Homes for the Homeless

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Table of Contents

Page

Executive Summary 1

Introduction 3

Planning Process 4

Accomplishments 6

Action Plan 7

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan Oklahoma City began struggling with the issues surrounding homelessness more than a decade ago. During the ‘70’s, the successes of the oil industry and agriculture masked the growing population who were becoming homeless. During the last three decades, the number of people on the street has steadily increased to a level requiring a strategic plan of action. Also, during this time, a large number of agencies (public, private and faith based) have created their own programs to serve the homeless population. The collaborative process that created this plan included numerous local agency service providers, formerly homeless persons, networks of providers (Coalition for the Needy), private funders (Homeless Alliance), and City Staff. The 10 Year Plan Committee in conjunction with several other specially-focused (need) groups (Discharge Planning, Point-In-Time Survey, Social Services Coordination, State Services, Homeless Alliance, and Clearinghouse-HMIS) has been working for almost a year to formulate a 10 Year Plan to end homelessness (including chronic homelessness) in Oklahoma City. The 10 Year Plan Committee formed through the Coalition for the Needy has focused its’ efforts on developing the following four key steps to ending homelessness: Plan for Outcomes/Manage for Results

Focus on increasing knowledge of chronically homeless individuals and families and improving tracking capacity

Increase problem solving by further building networking relationships among providers, funders, planners and advocates

Fully implement HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Initiate performance-based funding focusing on measurable outcomes Develop minimum standards for housing facilities, operations and staffing Implement an anti-stigma campaign to solicit City-wide support

Close the Front Door by Preventing Homelessness

Improve access to services (mental health, substance abuse, primary health care)

Improve coordination with State agency programs to reduce referrals/discharge to shelters

Improve housing support services to formerly homeless persons living in permanent housing

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Executive Summary

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan

Coordinate prevention programs to assist persons at-risk of becoming homeless including increasing and stabilizing funding

Work with the Public Housing Authority to create policies to assist the homeless and chronically homeless populations to obtain and maintain affordable housing

Open the Back Door Out of Homelessness

Increase the supply of permanent supportive housing for homeless persons with disabilities

Strengthen the transitional housing programs Improve access to public housing and Section 8 Expedite benefits enrollment in mainstream programs Promote and adopt a Housing First strategy Increase employment and educational opportunities for homeless persons Promote the use of Good Neighbor Agreements

Build the Infrastructure

Increase or utilize the supply of affordable housing Seek new ways to leverage, coordinate, increase and diversify funding for

housing and homeless programs Increase public and community support for the plan to end homelessness

(including chronic homelessness) Develop a mechanism for centralized intake of homeless people Develop an engagement and outreach program to reach chronically homeless

persons who have been traditionally underserved All of these steps need to be undertaken simultaneously and re-evaluated on an annual basis to maintain momentum and make adjustments. Reducing homelessness and particularly chronic homelessness requires serious, focused, ongoing coordination between all the service providers and funding sources. Oklahoma City has been undertaking an extensive revitalization of the downtown area with public tax dollar support. The changes already evident have caused increasing attention to be focused on street homelessness in that area. Now is the time to address the needs of the growing population of homeless individuals and families by creating real and lasting solutions. The model presented in this plan focuses on the comprehensive needs of the homeless and chronically homeless population. Support and follow through on the steps of the plan will accomplish the national and local goal of eliminating homelessness.

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Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan Every day in Oklahoma City, over 2,600 people experience homelessness. They can be found in emergency shelters, transitional housing facilities, or on the streets. Of these, approximately 450 meet the HUD definition of chronically homeless: “Unaccompanied homeless individuals (not families) with a disabling condition (mental illness, substance abuse, physical illness or disability or the co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions) who have either been continuously homeless for a year or more or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. To be considered chronically homeless, persons must have been sleeping in places not meant for human habitation or in an emergency shelter during that time.” This plan is a follow-up to the Homeless Needs Assessment Report 2003. That report identified the following organizational goals:

1. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for significantly

reducing homelessness in Oklahoma City. 2. Build a collaborative community-wide approach/partnership to encourage

effective and efficient use of resources, and promote implementation of best practice models of service delivery and housing development.

3. Develop and monitor standards for service delivery in the following areas: program quality program effectiveness and impact on community organizational coordination organizational competence

4. Increase the awareness and understanding of policy makers, other funders, and the community at large about homelessness.

5. Increase resources available to prevent, reduce and eliminate homelessness in Oklahoma City.

These goals formed the basis for pursuing a long-range plan for ending homelessness and chronic homelessness. Preliminary numbers from the recent Point-In-Time count conducted on January 15, 2004, also substantiate the earlier findings of the Homeless Needs Assessment Report 2003.

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Introduction

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan The most recent count took place on January 15, 2004. This count located a total of 2,639 people who were homeless on that night. Of that number:

1,421 homeless persons slept in shelters or transitional housing - 1,017 individuals and 124 families (158 adults; 246 children); 186 were veterans

65% were Male; 35% Female – 65% were individuals and 35% were families A total of 124 persons were turned away from the facilities on the survey night 552 homeless persons received services but, did not spend the night The street count revealed a total of 240 unsheltered homeless individuals 302 homeless persons were in detox or the county jail 168 of the persons in shelters or transitional housing were identified as

chronically homeless (those who have been homeless for a year or more or had 4 or more episodes of homelessness in the last 3 years)

The planning process began with the formation of a Ten Year Plan Work Group or Committee that included representatives from the following stakeholder groups:

Coalition for the Needy Formerly Homeless Persons Homeless Alliance EZ/EC Committee Continuum of Care NAMI Oklahoma Homeless Service Provider Groups City Planning Staff Social Services Council Committee Clearinghouse (HMIS) State Policy Academy

This group gathered and reviewed the existing research and data on homelessness in Oklahoma City, the State of Oklahoma, other cities of similar size and national publications. The group also collected and reviewed the previous reports on homeless issues including: Homelessness in Oklahoma City – 1990 Homelessness in Oklahoma City – 1991 Interim Report of Homeless Shelter Task Force – 1999 Homelessness in Oklahoma ‘97 Homelessness in Oklahoma – 1998 Homeless Service Provision in Oklahoma – 2003 Homeless Needs Assessment Report 2003 Oklahoma Action Plan – 2003 2003 OKC Continuum of Care Application

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Planning Process

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan

The Committee worked diligently to frame the identified problems strategically, and agreed on using an outline for the National Alliance to End Homelessness (and recommended by the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness). This outline lays our plans to end homelessness in four key steps. The OKC Ten Year Plan Committee adopted and modified the outline to suit our local needs, and developed the following document. This document was distributed to the entire membership of the Coalition for the Needy and accepted at their meeting on September 11, 2003, as the framework of the plan.

Elements of a Plan to End Homelessness (To be undertaken simultaneously)

Plan for Outcomes Oklahoma City will begin to develop a plan to end, rather than manage, homelessness. There are two components. The first component is the collection of data that allows us to identify the most effective strategy for each sub-group of the homeless population. Second, Oklahoma City will bring to the planning table those responsible for mainstream as well as homeless-targeted resources. Data-driven planning and evaluation will be the foundation for all of the following elements of OKC’s plan to end homelessness. Close the Front Door Homelessness can be prevented by making mainstream poverty programs more accountable for the outcomes of their most vulnerable clients. Open the Back Door Where possible, the utilization of affordable or subsidized housing will be facilitated and accelerated. Where there is no housing, particularly for those who are chronically homeless, an adequate supply of appropriate housing should be developed and subsidized.

Build the Infrastructure Efforts to end homelessness and shorten the length of homelessness can best be addressed by taking steps to improve: Shortage of affordable housing Incomes that do not pay for basic needs Lack of appropriate services for those who need them.

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Oklahoma City Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan

After the outline was approved, the Committee identified goals for each step and then developed realistic action steps for every goal. Responsible parties and target dates for completion were assigned to each action step. The Committee then submitted the completed draft plan to the membership of the Coalition of the Needy (representing a wide array of provider, advocacy and public sector agencies and organizations), the Homeless Alliance (representing private funders, the business community and civic leaders), and the United Way for comment and feedback. The plan was also presented to the Oklahoma City Council Social Services Committee, the Mayor’s Office and accepted by the City Council. During the last ten years, Oklahoma City has made several strides in addressing the issues posed by homelessness. The most notable include:

+ Developing 49 units of permanent supportive housing and 10 units of transitional housing for homeless persons suffering from severe mental illness (HOPE Community Services)

+ Providing 12 transitional units, 17 permanent housing units and supportive services for persons living with HIV/AIDS (Red Rock – Dacotah Village and CarePoint)

+ Providing an emergency shelter (56 person capacity) and transitional housing (13 units) for victims of domestic violence and their children (Passageway and YES!–YWCA and Latino Community Development Agency)

+ Constructing a new emergency shelter (270 beds) and transitional housing (152 beds) for homeless individuals and families (City Rescue Mission)

+ Constructing a new shelter (18 beds) for homeless youth (Youth Services Organization)

+ Developing a homeless management information system to track data (Clearinghouse – United Way - 2001)

+ Outreach to homeless shelters to provide on-site health care for homeless individuals and families (Healing Hands – Community Health Center)

+ Construction of a 60 unit transitional housing program to serve homeless persons recovering from substance abuse problems (Pershing Center – City Care - 2003)

+ Combining applications for locally and federally funded grants serving the homeless and needy population (Continuum of Care, Emergency Shelter Grant, City Social Services Grant, HOPWA - 2003)

+ Completing a comprehensive Homeless Needs Assessment Report (Homeless Alliance - 2003)

+ Creating a new permanent supportive housing project that combines the Oklahoma City Housing Authority for housing construction and a PACT grant administered by North Care to provide ongoing services - 2004

Following are the action steps of the Oklahoma City Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness).

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Accomplishments

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Goal: End Chronic

Homelessness ("What" are you trying

to do)

Action Steps ("How" are you to go

about accomplishing it)

Responsible Person/Organization

("Who" is responsible for accomplishing it)

Target Dates (mo/yr it will be accomplished)

Plan for Outcomes/Manage for Results Increase knowledge of needs and patterns of all subpopulations of chronically homeless individuals and families. Improve capacity in tracking extent of chronic homelessness in Oklahoma City.

1. Update housing inventory annually and include county, private and faith-based resources.

2. Conduct regular point-in-time count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless people, including an improved method to enumerate chronically homeless people

3. Issue quarterly HMIS reports on client and service activity

4. Hold focus groups and/or use key informants to get more information from currently homeless individuals.

5. Give IOOV presentations to homeless consumers as a way of interacting and finding reliable informants.

1. Jane Ferrell (OKC) and Coalition

2. Point-in-Time Committee 3. Clearinghouse 4. NAMI, DBSA, Shelters,

Healing Hands 5. NAMI, DBSA, Shelters,

Healing Hands

1. Annually Feb. to April

2. Annually in January 3. First report 10/04 4. June/2004 5. 5/04 and quarterly

thereafter Build networking and problem solving relationships among providers, funders, planners and advocates

1. Develop a formal, ongoing link between Coalition for the Needy, CoC Committee, EZ Housing Committee and Homeless Alliance

2. Train funders, policy makers, agency and community leaders, program staff in Housing First and other best practice models, including mental health recovery, harm reduction, supported employment and others.

3. Develop a consumer task force or advisory council to share experiences and solutions.

4. Coordinate with Policy Academy goals

1. Jane Ferrell, Dan Straughn (HA), Sunshine Schillings (Coalition President)

2. NAMI, HA, Coalition 3. Coalition for the Needy,

NAMI and DBSA 4. J. Millspaugh

(ODMHSAS), S. Schilling

1. Second Thursday of each month

2. Quarterly, starting

8/05 3. Currently recruiting M.I &

homeless individuals 4. 12/04

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Oklahoma City Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Implement HMIS 1. Full implementation for all Continuum of Care

programs. 2. Extend HMIS participation to non-CoC funded

agencies.

1. Clearinghouse 2. Clearinghouse, OKC, HA

1. Accomplished by 12/04

2. Accomplished by summer 2005

Initiate performance-based funding and evaluation of homeless and social service programs based on measurable outcomes related to housing, income and services.

1. Require publicly funded homeless programs to identify measurable outcomes through annual RFP process.

2. Conduct annual evaluations of the programs to assure outcome goals are being met.

1. & 2. OKC, CoC Committee and United Way

1. Fall 2004 2. Fall 2004 and

annually thereafter Develop minimum standards for all shelter, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing programs. These standards should address facility, operations and staffing issues.

1. Research standards in other publicly funded and faith-based shelter systems and housing programs.

2. Draft standards. 3. Form a peer-level shelter standards committee that

includes multiple stakeholders, including consumers.

1. Homeless Alliance, City Shelters, Coalition

2. Homeless Alliance, City Shelters, Coalition

3. Homeless Alliance and Coalition, NAMI, DBSA,

State Agencies

1. By 8/04 2. By 1/05 3. Summer 2005

Solicit city-wide support and interest in ending chronic homelessness in Oklahoma City by implementing an anti-stigma campaign.

1. Utilize NAMI’s In Our Own Voice and/or Heroes in Recovery to educate providers, boards, civic and neighborhood organizations, media, universities

2. Issue annual progress reports to the community 3. Annually evaluate progress and challenges related to

the vision of ending homelessness by 2012 and respond as necessary and desirable

1. NAMI, Coalition, HA and COINS

2. City Council Social

Services Committee and HA

3. City Council Social Services Committee, OKC, HA and Coalition

1. Monthly starting in summer 2004

2. Summer 2005 and

annually thereafter 3. Spring 2005 and

annually thereafter

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Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

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Action Steps Responsible Person/Organization

Target Dates

Improve access to mental health, substance abuse, and primary healthcare services in order to prevent and/or limit disabilities due to inadequate care for chronic illnesses/conditions.

1. Create a committee to investigate establishing a single point of entry for homeless services

2. Use PACT, CSAT, Community Health Centers, City/County Health Dept. and PATH for linkage to services

3. Support the best utilization of and coordination between the Crisis Center and the community mental health centers.

1. Coalition, HA and City Shelters

2. North Care, Red Rock, HOPE, CHC and OCCHD 3. Crisis Center, CMHC’s

and Coalition

1. June, 2004 2. 4/04, 7/04, 10/04,

1/05, etc. 3. Starting spring 2004

and continuing as long as necessary

Improve coordination with Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services programs & reduce referrals/discharge to shelters from inpatient treatment facilities and hospitals.

1. Develop user-friendly list of housing and other resources for persons being released.

2. Utilize the Coalition Discharge Committee to identify methods of improving coordination and reducing referrals and discharges.

1. Coalition Services Committee and 2-1-1

2. Coalition Discharge Committee

1. Completed by 9/04 2. Meet bi-monthly;

identify new strategies by 6/05

Reduce referrals/discharge to shelters from healthcare programs and facilities.

1. Train ER case managers about what resources are available in the community. Foster coordination with 211 and/or Central Oklahoma Project Access to coordinate linkages.

2. Utilize the Coalition Discharge Committee to identify methods of improving coordination and reducing referrals and discharges.

1. & 2. OKC, Central Oklahoma Project Access and 2-1-1, City Shelters

2. Coalition Discharge

Committee, City shelters

1. Meet quarterly – Feb, May, Aug, Nov

2. Meet bi-monthly;

identify new strategies by 2/05

Reduce referrals/discharge from Oklahoma Department of Corrections and local correctional system to shelters.

1. Support NAMI efforts to present In Our Own Voice and other Recovery Model information to Corrections staff.

2. Continue Coalition for the Needy Criminal Justice Committee efforts to educate and coordinate with criminal justice system.

3. Train Mental Health and Drug Court judges and personnel in In Our Own Voice.

4. Provide CIT police officers with resource list and ongoing training. Foster links with outreach and community treatment teams.

5. Utilize IOOV and support groups in prison and connect them to the outside as they are released.

1. NAMI 2. Coalition Criminal Justice

Committee 3. NAMI 4. OKC Police and Planning

Departments 5. NAMI, DBSA and Dept.

of Corrections

1. Monthly throughout 2004

2. Continue monthly

meetings 3. Fall 2004 4. 1/05 5. Begin links in summer

2004

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Oklahoma City Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Reduce referrals/discharge to shelters from the children/youth systems.

1. Pursue the development of units of transitional or permanent supportive housing that are attractive to aging homeless youth (e.g. allow social life)

2. Formalize and expand the multi-agency subcommittee of the Coalition for the Needy to study homeless youth issues and formulate some solutions

3. Explore development of transitional services for aging youth, homeless emancipated youth, and youth at risk of aging into homelessness.

1. YSO and NSO 2. Coalition for the Needy,

YSO 3. YSO and Positive Tomorrows

1. 6/05 2. 6/05 3. 1/05

Improve housing supports and services for at-risk persons with disabilities currently living in permanent housing.

1. Develop a consumer-operated businesses cleaning service for persons with disabilities living in public housing and other permanent housing.

1. NAMI, North Care and Red Rock

1. 9/05

Expedite benefits enrollment by the Social Security Administration, Vocational Rehabilitative Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and other Mainstream providers. Reduce the average time for eligible persons to qualify for and begin receiving SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Veterans, Tribal and other applicable income and employment benefits.

1. Evaluate CoC, ESG, and Social Services funded programs for their success in identifying, enrolling, and accessing benefits for their clients.

2. Train Community health Center, Indian Health Center and community mental health agency medical providers to complete necessary diagnostic paperwork to determine eligibility.

1. Coalition 2. Mary Mahoney, OKC

Indian Clinic, CMHC’s, VA

1. 9/04 2. 1/05

Improve coordination between existing housing assistance and prevention programs. Create a neighborhood based homelessness prevention system to identify and assist people who are at-risk of becoming homeless.

1. Support the development and implementation of the 2-1-1 Information & Referral system. 2. Inventory existing prevention programs. 3. Continue to utilize Gatekeeper program to identify

and link people who are at risk of homelessness

1. OKC, Coalition, HA, and United Way

2. OKC 3. Contact Crisis Center and

OKC

1. 12/04 2. 12/04 3. Quarterly meetings

Increase and stabilize funding for prevention activities in Oklahoma City.

1. Utilize CoC Review Committee to coordinate city funding efforts.

2. Look into using CDBG funds. 3. Utilize ESG prevention funds.

1. CoC Committee 2. & 3. OKC Planning

1. Quarterly meetings in June, Sept, Dec Mar 2. 12/04 3. 6/04

Decrease homelessness caused by illegal and/or improper eviction procedures

1. Create a Coalition for the Needy subcommittee to recruit and organize legal resources and make them available to persons at risk of eviction

1. Legal Aid, Metro Fair Housing, CSAT, Coalition

1. 12/05

Work with the Public Housing Authority on their policies that inadvertently encourage homelessness

1. Begin dialogue between OCHA, OKC Planning Dept. and Coalition for the Needy

1. OCHA & Coalition 1. 12/05

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Oklahoma City Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness )

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Open the Back Door Action Steps Responsible Person/Organization

Target Dates

Increase supply of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless persons w/ severe disabilities and other homeless populations (including families w/children). Develop at least 40 units each year.

1. Apply for at least one new permanent supportive housing project in each year’s Continuum application.

2. State Mental Health Housing Comm. to work with housing developers and CHDO’s

3. EZ/EC Housing comm. to assist in locating units

1. CoC Committee and select providers

2. CHDO’S, Housing Authority, Mental Health Housing Comm.

3. EZ/EC Housing Comm.

1. July 2004, 2005, 2006 2. 1/06 3. 1/06

Strengthen the transitional housing programs in OKC.

1. Clearly define transitional housing and its role within the Continuum of Care

2. Promote and develop new and innovative outcome-based program models as needed.

1. CoC Committee 2. CoC Committee

1. 1/06 2. 1/06

Continue to improve access to public housing and Section 8.

1. Integrate Oklahoma City Housing Authority officials into homeless system planning and service coordination

2. Establish a higher priority for homeless and near homeless families and individuals on public housing and Section 8 waiting lists

3. Streamline Section 8 application process for at-risk populations to ensure successful linkage and timely approval of public housing assistance requests.

4. Find new ways for the Oklahoma City Housing Security Corporation (housing authority) to partner with service providers in permanent supportive housing.

5. Explore ways to utilize Tribal housing and housing vouchers for eligible persons.

1. OCHA and CoC Committee 2. OCHA and Coalition Subcommittee 3. OCHA 4. OCHA and CoC Committee 5. Coalition

1. Fall 2004 2. Summer 2005 3. Summer 2006 4. Summer 2004 5. Summer 2005

Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Expedite benefits enrollment by the Social Security Administration, Vocational Rehabilitative Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and other Mainstream providers. Reduce the average time for eligible persons to qualify for and begin receiving SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Veterans, Tribal and other applicable income and employment benefits.

1. Utilize HMIS Clearinghouse to link providers and increase ability to enroll and track enrollment for homeless.

2. Continue to seek grant opportunities to find better ways to enroll homeless people in SSI and share paperwork among mainstream providers.

3. Evaluate CoC, ESG and Social Services funded programs for their success in identifying, enrolling and accessing benefits for their clients.

4. Train Healing Hands, Indian Health Centers and community mental health agency medical providers to complete necessary diagnostic paperwork to determine eligibility.

5. Train case managers to work in a culturally competent manner to be effective advocates in successfully linking their client to mainstream benefits.

1. Clearinghouse 2. Coalition 3. CoC Committee 4. Mary Mahoney/Healing

Hands, CMHC’s, OKC Indian Health Clinic, and VA

5. Coalition committee

1. 6/05 2. 9/04 3. Fall 2004, spring

2004 and bi-annually thereafter

4. 1/05 5. 8/05

Promote a Housing First strategy.

1. Train current providers and funders in Housing First models. 2. Use CoC Review Committee to encourage current programs

to adopt Housing First practices.

1. CoC Committee and HA 2. CoC Committee

1. Bi-monthly from 9/04 2. Spring and fall

annually

Increase employment and education opportunities for people who are homeless.

1. Increase access to Workforce Investment Act and other employment and education programs so homeless individuals and families can support themselves in housing.

2. Develop Economic Independence Initiative to increase income of permanent supportive housing residents through jobs and education.

1 & 2. DHS, WorkForce, EZ, VA, Workforce Investment Board, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, TEEM, Goodwill Industries, VO-Techs, Community Colleges, OKC Public Schools, Dept of Corrections

1& 2. 8/05

Promote use of Good Neighbor agreements for Continuum of Care projects.

1. Develop template of Good Neighbor Agreement and process 2. Provide Good Neighbor training to organizations planning to

develop new housing for homeless individuals and families. 3. Train renewing programs in Good Neighbor agreements and

require all renewing CoC, Social Services and ESG programs to show evidence of Good Neighbor agreements.

4. Monitor programs annually for standing of Good Neighbor agreements.

1. OKC , HA and Coalition 2. Coalition, Possibilities 3. Coalition and CoC Committee 4. CoC Committee , OKC and

Neighborhood Alliance

1. 11/04 2. Spring 2005 3. Fall 2004 4. Annually in spring

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Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Build the Infrastructure Action Steps Responsible Person/Organization

Target Dates

Increase and/or utilize the supply of affordable housing.

1. Develop relationships with landlords and advocate for inclusive rental practices for people with substance abuse and mental health issues, ex-offenders, and larger families.

2. Identify non profit agencies and for profit corporations interested in developing housing stock

3. Continue to use local state and federal funding to increase the supply of affordable housing targeted to low and very low-income households.

1. OCHA, Legal Aid, OHFA, and CMHC’s

2. HA and OHFA 3. OKC, HA, OK Co. Housing

Finance Authority

1. Begin in winter 2005 2. Fall 2006 3. Review semi-annually

starting 1/05

Seek new ways to leverage, coordinate, increase and diversify funding for housing and homeless programs, including funding from federal agencies (Department of Labor and others) and state agencies.

1. Support development and growth of the Homeless Alliance.

2. Find ways to promote dialogue between and among public agencies such as the Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of Human Services, Dept. of Commerce, Dept. of Corrections, etc.

1. Dan Straughn – HA 2. HA, Policy Academy

1. 5/04 – 6/05 2. 6/05

Increase public/community support for the plan to end chronic homelessness.

1. Conduct a public relations initiative. 2. Employ a PR firm to develop key message. 3. Citizens League issue forums 4. Develop Ombuds service to educate and engage

the community in solving the problems and creating solutions.

1. Homeless Alliance, Coalition

2. Homeless Alliance, Coalition

3. Citizens League 4. OKC

1. Summer 2005 2. Summer 2005 3. Summer 2004 4. Fall/Winter 2005-2006

Develop mechanism for centralized intake of homeless people into services, benefits, shelter, housing and work opportunities

1. Create a task force to develop a plan and model for centralized intake and foster community support.

2. Identify funding sources. 3. Expand the bus pass and taxi voucher programs

1. OKC and HA 2. OKC 3. OKC and COTPA

1. Spring 2005 2. Fall 2004 3. Spring 2005

Develop an engagement and outreach program to engage chronically homeless persons traditionally underserved by or uninterested in current shelters, housing and services for homeless people.

1. Create a task force to develop a culturally competent plan and model for engagement and outreach.

2. Identify funding sources. 3. Implement new programs

1. OKC and HA 2. OKC 3. Chosen service provider(s)

1. Spring 2005 2. Fall 2004 3. Fall 2005

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Oklahoma City

Homes for the Homeless – 10 Year Plan to Create Lasting Solutions Action Plan to End Homelessness (including Chronic Homelessness)

Glossary of Acronyms CIT Crisis Intervention Team (police officers trained to de-escalate situations with mentally ill persons and refer them

appropriately) CDBG Community Development Block Grant CMHC Community Mental Health Center Coalition Coalition for the Needy COINS Central Oklahoma Integrated Network Systems CoC Committee Continuum of Care Committee CSAT Mobile community-based treatment for persons with substance abuse problems (funded by Center for Substance

Abuse Treatment) DBSA Depression and Bi-Polar Support Association ER Emergency Room EZ/EC Empowerment Zone HA Homeless Alliance IOOV In Our Own Voice OCHA Oklahoma City Housing Authority ODMHSAS Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services NAMI NAMI Oklahoma (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Oklahoma) PACT Program of Assertive Community Treatment (mobile, community-based treatment team for persons with serious

mental illness) PATH HUD program to provide outreach to homeless persons (operated by North Care locally) OHFA Oklahoma Housing Finance Authority OKC City of Oklahoma City – Planning Department VA Veteran’s Administration

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10-YEAR PLAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Our thanks to those who contributed to the creation of this document:

Sunshine Schillings – President, Coalition for the Needy Pat Gallagher – Community Volunteer, Homeless Alliance Wayne McGuire – NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) Lillian Reynolds – Neighborhood Services Organization Robin Wong – North Care Center Harriett Fincham-Anderson – North Care Center Suzanne Williams – Red Rock Behavioral Health Services Demetrius Lewis – CarePoint Pamela Reed – Oklahoma Choctaw Tribal Alliance Dan Straughan – United Way, incoming Executive Director – Homeless Alliance Paul McCain – Clearinghouse Coordinator (Homeless Management Information System) Jill Spangler – Spangler & Associates Jane Ferrell – Oklahoma City Planning Department