How to Reduce Homelessness Numbers

The number of homeless people can be reduced through analysis, planning, and meeting needs

Finding homes for people on the street is challenging for non-profit agencies with homeless prevention programs. Many Americans are poor, stuck in low paying jobs, or are unable to afford a home. Some homeless people struggle with mental health or substance abuse issues, while others face housing discrimination because of their race, ethnicity, or background. To reduce the numbers of homeless people in their communities, many organizations have shifted their focus from providing emergency shelters to homeless prevention measures. Reducing the number of homeless people involves addressing the needs of the homeless population, educating service providers, and providing housing.

Instructions

1. Analyze the characteristics of people who are or could potentially become homeless. Determine which essential services are most needed and the best way to deliver these services. Essential services can include assistance in obtaining benefits, getting housing, improving daily living skills, transportation, connecting with support groups, nutritional counseling, obtaining clothing, vocational help, child care, and education.

2. Design programs that put able adults or families into permanent housing as soon as possible. Provide job training for a minimum of one year after placement, and services such as mental health and substance abuse support, if needed. Create a community resource development strategy.

3. Provide education to homeless people on financial management, credit counseling, and overcoming bad credit histories. Educate and negotiate with landlords in order to prevent evictions.

4. Create housing trust funds and rental assistance programs, and provide access to funding for short-term needs such as moving expenses, security deposits, and paying rent arrears.

5. Ensure that people transitioning from a temporary shelter have housing, job training, transportation, mental and general health care, and case management.

6. Measure the outcomes of services provided to the homeless. Evaluate whether the programs meet their needs. Create a planning and evaluation process that assures input from the community and stakeholders as well as measurements of the progress of the program.

7. Hold frequent meetings with key players in program implementation such as funding sources, service providers, and skilled and diplomatic administrative staff in order to coordinate services. Make a long term commitment to initiatives to end homelessness.

8. Provide information on your organization's homeless initiatives to local government programs. Homeless people usually qualify for various types of public assistance, so public agencies must coordinate various services and refer clients to homeless programs. Encourage various agencies to create an inter-agency initiative to end homelessness.

Tips & Warnings

• Encourage developers to renovate or build new affordable properties. Help building managers to maintain existing buildings and keep them in good condition.

• Offer training that increases homelessness awareness to key professionals who provide mainstream services such as health clinics or food banks. Reach out to service providers who may not be accustomed to addressing this issue.

References

• University of Richmond, Solutions for America: Preventing Homelessness in America,2003
• Urban Institute: What Will It Take To End Homelessness?, Martha Burt, 2001
• Ending Homelessness: Government of Maine Senior Staff Commitee to End Homelessness, Maine's Strategic Plan

Resources

• University of Berkley, Examining Policies