Alaska's Housing First Initiative
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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