4.4 Creating a Homelessness Prevention System

(Tuesday July 13th, 1:00-2:30pm)

Bridget Kurtt DeJong HomeBase

bridget@homebaseccc.org

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Yolo County- Before HPRPGeography

◦Agricultural◦Near Sacramento◦3-4 Towns

Continuum of Care◦Variety of homeless housing◦Insulated from mainstream systems◦Coordination at an interpersonal

level

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CoordinationYolo writing Ten Year Plan in 2009Prevention section of Plan written

while HPRP designedKey problems throughout the

system identified and addressed by HPRP design, not just prevention

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Key IssuesCredit and eviction history barrier

to low-income housingImpact of economy- increased

homelessnessLack of

communication/coordination with community-at-large

Lack of integration among services/funding streams

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Coordination PartnersPrevention planning involved

wide range of people, not usually involved in CoC◦Housing developers◦PHA◦Law enforcement◦Faith based◦Schools◦Mainstream providers

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Existing ResourcesPrevention assistance provided

by volunteer-only organization:◦Did not participate in CoC ◦Narrowly Tailored◦Limited resources- type/amount of

assistance, families eligible Service Need:

◦Additional, flexible prevention and diversion resources available to wider group of people

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Systemic NeedsProcess demonstrated systemic

need for:◦One referral place per community◦Flexible funding◦Mainstream involvement◦Stronger communication, esp. with

FBOs and governments◦Systemic coordination

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Strategic DesignResulting HPRP system

◦Expanded one-stop Housing Resource Centers in each town (plus rural outreach)

◦Best use of limited resources- Stone Soup◦Led by mainstream provider with

mainstream partners◦Institutionalized coordination- providers

AND community◦Skeletal system of entire Plan◦Buy-in of County leaders in Plan

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Targeting ResourcesReferrals from whole county

come through one coordinated, integrated system, but in each community◦Use HMIS for coordination

Focus on prevention (2/3), families (2/3), certain areas of the county are demonstrating greater need

Short-term solutions instead of long-term problems 9

CoordinationAll partnering agencies meet

weekly to share resources, challenges

Outreach to and trainings for groups about resources available and Housing Resource Centers◦Landlords◦Faith-Based◦Courts◦CBOs

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Addressing GapsMaintaining prevention services

availability and necessary interim housing after HPRP

Administrative difficulties◦Documentation, Cash Flow, Continuing

Client InvolvementImpact of lack of other types of services

◦County budget cuts mean long waits for County services

◦Little to no health-related and mental health services are available

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Yolo County- AfterCounty-wide system and

frameworkIncrease in amount and quality of

structural partnerships, including with landlords

Springboard for Ten Year Plan implementation

Best use of limited resources

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HomeBase/The Center for Common Concerns

870 Market Street, Suite 1228San Francisco, California

415.788.7961www.homebaseccc.org

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