Moving KICH Forward:

Seizing Opportunities in 2009

KICH Overview

Gerry RollCommunity Foundation of Hazard-Perry County

Background

KICH was initially established after representatives from Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) participated in a Homeless Policy Academy in 2002, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Kentucky was one of eight states invited to participate in the first of these intensive policy-building forums, designed to develop action plans for improving access to mainstream services for people experiencing homelessness.

Mission

The KICH mission is to coordinate and influence policy across Kentucky

to end homelessness.

By Executive Order 2007-751 of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Kentucky Interagency Council on Homelessness (KICH) is composed of representation from state government, nonprofit and advocacy agencies to collaborate and perform the following functions and duties:

– Serve as the single statewide homelessness planning and policy development resource for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

– Review, recommend changes and update Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

– Monitor and oversee implementation of Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness to ensure that accountability and results are consistent with the plan.

– Serve as a state clearinghouse for information on services and housing options for the homeless.

– Conduct other activities as appropriate.

Executive Order 2007-751Functions and Duties

1. Chief Executive Officer of Kentucky Housing Corporation2. Secretary of Health and Family Services Cabinet3. Secretary of Justice and Public Safety Cabinet4. Secretary of Education Cabinet5. Secretary of Transportation Cabinet6. Executive Director of Administrative Office of the Courts7. State Budget Director8. Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affair9. Kentucky General Assembly (one from each house appointed by the Governor)10. Executive Director of Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky

The membership of the Executive Committee of the Council shall include: Executive Order 2007-751

Executive CommitteeBy Virtue of

Executive Order 751

Steering Committee

Policy Committee Chairpersons

Housing

Services

Prevention

Public Will

Data

Established Goals• Commit state's leadership to forge partnerships

among state agencies that allow communities to achieve local solutions to end homelessness.

• Develop and implement continued planning strategies.

• Develop a comprehensive, public education program to familiarize all stakeholders and the general public on issues related to homelessness.

• Access and commit the resources necessary to develop new units of supportive housing.

• Create evaluation and tracking systems to measure outcomes and guide future planning.

Strategies• Create interagency collaboration.

• Maximize targeted efforts to influence and improve systemic efficiency, policy development and service delivery.

• Establish policies throughout the state to resolve the causes of homelessness rather than treating the symptoms of homelessness.

Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness

In 2005, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness issued a national call to end homelessness. In response, KHC and KICH came together to develop Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. The plan was proactive and proposed not to manage homelessness but to end it by addressing barriers and root causes. The plan was compiled with public input from 12 community forums held across the state.

• KICH remains committed to engaging the state’s leadership to forge partnerships among state agencies that enable all Kentucky communities to achieve local solutions to ending homelessness.

Seizing Opportunities in 2009

Point-In-Time Count

Davey King Kentucky Housing Corporation

2008 Point-In-Time Count

•January 24, 2008

•Scanned survey instrument

•Sheltered, Unsheltered,

Precariously Housed

•Conducted statewide–Balance of State (118 counties)–Louisville/Jefferson County–Lexington/Fayette County

Homeless Situations

Description Balance Of

State

Louisville Metro

Lexington/Fayette

StateTotal

EmergencyShelter Persons

989 1,264 472 2,725

Transitional HousingPersons

1,427 1,273 770 3,470

Unsheltered Persons 1,611 145 186 1,942

Total Homeless 4,027 2,682 1,428 8,137

Data represents total persons surveyed on a single day in Kentucky who reported being housed in Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing projects or who indicated they were living outdoors or in another place not meant for human habitation. Data is a snapshot of a single day only and does not represent all homeless persons in Kentucky.

Homeless Subpopulations

Description Balanceof

State

LouisvilleMetro

Lexington/Fayette

State Total

Chronically Homeless 259 1,310 127 1,696

Severely Mentally Ill 735 877 156 1,768

Chronic Substance Abuse 689 1,684 461 2,834

Veterans 319 596 131 1,046

Persons with HIV/AIDS 48 35 5 88Victims of

Domestic Violence 634 400 309 1,343

Unaccompanied Youth 3 22 42 67

Geographic Representation

Next Steps Emphasis on prevention Need for rental subsidies More decent and affordable housing Utilize data as a tool to engage local officials Encourage local leaders and state agencies with local

offices to participate in Kentucky Point-In-Time Count Optimize the usage of Point-In-Time Count data to

identify and secure new grants for Kentucky Data posted on Web at www.kyhomeless.org 2009 PITC – January 29, 2009

Data represents total persons surveyed on a single day in Kentucky who reported being housed in

emergency shelters, transitional housing projects or who indicated they were living outdoors or in another

place not meant for human habitation. Data is a snapshot of a single day only and does not represent

all homeless persons in Kentucky.

Reflections of Homelessness

Mary O’Doherty Kentucky Domestic Violence Association

Margaret Cook in Hazard

and

Christy Bailey in Owensboro

Reflections of Homelessness

Margaret Cook

• Homeless since 2004

• Domestic violence victim

• Substance abuse problem

• Lost custody of her two children

LKLP Safe House in HazardMargaret obtained a domestic violence order

after her abuser slashed her back repeatedly with a steak knife. The shelter installed this gate to keep him off the premises after he stole her car.

Cost of Homeless Shelter

• Average daily cost of KDVA shelter = $58

• Margaret has lived intermittently for 360 days over 4 years at LKLP in Hazard

• Cost: $20,880

Substance Abuse Treatment

Margaret spent 3 days in detox $893 a day X 3 = $2,679

30 days at Next Step in-patient treatment program in Jackson 30 X $164 = $4,920

24 weeks at Project ADDVANCE intensive out-patient program 24 X $324 = $7,776 total = $15,375

Medical costs

Emergency room:

average visit is

$1,050

12 visits X $1,050 = $12,600

Hospital visitMargaret spent 30 days at UK Hospital

Partial Price Tag: $35,080 including…

•20 days in a regular hospital bed ($8,930)•10 in ICU ($26,150) Does not include doctors,diagnostic tests and other expenses

Jail and PrisonMargaret served 27 months

at Otter Creek Correctional Center in Wheelwright for nonpayment of child support.

One day in a Kentucky prison costs $40.

820 days X $40 = $32,800

Total cost = $116,735

Includes shelter, substance abuse treatment, prison, and basic hospital costs.

Does NOT include cost of court appearances, state social workers, and other medical costs.

Christy Bailey

Many similarities:• Homeless in

2003• Substance abuse

problem• Domestic

violence victim• Lost custody of

4 children

OASIS Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse Treatment Program

Christy moved into transitional housing after 28 days at River Valley Behavioral Health.

56 days at OASIS Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center

Christy moved to transitional housing units at OASIS where she received treatment.

Boulware Mission

Christy lived and worked at Boulware Mission for more than two years. With money from Boulware and a second job as a manager at Burger King, she saved $2,000.

Christy Bailey, HomeownerChristy’s savings were matched 2:1 through KDVA’s IDA program. With $6,000 for a down payment and a case manager’s help, she bought this home. Now Christy is saving money in an education IDA while she attends Owensboro Community College.

Conclusion• Both women grew up in foster care due to dysfunctional

families, had substance abuse issues, and were victims of domestic violence.

• Christy was able to live in permanent supportive housing from the moment she left the treatment program.

• The structure and services of the housing program helped Christy stay clean.

• This type of housing was not available to Margaret in Hazard.

• Cost of assisting Margaret was $116,735 and is increasing daily.

• Meanwhile, Christy is a self-sufficient, taxpaying homeowner.

ConclusionChildren raised in homeless families

are twice as likely to be homeless when they are adults.

Christy is ending her cycle due to the support she received.

Cost of HomelessnessThe Louisville Study

Marlene Gordon

Coalition for the Homeless

Staggering Costs

The cost to help the homeless in our community is staggering.

The results of a two-year study show it costs nearly $89 million over a two-year period to house and care for just over 7,000 single adults.

The Study The University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work tracked the use and costs of residential homeless services for 2004 and 2005, including health care and the following services:

• Louisville Metro Department of Corrections• Kentucky Department of Corrections• Seven Counties Mental Health and

Substance Abuse Services• Central State Hospital• The Healing Place Detoxification Services• Phoenix Health Center• University of Louisville Hospital

The Problem

Staggering CostsIn 2004 and 2005, Louisville spent $88,802,380

on 7,108 single homeless adults.

The Cost

– The two-year cost of providing shelter/housing for residential, homeless clients was $10,294,200 and the average cost per client was $1,434.

– Over the same two-year period, the average cost for these clients using correctional services was $17,472 each.

The Cost

The average cost for University Hospital services was $16,616 per client.

The Cost

The cost for using Central State services was $31,863 per client.

The CostThe total two-year cost of high-cost,

multi-service clients living in emergency shelters was $107,192 per client.

The CostThe total two-year cost of high-cost,

multi-service clients living in transitional shelters was $109,890 per client.

The Cost

Compare those numbers to the total high cost, multi-service clients who lived in permanent

supportive housing which

was $54,900 over a two-year period.

Results

– This study shows that housing vulnerable people will save Louisville millions of dollars.

- Cost per person in the survey over two years: $12,493

- *Cost for a zero bedroom apt. ($483 over a two-year period) $11,592

- Difference in cost per person for two years:

901 x 7,108 =$6.4 million- These additional funds could be used to pay for

case management and other needed services.

* “Out of Reach” – National Low Income Housing Coalition

The Need

–It is estimated Louisville needs 1,745 units of affordable housing each year.

Homeless Prevention

Tom Beatty Division of Mental Health

and Substance Abuse

Homeless Prevention

• Initial legislation – 2004 (HB 376) – Initial funding – 2005 (state general fund)– 2009 – HB 6 will continue maintenance of

effort (not expansion) for program

• Funding - $100,000 per year

• Institutional discharge planning for prisons, mental health facilities, and foster care

Homeless Prevention

• Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

• Louisville Coalition for the Homeless

• Family and Children First - Urban

• Lake Cumberland MHMR Board - Rural

Homeless Prevention

• Number served

– State Prison: 54

– Mental Health: 22

– Foster Care: 11

– Total: 87

• Results

– 3 returned to jail

– 4 returned to hospital

– 84 community support

– 75 in stable housing

Homeless Prevention

– Normal recidivism rate: 27.5%

– Project recidivism rate: 5.6%

– 12 fewer persons returned to prison

– State cost per person at KSR: $68 per day

– Number of persons kept from returning: 12

– 12 persons X 365 days X $68 per day = $297,840 saved

Prison System

Homeless Prevention

• Mental Health

– Normal recidivism rate: 37.7%

– Project recidivism rate: 18%

– 4 fewer persons returned to the hospital

Ave. length of stay: 29 days

– State cost per person: $500 per day

– Number of persons kept from returning: 4

– 4 persons X 29 days X $500 per day = $58,000 saved

Homeless Prevention

• Homelessness

– 75 persons kept out of homelessness

– Shelter cost: $13 per day

– 75 persons X 365 days X $13 per day = $355,875 saved

Homeless Prevention

• Total savings

– Prison system: ……………………….$297,840

– Mental Health Facilities: …………… $58,000

– Homeless Shelters: ………………….$355,875

$711,715

Homeless Prevention

• Homeless Prevention Pilot Program currently in two areas (Lake Cumberland and Jefferson County)

• Goal: expand program statewide

• 2009 HB 6 will continue maintenance of effort (not expansion)

SOAR

• Disability Income Benefits

– SSI/SSDI

• Health Insurance

– Medicaid/Medicare

• Application can be complicated, detailed, difficult to navigate

SOAR

• SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery

• First step in recovery

• Success rate of ~ 70%

– 10 to 15% without SOAR assistance

SOAR

• Social Security Administration• Disability Determination Services• Div. of Mental Health and Substance

Abuse• Kentucky Housing Corporation• Homeless Service Providers• KY Dept. for Veterans Affairs • Healthcare for the Homeless

SOAR

• Train case managers on application process

• Document disability in initial application

• Improve communication with SSA, DDS

• Avoid the need for appeals

SOAR

• Covington – 63 out of 89 applications approved, for an approval rate of 71%

• Approval within 64 days of application

• Louisville – 28 out of 54 applications approved, for an approval rate of 52%

• Approval within 91 days of application

SOAR• St Elizabeth Medical Center funds part-

time SOAR position at Welcome House

• Cost to hospital for position: $18,000

• 21 people approved for benefits

• ~$182,000 Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement for uncompensated care

Ending Homelessness in Kentucky:

Regional Recommendations

Eileen Dougherty Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky

Regional Process Overview

• The Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK), in partnership with KHC and KICH, was asked to provide central leadership in managing a key statewide initiative to address homelessness in Kentucky. This process was designed to build on the planning framework established by Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

• The most effective way to engage providers at the local level was to start the planning process by working with the existing Continuum of Care (CoC) Regions.

Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care is a community plan to organize and deliver housing and services to meet the specific needs of people who are homeless as they move to stable housing and maximum self-sufficiency. It includes action steps to end homelessness and prevent a return to homelessness.

Kentucky’s Continuum of Care Regions

• Region 1 - West (Purchase and Pennyrile)• Region 2 - Mid-West (Green River, Barren River, Lincoln Trail)• Region 3 - Northern Kentucky• Region 3 - KIPDA, Counties Surrounding Louisville• Region 4 - East (FIVCO, Buffalo Trace, Gateway)• Region 5 - Southeast (Big Sandy, KY River, Cumberland Valley, Lake Cumberland) • Region 6 - Central (Bluegrass)

Pike

Ohio

Clay

Bell

Pulaski

Trigg

Hardin

Hart

Logan

Lewis

Graves

ChristianTodd

Adair

Knox

Casey

Barren

Floyd

Warren

Harlan

LaurelButler

Allen

Leslie

Wayne

Hopkins Perry

Carter

KnottGrayson

Nelson

Union

Owen

Bath

Daviess

Lee

Whitley

Breathitt

Scott

Estill

Shelby

Lyon

Madison

MorganBullitt Clark

Henry

Marion

Calloway

Green

Meade

Larue

Grant

Breckinridge

Letcher

Lincoln

McCreary

Taylor

Fleming

Jefferson

Monroe

Jackson

Lawrence

Rowan

Henderson

Webster

Caldwell

Elliott

Russell

Fayette

Greenup

Wolfe

Muhlenberg

Boone

Marshall

Ballard

Martin

Harrison

Mercer

Mason

Magoffin

Crittenden

Metcalfe

Fulton

Bourbon

Boyle

McLean

Boyd

Johnson

Garrard

Hickman Clinton

Rockcastle

Powell

Edmonson

Pendleton

Simpson

Owsley

Carlisle

Menifee

Franklin

Cumberland

Washington

Bracken

Spencer

OldhamNicholas

McCracken

Anderson

Carroll

Livingston

Hancock

Kenton

Trimble

Woodford

Campbell

Jessamine

Montgomery

Gallatin

Robertson

B l u e g r a s sB l u e g r a s s

P e n n y r i l eP e n n y r i l e B a r r e n R i v e rB a r r e n R i v e r

K I P D AK I P D A

P u r c h a s eP u r c h a s e

L i n c o l n T r a i lL i n c o l n T r a i l

F I V C OF I V C O

G r e e n R i v e rG r e e n R i v e r

L a k e C u m b e r l a n dL a k e C u m b e r l a n d

B i g S a n d yB i g S a n d y

C u m b e r l a n d V a l l e yC u m b e r l a n d V a l l e y

K e n t u c k y R i v e rK e n t u c k y R i v e r

G a t e w a yG a t e w a y

N o r t h e r n K YN o r t h e r n K Y

B u f f a l o T r a c eB u f f a l o T r a c e

Regional Process Overview (continued)

Each CoC Region focused its time and energy on five central issues:

– Housing– Services– Prevention– Data Development– Building Public Support and

Political Will

These are issues listed at “Core Concerns” in the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness.

• At the very beginning, this effort was designed to address the needs of all persons experiencing homelessness – including families, single and married adults, youth, and children. This initiative goes beyond HUD’s narrow definition of chronic or episodic homelessness. We wanted to take a broader approach to actions for ending homelessness as it is experienced in the diverse communities across Kentucky.

• Housing stabilization is a key component to homelessness prevention. As such, plans to end homelessness must include assistance to households that are at-risk of becoming homeless.

Regional Process Overview (continued)

• To facilitate innovative and collaborative thinking among regional colleagues across the state.

• To build on the success of organizations and agencies in each region.

• To develop meaningful recommendations at the local and state level to direct resources most effectively.

• To prioritize strategies and resources at the regional level to address local issues and needs.

• Finally, to cultivate a new way of thinking about partnerships and collaborations with state-level systems and resources.

Why Work through a Regional Planning Process?

• In September 2007, homeless and housing leaders across the state came together to begin a year-long planning process to address the challenges of ending homelessness.

• Throughout the year, regional leaders and community-based homeless assistance providers met regularly to develop local priorities, recommendations, and action strategies to achieve the objectives established in Kentucky’s Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness. Three statewide forums were held. HUD provided Technical Assistance funds to help with this initiative.

• There were a number of challenges and concerns that were common to all of the regions. For more information, please see the Regional Recommendations document.

Key Themes And Objectives

The following needs were identified across all regions:

• Increase access to safe and affordable housing units for homeless families, individuals, and youth.

• Increase funding for and access to comprehensive supportive services that help assure housing stability and increase self sufficiency.

• Increase funding for prevention services to reduce the numbers of persons falling into homelessness.

• Increase scope and quality of data collection to document both evolving progress and continuing need.

• Develop and carry out a coordinated statewide public education and outreach campaign to build public support and awareness.

Regional Priorities for Action

In order to significantly impact access to supports and services, we need to change a single federal legislative policy:

Broaden the definition of homelessness to include persons who are precariously housed and involuntarily “doubled up” in housing, as well as change the definition of “chronically homeless” to include families and others who have experienced long-term homelessness.

Effects of Homelessness on State Government

Jason Dunn Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Department for Community-Based Services

Department Overview

• Child and Adult Protective Services

• Foster Care/Adoption

• Public Assistance (Food Stamps, K-TAP, Medicaid eligibility)

• Child Care

Common Factors

• Poverty

• Abuse

• Neglect

• Mental or Physical Disability

• Addiction

• Domestic Violence

Some Numbers

• In 2008, 4,486 children entered the Cabinet’s care for the first time.

• Of that number, 220 (4.9%) indicated inadequate housing as a condition present.

– Could be underreported– Inadequate housing NOT the reason they

came into care but an existing issue

Targeted Assessment Program

• In 2007, 1,435 adults received an evaluation.

• Of these, 21 were identified as homeless or living in a homeless shelter.

• Another 4 were living in hotels/motels.

• Clients received both public assistance and child protective services.

Foster Children Aging Out

• Of the 665 children reaching age 18, over 400 are identified as being at risk for homelessness.

• Choose not to extend commitment, receive services

• Have been in system over two years, multiple moves

• No family network to provide support

• Currently no services for this population

Agency Goals vs. Homelessness

• Self-Sufficiency

• Reunification

• Dealing with Substance Abuse, Parenting, Educational, Vocational, Nutritional and many other issues

• Homelessness not necessarily the cause, but will exacerbate and extend need for services

Housing is a Springboard

• Participation in society

• Reaching personal goals

• Impact to the Commonwealth as a whole