DUPAGE PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS
DUPAGE
HOMELESS CONTINUUM
Objectives
for the Plan to End Homelessness
April 26, 2004
1.
Component: Needs Assessment Data –To have a fully functional
CMIS system that tracks information and referral, case management, and benefits
screening functionality to collect information about the people who become
homeless.
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Needs Assessment Committee and CMIS Users Group
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objectives below.
1.1. Establish universal criteria for needs assessment data entry by 2004.
1.2. By January 2005 all HUD funded agencies will be fully entering data into all required fields to the CMIS system.
1.3. Audit and analyze data in the system to ensure integrity and usage, beginning in 2005.
1.4. By January 2006 all other relevant providers that support homeless populations will be invited to participate in CMIS.
1.5. By 2006, using the CMIS system, complete an annual “gaps analysis” for homeless services.
1.6. By 2007, conduct a technology audit for all CMIS users.
2.
Component: Emergency
Prevention – Have system in place with resources for direct and flexible
assistance.
RESPONSIBLE COMMITTEE: Grants Funding Committee and Prevention Providers
2.1. By the end of 2005, coordinate between homeless prevention providers and community partners re: resources available and requirements for accessing them. A signed agreement will document intent to coordinate.
2.2. By 2005, expand legal assistance and housing resources available for a one-time, short term and transitional financial assistance that could be used to avert eviction. Measure – 10% increase in legal services and in number of those who receive homeless prevention services.
2.3. By the end of 2007, ensure adequate funding for case management services to process applications. Measure – 10% increase on C. M. $ for three years.
2.4. By 2007, develop two new homeless prevention programs to address early intervention and influencing factors in homelessness.
2.5. By 2008, ensure that there is an adequate amount available annually for direct financial assistance to all persons who need it.
3.
Component: Systems
Prevention – a) policies for discharge from public institutions; b) enrollment
in mainstream programs
RESPONSIBLE COMMITTEE: Community
Outreach Committee and DuPage Federation
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3.1. By December 2005, increase the linkage to permanent supportive housing and services for persons leaving institutions by developing coordinated discharge policies with oversight and agreement to use the policy.
3.2. By September 2005, continue to develop and implement strategies between housing first and mainstream service systems to ensure receipt of mainstream benefits by eligible persons.
4.
Component: Outreach
to Unsheltered - Have an outreach and engagement system with emphasis on
mentally ill and substance abusers.
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Community Outreach
Committee
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below.
4.1. By 2006, establish a system of coordinated street outreach for persons who are homeless.
4.2. By 2008, develop engagement housing (such as safe havens or harm reductions programs) for those who need permanent housing but are resistant to traditional service models.
5.
Component: Shorten
Homelessness – Ensure shelters and transitional housing have procedures to
minimize the time persons are homeless
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Needs Assessment Committee
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below.
5.1. By 2006, develop standards for interim housing (shelters and transitional housing) that promote housing placement in the most suitable setting as soon as possible.
5.2. By 2006, develop an affordable housing clearinghouse that will be used to link households in interim housing with appropriate market housing.
6.
Component: Timely
Re-housing – Skilled housing search and placement services are available.
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Needs Assessment Committee
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below.
6.1. By June 2005, an agency is identified that is interested in becoming a community housing development organization.
6.2. By June 2006, current transitional housing providers will make two of their units per year available for clients to take over the lease and remain in that unit permanently.
6.3. Identify best practices for reducing the time it takes for individuals to get re-housed by June 2007.
6.4. Annually, starting by 2008, for-profit housing providers will make a minimum of ten units available to homeless individuals.
7.
Component: Support
Services – Timely access to funded services and funding streams are fully
utilized.
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Grants Funding Committee and DuPage Federation
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below.
7.1. By 2004, identify available missing insufficient/inadequate support services.
7.2. By 2010 develop needed support services.
8.
Component: Increasing
Income – Secure enough income for rent by rapidly linking with employment and
benefits
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Community Outreach Committee and DuPage Federation
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below.
8.1. By 2005, increase usage of present mainstream benefits to 50% of eligible clients.
8.2. By 2005, develop strategies to increase income through employment and support services, in order to obtain and maintain employment.
8.3. By 2005, link with on-going efforts to change eligibility requirement and to increase benefit levels.
9.
Component: Creating
Permanent Housing – a) expand PSH, build inventory of affordable rental
housing, develop more rent subsidies, develop housing for persons who do not
accept support services; b) develop partnerships with relevant stakeholders
RESPONSIBLE
COMMITTEE: Grants Funding Committee
and DuPage Federation
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below.
9.1. By 2005, develop and formalize our partnership with DuPage Housing Action Coalition to advocate for the needs of chronically homeless.
9.2. By 2008, create twenty permanent supportive housing units for the chronically homeless with twenty more units in the pipeline.
9.3. By 2009, create a countywide rental subsidy program to supplement housing choice vouchers.