Alaska’s Housing First Initiative
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
March 22, 2012 Alaska Statistics
• Largest of all states: 571,951 sq mi • State population: 772, 718 (US Census) • Employment – moderate growth has been the norm, especially in health care services • Diversity of residents – – Alaska Native culture and tribes are strong – Anchorage School District statistic: 94 languages spoken by students
2 3 Alaska’s Native Languages
4 A Different Kind of Place
5 A Different Kind of Place
Fairbanks winter
Conducting the homeless survey September 2011 in Anchorage
6 Alaska Mental Health Trust A perpetual trust and state corporation providing for a comprehensive integrated service system for the beneficiaries: • People with mental illness • People with developmental disabilities • People with chronic alcoholism and other substance related disorders • People with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia • People with traumatic brain injury
7 Formula for Success
Committed partners + Strategic thinking = Results for Trust beneficiaries
• Identify a problem or community need • Collaborate with governmental agencies, advisory groups, non profits, service providers, philanthropic organizations and private sector • Develop strategic, sharply focused solutions • Make lasting system improvements for Trust beneficiaries
8 Alaska Homelessness
Indicator 2009 2010 2011 (baseline) 2010 % change/ 2011 % change/ baseline baseline
Point in time count 4,623 4,982 7.8% 6,460 39.74% Chronic Homeless (persons) 453 240 -47.0% 302 -33.33% Chronically homeless Permanent Supported 63 53 -15.9% 65 3.17% Housing beds Homeless veterans 334 331 - 0.9% 386 15.6%
Source: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation report to the Alaska Council on the Homeless, October 2011
9 2011 Alaska Rental Survey
*Median adjusted rent: The middle value of the rent paid to a landlord, plus the estimated additional utilities. Sources: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Research and Analysis Section; and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, 2011 Rental Market Study 10 2011 Alaska Rental Survey
Sources: Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce 11 Development, Research and Analysis Section; and Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, 2011 Rental Market Study Cost of Living
Alaska’s prices for most living expenses are higher than other states
• With the exception of Anchorage, utility costs in selected AK cities are 32.2 to 93.6 percent higher than the average U.S. city.
• Bethel’s heating oil and propane were the most expensive, at $5.02 and $7.95 per gallon respectively.
• Gasoline ranged from $3.95-$10.00 (Arctic Village) per gallon
• Food for a week for a family of 4 with 2 children between ages 6-11 ranged from $129-$272 (Bethel).
12 Alaska’s Housing Initiative Timeline: Statewide campaign to address the needs of Alaskans “left out in the cold” 2005-2006 Preparation phase – gathering data and implementing framework for increased resources
– Alaska Housing Finance Corporation initiates request for state interagency council – Alaska Council on the Homeless implemented and report on homelessness is released. – Anchorage begins 10 year plan on homelessness – Alaska Council on the Homeless drafts a framework to address shortcomings in the funding mechanisms
13 Alaska’s Housing Initiative
2006- 2007 Legislative advocacy to change funding mechanisms at Alaska Housing Finance Corp
– Housing Trust Coalition composed of 80+ organizations: homeless coalitions, social service providers, business leaders, faith communities, municipal and local officials
– Legislation passed – approving new funding mechanisms for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation to support affordable housing
– 10 million annual appropriation approved (15 mil sought)
14 Alaska’s Housing Trust
Essential components
– Capital funding resources – Operations support (utilities, management, rental subsidies) – Adequate state service structures for support – Augmented social support services
= Sustainable supported housing
15 Alaska’s Housing Initiative adopts Housing First 2009 – 2011 Project planning phase: Anchorage feels the pressure of the downturn in Alaska’s economy and the shortage of affordable housing. – Nearly 30 deaths on the streets/parks occur in this period – primarily in winter or in wet weather – Anchorage’s Mayor Sullivan appoints a task force of 40 community members to examine possible solutions – Housing First is one of the top recommendations – Possible project site identified/ RurAL CAP sponsor
16 Housing First Technical Assistance
• 2009-2010 Technical Assistance and site visits facilitated by the Alaska Mental Health Trust – allow community members to see projects in operation and to hear first hand the value and success of the projects in communities – Key community leaders identified for the visits to Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Services Center – Technical Assistance sought for projects working primarily with American Indian populations: Corporation for Supported Housing and Minnesota connections
– Planning resources are a must for good TA and site visits…don’t go it alone!
17 Project Implementation challenges • 2010 – First large scale project funded by newly retooled housing grant program at Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Funders include contingency on zoning approval
• Neighborhood opposition • Numerous public forums through the process • Community is divided over the location (not the model)
18 Conditional Use Permit Severe Alcohol Dependence ordinance
• Municipality works with project sponsors to create a channel for the project’s approval
• Legal challenge to ordinance initiated November 2011
19 The First First 2011 – 46 unit Housing First project opens Anchorage Project highlights • 46 unit Housing First • 2 meals per day • Community engagement activities • Chore and housekeeping services twice/month • Services provided: partnership with community providers
• Volunteer opportunities • Employment opportunities • Location in downtown corridor close to services
20 Karluk Manor
21 Thank you! Nancy Burke, Program Officer (907) 269-7961 [email protected] www.mhtrust.org Corporation for Supportive Housing CSH is a national non-profit organization that helps communities create permanent housing with services to prevent and end homelessness.
Since 1991, CSH has been advancing its mission by providing advocacy, expertise, leadership, and financial resources to make it easier to create and operate supportive housing.
1 American Indian Supportive Housing Initiative (AISHI)
The American Indian Supportive Housing Initiative (AISHI) is a partnership between CSH, Enterprise, Tribes and American Indian nonprofits. Guided by a Leadership Council, it was formed in 2005 to assist tribes and urban Indian communities address homelessness and increase their capacity to create supportive housing.
2 American Indian Supportive Housing Initiative (AISHI) cont.
Created over 150 supportive housing opportunities including at least one or two new supportive housing projects on 6 of the Northern reservations in MN. Leveraged over 30 million in non-NAHASDA funds to build and serve these units.
Provide technical assistance and training to Tribes and Urban Indian organizations to develop capacity for developing/owning/managing and providing services in supportive housing.
Work with American Indian community on breaking down barriers to accessing mainstream resources and or public policy barriers. American Indian Supportive Housing Initiative (AISHI) cont.
Provide resources to Tribes and Urban Indian groups such as pre-development funding and/or training/capacity building grants.
Work with AI housing community to advocate and educate non-AI entities such as state housing finance agencies and county governments. Anishinabe Wakiagun American Indian CDC Dream Catcher Homes White Earth Band of Ojibwe Defining Permanent Supportive Housing What is Supportive Housing?
A cost-effective combination of permanent affordable housing with services that prevents and ends homelessness by helping people live more stable, productive lives.
8 Supportive Housing is for People Who:
Z Are homeless, including those living on the streets and in shelters. Z Are living in overcrowded conditions and/or are couch- hopping. Z Cycle through institutional and emergency systems and are at risk of long-term homelessness. Z Are being discharged from prison and other systems of care. Z Are aging out of foster care. Z Are living in places not meant for human habititation, i.e, ice houses, cars, hunting shacks, etc.
9 Essential Features
Z Housing – Permanent: Not time limited, not transitional – Deeply Affordable: For people coming out of homelessness – Independent: Tenant holds lease with normal rights and responsibilities Z Services – Flexible: Responsive to tenants䇻 needs – Voluntary: Participation not a condition of tenancy – Independent: Focus on housing stability
10 CSH’s work in Alaska Z Training with the Alaska Housing Finance Agency on supportive housing, services and property management. Z Training on services in supportive housing in Fairbanks and Anchorage. Z Housing and homelessness needs facilitation in Nome. Z Site visits and peer to peer learning experiences in Duluth MN.
12 Fairbanks Housing First Program
Partnership Among: TCC Health Department Fountainhead Development Alaska Mental HealthTrust Authority Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Rasmuson Foundation Tanana Chiefs Conference Represents 42 interior tribes 235,000 square miles Provides Health services Tribal development Education/employment services Natural resources management Realty (Trust & Restricted Lands Management) Housing First Development in Fairbanks Numerous efforts converged to make the Housing First program become a reality: The Ecumenical Mission for Shelter partnered with TCC to focus on the lack of sufficient shelter for the chronically homeless alcoholic population TCC Executive Board of Directors passed and 42 tribes unanimously approved a resolution to provide housing for the chronically homeless alcoholics in Fairbanks Fountainhead Development owner, Tim Cerny, was in discussion with bank to purchase the hotel Fairbanks community members toured 1811 Eastlake program in Seattle & Duluth Housing First Program Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and Mental Health Trust made funding available and invited TCC to apply Tim Cerny, President Fountainhead Development Housing First Facility Located in the larger half of a former hotel Commercial kitchen and laundry Large dining and community areas Numerous office spaces Fully renovated prior to closing All furnishings are new Housing First Program 47 apartments Case management and other services available, but not required Health clinic on-site (planned) 3 meals per day 24 hour staffing Social and cultural activities Vocational Rehabilitation Catering Laundry for TCC’s regional clinic Housekeeping and maintenance in the hotel Housing First Target Population Most vulnerable homeless chronic inebriates Greatest users of community crisis services (Emergency Department, Detox, Police) Severe substance use with little or no interest in treatment Long-term homelessness with few options for housing due to history Difficulty meeting personal needs (food and shelter) Chronic medical condition(s) Vulnerable to predators, exploitation, and victimization Mental or cognitive impairment Untreated mental health needs No sex offenders Expected Outcomes Reduced Admissions and days in Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Jail bookings and jail days Detox days Use of Community Service Patrol, Fairbanks Police and Fire Departments Visits to TCC’s Health Clinic Substance use Increased Income support - movement to stable income sources and increased amount Employment status Health status Potential Savings to Fairbanks Housing First program will house 47 individuals. Current cost to Fairbanks: $2,293,224 (47 residents x $48,792 crisis services costs). Costs to the community after Housing First: $540,312 (47 residents x $11,496 crisis services costs). Potential savings to community: $1,752,912. Building Cost and Financing $1.8 million (Housing First ½ of the building only) $60 /square foot to purchase The cost to build a similar building would be $230/square foot Funding
Building Funding Operational Funding Funding Source Amount Funding Source Amount AHFC Special Needs Housing $1,800,000 Supportive Services $693,380 Grant (Housing First section AHFC Special Needs $313,920 of the building) Housing Grant Tanana Chiefs Conference $ 200,000 Medicaid $361,460 Rasmuson Foundation $ 450,000 Operating Financing $620,591 Rental and laundry income $374,787 (minus vacancies) AHFC Special Needs $70,804 Housing Grant Alaska Mental Health Trust $175,000 Authority Challenges/Strengths
Challenges Strengths Unexpected costs Strong community support Staffing Friends of Housing First Group Significant donation provided by Fountainhead Development I was very pleased that Shirley Lee asked me to sit on the Advisory Board of the Housing First Program in Fairbanks. I have been involved in the area of substance abuse prevention and treatment in Alaska for more than a decade as a director of Akeela, Inc. I see the Housing First model as an important part of addressing the issues of chronic alcoholism and substance abuse in our community. Aaron Schutt President of Doyon, Ltd. and Member, Friends of Housing First Committee, Fairbanks Ceremonial Opening
A ceremonial opening was held in mid- December 2011. Building renovations were still ongoing at that time. Shown are members of the funding agencies and project support committee members. TCC President Jerry Isaac is second from the left. Contact/Questions Victor Joseph, Health Director Tanana Chiefs Conference Health Services 907.452.8251 [email protected]
Shirley Lee Housing First Director 907.452.8251 [email protected]