Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free 1 NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06 Responding to Violence...
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Transcript of Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free 1 NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06 Responding to Violence...
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
1NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Responding to Violence Against Women through a
Housing First Program
Responding to Violence Against Women through a
Housing First ProgramVolunteers of America, Oregon
Home FreeKris Billhardt
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
2NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Caveats and DisclaimersCaveats and Disclaimers
Development of new response models does not negate the need for programs that provide immediate safety for DV survivors.
This is not a prescription or a miracle solution; simply our experience of change and its benefits.
Consider our program’s story as to whether or how it may be applicable in your community to add to options available to DV survivors.
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
3NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
DV in Multnomah CountyDV in Multnomah County
28,000 victims; 3/5 have children Police DV Unit:10,000 reports/year Over 50% of all reported violent crime Largest contributing factor to area homicides Significant factor in 35% of long term child
abuse/neglect cases Over 30,000 crisis calls to DV hotlines 15,000 DV shelter bednights annually
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
4NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Link Between DV and Housing Stability Link Between DV and Housing Stability
Poor women experience DV at higher rates and have fewer resources with which to seek/maintain safe and stable housing
46% of homeless women report having stayed in an abusive relationship because they had nowhere else to go
38% of all DV survivors become homeless at some point
DV’s effects can dramatically impact the ability to obtain/maintain stable housing, incl. physical and mental health, employment, education, and connection to social supports
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
5NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Link Between DV and Housing Stability II Link Between DV and Housing Stability II
Homelessness is only one end of a continuum of housing problems faced by women experiencing DV• Missed or late payments for rent/utilities• Compromises: selling belongings or
skipping food to make payments• Ruined credit• Apartment damage• Discrimination based on status as victims
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
6NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Link Between DV and Housing Stability IIILink Between DV and Housing Stability III
Obstacles to affordable housing may seem insurmountable; many remain with or return to abuser
High density/high violence in public housing complexes may place women at continued risk
Chronicity of DV results in repeated choice between homelessness and abuse
Denials, evictions, lease terminations based on violence/ abuser interference
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
7NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
VOA Home Free – History
1926: VOA est. Mothers and Children’s Home to serve “abandoned” women and children
•DV became focal in the 70’s
•Family Center/ Transition House, 1989
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
8NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
VOA Home Free – History II
1998 – The Beginnings of Change
Outreach component added to residential service elements
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
9NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Home Free’s Big Change:
October, 2003 •Closed Shelter
•Hotline hours reduced to 8AM- 6PM M-F
•Expanded motel vouchering
•Expanded housing-focused services
•Expanded outstationed services and mobile advocacy
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
10NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
VOA Home Free – Program DesignEmergency Services
Children’s Services
Out-stationed Services
Transitional and Housing Services
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
11NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Housing FirstHousing First
Stresses immediate return to permanent, neighborhood-based housing, along with 6-12 months of individualized support to ensure retention (Portland Community Standard)
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
12NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Housing First Research FindingsHousing First Research Findings
Homeless individuals more likely to sustain housing when given a permanent home
Vulnerable/at-risk families more responsive to interventions and community supports after in their own housing
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
13NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
The Case for Housing First with DV Survivors The Case for Housing First with DV Survivors
Finding and keeping housing one of greatest barriers faced by women who leave abusers
Research suggests that women who secure housing reduce chances of revictimization
Women linked with advocates during post-crisis period report higher quality of life, more social supports, and less re-abuse
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
14NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
VOA Home Free’s Housing First ProgramVOA Home Free’s Housing First Program
Staffed by 5 mobile advocates Budget includes $175,000 in direct
client assistance funds Capacity: 80-100 households/yr (8-12
per advocate) in housing program Duration of services: Up to two years Scattered-site model (private market or
public housing)
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
15NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Referrals to Home Free Housing Services
19%
12%
8%
8%4%
49%
Other Home FreePrograms 49%
Culturally SpecificService Providers 19%
Domestic ViolenceShelters 12%
Legal Resources 8%
Word-of-Mouth 8%
Public SchoolCounselors 4%
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
16NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Participant Flow Through Housing Services
MILESTONE 1First contact.
Focus: Response to immediate needs. MILESTONE 2
Intake. Focus: taking steps on short term plan, housing search.
MILESTONE 3Housing
obtained. Focus: Addressing
issues/needs that better ensure
retention.
MILESTONE 4Active work on long-term
goals. Focus: taking increasing responsibility for
finances and systems navigation.
MILESTONE 5Transition to
permanency. Focus: Discontinue reliance on
subsidy.
MILESTONE 6Focus: Embedding
pattern of financial self sufficiency. Increased
sense of personal power and resourcefulness.
DESTINATIONFull life not defined by DV. Financially stable, making own choices, capable self-
advocate.
Eligibility:•Surviving DV/SA•Immediate crisis
stabilized. •Housing
stabilization a primary need.
•Financial resourcefulness
compromised by DV/ other barriers
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
17NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Advocacy Services Include:(You Name it!)
Advocacy Services Include:(You Name it!)
Accompaniment, home visits Housing search, job search, job training referrals Danger Assessments and safety planning Direct financial assistance Intervention/case coordination with other systems Advocacy with landlords, Housing Authority Linkages to civil legal and immigration law services Direct services to children Help with budgeting, goal planning DV and parenting support groups
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
18NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Who We Are ServingWho We Are Serving Average Age of Adults served: 30 Age Range of adults: 17 – 54 Race/Ethnicity:
31% white (79.2% in population)29% Latino (9% in population)28% African-American (5.7% in population) 9% Native American (1% in population)1% Asian (.4% in population)
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
19NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Who We Are Serving II
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
U.S. NotCountry of
Origin 23%
Disability16%
ArrestHistory
26%
Alcohol andDrug History
30%
Mental HealthHistory
46%
Householdsw ith Children
80%
Involvementw ith ChildWelfare
System 63%
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
20NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Early Results Early Results
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Enrolled ObtainedHousing
Remains inHousing
Left Program
89% Obtained Housing
92% remain in housing
Avg. time in housing TD: 13 mo. (range 1 – 30 mo.)
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
21NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
A Study of the Effectiveness of a Housing Intervention for Battered Women
A Study of the Effectiveness of a Housing Intervention for Battered WomenA cooperative agreement between Multnomah County Domestic Violence Coordinator’s Office and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Study Purpose: Evaluate the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of an existing permanent housing program provided by VOA Home Free in preventing revictimization and reducing negative health outcomes of survivors of IPV and their children.
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
22NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Study DesignStudy Design
Participants: Women domestic violence victims, age 18-64, who speak English or Spanish
Study begins at “post-crisis” stage of service delivery
Data collected (baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months):– Outcomes for women and their children– Cost of domestic violence and cost
effectiveness of the housing models
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
23NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Intervention group: VOA Home Free housing program (housing first plus DV advocacy)
Comparison groups:VOA Home Free Mobile Advocacy Services (limited
or no rent assistance + DV advocacy) Raphael House of Portland (emergency shelter with
DV advocacy)DHS Self Sufficiency TA-DVS Program (short-term
housing assistance + limited DV advocacy)Portland Impact Safety Net (housing first + limited DV
advocacy)
Study Design IIStudy Design II
Volunteers of America, Oregon - Home Free
24NAEH Annual Conference 7/17/06
Importance of the Research ProjectImportance of the Research Project
Current housing research doesn’t consider effectiveness of housing first for DV victims
Current DV research doesn’t consider impact of housing instability on victim’s ability to stay safe or on children’s outcomes
Funding priorities at OVW and HUD shifting to longer-term housing and to “proven practices”
Some housing policy creates barriers for victims and their children
Study can demonstrate need to expand range of housing options for survivors and their children