Why Can't We Just Convert Vacant Buildings Into Housing for the Homeless? - Amanda Erickson. Homelessness has been on the rise in America's cities since the start of recession, but it's not for lack of housing. According to some reports, there are now an estimated five vacant properties for every homeless person in the U.S., many left empty as the result of the foreclosure crisis. Actually putting this property to good use, however, is harder than it seems. Or maybe, given the legal complexities of owning property, it's exactly as hard as it seems. There are some models for converting vacant housing into space for the homeless.
Under the Title V program (part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act), the federal government requires that empty or "underused" properties that it owns be made available to homelessness advocacy organizations. Every week, a list of the available properties are printed up in the Federal Register. If the Department of Health and Human Services approves the application (they have 25 days to do so), the property is transferred.
The new homeless: Working, but without housing. Pathways to Housing. Homes for the Homeless. Data Point: Worst Case Housing Needs. What does the typical homeless family in your community look like? Most likely, the families and individuals in the programs in your community are coming from a pool of households who cannot or who can barely afford to pay rent. According to HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), those households typically look like a minority family with two children, most often headed by a single mother or a husband and wife. This family has work earnings as its primary source of income, but their low wages place them below the poverty line and in the “extremely low income” category, earning less than 30 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
Recently, PD&R released Worst Case Housing Needs 2011, a report to Congress that examines the causes of “worst case needs” and trends in affordable rental housing. From 2009 to 2011, households with “worst case housing needs” increased by nearly 20 percent from 7.1 million to 8.48 million. Housing First. Housing First, which is distinct and separate from "rapid re-housing", is a relatively recent innovation in human service programs and social policy regarding treatment of the homeless and is an alternative to a system of emergency shelter/transitional housing progressions. Rather than moving homeless individuals through different "levels" of housing, known as the Continuum of Care, whereby each level moves them closer to "independent housing" (for example: from the streets to a public shelter, and from a public shelter to a transitional housing program, and from there to their own apartment in the community) Housing First moves the homeless individual or household immediately from the streets or homeless shelters into their own apartments.
Housing First approaches are based on the concept that a homeless individual or household's first and primary need is to obtain stable housing, and that other issues that may affect the household can and should be addressed once housing is obtained. Beyond Shelter: Housing First, Ending Homelessness. Housing First PATH Beyond Shelter’s core program helps homeless families, who are referred by more than 40 partnering shelters throughout Los Angeles County, to move as quickly as possible into permanent, affordable housing (i.e, rapid re-housing). Employment services, benefits advocacy, financial assistance, proactive landlord outreach, and housing search services are intended to help families overcome income and credit barriers to housing stability and economic security.
Once in housing, families participate in 6-12 months of in-home case management, including life skills and tenant education, to promote self-sufficiency. The program serves approximately 270 families per year. Family Solutions Center The Family Solutions Center provides a single, centralized point of access for families in need of crisis services, temporary and permanent housing placement, and linkages with employment, physical and mental health, child care and other community-based services. First 5 Program. Housing First. Housing First is an approach to ending homelessness that centers on providing people experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible – and then providing services as needed.
This approach has the benefit of being consistent with what most people experiencing homelessness want and seek help to achieve. Housing First programs share critical elements: A focus on helping individuals and families access and sustain permanent rental housing as quickly as possible without time limits; A variety of services delivered to promote housing stability and individual well-being on an as-needed basis; and A standard lease agreement to housing – as opposed to mandated therapy or services compliance. While all Housing First programs share these critical elements, program models vary significantly depending upon the population served. For people who have experienced chronic homelessness, there is an expectation that intensive (and often specialized) services will be needed indefinitely. Find Affordable Housing. 7Google + 3492Print From our beginnings more than a century ago, we have believed that a home is far more than shelter―we believe in the power of housing as the foundation for life.
We guide individuals and families by providing not only safe, affordable housing, but also the vital support services they need to thrive. Wherever there are people who need homes, Volunteers of America will be there, extending a smile and a helping hand. In fact, we are now one of the largest nonprofit developers and providers of affordable housing in the country.
We own and operate more than 377 affordable housing properties in 40 states and Puerto Rico and our nationwide portfolio has grown to 17,149 affordable housing units and includes large urban complexes, small rural developments, elderly housing, multifamily housing and housing for those with disabilities. We house more than 25,000 people each year. Homeless Assistance. Are you looking for homeless resources in your area? View the HUD resources available in your area through HUD's Resource Locator Tool. View the contact information for your local Continuum of Care (CoC) on the HUD Exchange. Are you looking for homeless veterans' information and resources? Call the HUDVET National Hotline at (877) 424-3838, or view Resources for Homeless Veterans on the HUD Exchange. Are you interested in HUD’s homeless program information? Visit the HUD Exchange Homelessness Assistance page, where you can find a variety of information, including: Recipient and grantee training resourcesAwards informationData and reportsTechnical assistance request portalAsk a Question (AAQ)Homeless subpopulation information (including veterans, chronically homeless, and youth) What is HUD doing to assist homeless persons?
HUD serves over 1 million people through emergency, transitional, and permanent housing programs each year.