impact of the maximum levels set for discretionary funding. This could impact funding for targeted homelessness programs, especially the Emergency Shelter Grants and Continuum of Care run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In his original budget, the President proposed an increase of $471 million for HUD’s homeless assistance for 2012 to implement the HEARTH Act, finance 10,000 new HUD-VASH vouchers, and create 7,500 targeted rent vouchers for the Housing and Services for Homeless Persons demonstration. In light of the high rate of joblessness and the struggling economy, all those new resources are desperately needed for homeless and at-risk people. But now we know that overall discretionary spending for FY 2012 will be nearly $100 billion less than what the President’s budget proposed which could jeopardize the creation of these new resources.
Secondly, the work of the “super-committee,” carried out under intense time pressure, creates many dangers in the long run. While entitlement programs for low-income people are exempt from the automatic cuts that take place if the super-committee does nothing, they are not exempt from a super-committee proposal. Roll-backs in Medicaid or TANF, for example, may be tempting for the members of the “super-committee” when they’re overwhelmed with the task of finding cuts to the federal budget. But we know that such cuts would be devastating for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and rely on federal programs.
In this context, protecting federal homelessness programs will require a lot of work. And the work will only get harder in succeeding years.
Fortunately, the effectiveness of these programs, the vulnerability of homeless people, and the bipartisan history of the work provide a strong case, but the case has to be made. Increased funding remains eminently doable, but only if people in Congress know that it is important back home.
That’s where you come in. The Alliance’s grassroots efforts have always proved effective. The Alliance works to connect passionate citizens with their Members of Congress so that lawmakers can hear, first-hand, the needs and concerns of their constituents. This is the most effective way that we, as everyday people, can best affect policy change.
To find out what you can do to protect homeless assistance programs, please contact us. You can learn more by visiting our website.
VIDEO: What is Motivational Interviewing (MI)?
http://helpinghandhouse.org Helping Hand House’s Pat Williams describes what Motivational Interviewing is.
Success Story: Employment is the Key
Ed and Sarah came into Emergency Housing in April. Ed had been the sole breadwinner for the family, and lost his job due to an illness. With no income, it was not long before the family had lost their home and were desperate for help.
During their time in the program, they took hold of every resource that was available, including budgeting, employment assistance, and options available through partners of Helping Hand House. They enrolled their 5 year old daughter in school for the first time. Ed is taking parenting classes through the Sumner Family Support Center. Both Ed and Sarah now have 2 jobs, and their household income went from $1,600 per month upon program entry to over $2,500 per month at graduation. Ed is working as an employment counselor for people with developmental disabilities, and part-time at Target. Sarah was hired as a customer service representative at Virgin Airlines, and has part-time work through a temp agency.
They saved $750 during their 3 months in the program. These funds, along with a cleaning bonus provided by HHH to assist families upon move-out, allowed them to move into an apartment of their own. They are completely self-sufficient, and are no longer receiving housing assistance of any kind. Not only are they getting back on their feet, they now have the dignity of providing for their own family, important life skills, and a story to tell.
VIDEO: HHH Volunteer Profile -The Brickman Group
Volunteer profile for one of the many businesses who give of their time and resources to keep Helping Hand House units in great shape for homeless families to move into and call home. More info on how your business can make a difference at http://www.helpinghandhouse.org/get-involved/volunteergroup-opportunities/.
ARTICLE: Group asks Puyallup to spend more on homeless aid (News Tribune)
Helping Hand House is a part of this consortium of advocates asking the City Council in Puyallup to consider designating 1% of the City’s general fund towards addressing housing solutions for Puyallup’s homeless residents. This article briefly touches on the main points of the draft plan.
Group asks Puyallup to spend more on homeless aid
SARA SCHILLING; Staff writer
A group of social service workers, church leaders and other advocates for the homeless in Puyallup has a plan to end the problem in East Pierce County’s largest city.They’re requesting a significant increase in city funding to help make it happen.
“Whether housed or un-housed, we all share Puyallup together. The solutions we need involve all of us working together,” said Ted Brackman, co-founder of the Puyallup Homeless Coalition, which helped create the strategic plan.
The City Council Tuesday night listened to the group’s presentation, which included a request that the city take steps toward setting aside an amount equal to 1 percent of its general fund for social service programs.
Using figures from this year’s budget, 1 percent would equal about $360,000. The 2011 budget set aside $55,000 for those types of programs.
Council members didn’t make decisions at Tuesday’s study session or commit to increasing homeless funding. But several said they want to see something done.
“It’s my belief, and it has been for a long time, that we’re all basically a heartbeat away from being homeless,” said Councilman Kent Boyle.
Councilman John Knutsen said the proposal will take “a lot of consideration” at a time when the city budget is tight.
“I’m sure all of us feel and understand. It’s just how to do it,” he said.
The council has talked about homelessness several times over the last couple of years. Last fall, it approved an ordinance, in response to a new state law, that allows religious groups to host temporary camps. The homeless coalition has proposed starting out with a “safe park” for people living in their cars to park overnight, though none has opened.
The strategic plan estimates there are 484 homeless over the course of a year in Puyallup, and hundreds more at risk. The figures are based on a homeless count in January.
There aren’t enough shelter beds in Puyallup to serve them, the plan says. In the colder months of November to March, 190 beds are available each night, the plan says; that drops to 160 beds from April to October.
The advocacy group proposes a multi-faceted response that includes stepping up prevention and support services, and working with providers to increase emergency shelter and limited-time housing. It also asks the city to create incentives to encourage developers to build more affordable housing.
The plan asks the city to gradually step up funding over four years to equal 1 percent of the general fund. It calls for a citizens advisory board to help guide where the money goes, as well as more collaboration with schools, churches and nonprofits.
The cities of Tacoma and Sumner have similar amounts of homeless per capita as Puyallup but contribute a greater share of their general funds to homeless programs, the plan says.
“Housing is a key element in stabilizing people’s lives,” said Kent McLaren, an architect who helped draft the 16-page document.
“It costs a lot to do nothing about homelessness,” he added, referring to the impacts on hospitals, police and schools.
City Manager Ralph Dannenberg said he expects the plan to come up as the council discusses the 2012 budget. The budget process has just barely started.
Sara Schilling: 253-552-7058 sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/street
VIDEO: Evidence of a Change: Motivational Interviewing (MI) vs. Coaching
Helping Hand House’s Pat Williams describes the elements that make evidence-based Motivational Interviewing (MI) is effective in creating change, as compared to “coaching.” Motivational Interviewing is the model used by Helping Hand House case managers, and is extremely effective at helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve their goals. Learn more about HHH’s use of Motivational Interviewing
Check out Mt. Rainier Coffee Company and support HHH!
Get a pound of coffee or any other product from Mount Rainier Coffee Company, and support Helping Hand House while doing so. Mount Rainier Coffee Company is a partner, supporting our organization with a percentage of every purchase – so “get your mo-jo” and support our work with homeless families.
Shop on!
