ASSISTANCE TO HOMELESS PERSONS |
RIVER STREET RESIDENCES
The River Street Residences, a project proposed by the City and County of Honolulu, will provide long-term rental housing and a program of services designed to help people who are homeless integrate into the community. The project is proposed to be developed on City-owned land in Chinatown, near the intersection of River Street and Vineyard Boulevard.
We invite you to view the following materials:
Project Information
· September Update
· River Street Residences Fact Sheet
· River Street Residences FAQs (Updated 8/10/09)
Community Meeting May 20, 2009
· Notification Flyer
· Summary of Question and Answer Session
· The Housing First Model: An Effective Way to End Homelessness
Articles and Videos on Chronic Homelessness and the Housing First Approach
Permanent supportive housing is a key component in our nation's efforts to end homelessness. National studies indicate that Housing First initiatives are not only a more humane way to respond to the needs of chronic homeless persons, but are also a more cost effective way. The goals of permanent supportive housing are threefold:
1) achieving stability for residents;
2) helping transition residents towards greater independence; and
3) effectively utilizing the scarce dollars that are available.
Research throughout the country has shown that Housing First is simply good public policy and that communities need to invest in a solution to end chronic homelessness and restore lives.
This project is a Housing First program in Seattle with onsite supportive services for 75 homeless men and women. An independent third-party evaluation of the effectiveness of 1811 Eastlake determined that: 1) after 12 months of operation, $2.5 million was saved on crisis and emergency healthcare services; 2) alcohol-related incidents in Downtown Seattle were down nearly 50 percent; and 3) the project had a one-year retention rate of 66 percent.
Featured in this audio clip and transcript is Dr. Jessie Gaeta, co-founder of the Home & Healthy for Good program in Massachusetts. The program has helped nearly 400 people, has a three-year retention rate of 84 percent, and has resulted in significant cost savings. Dr. Gaeta emphasizes that permanent supportive housing saves valuable public resources since the chronically homeless are the highest utilizers of the state's Medicaid system using emergency rooms and being hospitalized at astronomical rates. To put this in perspective, Dr. Gaeta describes a five-year study of 119 chronically homeless street dwellers in Boston. The study found that this group of individuals, over the course of five years, used the emergency rooms in Boston over 18,000 times and required hospitalization 900 times. Dr. Gaeta points out that in Massachusetts a chronically homeless person living in shelter or living outside is costing more than $26,000 per year just in medical costs. The cost for permanent supportive housing is about $15,500 per person, decreasing to about $8,500 per year once savings in medical expenses are considered.
The United Way of Greater Los Angeles recently commissioned a qualitative study of the before and after experiences of four chronically homeless persons who were placed in permanent supportive housing with access to services including case management, mental health and substance abuse treatment, medication monitoring, and education classes. The study focused first on the two-year period before the individuals were placed in permanent supportive housing. During that time period, the four individuals accumulated costs related to detox treatment, hospitalization, emergency room visits, and arrests and jail time. During the two-year period after the individuals were placed in their own apartment, researchers noted that there was a significant cost savings resulting from a net decrease in the number of public services used. In sum, the total cost of public services for two years on the streets was $187,288 compared to $107,032 for two years in permanent housing with support services a savings of $80,256 or almost 43 percent. Results of this study support the growing evidence that it is more cost effective to place homeless persons in permanent supportive housing than to leave them on the street or even in the emergency shelter system. Moreover, the savings increase the longer people that were formerly chronically homeless remain in housing. The benefits, however, go beyond the cost savings to society. As the four individuals in the study integrate back into society, their quality of life has improved immeasurably.
After nearly one year of operation, preliminary data from Cleveland seems to confirm what national studies have found about the Housing First approach over 90 percent of the initial residents remain in their apartments (and almost all who have left have gone into other permanent housing) and rates of emergency room and hospitalization have been substantially reduced. The 52-unit Emerald Commons in Cleveland is a success story with a waitlist of approximately 200 persons. Success of the project has largely been attributed to the ability of residents to access onsite services as needed and to develop a network of peer support. The latter has proven to make a huge difference in the lives of residents and is priceless in a Housing First environment, often considered one of the best "forms of medication." Emerald Commons, like other Housing First developments, emphasizes security with a front desk that is staffed 24 hours a day (none of the residents have a key to the front door) and 16 cameras located throughout the building.
This video features interviews with people who ended their homelessness with supportive housing. It also provides information from experts on why permanent supportive housing is the solution to chronic homelessness. Permanent means residents can stay as long as they want versus cycling in-and-out of temporary shelters; and support services are provided by professionals to match each individual's needs including coordination of care, medical assistance, counseling, job training and placement, and essential life skills such as budgeting. In Connecticut, research has shown that there is a three dollar return for every dollar of state investment on permanent supportive housing, while at the same time neighboring property values have increased. It is clearly more expensive per person to provide temporary shelter and to pay for incarceration, emergency room visits, and inpatient medical care than it is to send people into permanent supportive housing. It is a win-win situation it costs less to have people in supportive housing and it is better for them, it helps people become independent and productive citizens, to get back to work and school, and to reconnect with families and friends.
For more information on the River Street Residences, or if you have questions or comments, please contact:
Keith Ishida
City & County of Honolulu
Department of Community Services
715 South King Street, Suite 311
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 768-7750
Fax: (808) 768-7792
Email: riverstreet@honolulu.gov
CONTINUUM OF CARE
The Continuum of Care Programs are authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1997. The three programs authorized under the Continuum of Care Programs are the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Section 8 Single Room Occupancy Program. The intent of the Continuum of Care Programs is to support the development of a coordinated system of homeless assistance designed to assist homeless persons to transition from homelessness to independent living to the extent possible.
Who can apply for funds?
Nonprofit agencies organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply for assistance under the Continuum of Care Programs. Funds are distributed through a nation-wide competitive grant process. The City and County of Honolulu, Department of Community Services, manages the Continuum of Care process for the City and County of Honolulu and prepares and submits the Continuum of Care application for the City and County of Honolulu.
What are eligible activities for use of the funds?
Supportive Housing Program funds may be used for costs related to the acquisition, leasing, construction, and rehabilitation of facilities to provide shelter and services to the homeless. Supportive Housing Program funds may also be used to pay for costs related to the operation of homeless facilities such as utilities, staffing, and insurance, and for the cost of supportive services to the homeless such as job training, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services. The Shelter Plus Care program provides rental assistance payments in conjunction with a program of supportive services to disabled persons. The Section 8 Single Room Occupancy Program provides rental assistance payments and funding for the acquisition and rehabilitation of single room occupancy projects.
How do I apply for funding?
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issues a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) annually for the Continuum of Care programs. In response to the NOFA, the City will request proposals from nonprofit agencies serving the homeless for inclusion in the City's Continuum of Care application. All qualified proposals will be prioritized and submitted to HUD for consideration. Final funding decisions are made by HUD.
What are the program requirements?
Each Continuum of Care program has a distinct set of program requirements. Supportive Housing Program rules may be found at 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 583. Shelter Plus Care program rules may be found at 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 582. Section 8 Single Room Occupancy program rules can be found at 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 882. Continuum of Care grantees must also comply with the requirements of OMB circulars A-110, A-122, and A-133.
For further information contact:
Stephanie On, 768-7752 or son@honolulu.gov
EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT PROGRAM
formally known as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program
The Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG) is authorized by the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11371 - 11378). The City and County of Honolulu receives funding annually as appropriations are made by the Congress, and the City Council in turn appropriates the annual entitlement in the Capital Improvement Program budget ordinance each year. The City and County receives approximately $900,000 annually.
Who can apply for funds?
A nonprofit agency with experience serving the homeless must have certification of nonprofit status under the Federal tax code.
What are eligible activities for use of the funds?
The following activities are eligible uses of the funds; however, the Request for Proposals (RFP) may specify certain activities as having higher priority than others:
- Essential Services which includes activities which assist the homeless achieve more independent living, such as permanent housing counseling, medical and psychological counseling and supervision; employment counseling; nutritional counseling; and substance abuse treatment and counseling.
- Operations such as shelter maintenance, operation, rent, repairs, security, fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, food and furnishings and limited shelter staffing costs related to operations.
- Homelessness Prevention.
- Rehabilitation or conversion of buildings for use as emergency shelter for the homeless.
All activities may have maximum amounts imposed by the Program.
How do I apply for funds?
At present the City and County of Honolulu's policy is to make these funds available through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. Each year or every two years, the Department of Community Services issues the RFP which gives nonprofit service providers 30 days to submit a proposal for funding. In addition to publishing the notice of availability of the RFP in the local newspaper, DCS sends the notice to agencies on its special needs provider mailing list. The City completes its budget process and funds may be used after a contract is executed and a Notice to Proceed is issued.
What are the program requirements?
The ESG rules are found at 24 Code of Federal Regulations Part 576. In addition, the City's contract with an agency requires compliance with numerous federal requirements including OMB Circulars A-110, A-133, A-122 covering financial management; and federal nondiscrimination and lobbying restrictions. Quarterly reports on program activity are required and documentation of client eligibility under the federal definition of homeless is critical.
Deadline to expend funds:
Generally grantees are expected to fully expend all funds within one year from Notice to Proceed.
For further information contact
Stephanie On at 768-7752 or son@honolulu.gov
HOPWA PROGRAM
The Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) is authorized under the AIDS Housing Opportunities Act. The HOPWA program benefits low income persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or related diseases and their families. The City receives approximately $450,000 annually in HOPWA funds to assist program beneficiaries.
Who can apply for funds?
Nonprofit agencies organized under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply for assistance through the HOPWA program.
What are eligible activities for use of the funds?
In general HOPWA fund must benefit persons with HIV/AIDS and their families. Eligible HOPWA activities include:
A. Housing information services, including but not limited to, counseling, information, and referral services to assist an eligible person to locate, acquire, finance, and maintain housing.
B. Resource identification to establish, coordinate, and develop housing assistance resources for eligible persons.
C. Acquisition, rehabilitation, conversion, lease, and repair of facilities to provide housing and services.
D. New construction of single room occupancy dwellings and community residences.
E. Project- or tenant-based rental assistance.
F. Short term rent, mortgage, and utility payments to prevent the homelessness of a tenant or mortgagor of a dwelling.
G. Supportive services, including, but not limited to, health, mental health, assessment, permanent housing placement, substance abuse treatment and counseling, nutritional services, day care, personal assistance, and assistance in gaining local, state and federal government benefits.
H. Operating costs for housing including maintenance, security, operations, insurance, utilities, furnishings, equipment, supplies, and other incidental costs.
I. Technical assistance in establishing and operating a community residence, including planning and other pre-development and pre-construction expenses, including, but not limited to, costs related to community outreach and educational services regarding AIDS or related diseases for persons residing in proximity to the community residence.
J. Program administration expenses
How do I apply for program funds?
HOPWA funds are provided to nonprofit agencies serving persons with HIV/AIDS and their families through a Request for Proposals process. The City will issue a Request for Proposals notice in a local newspaper, and will directly mail notices to nonprofit agencies. Proposals are typically due 30 days from the date of the Request for Proposals notice. The City will review and evaluate all proposals and allocate HOPWA funds in accordance with the evaluation criteria stated in the Request for Proposals.
What are the program requirements?
HOPWA program rules and regulations are found in 24 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 574. HOPWA grantees must also comply with the requirements of OMB circulars A-110, A-122, and A-133.
Deadline to expend funds:
In general, HOPWA funds should be disbursed within 12 to 18 months from the execution of a HOPWA contract. Extension of time may be requested.
For further information contact:
Michael Shiroma at 768-7751 or mshiroma1@honolulu.gov
HIV/AIDS housing and service providers:
Gregory House Programs (http://www.gregoryhouse.org) housing assistance
Life Foundation (http://www.lifefoundation.org) case management, general services
Additional Information
For information on affordable housing programs and data and reports under the State of Hawaii, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, see http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/hhfdc.
For information on programs, including homeless services, under the State of Hawaii, Public Housing Authority, see http://www.hcdch.state.hi.us.
For information on programs under the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, see http://www.hud.gov.
For information on services to veterans, see http://www.usvetsinc.org/locations/.
For information on finding housing, see Legal Aid Society of Hawaii at http://www.lawhelp.org.
or the Oahu Housing Guide at http://www.elderlyaffairs.com/housingguide.html .
Other Housing Related Functions
City Affordable Rental Units:
Call the Department of Facility Maintenance, Property Management Division at 768-3887 to get a list of City owned affordable housing projects and contacts.
Deed Restriction Program:
(Buyback and Shared Appreciation)
Department of Budget & Fiscal Services, Fiscal Services Division, Beryle Matsumura at 768-8652.
Unilateral Agreements:
Department of Planning & Permitting at 768-8051.
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