The URL can be used to link to this page

96-1549 , � ' �- • � " F �"� � � Council File # � 9 � � � � ° ° � ' • °� Green Sheet # RESOLUTION CITY' F INT PAUL, MINNESOTA /� Presented By Referred To Committee: Date SNDORSEMENT OF THE CONTINULJDI OF CARE PLANNING PROCESS 1 WHEREAS, housing and social/support services for low income and homeless 2 people are connected and interjurisdictional; and 3 4 WHEREAS, there are a wide variety of complex economic and social issues 5 affecting our community's ability to respond to poverty and hopelessness; and 6 7 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will offer 8 funding to Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul to create a wide range of 9 housing and service options for low income and homeless persons; and 10 11 WHEREAS, for these funds to become available from HUD, the community must 12 engage in a task force for purposes of crafting a comprehensive "continuum of 13 care" plan; and 14 15 WHEREAS, a community planning process that encourages the involvement of a 16 broad range of participants is beneficial for engaging a regional approach to 17 the issues of housing and social/support services for low income and homeless 18 people; and 19 20 WHEREAS, the City approved Consolidated Plan and Submission, required for 21 expenditure of federal funds, and the Housing Policy For The 1990's recognize 22 the need for a collaborative approach for the identification of issues and 23 development of strategies affecting low income and homeless persons; 24 25 BE IT RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council endorses the continuum of 26 care planning effort recommended by the Saint Paul/Ramsey County Homeless 27 Implementation Task Force. Yea Navs Absent Requested by Department of: uerin =__� arri s e ar Plann' & Economic Development ostrom —T ,� et man � �.t/,t`�L� �'1��.'��!�. une —� a ev � � By� Form A oved by ttorney Adopted by Council: Date �a.�_� \99(o T� Adoption Certified by Council Secretary gy. BY� �� a � � � ` – _ Approved by Mayor for Submission to ! Council Approved by Mayor: Date �i ��, Y_ �� By: ��?ZC l� By: 9�-�sy� DEPl1pil�MIOFFlCEICOUNCIL DATE INITIATED �O� �� Plannin & Economic Devt 11-18-96 GREEN SH T �NTACT PERSON&PHONE �DEPARTMENT OIR �NITIA CITY COUNCIL �NITIAL/DATE TOlIl Sanchez 266-6617 ASSIGN �CITVATfORNEY �� CITYCLERK NUNBER FOR MUST BE ON COUNCIL AGENDA BY(DATE) ROUTING �BUDGET DIRECTOR �FIN.&MOT.SERVICES DIR. ORDER MAYOR(OR ASSISTAN� � TOTAL#OF SIGNATURE PAGES (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) ACTION REQUESTED: Submission of a City Council Resolution endorsing the participation of the City, PED, in a continuum of Care planning process, funded by the Family Housing Fund, to develop information and strategies for assisting the homeless population. HECOMMENDATIONS:Approve(A)or Reject(R) PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS MUST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: _PLANNINO COMMIS3IQN _ CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION �• Has this personlfirm ever worked under a contrect for this department? CIB COMMITTEE _ YES NO A 2. Has this person/firm ever been a city employee? _STAFF — YES NO _DISTRIC7 COUR7 _ 3. Does this personlfirm possess e skill not normall y possessed by any current city employee? 3UPPORT3 WHICH COUNCIL OBJECTIVE7 YES NO Explain a11 yes answers on ssparets sh�st end attach to proen shsst Affordable Housing INITIATINCi PROBLEM,ISSUE.OPPORTUNITY(Who,Whet,When,Whero,Why): Many changes are expected with Welfare Reform, persons with a very low income, homeless or at risk of homelessness, will be affected. A coordinated planning process involving the county, city, huma.n services agencies, and homel�ss persons, to develop information and strategies to assist in programming limited resources is essential to assure the best impact. ADVANTAOES IF APPROVED: A coordinated planning effort will involve a large audience, suburban areas included, to address issues affecting homelessness. DI3ADVANTAOES IF APPROVED: F�CqVED None 'wu+i1C� ��""'r� ('r�r��?!" NOV21 � D�.0 0� 1956 MAYE?�R'3 (?F"�� DI3ADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED: Fragmented planning continues. TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION S —�— COST/REVENUE BUDGETED(CIRCLE ONE) YES NO FUNDIWG SOURCE ACTIVITY NUMBER FINANCIAL INFORN(ATION:(EXPLAIN) ROUTING ORDER: Below are correct routings for the five most frequent types o(documents: CONTRACTS(assumes authorized budget exists) COUNCIL RESOLUTION(Amend Budgets/Accspt.(irants) 1. Outside Agency 1. Department Director 2. Department Director 2. Budget Director 3. City Attomey 3. City Attomey 4. Mayor(for contracts over$25,000) 4. MayodAssistant 5. Human Rights(for contracts over$50,000) 5. City Counci 6. Finance and Management Services Director 6. Chiei Accountant,Finanoe and Management Services 7. Finance Accounting ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS(Budget Revision) COUNCIL RESOLUTION(all othero,end Ordinencea) 1. Activity Manager 1. Department Director 2. Department Accountant 2. City Attomey 3. Department Director 3. Mayo�Assistant 4. Budget Director 4. City Council 5. City Clerk 6. Chief Accountant, Finance and Management Services ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS(all others) 1. Department Director 2. Ciry Attorney 3. Finance and Management Services Director 4. City Clerk TOTAL NUMBER OF SIGNATURE PAGES Indicate the#�o(pages on which signatures are required and papsrcllp or flaq �ech oi these pages. ACTION REQUESTED Describe what the projecUrequest seeks to accompllsh in either chronologi- cal order or order oi importance,whichever is most appropriate(or the issue.Do not write complete sentences. Begin each item in your list with a verb. RECOMMENDATtONS Complete if the issue in question has been presented before any body,public , or private. SUPPORTS WHICH COUNCIL OBJECTIVE? Indicate which Council objective(s)you�projectlrequest supports by tisting the key word(s)(HOUSIN(3, RECFiEATION, NEIGHBORHQODS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BUDGET,SEWER SEPARATION). (SEE COMPLETE LIST IN INSTRUCTIONA�MANUAL.) PERSONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS: This in(ormetfon will be used to determine the city's liability for workers compensatlon cleims,taxes and proper civil service hiring rules. INITIATINC3 PROBLEM, ISSUE,OPPORTUNITY Explain the situation or conditions that created a need for your project or request. ADVANTAGES IF APPROVED Indicate whether this is simply an annual budget procedure�equlred by taw/ cherter or whether there are specific ways in which the City of Saint Paul and its citizens wili benetit from this projecVaction. DISADVANTAGES IF APPROVED What negative effects or major changes to existing or past processes might this projecUrequest produce i(it is passed(e.g.,traHic delays,noise, tax increases or assessments)?To Whom1 When?For how long? DISADVANTAGES IF NOT APPROVED What wili be the negative consequences if the promised action is not approved?Inability to deliver service?Continued high traffic,noise, accideM rate?Loss of revenue? FINANCIAL IMPACT Although you must tailor the in(ormation you provide here to the issue you are addressing, in ge�eral you must answer two questions: How much is it going to cost?Who is going to pay? 9�-is�y Interdepartmental Memorandum CITY OF SA1NT PAUL � November 19, 1996 To: Mayor Coleman Fr: Pamela Wheeloc Re: Continuum of C e anning Process This memo transmits to you the City Council Resolution requesting the formal approval for participation by the City in a collaborative Continuum of Care planning process. This planning process will assist governmental and social service agencies identify and develop strategies that will recommend use of resources in a coordinated plan to help homeless persons or families. This planning process will encourage the suburban participation. You may recall that I had briefly discussed this with you several months ago and recommended our participation. The Family Housing Fund has committed $50,000 toward this planning process and will be actively involved throughout the process. A similar planning process was funded by the FHF in Minneapolis. The City Council Resolution requesting formal approval for City participation in the planning process is included far your signature. If the resolution is acceptable, please sign and ha�e staff notify Tom Sanchez, 266-6617, so the attached memo to the City Council explaining the Continuum of Care planning process may be delivered. K:\S HARED\TMS\COCTRNS.MEM DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING '��1��7 &ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Pamela Wheelock, Director CITY OF SAINT PAUL 25 West Fourth Street Telephone: 612-266-6655 Norm Coleman, Mayor Saint Paul, MN 55102 Facsimile: 612-228-3261 � November 19, 1996 To: Council President Thune Councilmember Blalcey Councilmember Bostrom Councilmember Guerin Councilmember Harris Councilmember Megard Councilmember Rettman � Fr� Pamela Wheelock 2 RE: CONTINUUM O ARE PLAN FOR HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN SAINT PAUL AND RAMSEY COUNTY PURPOSE To request your support for participation in a community planning process, conducted jointly with Ramsey County, that identifies the extent of the need for housing and services to low income persons and homeless families in Saint Paul and Ramsey County. The intent of the community planning process is to develop a plan and strategies for implementation that assists this identified population secure suitable permanent housing and appropriate human services. The source for funding for this community planning process is made available from the Family Housing Fund of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. BACKGROUND In early 1994, PED began to review HLJD's potential restructuring of the federal McKinney homeless programs. HUD selects, on a annual competitive basis, programs that will help provide services or housing for homeless persons. Previously funded projects include YWCA's Transitional Housing and Catholic Charities' SRO at Mary Hall. HCJD's restructuring of the McKinney Program included the development of a local plan for bringing together all stakeholders to develop strategies for dealing with area homelessness. This plan would be called a Continuum of Care Plan and would address homeless issues from prevention to permanent housing. It was anticipated that the distribution of McKinney funds would be changed from a national competitive process to a localized process that would include homeless funds coming in the form of a block grant. At a briefing with you in 1994, PED had envisioned a broad planning approach to include Ramsey County, homeless persons, human services providers, homeless advocates, churches, and suburban elected officials or representatives. It was anticipated that this broad based approach would be key to identifying strategies that could lead to a broader acceptance of solutions to ease the burden of the concentration of facilities or services in the City (a regional view). 9�-/s'�� HL1D has not been able to provide a homeless block grant to the City but did begin to require a broader based planning that looked at all existing homeless services and identified gaps in service. For our federal revenue sources, including Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership Program, and Emergency Shelter Grant Program, we are required to locally approve a Consolidated Plan and Submission. This document sets the broad stage and basis for expending federal funds. Within the Consolidated Plan is the identification of the homeless population and human services/programs available to them. Over the past two years PED has worked with an ad hoc Saint Paul/ Ramsey County Interagency Homeless Implementation Task Force to coordinate responses to the national competitive McKinney Programs and to review funding requests to local programs. The membership of the task force has included the Family Housing Fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, PED, Ramsey County Human Services, HUD, and Corporation for Supportive Housing. For 1996, H[JD required that a Continuum of Care description be developed for any proposals requesting McKinney funds. This task force has worked with several human service agencies, homeless advocates, and homeless persons to receive input into the development of a Continuum of Care description to respond to the 1996 McKinney funding request for proposals. PROPOSAL The St. Paul/Ramsey County Interagency Homeless Implementation Task Force, chaired by Tom Fulton of the Family Housing Fund and staffed by the Corporation for Supportive Housing, has received a financial commitment from the Family Housing Fund to assist in the development of a Continuum of Care Plan. This plan would be a comprehensive 5-year plan identifying the needs and strategies for assisting homeless adults, low income families, and youth in Saint Paul and Ramsey County. The Saint Paul City Council and Ramsey County Board of Commissioners are asked to formally endorse a community planning process for completing a new housing and service development plan for these groups in the broader Saint Paul area. On August 27, 1996, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution endorsing the continuum of care planning process. (Copy of resolution attached). Minneapolis and Hennepin County are currently reviewing their previously developed plan and strategies. It is envisioned that the Continuum of Care Planning Process will be broad based in membership and will help further define population and needs, identify available services, and identify gaps in services. The Continuum of Care Plan will be inclusive of all strategies for dealing with homelessness from prevention to permanent housing. Guidin Pg rinciples for the plannin�process: * Ramsey County and Saint Paul work together to shape a new housing and service development plan for low income and homeless families, adults and youth. * The process includes a regional response with representatives from other Ramsey County municipalities. Washington County, Dakota County, and Anoka County will be invited and encouraged to participate in the planning process. * The process be inclusive and secure high participation from a diverse range of participants including low income and homeless people, housing developers, service providers, funders, neighborhood groups, banks, local businesses and others. * The analysis and plan be both comprehensive and thorough and must encourage new ideas 9� ��y� and approaches. * New housing and service ventures for low income and homeless people be designed to contribute to economic stability and overall quality of life in the community. * New ventures be cost effective and the plan must demonstrate a strategy for using funds efFciently. PRODUCT: FIVE-YEAR HOUSING AND SERVICES PLAN FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE The planning effort will produce a report that will be presented to the Mayor, City Council, and Ramsey County Board of Commissioners for their review and adoption. The report will: * Assess the current system of low income housing and services. * Forecast projected need based on listening to the homeless and low income population. * Predict future changes in public programs, public policy, and in the development of local neighborhoods. * Synthesize the best new approaches for addressing homelessness and low income housing and services. * Set specific Continuum of Care goals that will guide the allocation of scarce housing and service resources in Ramsey County and the City of Saint Paul. * Identify regulatory changes, financing strategies, and new legislative proposals that may be needed to realize the goals of the plan. COST The Family Housing Fund of Minneapolis and Saint Paul has committed $50,000 in funding for consultants to conduct focus groups, community meetings, information gathering, review best practices, and develop recommendations. The Saint Paul/ Ramsey County Homeless Implementation Task Force would be designated by the FHF to facilitate and oversee the completion of this planning process and Report. County and City staff will be asked to provide support for the process. SAINT PAUL HOUSING POLICY Continuum of Care planning appears to be an appropriate approach to issues of homelessness for Saint Paul now. The City, in the Housing policy for the 1990's, recognizes that homelessness is a symptom of social and/or economic problems that can only be addressed with an appropriate range of ineasures. We also strongly encourage collaborative regional attention to housing problems. In addition, we will likely find the assessment of the potential impact of welfare reform, which this work will include, to be important for housing policy decisions in the near future. Mayor Coleman recommends the endorsement and approval of the City's participation with Ramsey County in this planning process. A Resolution for the City Council's consideration is attached. K:\SHARED\TMS\COCCNCL � - � - 9� -/S�y� x ST. PAUL/RAMSEY COUNTY � CONTINUUIVI OF CARE NARRATIVE - JUNE, 1996 I. A DECADE OF RESULTS: COMMUNITY-WIDE PLANNING PROCESS IN RAMSEY COUNTY For the past eleven years, Ramsey County citizens, service organizations, housing providers, advocates, churches, federal, state and local government officials, private funders, and corporate leaders have been working together to build a comprehensive network of housing and services for homeless adults, families and youth in Ramsey County. Over the decade, a broad level of participation in homeless community planning has resufted in our Continuum of Care being dynamic, moving away from a focus on 'the shefter system' to a focus on preventing homelessness and assisting homeless people to find and keep permanent housing. This community based planning process forrned the basis for Ramsey County's Associated Application for 1996 Homeless Assistance Funding. Our progression of results is highlighted below. 1985-1996: More Than Shelter - More Than Shelter was initiated in 19�5 by The Family Housing Fund to expand permanent housing and reduce demand for emergency shelter, to invest in housing with support services for vulnerable adults and families with special needs, and to promote cooperation among city and county officials, private funders, senrice providers and housing developers. By the end of 1995, the More Than Shefter program had invested $12.8 million in private funds (42%"foundations, 39% local corporations, 13% service providers and churches, 6% local banks) and had helped develop 1,967 units of Vansitional and permanent housing in the Twin .Cities. Over 40 corporations and foundations have contributed to this investment pool and nearly 50 human service providers or housing developers have participated in this program. Data Proiect: Adults. Families and Youth Homelessness in St. Paul/Ramsev Countv - In 1990, In an effort to understand who was hometess in our community, a data collection system was initiated by three entities: City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County and the United Way of the St. Paul area. Produced through the work of Wilder Research Center, the project has enabled the community to bring reliable and valid information to homeless planning and decision-making. The quarterly and yearly reports provide data from the emergency shelters, transitional housing, and battered women's shelters in Ramsey County. The report profiles the users of these proqrams on the following characteristics: sex, age, race, ethnicity, previous living arrangements, previous addresses, education level, income sources, and reasons leading adufts and families to enter. It also provides shelter use qatterns highlighting the fallowing elements: number of stays, length of stay, repeat use and chronic use. Relevant findings a�e cited in the body of this report. Wilder Research Center also conducted studies in 1991 and 1994 to describe the characteristics and needs of wnaccompanied youth and make the continuum of care responsive to the needs of this sub population. - Formation of Communitv Groups Respondinq to Homelessness - In the late 1980's, community groups formed in response to the rising problems related to homelessness. Table 1 highlights current nefinrorks and councils who are working in the identification of homeless needs, gaps and responses. Emerqencv Familv Shelter Forum and Recommendations- Three of the entities cited in Table 1 (St. Paul Shelter Boarcl, RC Low Income Citizen's Advisory Commitee and the St. Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless), cosponsored a community forum to formulate Emergency Family Shelter Recommendations in June of 1992. 140 community participants came together in a forum "Emergency Family Shelter. A System in Crisis" to develop the community's response for addressing the growing crisis of family homelessness. Key recommendations called for the expansion of community-based emergency, transitional and long-term housing options. ., J 2 Homeless Familv, Adult and Youth Interapencv Task Force - The long-term recommendation � resulting from the above mentioned Forum called for the creation of an interagency task force to address the needs for emergency, transitional and long-term affordable housing as well as support services to ensure stabitization. In July of 1993, the Mayor of St. Paui, Jim Scheibel, convened the Homeless Family, Adult and Youth Interagency Task Force to develop a fhree year p/an addressing issues of homelessness in St. Paul and Ramsey County. Because of a change in elected o�cials at County and City levels,the recommendations were never formally adopted. The St. PauURamsey County Homeless interagency Task Force - Implementation Groun convened in 1994 with the purpose of coordinating housing and service related funding in response to the recommendations of the Task Force. This produced a mechanism to develop increasingly comPrehensive strategies and utilize public and private funds to their optimum. Familv Homeless Prevention and Assistance Proiect(FHPAP)- Wdh the support of Ramsey County, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency received new legislative funding in 1993 for the FHPAP program which has the goals of homeless prevention, successful reintegration into housing/community, and family 8� youth stabilization. Prevention strategies include shelter diversion, emergency funds, eviction and condemnation services, loans to landlords, and housing identification senrices. All have met with positive results. Of 933 families receiving prevention services to date, 95.5% have not experienced a subsequent shelter stay. In addition, FHPAP funding for alternatives to the post-shelter housing options (transitional, public or subsidized) have expanded the Continuum of Care by adding reduced market rate rent options with long-term supportive services. Through the FHPAP, youth have been included as a homeless sub population for the County and youth providers have been directly involved in continuum of care planning. Twenty one additional housing slots have been made available to youth. Local youth partners, linking with state organizations and lobbying efforts, also led to a very needed drop-in center being funded inftially by HUD through the MN Department of Economic Security. Voices of Homeless People - To inform the Continuum of Care planning process, in 1994 the three planning entities, the St. Paul Ovemight Shelter Board, Ramsey County Low Income Citizen Advisory Council, the St. Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless developed a planning process to assure direct participation from homeless and formerly homeless persons. An ad hoc commfttee formed in 1994- 1995 to identify needs in the homeless response system from the perspective of homeless and formerly homeless persons. Two hundred and forty homeless/formerly homeless persons participated in a series of forums and focus groups. Currently and formerly homeless people were trained and paid to facilitate these meetings. The report, Changing Our Response to Homelessness: From the Boftom-up has become a seminal planning document for funders in designing RFP priorities and contract requiremen'ts,' for funders in reviewing proposals, for service providers in designing programs, for the communfty in the development of the Continuum of Care planning process, for the City in the development of the City's Consolidated Plan, and for the Community in the 1995 and 1996 HUD Continuum of Care planning process and applications. Broad needs and gaps across the Continuum of Care and within each continuum area were identified, resulting in a detailed set of short and long range recommendations:' The report outlines the following gaps: affordable housing, housing for high risk groups, system''�� accountability, community knowledge and response to homelessness, transportation and child care components, and focus on racism and substance abuse. Recommendations are referenced throught Exhibit 1. ' 1996 Five Year Homeless Housin4 and Services Plan - While the efforts described above are moving us toward our target, a comprehensive and truly coorclinated Continuum of Care response fo � homelessness in St. PauVRamsey County, our goal has not yet been reached. Briefings with County , Commissioners, the Mayor and the City Council over the last year have set the stage for building a system with less fragmentation, more specific goals, and identified policy priorfties. A joint resolution is ' being prepared for the St. Paul City Council and the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners to endorse ' an inclusive, broad based homeless continuum of care planning process. The resolution states that:'' Ramsey County and the City of St. Paul will work together to shape a new housing and service ' development plan for low income and homeless families, youth and adults; the process must include a ' regional response; the process must be inclusive; the plan must be designed to contribute to economic� stability and the overall quality of life in the community. . . . /�-�✓ 7 �3 The implementation Group will oversee the production of the Plan. The other coordinating counciis and " networks outlined in this report (Table 1) will cosponsor the planning. All of the individuals and groups identified in the report will be involved. Special`attention will be given to ensure the inclusion of Veterans groups, housing funders, banks, local businesses, neighborhood representatives, and homeless people. Through a series of community meetings, focus groups, interviews, and targeted research, the goal is to create a Five Year Plan by March 1997 that will: 1. Assess the cunent system of housing and services and gaps. (expanded Gaps Analysis) 2. Predict future changes in public programs,the needs of local neighborhoods, and the needs of homeless. 3. Set specific Continuum of Care housing and service goals that will guide the allocation of resources. 4. Identify regulatory changes, financing strategies, and new legislative proposals that may be needed to realize the goals of the Plan. - Other Homeless Planninq Activities - In addition to the groups outlined in Table 1, the committees below share information, identify trends and needs, and devise solutions for dealing with gaps in the Continuum of Care. They will also be involved in the development of the 5 year continuum of care plan. The Coalition for Housing for People with HIV/AIDS: A coalition of over 60 providers, public o�cials, and people with HIV/AIDS. The coalition completed a housing needs assessment and drafted a five year supportive housing development plan. �;,,,� �,. Metropolitan Intertaith Coalition on Affordable Housing: MICAH's mission is to involve Protestanf, Catholic and Jewish Congregations in addressing the housing crisis and root causes of homelessness and poverty, and to move people from awareness to action, from charity to justice. MICAH's strategy includes education, advocacy and service. Streetworks: This is a collaboration among ten service and transitional housing agencies to improve and expand outreach, emergency housing and referral services to homeless youth. American Indian Homeless Task Force: This group studied homelessness in the Indian community ' and produced an Indian Housing Development Plan aimed at improving the housing and socioeconomic environment for Indian people in the Twin Cities. To implement this housing plan,the Task Force created the American Indian Housing Corporation. Battered Women Shelters Director's Meeting: Shefter directors meet each month to discuss policy' issues, and coordinate strategies for dealing with the growing emergency and transitional housing needs of battered women. Continuum of Care Planning Process for 1996 HUD NOFA The St. PauVRamsey County Homeless Task Force's Implementation Group (see Table 1 for membership) has facilitated 1996 HUD Continuum of Care planning process. The goal has been to notify a broad range of eligible agencies about the availability of funds: to solicit input from providers, govemment agencies, and homeless people; to analyze the e�usting continuum of housing and services and identify priority gaps in Ramsey County; and to formulate high quality proposals that address priority gaps and meet HUD guidelines and help homeless people move toward self-sufficiency and independence. The Corporation for Supportive Housing and Ramsey County took the lead in facilitating the process and in combining the information gathered from the planning sessions and preparing Exhibit 1 to be shared by the Associated Applicants from Ramsey County. 4 April 17 HUD Continuum of Care Planninq Meetinq• The first step was to convene a'broad planning � meeting. The meeting was sponsored by the St. PauURC Homeless Task Force Implementation Group in partnership with: St. Paui Area Coalition for the Homeless, St. Paul Ovemight Shelter Board, St. Paul Public Housing Agency, Ramsey County Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Advisory Group and Ramsey County Low Income Citizens Advisory Board. Approximately 300 organizations were invited to participate in.the-planning sessions. Three critical pieces of background information: St. Paul/Ramsey County Changing Our Response to Homelessness - From the Boftom Up report, HUD NOFA, and HUD guide entitled Building Continuum of Care Systems, were sent out with the invitation. The April17 meeting in the Merrick Eastside Community Center drew 91 participants representing 61 groups. A range _ of importa:nt constituencies participated including housing agencies, service providers, advocates, social - workers, homeless people, state, city and county staff and housing funders. An overuiew of the HUD guidelines and rating criteria was shared. An initial draft of the Gaps Analysis was presented and discussed. The meeting broke into three groups representing: Families with Children, Single Adults, and Youth. Each group completed a series of tasks: Review and modify the need, inventory, gaps areas; identify additional sources for the gaps analysis; and identify initial priorities. Population Groua Meetinas: Each of the groups (families, individuals, youth) met separately following the April17 meeting. At these meetings, the gaps analysis was finatized, priority ratings were agreed upon, and in response to priorities proposal concepts were identifred. Agencies interested in the proposal concepts then met in another series of ineetings to further develop the concepts. Mav 1 Larae Group Meetinq: At the May 1 meeting, the three population subgroups reviewed the next draft of the gaps analysis for their population, reported on their priority ratings and the discussion that accompanied the ratings, and presented three page proposal concept papers. Ten proposals totaling requests for $4,301,552 were reviewed. This provided the opportunity for the broader community to � discuss and come to agreement on priorities. Criteria for ranking the proposals were also formulated at this meeting. The group agreed on a process for community ranking of the proposals. Nominations for the Ranking Committee were made by the large group at the meeting. Rankin4 Committee: The Ranking Committee met May 21. There we�e 16 participants that lncluded representatives from the City of St. Paul, Ramsey County, the MN Housing Finance Agency, the Family Housing Fund of Mpls and St. Paul, the St. Paul Overnight Shelter Board, the St. Paul Area Coalition for the Homeless, the Ramsey County Low Income Citizen Advisory Council, and the Homeless Youth Working Group, and three representatives (including at least one currently or formerly homeless person) from the population sub-groups of families, youth and singles. The Committee used the gaps analysis results and the priority ratings of the larger community groups in the determination of the proposal rankings. Technical Assistance and Coordination: May 31, all of the applicant agencies met with staff from the Cooperation for Supportive Housing and Ramsey County to review and discuss the continuum of care narrative, to coordinate their proposals, and to gain technical assistance in completing the proposals. Associated Applications are being submitted from St. PauURamsey County. � 9�0 -/s�� . Coordinating Councils/Networks (NOTE:AII groups meet monthly with exceptan of BottomUp Planning Group) GROUP AUTHORI7Y: PURPOSE'�. MEN�ERSHIP,. CONTRIBUTION TO CONTINUUM-OF-CARE :�-�• •�:.• : St.Paul Appointed by To monitor home- St.Paul Companies Advocates for adequate emergency shefter services and , Ovemight Mayor and City lessness and report Public Housing Agency idenifies the need for more low-lncome permanent housing. Shefter Board Council annuaity to Mayor St.Paut Housing InformaGon Off. and City Council. Formerly Homeless(2) Ramsey Co.Human Services'� MEMBERSHIP:(Continued) MN Housing Finance Agency Private Housing Developer MN Dept.Of Econ.Sea Housing ConsuitaM Ramsey County Appointed by To advise Board on SO.MN Regional Legal Serv. Mnnitors and makes recommendations regarding Low Income County Board homelessness, St.Paul First CaN for Help emergency shefter and initiated attention for prevention Citizen Advisory of pubilc assistance, Ramsey Action Programs and after sheRer servlces. Council Commissioners training. St:Paul HeadstaR -� MEMBERSHIP:(Continuedl Merrick Community Services Ramsey Co.Human Services St.Paul WorlcforceDevelopment AFDC Recipient Saint Paul Area Membership To educate Members:70 Advocates for adequate services for the homeless Coalition for the organization membership and Community Members and attempts to coordinate Continuum-of-Care service Homelessness advocate for Service Providers s stem. homeless persons. Advocates � MEMBERSHIP:(Contlnued) Associates:130 Administrators Elected O�cials Others St.PauURC Funder To coordinate Family Housing Fund Coardinates tunding decision for St.Paul and Ramsey Homeless organizatlon funding of housing Coorporation for Supportive County transitional and permanent housing component of Funding with no otficial and related services Housing continuum.Playing leadership role in Continuum-of-Care Impiementation authority. funding. HUD Minnesota Office plannin . Task Force MN Housing Finance Agency'� MEMBERSHIP:IContinued) Ramsey Co.Human Services St.Paul Area UnRed Way ' Ramsey Co.Community Dev. St.Paul Planning&Economic Development St.PauVRC Ad-Hoc group To obtain direct input Catholic Charities Created and implemented a mechanism to get the voices of BottomUp created by first for the continuum-of- E.Metro Women's Council homeless people into the Continuum-of-Care pianning. Planning Group 3 groups. care from homeless Emma Norton Residence - and fortneriy Ramsey Co.Human Seroices homless perso� Project HOPE,Americorp � MEMBERSHIP:fConti�uedl through the �ry Hall SRO Res.Council Ramsey Co.Low-Income CAC BottomUp focus MN Housing Resources S�Paul Planning 8 Econ.Dev. groups and forums. Ramsey Action Programs RC Family Homeless Prev.8 Wilder Foundation Assistance Projed Community Stabilization Project Family Housing Fund NoRhwest Area Foundadon St.Paul Area Coal.For the Homeless St.Paul OvemigM SheRer Board CurrenUy or Formerly Homeless(67 SL PauI/RC Ad-Hoc group To plan,network and St.Paul Youth Services Bureau Ider�tifies gaps in youth coMinuurt�of-care and prioritizes for Homeless Youth id.entiy gaps among CrossStreets fundi . Working Group providers and Neighborhood House � MEMBERSHIP:(Continued) ��• Guadalupe Area ProJect Face-taFace Lao Family Community Jendayi Place Works in partnership Hmong Ame�ican Partnership Family Housing Fund with Funding Unfted Cambodian Association Ramsey Co.Human Services Implementation Ain Dah Yung MN Dept.Of Human Services Task Force. Lutheran Social Services St.Paul Planning 8 Econ.Dev. RC Mentai Heafth Appointed by To advise County Mental Health Resources Identifles and advocates housing needs of MI,including the Citizen's Advisory County Board Board on needs and People,Inc. home�ess, Council of services for people St.Paui Rehabilitation Center Commissioners with meMai 1lness. Guild Residences � St.Paul Ramsey Medical Center MEMBERSHIP:(Continued) Ramsey Co.Human Services Wilder Foundation RC Chemical Appointed by To advise County Ramsey CouMy Public Heatth Identifles and advocates for housing needs of people Dependency County Board Board on needs and Interested Cidzens(2) with Chemical Dependency,inciuding the homeless. Citizen's Advisory of services to�peopie HeafthEast St.Joseph's Council Comm'�ssioners with Chemical RC Jobs 8 Training Programs Dependency. Model Cities � MEMBERSHIP:(Continued) Ramsey Co.Human Services People,Inc. RC Famiy Appointed by To advise County on Frogtown Community Dev. Plans for and monitors Continuum-of-Care for hometess Homeless the Ramsey needs and services Atty.Gen.Office famiiies. PreveMion& County for homeless families Ramsey AcGon Programs � MEMBERSHIP:(Continued) Assist.Adv. Citizen's and oversees RC- Medica State Public Programs Lutheran Social Services Comm. Advisory FHPA Project. St.Phillips Church YWCA of S't.Paul ' Council Model Ci�es SO.MN R egional Legal Serv. . Catholic ChariNes Dept.Ot Economlc Security Metropolitan IMerfaith Council on MN Dept.of Human Services , Affordable Housing Ramsey Co.Human Services 6 � I1. RAMSEY COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE: EXISTING INVENTORY AND CURRENT STRATEGY While Ramsey County has a Continuum of Care, the system continues to evoive as information and insights into the populations served are gained, as the needs change, and as funding becomes available. The Continuum can be broken down into the foilowing categories of service. Prevention Outreach Intake Assessment Permanent Housing Emergency Shelter Transltionai Housing Permanent Supportive Housing .....�............................................. ................._.... Supportive Services In the following sections, boxes on the right side indicate programs and/or inventory nwmbers in the Gap Analysis. Prevention (see attached) Housecalls a Prevention: Through funding from the Minnesota Community Stabilizing Project � Episcopal Community Services Rental Assistance Housing Finance Agency, as part of the Family Homeless Program Prevention and Assistance Program, the Ramsey The Community Sharing Fund County Continuum of Care provides specific prevention st.Paui Housin9 tntormation office services to keep families from becoming homeless. As The St.Paul Intervention Project The Heatshare Program stated earlier, evaluation results shows that prevention n,e McKniyncPa�ent�oan Fund WO('k IS SuCCeSSfui. 95.5% Of PfeV@(1tt0� f8t1111t6S hcd �Ot The Mortgage Foreciosure and Prevention Program have a subsequent shelter stay episode. Working with ACCESS-MI Outreach families before homelessness occurs and before a Famiy Emergency Fun�� Frogtown Catholtc Charities family's housing situation is further exacerbated has Flrst Call for Help proven to be a vital part of the Continuum. Funding is PROJECT HOPE An AmerlCorps,project of targeted to families only. The foilowing prevention ��m MN Regioriai Legal Services services are available, but need to be expanded, Model Cities of St Paul� Twin Cities Gommunity Voice Mail especially for youth: shelter diversion, emergency grants, eviction and condemnation services, loans to landlords� housing identification services, utility assistance, loan funds, crisis counceling, landlord Dutreach fl@90ttatl0tlS. Dorothy Day Center Listening House ACCESS Outreach, Intake and Assessment: The system Heaith Care for the Homeless Project provides outreach and assessment services. Drop-in SaNation Army-Mauna Van centers (Dorothy Day and Listening House), Project Hope Project Hope (street outreach nan by Legal Services), Manna Van Streefinrorks , Safe Zone-Youth Drop-In Centers (Salvation Army s mobile food canteen), and Twin Cities soctai security outreacn Community Voice Mail are available to all populations. SheRerAssessmeM and IMake Office The Access program, crisis intervention for mentally ill Twin Citles Community Voice Mail homeless individuals living on the streets, is strictly for the mentally ill population. Streetworks, a collaborative of youth organizations, conducts street based outreach to homeless youth. Prevention and outreach activities are often complimentary. Intake and assessment services for families is offered at a centralized shelter location,while the County public assistance sys#em provides intake and assessment for singles. . �� -�sy� Youth outreach and assessment is provided onsite at SafeZone, a youth drop in center. There are also � services that identify available housing (the St. Paul Housing Information Office) and help clients secure the necessary support services to obtain and keep housing (Project Hope). There is always a group of homeless persons unwilling to deal with rules or the level of service.required or provided by the housing options available. Emerc�encv Shelter. 450 emergency battered Emeraencv snetter women's shetter beds are available each night in Family Shefters- 2a� Ramsey County. 37% of family shelter beds are used - Mary Hau shener(t� - for domestic violence. There are no specialized shelter - �owry Famiry shener(ss) beds for the mentally ill. EXiStlflg SheltefS h8ve to SeNe - Naomi Family Shefter(32) this special needs population. Half of the aduft single - Area cnurcnes�a� - RC Foster Care Emergency Shefter(13) beds and all of the family beds are funded by the - Manna Van(2) County. Numbers per year have ranged from 5,000 t0 - Hill Home(25) 5,500. Males alone have averaged around 50% With - Casa De Esperanza(18) the numbers of families increasing and the numbers of - Eayies Neswvomen or Nattons�2s� - Women's Advocates(50) singles decreasing slightly in the last 2 years. In 1995, Youth SheRers- 36 children represented 30% of the shelter users. In 1995, - Ain Dah Yung(10) 58% of all adults (including parents) lived with friends or - sare House�s� relatives before entering shelter. Over 50% of Sh6ftef - Arlington House(20) users in 1995 lived most of the last 5 ears outside of Single Aduft Sheft�rs �7� - y - Mary Hall Shelters(51) Ramsey County. The has been a significant increase - unton�ospei,Mission(�02) in the number of Afican Americans using shelters over - casa de Espananza�s� the last 5 years (see chart at right). Over 80% Of the - Hill Home(3) - Naomi Resfdence(10) children using shelter in 1995 were African American. The total capacity of battered women's shelters in Ramsey County increased by 35% in the last 5 years. The number of women and chitdren staying in battered Race/Ethnicity 1991 �eas women's shelters almost doubled, from over 1,30U in N=3,so� N=37 1991 to over 2,300 in 19 ��e as� 31% African American 30% 51% SafeHouse and Ain Dah Yun HisPantc ts% ta% g provide a total of 16 American Indian s% 4% emergency self accessible beds, with 2-15 per night omer �% �� tumed away due to space limitations. Arlington House has 20 beds targeted for youth referred by the County or the police. Youfh in these shelters receive case management and counseling. Some move into transitional housing programs or are reunified with families. One hundred percent of SafeHouse youth In Shelter Services need transitional housing because they are unable to SheRerAdvocates-CatholicChadd�s unite with their families. Mainstreet HeatthlHealth Care forthe Homeless Project Wdhin the shefters, residents have access to social Legal Services senrices and all of the transitional housing programs The Sk Paul Housing Information Office County Public Assistance Workers have relationship with staff to accept referrals from County Damage Deposit Fund shelters. Shelter advocates work with shelter AccESs residents in finding appropriate housing options and Project Hope moving out of shetter as quickly as possible. Damage Twin Cities Community Voice Mail deposits are made availabe through a County fund. Two public assistance workers are onsight to facilitate public assistance applications. Health care, housing information, legal services, MI counseling, and access to CD assessments, and voice mail slots are other services available to people in shelters. 8 Transitional Housina with Support SeNICeS: Transitional Housinq There are 1091 transitional housing slots (including 347 MI treatment beds) on any given day for single Families Total sso adults; 70 for youth and 515 slots available for pomestic volence 150 families. All o erate at ca acit . Homeless eI'SOtls - East Metro Women's Couna'I(150) P P Y P Chronic Substance Abuse 24' can be referred to Vansitional housing from prevenfion - saran Famiy Mintstry(2a) • - setvices, outreach services, SuppO(tiVe/SOCI81 SeNiCe - Model Cities Familes First(45) and emergency shelters. An anay of senrices are HIV/AIDS g rovided for residents of transitional housin If1ClUdlfl - MN AIDS Project(6) P g 9� General Population 335 � development of a �self-suffiency plan, CBSe - Naomi Residence(82) management, employment and training options, Ilfe - Theresa Living Center(10) skills (budgeting, parenting, etc.) classes; MI and CD - ��der ROOF Project-p2) councelin and su ort. Transitional housin 0 tI0f1S ' �A St Paul(126) 9 PP 9 P - Metro Interfaith Council Affordable Housing(45) for singles ace all facility based. Options for families and youth a�e a mix of scattered sites and facility Singles Total 1071 . based. Chronic substance abuse is a problem for 55% Domestic Volence 14 of families in transitional housin In the last 5 earS ' �men's Advoptes(14) 9• Y � Seriousty Mentally Itl 347 the total capacity of transitional housing SIOtS - Emma Norton(15j increased about 50 percent, dispite the - Rule 36(332) discontinuation of Catholic Charities Exodus program HIWAIDS �o for single males. The number of individuals USltl - MN AIDS Project(10) 9 Dually Diagnosed Zp transitional housing increased correspondingly, f�Ot11 - Emma Norton(20) almost 400 in 1992 to almost 700 in 1995. In contrast Substance Abuse 23g to emergency shetters, the race/ethnicity Of - Emma Norton(10) transitional housin - creen House�2s� g prograrr�users is primarily white. _ �a oPortunidad�s� - (4)Rule 35 Programs(85) Permanent Supportive/Perman�nt Housinq: For - st.Antnony Residence�sa� Ramsey County, supportive housing is available only - unian cosPet nniss�on�ss� for the mentally ill and the develo mentall dela ed GeneralPopulation-Aduft ss2 P Y Y - Catholic Charities(80) and capacity is limited. There are 298 beds Of -Juel Fairbanks(8) supportive housing for the mentally ill Ifl R8t11S@y - Naomi Residence(25) County. Supportive housing offers permanent -Rose center�s� -(4)Rule 35 Programs(29) -Theresa Living Center(8) ' -Union Gospel Mission(214) - Wellsprin9(2) Permanent Supportive/Permanent Housinq General Population-Youth 70 - Ain Dah Yung(6) INDIVIDUAL - Jendayi Place(12) Seriously Mentatly III 298 - LSS(24) - Brides(9� - People Inc.(28) housing linked with support services; the combination - Guild(12) enables homeless eo le who have disabilities to find - Guild-Ramsey(90) p p - MHR-GRO Demo(13) long-term stability. The variety of permanent housing - Shefter Care(42) options for homeless in St. PauVRamsey County � HIV/AIDS a include: private market housing, public housing, Chromic Substance Abuse 3 section 8 certificates and vouchers,family reunifation- Persons with other Disabilities 15 - Shelter&Care(1� section 8, subsidized housing units, supportive General Population 2�s housing, single room occupancy� and home - American House(56) ownership programs. The listing in the box . - Catholic Charities SRO(75) represents supportive housing and SRO option only. - Wilder Apartments(16) - Pnoenix Youtn�s� . Although the City and County, along with the state - Pubiic Houstn9 unics and federal govemments plus foundations and non- FAMILY 2� profit agencies, have dedicated resources for Ma�cet Houstn9 Avattabie: developing housing affordable for very low income - 2�persons(18) - 4 or more(9) households, a prime factor in homelessness is the - Public Housing Units shortage of housing that is affordable to "very low- income" households. Vacancy rates are less than 1%. Poor people are squeezed out of the market. - �� s/�� . . Homeless families in need of permanent housing � come from across severai service SySt8f11S: Supportive Services -shefter or transitional housing; extended (not inciusive� W.7Eh Community Center care/halfway house/board and lodging facilities; New Beginning Center battered women's shelters; and emergency foster nnartin�utner t�ny cen�er shefters for families with dependency/neglect and Food Shelves homeless issues. STRIDE Jobs Programs Institute for Black Chemical Abusel Frogtown Family Resouce Center Supportive Services: Support Services are Family Services of St.Paul availabfe to people at all points in the Continuum. Project tor Pride tn uvin9 They are an extremely important component in Model Cfties of St.Paui ' Neighborhood House supporting people move from homelessness to St.Paul Urban League self-suffiency. They include such services as: Frogtown Catholic Charities medical assistance, mental health counseling, .1TPA Progrems chemical dependency assessment 8� treatment, Up and Out of Poverty SPEAC crisis intervention, jobs training, child care, Loaves and Fishes emergency food, transportation assistance, voice St.Paul Tenants Union mail, 8f1d fTlBfly Othef SeNICeS. Parent Child Development institute Twin Cities Community Voice Mail Goodwill Industries/Easter Seal Ramsey County Human Services CONTINUUM OF CARE SUB-POPULATIONS � Among the homeless population, many individuals have needs that require a specific type of service or a distinct approach. The housing and services can have a greater impact if they are offered by agencies or programs that focus on these needs. This section describes resources and programs which are intended to accommodate the needs of people with specific special needs. Veterans: According to the Wilder Research Center, one-quarter of homeless men are veterans, approximately 240 people in the Twin Cities. Outreach: The Health Care for the Homeless Outreach Team provides health, mental health, and benefits counseling throughout the metro area including work with people in shelters, soup kitchens and people living on the street to engage individuals in a productive dialogue, help them obtain needed medical and mental health services, and obtain needed benefits. In 1995,the VA outreach program saw more than 250 people, including approximately 30 who were living on the streets or in automobiles. Transitional Housing: Two transitional housing programs for veterans include 41 units of transitional housing in group settings and in scattered site homes. Transitional Housing for Veterans is located on the campus of the V.A. Medical Center. Individuals may move on to permanent or supportive housing. In addition, twenty single males live in the Structured Independent Living program in six houses that are made available by the Veterans Administration. � Persons with HIV/AIDS: The Minnesota Department of Health contracts with more than 30 agencies to provide a full range of prevention and outreach services to communities that are most likely to be affected by the AIDS epidemic. Outreach to homeless persons with HIV/AIDS includes a number of programs. After being identified through the extensive outreach network, contracted case management senrices help homeless people by providing advocacy, transportation, applying for benefits, and arranging housing and shelter. Prevention: 21 agencies provide prevention services, including targeting groups who are at risk for HIV infection--youth, Native Americans,African-Americans, hemophiliacs,women, and gay and bi-sexual men with HIV. Outreach: 13 Street Outreach Programs are under contract to the Minnesota Department of Health's HIV Prevention Unit to provide outreach to persons in need of housing - including persons in shefters, intravenous drug users, and homeless youth. The AIDS Line provides outreach, information and referral and short-term case management statewide to persons with HIV. Clinics- Testing Sites provide health care services including HIV testing and frequently encounter people who are homeless. Transitional Housing: The Minnesota AIDS Project provides transitional housing. Rental vouchers may be used for 6 months for singles or up to one year for families. Supportive Housing: Clair Housing, a new Adult Foster Care residence and a supportive housing community designed for people with HIV/AIDS is just opening in St. Paul. • ' 10 Persons with Mental iliness: Outreach and Assessment: The Access program staff make site visits � to public shelters and provide outreach to other sites frequented by homeless people including under bridges. Main Street Health 2 provides assessment and diagnosis, behavior stabilization and medication management. �mergency Shelter: Many homeless people with mental iliness reside in general shelters, among the general homeless population. Many have been on the streets for more than one year or have not taken necessary medications for a long period of time. Transitional Housing: There are 347 units of residential treatment (often refened to as Rule 36 programs) for aduifs with mental iilness. While these programs are designed to provide time-limited treatment, they often, in reality, provide transitional housing for individuals due to the enormous gap in affordable permanent housing. Thus, to some degree, these programs have been preventing homelessness for many individuals. Supportive Housing: Adults with a serious mental illness have access to a variety of supportive services. In limited situations, the supportive services are tied to the housing. More often, supportive services are tied to the client so that if a client chooses to move, the supportive services move with the person. SYSTEM WE ARE WORKING TOWARD The St. PauURamsey County homeless response partners are working toward a coordinated, comprehensive and seamsless Continuum of Care system that will effectively assist homeless people move toward housing stability and self-sufficiency. We have taken the preliminary steps to facilitate a long-range broad-based, inclusive Continuum of Care planning process (see page 3)that will build on the current Continuum of Care system described in this section and will address the gaps and issues outlined in the following section. � .,,_..: ' � ,�, • = �;.°; - . � � - � :3'tii........_ - 9`b '/ �� III. RAMSEY COUNTY GAPS ANALYSIS: INVENTORY, NEEDS AND GAPS THE GAPS ANALYSIS CHART Summarizes need, inventory, and gaps for housing for homeless people in Ramsey County and the City of St. Paui. In preparing the gaps analysis and prioritization, the research findings and discussion outlined below,along with the gap analysis figures,were considered in the development of priorities. Communitv Process for Completinq the Gaps Analvsis - Methods A comprehensive telephone survey of current providers was conducted to obtain individual program level capacity and need data. Sixty six (66) programs were identified by the Continuum of Care planning participants. A 98% telephone response rate was achieved. As a measure of reliability, arrived at need figur�s were examined against the Consolidated Plan for general comparability. Please note the Consolidated Plan addresses only the city of St. Paul and not all of Ramsey County. The Consolidated Plan did not use a " point in time" analysis, which precluded us from using the Consolidated Plan (CP}data as a primary data source. To utilize the rich source of information from the CP, the resultant gaps were examined for comparability with the Consolidated Plan and other credible data sources. Program directors were queried by trained research interviewers on several key items. To identify inventory for shelte� and transitional housing, programs were asked to report number of beds or units, depending on level of housing; and number of beds or units earmarked for subpopulations, depending on level of housing. These numbers represent perrnanent supportive housing and SROs onty not private market housing options and public housing. To identify need, programs were asked to provide an estimate of need at a given point in time. To account for children in families across each housing option, a multiplier of 2.5 children per family was utilized, based on the Wilder Annual Report. We know that some people represented on waiting lists or turnaway lists actually have a place to go to, while others do not. To account for that factor, follow-up questions were asked of each director determine number who did not have a place to go on that day. Several additional data sources were used to examine need by housing type. For inclividual need numbers, the numbers of single women and men going from shelter to transitional and permanent housing were proportionately added to each sub category. To arrive at the proportions of homeless persons falling into specific subpopulation categories (MI, CD, etc.), each subgroup (adult, family and youth groups) made an assessment of the breadth and depth of the subpopulation issues, for a particular housing area. An estimate of permanent housing inventory and neec�was also determined through a systematic analysis. To determine housing inventory, the City of St. Paul Housing Information Office completed a study of available low income rental units available at a point in time, in an April Affordability Report. We did not use public housing figures as part of inventory due to lengthy waiting list. The survey of available housing units identified in local newspapers was undertaken based on a 30°k of inedian income for different size families. We looked at housing availability by size of family and size of un:ds to demonstrate that the demand for larger and smaller rental units (based on bedroom size) outstrips the availability of rental urtits in any given month. . To examine permanent housing need, a count of applications for public housing and Section 8's at the end of April 1996 was examined. Knowing that all on a waiting list are not homeless, we also evaluated shelter and transitional exit data. The Wilder Research Annual Report indicated that about half of the shefter and transitional exits do not exit to permanent housing but to temporary housing options. We estimated then, that a lower percentage, 25% of the public housing and Section 8 waiting list, would be in need of permanent housing. This number (969 units) was then,applied to the agreed upon proportions for each subgroup and then added into the need figure. Need data was also derived from several other sources when availabte. � 12 This material was supplemented by data from several sources including: The City of St. Paul's � _ Consolidated Plan; results from (2) major research studies Minnesota Statewide Survey of Persons � �thout Permanent Shelter.•Adults and Unaccompanied Youth based on a survey conducted on October 24, 1994; the Fifth Annual Report: Emergency Shelters, Transitional Housing and-Battered Women's Shelters Data Collection Project.; the Ramsey County Annual Reporh. Family Homefess Prevention and ' Assistance Project; and the SaintPauURamsey Counfy Changing,0ur Response#o Homelessness-From � the Boftom Up report; and the HIV Housing Needs Assessment and 5 Year Plan. Valuabie information about the needs and characteristics of the homeless population and service utilization was compiled from these resources and used in the gaps analysis. NEEDS IDENTIFIED BY HOMELESS PEOPLE The following needs were identified by homeless people through focus groups and forums with over 200 currently or formerly homeless people. They are documented in the report "Changing our Response to Homelessness From the Bottom Up (see page 2). • Timely prevention services, useful housing information and access to training. , • Service responses for mentally ill single men and women in the access to and availability of services and information. • Service responses for all homeless people in access to and availability of services and information. � Emergency shefter options for special populations. � • Assistance in helping people find housing while in shelter. • Transtitional housing needed for special populations from battered women to male single men. � • Permanent housing needed for large families, personal history of unlawful detainers, near job sites. • Supportive services needed in: long-term support, adequate/timely information, school-based intervention for youth, youth ombudsman, additional drop-in hours for youth, ancillary services for those seeking jobs/housing/helping services in form of transportation and child care. • Availability of jobs and adequate wages were primary needs identified. �•;r: ' OVERVIEW OF NEED: HOUSING POVERTY FUNDING CUTS AND DISCRIMINATION " The needs of the homeless population must be placed in context of broader trends in society. , Lack of Affordable Housing for Very Low Income Households: A prime factor in homelessness is the shortage of housing that is affordable to "very low-income" households, those eaming less than 30% of the area median income. The average monthly in�ome is about $300 for adults in emergency shefters, and about $400 for adults in transitional housing. These amounts are insufficient to afford average monthly housing costs, especially for rental units large enough to accommodate adults and children. Data from the St. Paul Housing Information Office indicates that there are approximately 27 affordable housing units available in Ramsey County on any one day. It is estimated that on any given day, 969 homeless individuals and families are in need of permanent housing. ' Poverty: Conditions associated with poverty are the major problem contributing to the increasing rate of homelessness. Poverty increases the risk for teenage pregnancies, domestic violence and other forms of exploitation, and drug abuse. Also, many homeless people lack the independent living skills, social supports, community services and education needed to make the transition to self-sufficient living. The AFDC and GA grant amounts plus low minimum wage are major contributers to keeping people in poverty. ,.� . >;i1Q' �' : dTY:i13 _ . �� -rsy9 � Funding Cuts: There is an increasing demand for a widE array of support services (such as child care, ' education and job training, case management senrices, etc.) but reductions in public spending for social programs restricts the community's ability to pay for and provide these services. Among the specific funding cuts mentioned in the group meeting were elimination of disability payments for SSI recipients disabled by chemical dependency, and cuts in programs fhat provide financial aid to families. Discrimination: Homeless people face a numberof forms of discriminaEion. The consequences of racial discrimination are evident in the disproportionate number of homeless people who are minorities: according to the Wilder Report, 74% of homeless families are African-American. People with disabilities such as mental illness or chronic substance abuse also must overcome ignorance, stereotype, mistrust, and discrimination. In addition, landlords are often reluctant or unwilling to rent their housing units to people with a poor rental history, a prior criminal record, or a history of homelessness. Many communities also create obstacles to developing affordable housing in their neighborhoods. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH FINDINGS In addition, highlights from research findings revealed the following needs for people currently being served in the Ramsey County's Continuum of Care. Results parellel reported needs by homeless people. Homelessness is an ongoing and persistent problem. In the last five years, over 14,000 different adults, (singles and family members) in Ramsey County/St. Paul have used shefter and transitional housing programs. Over 2,000 different adults are added to the cumulative total each year, indioating that homelessness is an ongoing and persistent problem in Ramsey County. �Ider 5 Year Report) Research conducted by the Urban Institute has found that estimates of the- homeless non-shefter population range from between 20-40 percent of shelter users. Dramatic increase in number of children. The number of children staying in transitional housing and battered women's shelters has nearly doubled, from about 900 in 1991 to about 1,700 in 1995. Number of women in battered women's shelters has increased by T7%. The number of women and children staying in battered women's shefters has increased, from over 1,300 in 1991 to 2,300 in 1995. �Ider Report) Women and children make up the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Labor market force key contributor to homelessness. Multiple factors contribute to the plight of homeless individuals and families including labor market and housing market forces. Individuals are able to function successfully in these markets given their education, skills and experience, low education level jobs in suburbs vs. central city, and migration pattems. Current Transitional housing model often doesn't fit the profile of persons coming from shelters. Most current transitional housing programs require that participants are actively involved in education or job search. Many people leaving shelter, however, are not ready for this requirement: • For individuals and families most affected by multiple complicating factors, and not yet ready for the existing transitional housing model, there is a need for housing with less requirements and more intensive supportive services for up to a 2 year period. • A large percentage of people leaving shelter have active substance abuse problems. while most transitional housing programs do not allow people who are using chemicals. • Only 24% transitional housing users over the last 5 years have at some point used emergency shelter. Multiple unlawful detainers and a criminal record present focmidable barriers to homeless familjes in already tight housing market. Individuals and families with multiple complicating factors are the norm in this response system, which exacerbates finding affordable and safe housing in an already limited housing market. . . . 14 The are more Large Low-income Families. Growth in low income househoids has been highest among large households. As a result housing demand does not match supply. (Consolidated PIan,1995) Resources are not availabie for preserving safe affordable rental housing for very low income persons. The City recognized that the preservation of existing low income housing units is essentiaL However, the sizable amounts of financial and technical assistance that will be required to p�eseive these units are not anticipated to be available. (Consolidated Plan, 1995) Chronic substance abuse is a major contributing factor to homelessness. .About 1/5 of homeless youth from the Wilder Overnight Study consider themselves to be chemically dependent; Thirty five percent of all men in emergency shelter have been admitted to a detox center, Providers estimate that chemical abuse is an issue for 55% of adults in families. Violence is a major contributing factor to homelessness. Over half of youth served in this response system report physical maltreatment and 1/3 being sexually maltreated. The single most common reason women seek emergency shelter is to flee abusive partner. CONTINUUM OF CARE NEEDS AND PRIORITY GAPS BY POPULATION GROUPS Each population group (singles, families, youth) reviewed the Need minus Inventory=Gap analysis. Each group had a discussion about the numbers and resultant gaps. Additional gaps identified in the Bottom- . up planning process influenced the need identification and gap prioritization. After a discussion each group ranked each line with a priority of high, medium or low. (See attached Continuum of Care: Gap Analysis) ' SINGLE ADULTS < ,.� Need: For individuals whose primary problem is homelessness (general homeless population), participants described how homelessness is compounded by poverty, unemployment, and having a criminal record. For this segment of the single population, obtaining housing is an economic problem addressed by creating additional units of affordable housing, increasing their skills and employment income, and helping them access needed services. For individuals/single adults with special needs, the most significant needs are for those with dual diagnosis (MI/CD) and those with muftiple special needs that have not been diagnosed. The latter group often are under reported because they do not show up in the formal system. But the street workers know that there are a large number of them. Additional needs for all single homeless individuals include: access to services at any time, training on rights, someone to advocate for them, assistance in finding housing, training and support to hetp maintain steady sources of income, telephone access to arrange housing and jobs, transportation assistance, appropriate referrals to other services. Gaps: Using data and their own expertise, the group identified the following high priority gaps for this population: • Emergency Shelter • Transitional housing for dually diagnosed • Transitional housing for general population • Permanent or supportive housing for chronic substance abusers, seriously mentally ill, and dually diagnosed • Permanent housing for the general population • Housing identification and advocacy ,n • Employment assistance • Telephone access " � . . q��isy� 15 � . The proposals that have been developed to address these priorities are: Emma Norton Residence to � provide transitional housing for dually diagnosed, Project Hope (SMRLS) to provide housing advocacy and identification, Job Links (Goodwill Easter Seals) to provide employment assistance, and Twin Cities Community Voice Mail to provide telephone access. YOUTH � Need: Statewide, the number of homeless youth increased by 108% in the past yea� and the percent staying in shefters increased by 23% between 1994 and 1995. Although it is very difficult to establish the number of homeless youth, the Minnesota Department of Education has estimated that here are 800- 1000 youth in the Twin Cities area who are nmaway or homeless. According to the Wlder Research Center, homeless youth are likely to have been abused, and to have had some sort of institutional placement such as foster care, and to have had multiple episodes of homelessness. There is a need to create a continuum of care across the board that woutd be responsive to youth moving toward permanent housing. There are few if any places to refer kids. Minnesota does not have an emancipation law. Many youth do not seek services due to a distrust of adults and the "system". The turnaway number used in developing the Gaps Analysis represents the tip of the iceberq. The gap numbers are underestimates. It is also very difficult to categorize the special problems of youth using the HUD Gaps Analysis chart because: 1. Misdiagnosis with CD often occurs with youth in order for youth to receive a senrice. In reality, 90% of homeless youth are using alcohol and other drugs for pain relief and experimentation, but are not considered chronic. 2. The category of seriously mentally ill does not fit youth as these diagnoses most often emerge post-teens. For those who do receive this diagnosis, all are typically from violent homes. Gans: Priorities were established based on the Bottom-Up report and slightly modified in order of importance. Across all priorities is an emphasis on being aware of and building on culturally specific attributes of the community. High priorities in order are: • Emergency shelter for teen parents. • Facility based transitional housing • Scattered site transitional housing with supported living, flexible and open-ended • Long-tenn, affordable, safe, accessible housing and working with landlords. • Outreach/access/drop-in: community specific and culturally supported outreach • Job skills training and education. The proposals that have been developed to address these priortties are: Ain Dah Yung to provide facility- leased transitional housing, Safe Zone (Face to Face) to provide outreach/access/drop-in, and Job Links (Goodwill Easter Seals)to provide job skills training and education. FAMIUES WITH CHILDREN Need: The needs for families are additional transitional housing units and more permanent housing options with supportive services. There is a high need to provide transitional housing options to: 1. Families with chronic substance abuse especially large families and families with criminal or UD histories; 2. Families with domestic violence especially large families with criminal or UD histories. 3. Families not ready or not elegible for traditional transitional housing programs. 4. Families who are considered vulnerable, not diagnosed as MI but unable to manage day to day living. 5. Child protection families. 6. Families with criminal histories/unlawful detainers. A pretransitional stepping stone or some altemative between emergency shelter and current transitional and permanent housing options is needed. In addition, there is a significant gaps for transitional and permanent housing for families that have multiple unlawful detainers, criminal histories, child protection issues, are large in size. Providers emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive strategy for meeting the diverse and sometimes ove�lapping needs of homeless families. For examples, a mother in an abusive relationship may tum to alcohol or drugs for escape. Drug use may result in crime and/or eviction. By . . 16 the time the person enters a service program they may have two th�ee or fou�issues that are barriers to � housing stability. Gaps: During the April 17 meeting and in subsequent group meetings, the following activities were given the highest priority: • Emergency shelter • Transitionai housing for chronic substance abuser • Transitional housing for domestic violence victims • Transitional housing for the general population � • Permanent housing for chronic substance abusers • Permanent housing for domestic violence victims • Permanent housing for the general population • Housing identification and advocacy • Telephone access • Employment and training assistance The proposals that have been developed to address these priorities are: Parent Child Development lnstitute to provide transitional housing for chronic substance abuse, domestic violence victims, and child protection cases; New Foundations to provide transitional housing for chronic substance abwsers and domestic violence victims; Model Cities to provide support services (linked to Section 8 certificates) for chronic substance abusers and victims of domestic violence; Project Hope (SMRLS) to provide housing identification and advocacy; Job Links (Goodwill Easter Seals) to provide employment and training assistance; and Twin Cities Community Voice Mail to provide telephone access. PROJECT PRIORITIES As mandated by HUD guidelines, the Ramsey County Ranking Committee has ranked all proposals from St. PauV Ramsey County, and the resufts are summarized on the attached Project Priority Chart. After much discussion, and many difficult decisions,the ranking reflects an effort to fill the priority gaps, as well as an evaluation by Committee members of the capacity, clarity, and cost-effectiveness of the proposals submitted by project sponsors. The ranking list should not be interpreted as a judgment that lower ranked proposals are not needed. Indeed, the Review Committee, the Implementation Group, and other participants believe that the full list of project proposals are needed to fill gaps in the St. PauURamsey County Continuum of Care. The pra rata formula allocation is only a first step in filling those gaps, and the community encourages HUD to fund as many of the proposed projects as possible. Each proposal is needed and, therefore, a high priority. �;:z :��::3; . gb`�s�� `' 17 '• IV. LEVERAGING: OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE CONTINUUM OF CARE The Continuum of Care funds awarded during this application process will be supplemented with a range of private and public funding sources. Several projects have received funding commitments from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) which uses its Housing Trust Fund Affordable Rental Investment Fund and Low Income Housing Tax Credits to help finance housing and the Agency administers a source of funding for homeless prevention efforts. Private Funding: As described earlier, the Family Housing Fund's More Than Shelter investment pool helps devetop permanent and transitional housing for homeless families and adults with special needs. Foundations and corporations contribute to the More Than Shelter program. Federal Funds: Each year the City of St. Paul and Ramsey County invest a portion of their CDBG and HOME funds into the development of transitional and perrnanent housing ventures. The City and State also allocate HOPWA funds toward the supportive senrice and housing recommended in the HIV/Aid Housing Coalition's housing plan. Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG): These funds for St. Paul are another leveraging source in meeting the Continuum of Care needs. The gaps identified through this process and the proposals developed will ' be seen as high priorities for the ES G review committee. State and Local Funding: Funding from Ramsey County and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue to provide support services for homeless people in shelter, transitional programs and permanent supportive housing settings. The County and DHS also finance the delivery of a wide range of community-based treatment and service programs. State Group Residential HousingFunds provide financial support for Board and Lodge, Adult Foster Care, and residential treatment facilities. Beginning in July 1996, $2.1 million in state funds will support the operation of 180 new units of supportive housing for homeless people. Project Leveraging: Projects sponsored underthis Application will leverage$3�567,593 million.�� , ;::. � � Continuum Of Care: Gaps Analysis . � Estima0ad Ciurent Unmet Need/ Relative Homeless PopulaUans Need Inventory Gao Pdority � INDIVIDUALS Emergency General Po ulatlon 867 207 660 H Shelte� p . Transttional Chronic Substance Abusers 322 , � 23$ 8Q M - Housing Seriously Mentaqy III . 349 347 2 L . Dually-Diagnosed • 109 20 89 H Persons with HIV/AIDS �2 �� . 2 L Victims of Domestic Violence 47 14 . 33 M General Population 47/� l,,62 12 . H Chronic Substance Abusers 47 3 44 - x Pe�manent Seriously Mentally Iil 556 298 258 � H Housing � Dually-Diagnosed /�6 0 46 H Persons with HIV/AIDS 10 4 6 L Persons with Other Disabilfties 24 15 9 M - Gene�al Population • 316 193•• 193 H PERSONS IN FAMIUES W/CHIlDREN Emergency General Po ulation � Shelter P 358 243 . 115 H'— Transkional Ch�onic Substance Abusers 393 � 69 324 • H Housing Seriously Mentaily IU �� p 71 � DuaUy-Diagnosed 36 ' 0 36 M Persons with HIV/AIDS 15 6 9 L Victims of Domestic Vlolence 691� 150 54� H General Population • 550 335 215 H Permanent Chronic Substance Abusers 533 0 533 H Housing Seriously Mentally Iil 97 0 97 M Dually-Diagnosed 48 0 48 M Persons with HIV/AIDS 10 0 10 L Persons with Other Disabilities 4g p !�g L General Population • 727 27 700 H • Note that families ate not etigible for the Section 8 SRO prognm snd persoas without disabilitiu are not eligible for permanent housing underS+C orSHP. Page�o:� .. . , . . q� 15�j ��A �v�c�+�� ro �c�s Co�inuum Of Care: �Project Priorities /��K�h n I � � b ProJect Name/ ' Numerk Requestsd . Project Sponsor Priortry ProJect Program • Amotmt (che�ary o„s) SHP S+C SRO Ain Dah Yung 1 $ Z��5 X Erima Norton 2 232,139 x Project Hope - mN Southern Regional Legal Svcs. 3 243,750 x Parent Child Development Institute 4 335,000 X Safe Zone - Face to Face 5 310,000 X Job Links - Goodwill Industries 6 540,288 X � .�3.,� X New Foundations 8 686,518 X in_�_� r:i.a__ 9 X Jendayi Place 10 363,053 X 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 � � 19 20 21 22 7_.i _ , Pageno;�