mdha 2011 state of homelessness report

8/3/2019 MDHA 2011 State of Homelessness Report

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2011 State of HomelessnessBRIEFING PAPER NOVEMBER 15, 2011

C O N T E N T S

1.) Introduction: Progress and Challenges

2.) Context for the Report: MDHA Programs and Advocacy

Perspective

3.) The Environmental Challenges

The Economy

A Regional Challenge

Shortage of Affordable Housing

Budget Cuts for Human Services Programs


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The Challenge of the Newly Homeless

Returning Veterans

4.) Data on Homeless Families, Youth and Individuals

Statistics on Homelessness Data on Services

5.) Developing a Vision and Plan for Supportive Housing

Preliminary Indicators of Need

Notes about Strategy

6.) The Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance

Integrating Public Policy Solutions and Financing Across LocalGovernments

A Vision for Regionalizing Approaches to Policy Developmentand Financing

Glossary of Terms


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Introduction: Progress and Challenges2011 WASA YEAROF SUCCESSAND EMERGING CHALLENGE

Progress:

o By the end of 2011, our community will have developed morethan 2,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), withmore than 350 new units opened or committed this year.

o A new Permanent Supportive Housing Plan for overtaking chronic

homelessness in 2015 is ready to review with policy makers.o We are holding ground and meeting needs despite the

challenging economy.o The federally funded MDHA continuum of care brings $15 million

annually to area service agencies. Innovation is taking place withnew, creative supportive housing proposals.

o The Dallas Housing Authority has heroically provided great

resources for housing formerly homeless individuals and familieso The Bridge continues to go the extra mile, serving 1,200

individuals each day, the majority of whom have serious mentaldisorders, addictions and chronic illnesses.

o The development of supportive Housing for 200 families with

disabled parents who have children in their care.o The launch of the Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance of

elected leaders across local government, focusing on solutions tohomelessness.

Challenges:

o An economy that is partially responsible for a pronounced

increase in new homeless neighbors in the Dallas area.o Cutbacks in the health and human services safety net across

government jurisdictions which put our progress at risk.o Value Options, the for-profit company which contracts with the

State of Texas to administer mental health and substance abuseservices in the metropolitan Dallas area, must transform andimprove its policy and service to homeless populations.

o The Bridge team responds heroically to homeless individuals with

mental illness, addictions and healthcare problems but lackssufficient collaboration and support from other public systems toadequately leverage its true potential.

o A continued environment of mistrust toward the development of

Permanent Supportive Housing. Neighborhood reactions todevelopment efforts undermine the commitment of policymakers to supportive housing initiatives.


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1.) Context for the Report: MDHA Programs and Advocacy

MDHA is the Dallas Area Leadership organization in data collection,housing and services planning, and public policy development

focused on solutions for homeless children and families, youth andsingle adults.MDHA leads the planning and grant submissions for the federally

funded Continuum of Care (MDHA Continuum of Care) that bringsapproximately $15 million in funds to Dallas area service providerseach year including Dallas and Collin Counties.

MDHA has recently positioned itself with public policy advocacyat the center of its mission. Although key constituencies includepolicy makers, non-profit organizations and public agencies whichserve the homeless, our first commitment is to our neighborsexperiencing homelessness.

MDHA critical programs include:

o MDHA Continuum of Care

o The Regional Homeless Management Information System

o Supportive Housing Planning andDevelopment

o Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance

o Public Policy and Advocacy Initiative


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The Continuum of Care

ABC Behavioral Health AIDS Services of DallasBrighter Tomorrows CitySquare

City of Dallas City of IrvingCommunity Dental Care Dallas CountyDallas Housing Authority Family GatewayFamily Place Hope's DoorHousing Crisis Center Interfaith Housing

CoalitionLegal Aid of NW Texas LifeNetLifePath Systems Metrocare Services

New Beginning Center Promise HouseRainbow Days Shared HousingVogel Alcove Bridge Steps (The Bridge)

The MDHA Continuum of Care includes 42 programs which provide abroad array of services for our homeless neighbors. These programs areoperated by the following 24 agencies in Dallas and Collin Counties.

THE BRIDGE


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The Environmental Challenges The Economy

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the DFW area has beenimpacted by unemployment in much the same way as the national average.

The September 2011 report found unemployment in DFW at 8.3% with274,030 people unemployed.Poverty in the City of Dallas has grown to 21.8% of the total population.Poverty is a leading indicator of housing instability and, together with lowwages or unemployment, lies at the root of most homeless episodes.The real challenge we face in dealing with homelessness calls for a view ofcircumstances beyond the Dallas city limits.

A Regional Problem Ultimately Needs Regional SolutionsThe City of Dallas is sometimes referred to as an island city in a sea ofsuburbs, since it is virtually landlocked within a periphery of suburbancommunities. While the population of Dallas has barely grown over the last

decade (0.08%), the communities around us experienced the highestregional population growth in the nation (23.1%).While the City of Dallas may relish its position as the cultural and economichub of the region, it is often the involuntary recipient of suburbanpopulations which are underserved for emergency care.In an article published in The Atlantic Cities, researchers of the BrookingsInstitution write:Between 2000 and 2010, 85 of the nations largest metro areasexperienced a significant increase in their suburban poor population, and in16 metro areas, including Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Indianapolis, andMilwaukee, the suburban poor population more than doubled during that

time.The trend is present in our own data. As collaborative applicant for theDallas/Collin County Continuum of Care, MDHA assists and reports thefindings of both counties.In reviewing the outcome of the Collin County Point in Time (PIT) Census for2011, we determined that total homelessness there increased by 106%during 2010. The percentage of these respondents who identified asUnemployed, No job at all rose to 62% in this years survey.An individual or family experiencing homelessness will seek aid where it canbe found, irrespective of city boundaries. Our suburban communities havelittle safety net infrastructure and what can be found is oftenoverwhelmed. This is recognized by the research quoted above:In many suburbs, the safety net is patchyand stretched thin to begin with.The suburban social services infrastructure is not as developed or robust asin urban centers with a longer track record of addressing the challenges ofpoverty, nor is it as funded.The City of Dallas and Dallas County governments will continue to take upthe slack until we can arrive at a collaborative approach with suburban city
http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2010/1007_suburban_poverty_allard_roth.aspxhttp://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/0721_philanthropy_reckhow_weir.aspxhttp://www.brookings.edu/reports/2010/1007_suburban_poverty_allard_roth.aspxhttp://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/0721_philanthropy_reckhow_weir.aspx


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and county governments. The Dallas area is in serious need of a regionalsolution for the planning, development and delivery of programs leading torecovery from homelessness.

The Shortage of Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is a term used widely but it actually does have a precisedefinition. Housing is considered affordable to a household when totalhousing costs (including a utility allowance) remain below 30% of thehouseholds gross income.Therefore, affordability is indicated by two factors which become a part ofthe environmental background for housing stability; income and housingcosts. As indicated above, economic data for the Dallas area points toconsiderable stress for thousands of Dallas households. With 274,030 peopleunemployed throughout the DFW metropolitan area and a poverty rateabove 21% in the City of Dallas, the only factor which could ease thesituation is an ample supply of safe and decent housing at a very low cost.

Here are few statistics from the Census Bureaus American CommunitySurvey and American Housing Survey which can help us to see the realityon the ground concerning affordability of housing in Dallas.

In Dallas, 49% of renters cannot afford a two-bedroom

apartment (based on Fair Market Rents).

For a full-time minimum wage worker, a two-bedroom

apartment in Dallas would require 100% of gross wages.

To be affordable, a two-bedroom apartment in Dallas would

require the income of 2.4 full-time minimum wage workers.

89,000 Dallas rental households (not including

homeowners) pay more than 35% of their income on

housing.

Almost 80,000 rental households pay more than 50% of

their income on housing (90% of these households are low-

income).

Over 175,000 Dallas households spend more than 30% of

income on housing costs.

Cutbacks in Human Services

Budget cuts, by both state and federal governments, have decimated severalcritical health and human services programs. This will have a pronouncednegative impact on low income individuals and families who are vulnerableto housing loss because of disability and a host of other social challenges,such as; health status, work force readiness and access to affordablehousing.


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The number of people receiving publicly funded behavioral health services inour region increased by 26.4% 2008 to 2010. Service providers were givenonly 0.4 % more to address this increased caseload.Stress on the behavioral health system, from program cuts and increasedcaseloads, is now manifesting as costs to the local criminal justice system.

From 2008 to 2010, persons with documented behavioral health needs whowere placed in the Dallas County jail rose from 5,435 to 8,600, an increase ofmore than 58.2%. Considered in tax dollars the result is staggering, with jailexpenses rising from $5,638,812 to $11,491,578 during that period, anincrease of 103.8%. In addition, treatment costs charged to the DallasCounty Criminal Justice system rose to over $9 million in 2009 alone.

The worst of this is still to come. The State of Texas produced a budget thisyear which will require North Texas (NorthStar) behavioral health serviceproviders to absorb $3.6 Million in cuts for the remainder of the biennium(beginning January 2012 and ending September 2013). It is doubtful that

this can be accomplished by economies within the system, but will likelyresult in a reduction of services.

The Challenge of Newly Homeless Individuals and FamiliesThe continuing growth of newly homeless populations requires us to reassessour plans and presses us toward new and more effective communitystrategies for battling homelessness. The most recent Point in Time (PIT)count found:

Sixty-four (64%) percent of Collin County PIT respondentsindicated that they had become homeless for first time duringthe previous year.

Thirty-one (31) percent of Dallas County PIT respondents becamehomeless for the first time during the previous year.

MDHA estimates that 890 individuals became newly homelessand 850 parents and their children have become homeless sinceJanuary.

In Dallas County alone, 970 respondents (31%) indicated that they hadbecome homeless for the first time in the past 12 months, down from 32% in2010. Of these respondents who provided sufficient information to determinewhere they were living:

147 (15%) were living in Permanent Supportive Housing (up from7% in 2010)

250 (26%) were living in Transitional Housing (down from 36% in2010)

18 (2%) were living in Drug / Alcohol Treatment (down from 9% in2010)


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431 (44%) were living in Emergency Shelter (up from 40% in2010)

27 (3%) were living Outdoors or in Abandoned Buildings (downfrom 5% in 2010)

74 (8%) were living in Motels or Other Locations (up from 3% in

2010)

Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans are ReturningApproximately 1.6 Milliontroops have served in the United States

military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.During this conflict, the longest in our history, most have returned home.Many of them were discharged after serving multiple tours in combat.Recently President Obama announced that all ground troops will be drawnout of Iraq by the end of 2011. In addition to these 100,000 troops, another30,000 are expected to return from Afghanistan during the same period.Unfortunately, these returning veterans must contend with a very high

unemployment rate (13.1% among Texas veterans) and scarce affordablehousing. To this we must add a list of other factors which contribute tohousing instability, including: a high incidence of PTSD (Post TraumaticStress Disorder) and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), high rates of alcohol andsubstance abuse, physical disability from combat injuries and stressed familyrelationships.Presently, 18 to 20% of all people experiencing homelessness are veterans.Twenty-two (22%) percent of chronically homeless persons in the Dallas areaare veterans.

Note: The Veterans Administration in Washington has awardedLifeNet Behavioral Health a parcel of land in a competitiveprocess to be used for supportive housing for disabled veterans.There is a zoning request for this project (from agricultural toresidential) which will require approval by the City of Dallas.This would be the single largest supportive housing developmentfor veterans in our region and MDHA will be an advocate for theproposed projects success.


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Data on Homelessness and Services in Metropolitan Dallas

During the last week of January each year, volunteers conduct a Point-in-Time Count. MDHA publishes a report for Collin County and a separatereport for Dallas County based on the data gathered during the PIT Count.From a historical perspective, trends are being developed, successesnoted, and future challenges identified.

The 2011 MDHA Point in Time Count/Homeless Census for Dallas and CollincountiesIdentified 6,151 individuals who were homeless on the night of Jan. 27.In Dallas County, 48 percent were women with children. A total of 823homeless children were counted.

The numbers of children, families and single adults, including subpopulationsof homeless individuals who were chronically homeless (due to disabilityand/or length of homelessness) has remained fairly static over the lastseveral years.

There is reason for concern that these numbers remain high despitesuccessful supportive housing programs that have provided stability forabout 2,000 formerly homeless individuals and families. A six-yearcomparison (2005-2011) of housing among PIT respondents bears out thissuccess, including:

A 46 percent decrease in those sleeping outdoors or in abandonedbuildings.

A 10 percent increase in those sleeping in emergency shelters.

An 81 percent increase in those sleeping in transitional housing.

A 412 percent increase in those sleeping in permanent supportivehousing.

MDHA believes that our communitys inability to prevent the emergence ofnewlyhomeless individuals and families is the single largest challenge in our efforttodramatically reduce the numbers of Dallas area neighbors experiencinghomelessness.

The most frequent causes of homelessness reported in the most recent PITCensuswere:

Unemployment


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Underemployment

Domestic Abuse/Family Problems

Mental IllnessIn addition, 8 percent of the total homeless population reported priorplacement in foster care.

The 2011 report found that in Dallas County:

Total homeless population remains at 5,783, with 3,984 living inshelters and outside while 1,799 were in permanent housing or indrug treatment.

Women and children make up 48 percent of the total homelesspopulation, with 51 of the children ages 17 and youngerunaccompanied by a parent or guardian.

Chronically homeless individuals numbered 514, similar to the 2010total of 504. Chronic homeless has decreased 57 percent since 2004due to the increase in permanent supportive housing.

Veterans make up 17 percent of the total homeless adultpopulation, but 22 percent of the chronically homeless.

The report found that in Collin County:

Total homeless population rose to 368 -- a 106 percent increase duein part to adding volunteer enumerators from the Collin CountyHomeless Coalition and the community to broaden the reach of thePIT Count.

112 children comprised 30% of the total homeless population.

Three of Collin County ISDs identified 28 unaccompanied childrenenrolled in school on the day of the Count.

Chronically homeless individuals numbered seven, the same as2010.

64% reported becoming homeless for the first time during the pastyear.


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The increase in those sleeping in Permanent Supportive Housing can beattributed to, but not limited to, three factors:

Targeted increase in housing placements and development.

The stimulus funds received for Rapid Re-Housing of homelesshouseholds.

MDHAs collaboration with the Dallas Housing Authority.

For a complete Pdf version of the MDHA 2011 Point in Time Count for DallasCounty, go to:http://www.mdhadallas.org/downloads/2011DallasHomelessCountCensusReport.pdf
http://www.mdhadallas.org/downloads/2011DallasHomelessCountCensusReport.pdfhttp://www.mdhadallas.org/downloads/2011DallasHomelessCountCensusReport.pdfhttp://www.mdhadallas.org/downloads/2011DallasHomelessCountCensusReport.pdfhttp://www.mdhadallas.org/downloads/2011DallasHomelessCountCensusReport.pdf


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A New Five-Year Plan for Supportive HousingIn 2007, the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, under the volunteerleadership of then-Dallas Homeless Czar and MDHA Board Chair MikeRawlings and new MDHA CEO Michael Faenza, launched the Campaign to

End Chronic Homelessness to support the development of The Bridge andstrategies for new supportive housing. The campaign set a goal to endchronic homelessness in 2014.By the end of 2011, there will be a total of 2,067 PSH units in the Dallasarea -- an increase of 1,199 units in the last three years. Since 2007,MDHA and our nonprofit and public agency partners have accomplished agreat deal, learned a lot and are now committed to overtaking chronichomelessness in 2015. However, many factors must be addressed acrosshealth and human services and housing policy and practice for us tosucceed.To develop 1,800 new units by 2015 while simultaneously reducing the

numbers of new chronically homeless individuals and families, the City ofDallas, Dallas Housing Authority, Dallas County, the MDHA Continuum ofCare, NorthStar/ValueOptions and Parkland Hospital must all respond tothe goal with openness to new strategies and a deeper level ofcollaboration.The goal can only be achieved by halting the growth of new cases ofchronic homelessness. We have reduced the number of chronicallyhomeless people in Dallas by nearly half since 2004, but we have notstopped the growth in new cases.MDHA projects a growth in new disabled homeless persons of 1,000through the end of 2015. However, to minimize new disabled homeless

individuals to this number, our regional mental health and addictionsmanagement company, ValueOptions, must make substantial changes inits approach to the housing needs of all its patients and the specific needsof consumers experiencing homelessness.In projecting unmet need we take into account the number of personsidentified as experiencing chronic homelessness this year (531) andseveral other factors including unemployment, poverty rates, servicescuts and the prospect of returning veterans with disabling conditions.We estimate that the total need for 2,800 units through 2015 will bepartially offset by the anticipated turnover of 1,000 units in the next fouryears. We envision that much progress will be made thanks to continued

investments of the Dallas Housing Authority and by providers within ourContinuum of Care leveraging Housing and Urban Development funds. Wewill look to the City of Dallas and other jurisdictions to explore newincentives for leveraging public and private resources to advance the PSHPlan, including financing new construction and rehabilitation of existingstructures through the states Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.


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WHERE POINT IN TIME RESPONDENTS SLEPTONTHE PREVIOUS NIGHT (WHEREINDICATED)


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Implementation of the Greater Dallas Homeless PolicyAllianceThe Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance is sponsored and staffed byMDHA. Its purpose is to review major public policy, public system operations

and financing issues that are central to preventing and endinghomelessness. Alliance members then will act in concert with thecollaboration of their respective colleagues within their elected bodies.

The Homeless Policy Alliance is focused on Dallas County at this time, buthas a goal of bringing other government entities in the Dallas-area intodialogue and problem-solving.The policy makers within the Alliance are committed to leveraging theleadership of other public policy-focused organizations including the NorthTexas Behavioral Health Authority Board of Directors led by Judge Chitty,the Dallas County Behavioral Health Leadership Team led by DallasCounty Commissioner John Wiley Price and the Dallas County Criminal

Justice Advisory Board led by Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Elba Garcia.Greater Dallas Homeless Policy Alliance

Dallas City Council: Jerry Allen, Chair of Policy AllianceDallas County Commissioners Court: Dr. Elba GarciaState District Criminal Courts: Honorable John CreuzotDallas Housing Authority: Mary Ann Russ, President, DHAMDHA Board of Directors: George Ellis, Chair, MDHAExecutive Staff: Mike Faenza, President, MDHA

2012 Goals for Greater Dallas Homeless Policy AllianceUnder the leadership of Dallas City Councilmember Jerry Allen, the HomelessPolicy Alliance has chosen three goals for its work in 2012:

1.) Finalize and Launch a Five-Year Plan for Permanent

Supportive Housing

Develop 1,800 new units of PSH through 2015 and seekadjustments to mental health system policy to better respond tothe needs of clients in housing crisis or experiencing

homelessness. Maintain the rate of newly homeless individualswith severe mental illness to 200 annually. Advance thecooperation of collocated public agencies with The Bridgemanagement and ensure adequate public and private support ofThe Bridge campus.


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2.) Seek collaborative policy and service system strategies

across local governments and public health and human

services systems.

Strengthen the data analysis capacity and policy and financing

information available to the Homeless Policy Alliance and MDHAto promote effective new initiatives in Dallas County.

3.) Begin ground work for more regional approach to

homeless policy and services development.

Begin dialogue with other government jurisdictions in region.Develop baseline goals for regional planning and financing ofsolutions to homelessness in metropolitan Dallas.

Glossary of Terms

Chronically Homeless Person An unaccompanied adult who has beenhomeless for at least one year or has experienced four episodes ofhomelessness in the last three years and has a disabling condition. For thepurposes of this definition, these individuals must either live on the streets orin emergency shelters.Drug / Alcohol Treatment Facility Any facility which has as its primary

purpose providing in-patient treatment to those suffering from substanceabuse / dependence.

Emergency Shelter A facility with the primary purpose of providingtemporary or transitional shelter for persons experiencing homelessness orfor specific homeless populations. Among these are domestic violenceshelters, family shelters, shelters for single men and women, etc. Although


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Emergency Shelters may provide supportive services, their primary focus ison the provision of temporary shelter.

Household A group of individuals, of which at least one is the primarycaregiver, who are living together and related by blood, marriage or self-

proclamation.

Permanent Supportive Housing A housing facility in which homelesspersons with disabilities live and receive supportive services that enablethem to live more independently. The key component of PermanentSupportive housing as to Transitional Housing is that residents must have adisability in order to qualify, and can continue to live in that facility andreceive services for as long as they choose to, without time limits.

Transitional Housing A housing facility in which homeless persons liveand receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently.

If the project is funded by HUD, a maximum limit of 24 months is assignedfor each resident/family unless extenuating circumstances exist. Projectswhich are not funded by HUD may set their own limits for length of residency.The key components of transitional housing as compared to EmergencyShelter are the extended length of stay and the ubiquitous presence ofsupportive services, whether on or off-site.

Unaccompanied Children In the past, HUD has defined anunaccompanied youth as any person under age 18 who presented forservices alone. HUD has relabeled the unaccompanied youth category tounaccompanied children. The definition of an unaccompanied child has not

changed. HUD decided to change the terminology to clarify that its definitiononly refers to a person who is under age 18.

mdha 2011 state of homelessness report

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