OCTOBER 2012

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING

STABILITY

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What if we could prevent and end homelessness in Montgomery County by working together effectively and efficiently for systemic changes that create greater impacts and deliver better outcomes?

WHAT IF?

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Adopting a person-centered approach based on dignity, individual goals, and community-based access

Coordinating servicesEmbracing Housing FirstUsing data to drive decisionsLinking housing with health

care, work and community connections

Leveraging investments

HOW CAN WE HELP EVERYONE HOME?

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NUMBERS

• 623 people are living in emergency shelters (2010-11)

• 209 people are living in transitional housing (2010-11)

• At least 66 people are living on the street (Aug. 2012)

• Countless others are “doubled up”

DURATION

• The average length of stay in shelter is 50 days for families and 53 days for individuals

• The average length of stay in transitional housing is 421 days for families and 778 days for individuals

COST

• Exits to permanent housing cost more from shelter and transitional housing than from rapid re-housing

• Subsidizing rent and providing supportive services costs less than shelter and transitional housing

HOMELESSNESS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY TODAY

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Focus on system outcomes;

Coordinated intake and assessment;

Alignment with mainstream resources;

Funding for permanent and supportive housing

Focus on individual program outcomes;

Funding for shelter and transitional housing

HEARTH ACT

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Montgomery County Homeless Prevention Center

Montgomery County 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness

Montgomery County Roadmap for Housing Stability

PLANNING FOR SYSTEM CHANGE

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VISION

• That all residents of Montgomery County live in safe and affordable housing and have access to consumer-driven, coordinated and exceptional quality services that promote housing stability and prevent homelessness

VALUES

• Permanent housing is the first and most important step to family and individual health and well-being

• Housing stability improves the quality of life and builds stronger communities for all residents of Montgomery County

STRATEGY

• Re-housing families and individuals at a minimal cost by providing assistance locating new housing, short-term rental assistance, and follow-up case management focused on health, employment and community connections

IMPACT

• Decreased number of people that experience homelessness

• Reduced lengths of stay in shelter and returns to homelessness

• Improved housing stability, health and employment outcomes

• Higher return on public and private investments

OUR THEORY OF CHANGE

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GOAL 1

Improve the County’s housing crisis response system to decrease the number of families and individuals that experience homelessness.

PRIORITIES

Coordinate intake, assessment and referral

Unify our shelter system

Identify and prioritize our most medically vulnerable homeless residents

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING STABILITY

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GOAL 2

Embrace Housing First principles and service delivery models that: 1) reduce the length of time families and individuals spend unsheltered, in shelter or in transitional housing and 2) improve their ability to remain stably housed in permanent housing.

PRIORITIESBuild system and provider

capacity for prevention and rapid-rehousing

Establish regional housing and human service resource centers

Streamline access to mainstream and community resources

Encourage all homeless providers to enter data in the County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING STABILITY

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GOAL 3

Increase the supply of permanent housing opportunities and subsidies.

PRIORITIES

Build and/or renovate more affordable housing units

Generate more funds for temporary rental assistance

Strengthen relationships with landlords and developers

Establish a voucher preference program for vulnerable populations

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING STABILITY

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GOAL 4

Build infrastructure and support for a strong local team of funders, providers, community partners and consumers that will drive sustainable changes in Montgomery County’s housing system.

PRIORITIES

Dedicate more staffing to Roadmap goals and priorities

Establish EveryOne Home Montgomery County as a nonprofit entity to provide leadership, coordination and support for public and private partnerships, investments and outreach that advance our vision and goals.

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING STABILITY

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Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”

- Henry Ford

Ending homelessnessTransforming systems

and communities

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Lead agency Montgomery County Department of Housing & Community Development

Partners Montgomery County Board of CommissionersMontgomery County Human Services CabinetMontgomery County Housing AuthorityNorth Penn Community Health FoundationThe Montgomery County Foundation, Inc.North Penn United WayMontgomery County Housing CoalitionKeystone Opportunity CenterSalvation Army Laurel HouseInter-Faith Housing Alliance of AmblerCoordinated Homeless Outreach CenterPublic Health Management CorporationDiana T. Myers and Associates

Consulting and design Capacity For Change, LLC

ROADMAP FOR HOUSING STABILITY TASK FORCE