6.2 leading the way: local political leadership for ending homelessness (mcdivitt)
DESCRIPTION
Local political leaders have been crucial in efforts to move communities toward a solutions-focused homelessness system. In doing so, they have convinced other local opinion leaders to make ending homelessness a top priority. Speakers will facilitate a robust discussion around why it’s important to get political leaders involved in the fight to end homelessness locally, how to do so, and the benefits for the community.TRANSCRIPT
Political Leadership for Ending Homelessness
Kay Moshier McDivittLancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness150 North Queen Street, Suite 610Lancaster, PA [email protected]
Political Leadership for Ending Homelessness
The Lancaster County Experience
Before• Lancaster Interagency
Council for the Homeless
– Primarily made up of service providers,
– Often front line staff with limited organizational or community leveraging
– Largely networking with small group of “volunteers” responsible for the Continuum of Care submission
After• Lancaster County Coalition
to End Homelessness
– Combined the former ICH, the CoC planning process and the 10 year plan to end homelessness under one umbrella
– Led by a Leadership Council made up political and community leaders
– Chaired by the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners
Before Model – Lancaster ICH
No political leadership nor buy in Neither the Mayor of the City nor the County Board
of Commissioners “owned” the issue Most services located in the city; those
experiencing homelessness from rural areas came into the city
Fragmented system Programs sprang up around organizational
agendas/goals rather than clear response to identified needs or strategies: Many “Silo’s
Lacked strategy on how to move persons through the system to permanency and plan for ending homelessness
CoC Submission not “owned” by lead agency Limited HMIS utilization
PREVIOUS MODELPREVIOUS MODEL
Service system that manages & shelters
homeless
Lancaster CountyLancaster County
NO.INDIVIDUALS
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
1994 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
537 545 561 589
738
YEAR
707
384
Getting Local Political Leadership-The “BUY IN” of WHY
First Step… Garner community support behind “Why” Political Leadership is Important
Lancaster’s Journey 2004: United Way partnered with ICH to conduct
community impact study on “Housing and Homelessness”
2005: United Way issues the “Community Impact Report on Housing and Homelessness in Lancaster”• Established the framework for the 10 Year plan• A System Shift with a “housing first” philosophy
Getting Local Political LeadershipThe “BUY IN” of WHY (cont.)
Community Impact Steering Committee recognized need for political champion to make “shift” happen• “Champion” - has trust and respect of the
community– “if they believe this matters, then I do”
• Political Leadership - critical to bringing together a fragmented system and shift toward common goal
• Committee Chair was key– Local business leader with “clout” who could engage the
political leader(s)
Lancaster’s Journey
PREVIOUS MODELPREVIOUS MODEL
Service system that manages & shelters
homeless
NEW APPROACHNEW APPROACH
System of: Prevention Diversion Rapid re-housing Permanent Housing
Goal: To provide the opportunity for a full and dignified life in the community for every resident of Lancaster City and County through a comprehensive, coordinated effort to prevent and end homelessness in the next decade.
Lancaster CountyThe System Shift
Lancaster CountyThe System Shift
Identifying the “right” political champion
What do you need to affect change?
Solution: Sought support from County Commissioners who could garner rural support that would create county wide change
Issue: Needed buy-in and strategies to address homelessness in rural areas of community as well as in the City of Lancaster
Who has the largest circles of influence?
Identifying the “right” political champion
Issue: Need for leadership from commissioner level, how do we “get it.”
Solution: Look for person(s) who can influence that political leader
– One person can lead to another person.– Sell to that person you can first influence
who can influence the next person etc.9
October 27, 2008October 27, 2008
Lancaster County Making the Shift
Lancaster County Making the Shift
Identifying the “right” political champion
The result: A “system” change
2009: Commissioners established the Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness resulting in:
– The Continuum of Care, the Homeless Service Provider Network (former ICH ) and the 10 Year Plan in coordinated and collaborative effort
– The LCCEH Leadership Council of key community leaders invited personally by the Commissioners to serve - they said “yes”
Leadership Council for the Lancaster County Coalition to
End HomelessnessCo-Chairs:
Lancaster County Board of CommissionersPhil Wenger – CEO Isaac’s Restaurants & Deli
Community leadersChairs of Action Teams
Continuum of Care Planning Committee
Chair: Community Homeless AdvisorAction Team Chairs
Organizations receiving funding
Housing FirstAction Team
Chair: Bob Thomas
(Tabor)
Advocate in community & obtain community support
Champion plan Monitor progress Provide resources & assistance
as needed Remove roadblocks Endorse new strategies
Implement Heading Home plan Implement current strategies & action
steps
Communicate progress Engage community for additional
resources
Identify new strategies, action steps and outcomes
Accomplish Outcomes
Permanent HousingAction Team
Chair: Ken Smith
(Community Basics)
Transitional HousingAction Team
Chair: Jennifer Powell (Clare House)
Serv. to Chron. Home.Action Team
Chair: Jere Shertzer
(WSM)
EmploymentAction Team
Chair:Lori Rank
(CareerLink)
PreventionAction Team
Chair: Susan Eckert (United Way)
Communication & PRAction TeamLisa Riggs
(James St. Imp. Dist.)
Hold public forums
Service Provider Network Meeting
Facilitator & co-facilitator
Annual HUD grant process Sharing & networking Identify gaps Identify new strategies
Coordinate Action Team strategies
Evaluate/implement ideas from networking meetings
Heading Home PlanAction Team Leadership
Chairs & vice-chairs
= Communication Key:
Identifying the “right” political champion
The Result
We are talking “to each other” instead of about each other
Working as a system towards common goals
Bipartisan support of the Board of Commissioner keeps the issue on the front lines Commissioners used a system wide
alignment of HPRP funding with 10 year plan goals
Identifying the “right” political championThe Benefits
Established a county office as the first “official lead agency”, for the CoC process
HMIS now overseen by the county’s lead office• Data vastly improved
Providers sitting at the same table creating system wide strategies and tools (Including faith based)
Resolutions passed:• All proposed affordable housing projects seeking
funding must set aside 10% of units • All strategies and funded services must align with
HEARTH Act goals and Open Doors Plan
Identifying the “right” political champion
The Benefit
2010 Point in Time Count
2% decrease overall
7% decrease in family homelessness
FIRST overall decrease since beginning the count
In spite of 3% increase in unemployment during same period
Final Thoughts
Identify the “right” Political Champion Identify the “right” Community Champion to help
obtain commitment Key strategies for engagement
– Coordinate all systems under one umbrella– Strong communication strategy– Keep political leadership informed of all issues
Be prepared for challenges Success breeds success
THANK YOU