Impact Report: Reducing Street Homelessness in Atlanta - March 2014

2012 to

2013

I N N O V A T I O N D E L I V E R Y T E A M

I M P A C T R E P O R TR e d u c i n g S t r e e t H o m e l e s s n e s s

F U N D I N G PA R T N E R SAtlanta Downtown Neighborhood AssociationThe Home Depot FoundationImlay FoundationInvest AtlantaUnited Way of Greater AtlantaWachovia Foundation

T E C H N I C A LA S S I S TA N C ECommunity Solutions (100,000 Homes Campaign)Corporation for Supportive HousingU.S. Office of Housing & Urban DevelopmentU.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

R E S E A R C HPathways Community Support NetworkEmory UniversityGeorgia Institute of TechnologyClark-Atlanta UniversityGeorgia State University

L O C A L G O V E R N M E N TAtlanta Office of Grants ManagementAtlanta Dept. of Planning & Community DevelopmentAtlanta Housing AuthorityAtlanta Police Department (HOPE Team)Atlanta VA Homeless ProgramDecatur Housing AuthorityDeKalb County Office of Community DevelopmentFulton County Dept. of Housing & Human ServicesGeorgia Dept. of Behavioral Health & Developmental DisabilitiesGeorgia Dept. of Community AffairsHousing Authority of DeKalb County

L O C A L N O N P R O F I T H O U S I N G P L A C E M E N T PA R T N E R SAnother Way OutAtlanta Outreach ProjectAtlanta Center for Self-SufficiencyAtlanta Furniture BankAtlanta MissionCaring WorksCentral Outreach & Advocacy CenterChris KidsCovenant HouseCity of RefugeCommunity FriendshipCrossroadsEssence of HopeFamilies FirstFirst Presbyterian ChurchFirst Step StaffingHOPE Atlanta Programs of Traveler’s AidMary Hall Freedom HouseProject Community Connections, Inc.Project Interconnections Inc.Gateway 24/7Grady Memorial HospitalQuest CommunitiesSalvation ArmySt. Joseph’s Mercy Care

U N S H E L T E R E D N O M O R E P A R T N E R S

Dear Fellow Atlantans:

Each night approximately 2,000 Atlantans sleep in unsheltered locations, and an additional 2,700 sleep in our emergency shelters. That includes nearly 900 homeless veterans and nearly 200 homeless families with children. Despite the sustained efforts of numerous partners, homelessness remains a significant challenge in Atlanta.

When the City of Atlanta received a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies to create an Innovation Delivery Team, I had the option of choosing any two priority areas for the Team to focus on between 2012 and 2013. I chose improving the City’s customer service, which led to the creation of ATL311, and reducing street homelessness. This report documents the work of the Innovation Delivery Team and numerous community partners as part of the Unsheltered No More initiative to reduce homelessness.

Homelessness is a national, state, regional, and local issue. Making an impact on homelessness requires strong coordination across housing, health and human services, and criminal justice sectors.

Over the past two years, we’ve made dramatic progress thanks to strong support in the local nonprofit and faith community as well as at the federal, state, and local government levels. Between May 2012 and December 2013, we helped 1,022 homeless people move into housing—including 754 veterans and their family members. These results are helping to set Atlanta on a path toward meeting the White House’s goal of ending veteran and chronic homelessness.

Unsheltered No More is a critical part of my administration’s efforts to make sure Atlanta is not only a city that is too busy to hate, but also one that is not too busy to love. I hope you’ll join me in continuing to support the many community leaders working tirelessly to put an end to homelessness in Atlanta.

Sincerely,

Kasim Reed

A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E M A Y O R

T A B L E O FC O N T E N T SOverview ................................................................................................... 5

Unsheltered No More Timeline ................................................. 6

Problem Assessment ......................................................................... 8

Strategy Development ................................................................... 14

Housing Placement Projects ...................................................... 16

Innovations & Highlights ............................................................ 18

Expanding Resources ..................................................................... 22

Oversight & Governance .............................................................. 24

Photo: Dustin Chambers, 2013

O V E R V I E WIn 2012, Mayor Kasim Reed charged the Innovation Delivery Team with driving a dramatic reduction in street homelessness. As of Atlanta’s 2011 point-in-time count, there were an estimated 2,400 people sleeping in unsheltered locations and an additional 2,000 people cycling in and out of emergency shelters.

The Innovation Delivery Team convened local partners to launch a collective impact strategy called Unsheltered No More. After learning about what other cities had been able to achieve in reducing homelessness over a short period of time, in April 2012, community stakeholders set a target of housing 800 people by December 2013.

However, it became clear through conversations with community stakeholders and national experts that simply housing people would never truly move the needle on homelessness. A longer-term strategy for coordinating services and resource allocation was essential.

Unsheltered No More partners relied on a two-pronged approach to meeting its goal of dramatically reducing street homelessness:

1. Housing 800 People: Leveraging existing resources to accelerate current housing placements and test new approaches to more effectively meeting the needs of Atlanta’s homeless population;

2. Sustaining impact: Engaging stakeholders in the creation of a set of standards and strategies for coordinating services across fragmented funding streams and programs.

Unsheltered No More wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership, resource commitments, advice, and actions of countless individuals and organizations working throughout Atlanta and partner jurisdictions to maximize collective impact. The Innovation Delivery Team provided leadership, analytical support, and meeting facilitation.

As of December 2013, partners had exceeded Unsheltered No More’s goal: 1,022 people moved into housing through a coordinated process. At the same time, a number of systems changes were set in motion that will help the City of Atlanta and its local, state, and federal partners continue to work toward meeting the White House’s goal of ending chronic and veteran homelessness.

P A G E 5

COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSIONSMore than 100 community stakeholders representing government, philanthropic, nonprofit, faith, healthcare, and criminal justice sectors participate in a session facilitated by the Innovation Delivery Team to share results of the problem assessment and brainstorm creative solutions to homelessness. Participants set a goal of housing 700 people by December 2013 (later increased to 800 people).

January 2012 April

2012May2012

U N S H E LT E R E D N O M O R E

STRATEGY TEAM FORMSInnovation Delivery Team convenes a Strategy Team of representatives from government and funding agencies to develop performance measures, operational guidelines, and resource strategies for Unsheltered No More housing placement demonstration projects.

VETERANS 100-DAY CHALLENGEPartners launched a coordinated interagency process to eliminate barriers and accelerate housing placement among chronically homeless veterans and their families.

March2012

PROBLEM ASSESSMENTInnovation Delivery Team interviews local practitioners and national experts. University research partners conduct focus groups and surveys with providers and consumers of homeless services.

VETERANS IMPLEMENTATION TEAM FORMSProgram directors from VA, HUD, public housing authorities, United Way, and nonprofits begin working together toward Unsheltered No More target of housing 400 veterans.

I M P A C T R E P O R T 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3R E D U C I N G S T R E E T H O M E L E S S N E S S

ATLANTA HOMELESS REGISTRYUnsheltered No More partners launch the City’s first large-scale homeless registry, a tool for coordinating outreach and matching resources to population needs. 190 volunteers participate in Registry efforts to people sleeping in unsheltered locations and emergency shelters on a single night.

January2013

December2013

March2013

CHRONIC IMPLEMENTATION TEAM FORMSProgram directors and staff from state, county, and city agencies and nonprofits launch coordinated outreach and permanent supportive housing placement process.

CHRONIC 100-DAY CHALLENGEPartners launched coordinated outreach, intake, and assessment process to accelerate housing placements among the most vulnerable, chronically homeless individuals.

June2013

P A G E 7

T I M E L I N E 2 0 1 2 - 2 0 1 3

DEVELOPER COLLABORATIVE CREATES CENTRALIZED HOUSING INVENTORYPrivate property developers and landlords form a collaborative to expand the pool of units available to individuals moving into housing through Unsheltered No More.

NEW NONPROFIT CONTINUUM OF CARE ENTITY APPROVEDFederal HUD leaders and City Council approve the creation of a new nonprofit entity to manage the City of Atlanta’s homelessness continuum of care funds.

P R O B L E MA S S E S S M E N TThe Innovation Delivery Team conducted significant research to understand homelessness in both a local and national context. The Team spoke to national experts, interviewed practitioners in other cities, and analyzed data on the size and characteristics of Atlanta’s homeless population and available resources to serve them. A research partnership with local universities was formed to conduct surveys, asset maps, and focus groups with providers and consumers of homeless services.

C O M M O N T H E M E S I N C I T I E S T H AT H AV E R E D U C E D S T R E E T H O M E L E S S N E S S

• Coordinated outreach, intake, and assessment• Single point-of-entry for homeless services• Strong homeless management information system• Strong state-county-city collaboration• Outcomes-based funding models that incentivize providers to

serve the most vulnerable chronically homeless people• Resource strategy that prioritizes permanent supportive

housing• Policies to promote “Housing First” (i.e. lowering barriers in

order to rapidly move the most vulnerable people into housing)

• Comprehensive service provider training programs on evidence-based practices


H O M E L E S S N E S S H A S B E E N S T A G N A N T

Despite significant public and private investments and efforts, the size Atlanta’s homeless population has remained steady over the past decade.

P A G E 9

Source: Pathways Point-in-Time Homeless Count, 2003-2013

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Total Metro Population (2011) 5.36M 1.86M 2.6M 6.09M 3.32M 5.99M

Total Homeless Population (2011) 6,805 1,418 4,809 8,471 3,100 6,180

Percent Unsheltered (2011) 35% 10% 11% 52% 6% 8%

Change in Homelessness (2005-2011) -.04% -24% -53% -29% -9% -7%

A H I G H P E R C E N T A G E O F A T L A N T A ’ S H O M E L E S S A R E U N S H E L T E R E D

Looking around the country, the Team found several cities that had been successful in dramatically reducing their homeless populations. Compared to many of these best practice cities, Atlanta’s rate of unsheltered homelessness (35%) is high.

B E N C H M A R K I N G A T L A N T A ’ S H O M E L E S S P O P U L A T I O N

Source: HUD Homeless Population Reports, 2005-2011

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013

TransitionalHousing

EmergencyShelter

A T L A N T A P O I N T - I N - T I M E H O M E L E S S C O U N T , 2 0 0 3 - 2 0 1 3

6.3K6.8K 6.8K 7K 6.8K 6.7K

H O M E L E S S A T L A N T A N S F A C E S I G N I F I C A N T B A R R I E R S

48% AGE 50 AND OLDER

Homeless people aged 50-65 frequently fall between the cracks of governmental safety nets: while not technically old enough to qualify for Medicare, their physical health, diminished by poor nutrition and severe living conditions, may resemble that of a 70-year-old.

20% VETERANS

In addition to the factors influencing all homelessness, many homeless veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

38% CHRONICALLY HOMELESS

The federal definition of a chronically homelessness person is someone who’s been homeless for one year or more (or four or more times in three years) and has a disabling condition. (Average of 2013 Homeless Registry and 2013 Pathways Survey)

32% MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Individuals with co-occurring disorders face complex physical, social, and psychological challenges to recovery. Among the homeless, co-occurring disorders are often undiagnosed and untreated, leading to further deterioration in physical, social, and economic functioning.

Source: 2013 Atlanta Homeless Registry.


54% SERIOUS HEALTH

CONDITIONMany people are homeless because of poor health, which can lead to employment problems, financial difficulties, and housing issues; more than half of personal bankruptcies in the U.S. result from health issues.

39% FELONY RECORD

A criminal record can create obstacles to employment, housing, and education. Individuals with drug felony convictions are permanently ineligible to receive federal welfare benefits (TANF) and food stamps.

P A G E 1 1

C H R O N I C H O M E L E S S N E S S H A S A P U B L I C C O S T

A look at 2012 data on City of Atlanta arrests and jail stays—as well as Grady Memorial Hospital emergency room visits and in-patient stays—by people who self-identified as homeless makes it clear that there are significant public costs associated with homelessness. Studies of permanent supportive housing across the country have shown annual cost savings ranging from $8,000-$16,000 per person due to decreases in use of shelters, in-patient hospitals, emergency rooms, and jails and prisons.

Sources: Atlanta Police Department (APD), Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC), Grady Memorial Hospital, 2011 Pathways Point-in-Time Count, 2013 Atlanta Homeless RegistryNote: Criminal justice costs do not include county/state law enforcement and corrections.

E X A M P L E S O F E S T I M A T E D A N N U A L P U B L I C C O S T S A S S O C I A T E D W I T H H O M E L E S S N E S S

1,576HOMELESS

MISDEMEANOR ARRESTS

Atlanta City Detention Center

17,944HOMELESSJAIL STAYS

Atlanta City Detention Center

26,352HOMELESSER VISITS

Grady Memorial Hospital

5,270HOMELESS

INPATIENT STAYS Grady Memorial Hospital

R E S O U R C E S N O T S U F F I C I E N T T O M E E T N E E D S

Interviews, surveys, and focus groups with homeless service providers and consumers revealed that the community has strong basic services (such as food), but falls short in critical services. An Emory University survey of providers found that the most commonly identified gaps were in the areas of housing and supportive services. A Clark-Atlanta University survey of 229 primarily unsheltered homeless individuals was consistent: 95 percent of participants stated the need for more mental health services and over 80 percent cited the need for more substance abuse treatment.

Since 2005, Atlanta’s stock of permanent supportive housing has more than tripled. However, less than one-third of this housing is available to single adult men, who make up more than two-thirds of the homeless population.

O P P O R T U N I T Y T O M A X I M I Z E R E S O U R C E S

A fiscal scan revealed significant fragmentation in funding for homeless services. Over 80 percent of Atlanta’s emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing stock is consolidated under 30 providers; however, care is fragmented across more than 100 programs with different target populations and entrance criteria. Additionally, approximately half of funding for homeless services in greater Atlanta comes from private sources. As of 2011, the average program allocation for these funding streams was approximately $100,000.

As of 2011, Atlanta was receiving less than half the amount of funding of similar sized cities where the housing stock to serve the homeless better reflects national priorities (Chicago: $54 million, Houston: $24 million, Atlanta: $9 million). Over the past decade, federal policy has increasingly shifted away from transitional housing programs toward expanding permanent supportive housing—which is proven to be the most cost-effective way of addressing chronic homelessness.


P A G E 1 3

Emergency Shelter Beds

38%

Transitional Housing Beds

35%

Permanent Supportive

Housing Beds27%

A T L A N T A ’ S E M E R G E N C Y, T R A N S I T I O N A L , & P E R M A N E N T S U P P O R T I V E B E D S

Single Adult Men

33%

Single Adult Co-

Ed23%

Single Adult

Women5%

Households with

Children39%

Individuals in Families

16%

Single Adult Men68%

Single Adult

Women15%

Unaccompanied Youth

1%A T L A N T A ’ S

E M E R G E N C Y, T R A N S I T I O N A L , A N D

P E R M A N E N T S U P P O R T I V E B E D S B Y H O U S E H O L D M A K E U P

A T L A N T A ’ S H O M E L E S S P O P U L A T I O N B Y H O U S E H O L D M A K E U P

Source: Pathways Point-in-Time Homeless Count, 2011

Source: Pathways Housing Inventory Count, 2011

Source: Pathways Housing Inventory Count, 2011

S T R AT E GYD E V E LO P M E N TUnsheltered No More partners used housing placement demonstration projects to test coordinated approaches to moving people from homelessness to permanent housing. Throughout the projects, the Innovation Delivery Team facilitated process mapping and brainstorming sessions to generate creative solutions to overcoming the challenges encountered in serving those with the most housing barriers. Lessons learned through the demonstration projects are being applied to the design of new system-wide policies.

Photo Credit: Dustin Chambers Volunteer interviews homeless survey participant during the Atlanta Homeless Registry in January 2013.



P A G E 1 5

A L I G N I N G R E S O U R C E S

Unsheltered No More’s Strategy Team reviewed federal and local guidelines for program and systems performance and set performance measures for the housing placement demonstration projects. The Team also aligned resources to create a new pool of resources for permanent supportive housing for non-veterans. (Permanent supportive housing resources for veterans are already aligned at the federal level through a partnership between HUD and the VA.)

H O U S I N G P L A C E M E N T P R O J E C T S

Unsheltered No More’s housing placement target was met through demonstration projects implemented by teams of providers who dedicated their resources and adapted their approaches to participate in a coordinated process. The Innovation Delivery Team facilitated weekly provider meetings during placement projects to ensure strong coordination—as well as to brainstorm solutions to barriers and document lessons learned.

1 0 0 - D A Y C H A L L E N G E S

Unsheltered No More’s housing placement efforts benefited from local participation in the 100,000 Homes campaign, a national initiative of New York City-based Community Solutions. The Innovation Delivery Team recruited local teams to participate in two national boot camps and 100-day challenges. These activities helped to build local momentum around Unsheltered No More’s housing placement projects.

Partners map out the process of moving a veteran into permanent supportive housing during a 100,000 Homes Boot Camp in Orlando in May 2012.

People who have been homeless one year or more or 4+ episodes in three years and have

a disabling condition

• HUD Shelter + Care Vouchers • HUD Supportive Housing Program• Georgia Housing Choice Vouchers• Atlanta Housing Authority Homeless

Demonstration Vouchers• Projects for Assistance in Transitioning

from Homelessness (PATH)• Georgia Assertive Community Treatment

(ACT) Teams• Georgia Intensive Case Management Teams

T A R G E T P O P U L A T I O N

S O L U T I O N

I M P R O V E M E N T S I M P L E M E N T E D

R E S O U R C E S L E V E R A G E D

N U M B E R H O U S E D

C H R O N I C A L L Y H O M E L E S S

239(does not include chronically homeless veterans)

Permanent Supportive Housing

• Launched coordinated outreach to target those least likely to seek assistance

• Implemented “Housing First” approach• Expanded assessment bed utilization• Used formerly homeless “peer specialists”

to accompany chronically homeless to psychiatric evaluations

• Launched Landlord Lunch-n-Learns and Rolling Housing Fairs

• Over 100 provider staff trained on evidence-based practices

H O U S I N G P L AC E M E N TP R OJ E C T S

K E Y I M P A C T S

• 100 percent of placements were prioritized based on client vulnerability

• 90 percent retention after six months

O U TCO M E : 1 ,0 2 2 H O U S E D

P A G E 1 7

TA R G E T : H O U S E 8 0 0 P E O P L E

754(over 70 percent were chronically homeless)

29

H O M E L E S S V E T E R A N S

E P I S O D I C A L L Y H O M E L E S S

Homeless veterans and their family members, with a priority on serving chronically

homeless veterans

Individuals and families with employment history who are homeless primarily as a

result of economic hardship

• HUD-VASH vouchers through public housing authorities of Atlanta, DeKalb County, Decatur, East Point, and State of Georgia

• Move-in assistance from United Way of Greater Atlanta and Invest Atlanta

• HUD Shelter + Care Rapid Re-Housing Program

• Launched client status data-sharing process• Increased targeting of vouchers to

chronically homeless• Contracted a third-party provider to assist

with housing search and move-in• Launched a case manager competition

Permanent Supportive Housing

Rapid Re-Housing with short- to medium-term rent subsidy

• Increased coordination with faith partners for referrals and mentoring

• Worked with a team of private developers to expand private rental units available to people with housing barriers

Partners were unable to secure the necessary resources to launch full-scale effort in 2013. The Atlanta Housing Authority has committed $500,000 for a new Short-Term Rental Assistance program in 2014..

• Reduced average re-housing time (from intake to move-in) by 45 percent

• Doubled percentage of vouchers assigned to chronically homeless veterans

• Over 90 percent retention after one year

I N N OVAT I O N S & H I G H L I G H T SThe Team partnered with housing placement providers to test innovative tools and approaches. Some were best practices replicated from other cities. Others were ideas generated by outreach workers, case managers, and program directors here in Atlanta. Many of these tools and approaches will be scaled up and incorporated into system-wide policies and strategies.



P A G E 1 9

H O M E L E S S R E G I S T R YModeled after a concept pioneered in Boston in the 1990s, the registry is a tool that allows a community to match resources to population needs, while also ensuring that homeless individuals with the highest health vulnerability are prioritized for permanent supportive housing. Over 190 volunteers participated in the Atlanta Homeless Registry in January 2013, conducting Vulnerability Index (VI) surveys with over 800 homeless people sleeping in outdoor locations and shelters. This data was used to drive coordinated outreach as part of the housing placement demonstration project focused on the chronically homeless.

IMPACT Homeless people with the highest health vulnerability are now prioritized for permanent supportive housing through a coordinated process.

IMPACT Over 500 units of private rental housing have been committed to be available to permanent supportive housing tenants with housing barriers.

R O L L I N G H O U S I N G FA I R SRecognized by the 100,000 Homes Campaign as one of the top homelessness innovations of 2013, Rolling Housing Fairs were organized by case managers to allow a group of chronically homeless individuals with vouchers to visit multiple housing options in a single day.

L A N D LO R D L U N C H - N - L E A R N SLunch-n-learns were used to educate landlords about the benefits of supportive housing programs (i.e., guaranteed on-time rent and clients with on-call support services) to expand units available to homeless individuals with background barriers.

IMPACT Homeless individuals with barriers can choose the housing location and option that best meets their needs.


IMPACT Repeat homeless visitors to city correctional facilities are being referred to housing and services.

I M M E D I AT E R E F E R R A L T O B E N E F I T S & J O B A S S I S TA N C EChanges to the coordinated intake and assessment process ensure that all clients receive health screenings and apply for benefits while the re-housing process is underway. Those who are able to work are referred to agencies that provide support with finding employment.

N E W AC C E S S P O I N T SEmergency medical centers and correctional facilities are now equipped to serve as access points for homeless services. The faith network has been engaged to assist in referrals—particularly of episodically homeless individuals and families who would benefit from rapid re-housing with a time-limited rental subsidy.

IMPACT Individuals moving into permanent supportive housing are able to secure the income necessary to cover costs of living not covered by housing programs.

P R AC T I T I O N E R T R A I N I N G S O N E V I D E N C E -B A S E D P R AC T I C E SStaff from more than 30 service provider agencies participated in a series of trainings on motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, and harm reduction—all techniques that have proven effective in engaging homeless individuals who have refused assistance in the past.

IMPACT Practitioners have new evidence-based tools to engage homeless citizens who have turned away offers of assistance in the past.

P A G E 2 1

IMPACT Security and utility deposits are no longer a barrier preventing chronically homeless veterans from moving into permanent supportive housing.

C A S E M A N AG E R I N C E N T I V E SDuring the 100-Day Challenge, the Atlanta VA Homeless Program rewarded case manager teams with the most housing placements each week with 59 minutes off work. The rate of housing placements more than doubled during the challenge.

IMPACT Homeless veterans are moving into housing through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing program 45 percent more quickly.

DATA - S H A R I N GThe Decatur Housing Authority pioneered a data-sharing tool that enabled them to share client status with VA case managers and third-party nonprofits assisting with the housing search and move-in. Other housing authorities have since adopted this tool.

M OV E - I N A S S I S TA N C EA third-party provider was contracted to administer financial assistance for move-in to chronically homeless veterans entering permanent supportive housing. Private furniture donations were also secured through the furniture bank.

IMPACT Veterans are receiving more hands-on assistance finding housing through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing program.

E X PA N D I N G R E S O U R C E SAs a result of the achievements of Unsheltered No More, more resources are being allocated to support homeless people in moving into permanent housing in Atlanta.


P A G E 2 3

$1.8 MILLIONINCREASE IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO PROVIDE PERMANENT

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TO VETERANSHousing authorities in Atlanta, Decatur, East Point, and DeKalb County received a total of $2.9M in 2013, compared to $1.1 million in 2012—a 171 percent increase—while funding nationally was consistent.

$2.8 MILLIONINCREASE IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR

VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIESIn 2013, five Atlanta area nonprofits received a total of $4.5 million in Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF) grants to serve the region, compared to $1.7 million awarded to the Atlanta area in 2012.

$550,000NEW FUNDING FOR SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE

The Atlanta Housing Authority committed funding to create a new rapid re-housing program that will provide short-term rental assistance with support services to individuals and families experiencing episodic homelessness.

$550,000NEW FUNDING FOR “FLOW” PROGRAM

The Atlanta Housing Authority committed funding to create a new program that will enable permanent supportive housing residents who no longer need intensive support services to “move on” and live independently with a rental subsidy. This will allow more of those on the street and in shelters to access housing with the intense level of support they need.

$1.36 MILLIONDOLLARS RAISED TO SUPPORT UNSHELTERED NO MORE HOUSING

PLACEMENT PROJECTSIn addition to federal, state, and local housing subsidies and social services funding, the following organizations provided financial support for Unsheltered No More housing placement projects: Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, The Home Depot Foundation, Imlay Foundation, Invest Atlanta, United Way of Greater Atlanta, Wachovia Foundation.

I N C R E M E N TA L R E S O U R C E S L E V E R AG E D

OV E R S I G H T & G OV E R N A N C EThe innovative tools and approaches pilot-tested through Unsheltered No More are being scaled up. Providers who applied for federal funding through the City of Atlanta in 2014 had to demonstrate capacity and commitment to implement a “Housing First” approach and participate in coordinated intake and assessment. A new nonprofit entity to be launched in 2014 will allow the City of Atlanta to channel public and private resources into a coordinated strategy on homelessness.


P A G E 2 5

S U S T A I N I N G I M P A C TIn June 2013, the Atlanta City Council approved the creation of a new nonprofit entity to manage the Atlanta continuum of care for homeless services. This entity will be responsible for administering local HUD grants and overseeing the City’s coordinated strategy on homelessness.

The shape of the new governance structure, and the decision to create a nonprofit, was the result of a thoughtful stakeholder process undertaken with guidance from federal HUD leaders.

Across the country, continuum of care entities take on different forms to meet the needs of their communities. A nonprofit structure was determined to be the best fit for Atlanta in part because it will provide more flexibility for layering public and private resources. Given the tremendous support from corporate, philanthropic, and faith partners in the local battle to end homelessness, finding a way to harness all of Atlanta’s resources to a coordinated strategy is crucial.

The new nonprofit will also carry forward much of the work initiated as part of Unsheltered No More, including:

• implementing the coordinated outreach, intake, and assessment process developed using lessons from the housing placement demonstration projects;

• partnering with the State of Georgia to develop strategies for expanding permanent supportive housing;

• helping providers implement “Housing First” and “Harm Reduction” approaches;

• instituting system-wide performance standards and automating the ability to track performance;

• focusing on healthcare as a key component of housing stability;• continuing to expand partnerships with the Atlanta Housing Authority

and Georgia State Voucher Program to target vulnerable populations.

The nonprofit will be overseen by an advisory board comprised of representatives from federal, state, county, and city governments and community stakeholders. It will work closely with counterparts in neighboring jurisdictions, including DeKalb and Fulton counties, and will also participate in the Atlanta Regional Commission on Homelessness.

Also available at www.atlantaga.gov

Report compiled by the Innovation Delivery Team, 2014.

Kristin Wilson, DirectorSusan Lampley, Project Officer

Regina Cannon, Sr. Project ManagerEmily Lieb, Sr. Project Manager

Stephanie Hodges, Performance Manager

Impact Report: Reducing Street Homelessness in Atlanta - March 2014

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Transcript of Impact Report: Reducing Street Homelessness in Atlanta - March 2014