Homelessness Prevention Task Force — Portland, ME
Date: 2012-10-03

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Report of the Task Force to Develop a Strategic Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness in
 Portland


 Revised November 16, 2012
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 Task Force Overview



At its November 21, 2011 meeting, the City Council of Portland passed an order establishing a
Task Force to develop a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness and appointing members
to that Task Force.

The Task Force was charged with completing the following tasks:

 1. Review and gain an understanding of the causal factors associated with homelessness, as
 well as the current community resources available to meet the unique needs of
 individuals experiencing homelessness;
 2. Develop a multi-year strategic plan, including measureable objectives to reduce, prevent
 and end homelessness in the Greater Portland;
 3. The strategic plan should focus on three areas; access to healthcare services, supportive
 and affordable housing, and prevention;
 4. Convene a larger stakeholder group to include social service providers, advocates,
 consumers, community and business leaders, and public safety representatives to inform
 the work of the Task Force;
 5. Develop a strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness that can be endorsed by the
 Portland City Council and one that can be evaluated over time and modified if needed.

The order also created and named individuals appointed as Tri-Chairs:

 Jon Jennings, Business Community Leader
 Suzanne McCormick, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Portland
 Dory-Ann Waxman, Former City Councilor & Community Member

Over the next two months, the Tri-Chairs worked to identify and appoint Task Force members
for each of the designated seats. Mayor Michael Brennan appointed Councilor John Anton as the
City Council Representative.

Staff for the Task Force was identified from the City’s Department of Health and Human
Services Department, as well as homeless service providers. The United Way of Greater
Portland provided partial support for the staff time dedicated to the Task Force. A full roster of
Task Force members is included on Page 3 of this report.

The Task Force formally began its work on January 24, 2012 and subsequently met 8 times. The
Task Force subdivided into four committees focused on the following aspects of homelessness
and specific groups impacted by homelessness: 1) Retooling the emergency shelter system, 2)
Access to physical and behavioral health, 3) Services to youth, families and veterans and 4)
Supportive and affordable housing.
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 Task Force Membership


Member Affiliation Designation
Jon Jennings Community Leader Tri-Chair
Suzanne McCormick United Way of Greater Portland Tri-Chair
Dory Waxman Former City Councilor Tri-Chair
John Anton Portland City Councilor City Council Representative
Thomas Blackburn Maine Construction Services Community Member
Rabbi Carolyn Braun Temple Beth El Faith Organization
Dawn Doiron Community Leader Community Member
Kitty Garlid Maine Medical Center Healthcare Organization
Michael Gendreau Mercy Hospital Healthcare Organization
Thomas Chalmers McLaughlin University of New England Content Expert
Brian Petrovek Portland Pirates & Portland Business Community Leader
 Downtown District
Thomas Ptacek Homeless Voices for Justice Veteran & Consumer
 Representative
John Ryan Wright-Ryan Construction Housing Developer
Chief Michael Sauschuck Portland Police Department Public Safety
Karen Stein UNUM Business Community Leader
Mark Swann Preble Street Homeless Service Provider
Mike Tarpinian The Opportunity Alliance Homeless Service Provider
Dana Totman Avesta Content Expert


The Task Force was supported with content expertise from the following staff members:

Doug Gardner, Portland DHHS
Josh O'Brien, Portland DHHS
Pat McKenzie, The Opportunity Alliance
Jon Bradley, Preble Street
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 Summary of Recommended Actions

The Task Force is recommending the following action steps which will alleviate and begin to
end homelessness in the City of Portland:

Retooling the Emergency Shelter System:
The Task Force recommends the creation of a centralized intake process through which all
clients who are homeless would be assessed. Those appropriate for diversion to housing, other
specialized shelters or other housing situations would be rapidly reassigned to these more
appropriate options. Co-locating all service delivery partners within this centralized intake, will
also increase the efficiency of the system and provide a higher level of service delivery and
reassignment. Through this intake system, the overall emergency shelters in Portland will see a
reduction in the number of clients who remain in the general shelter for more than 21 days. This
will require reducing the current general shelter service and reconfiguring the shelter intake,
assessment and referral process. Additional staff and change in the level and type of work done
at the shelter will be necessary.


Rapid Rehousing:
The task force recommends a focus on providing appropriate permanent housing and support in
the community for individuals, families and youth as quickly as possible. A range of supports
and resources are required as each homeless household has unique needs. Meeting this goal will
also require reconstructing three new housing first units consisting of 35 units each and
appropriate supports for people who are chronically homeless. Housing first recognizes that
stable housing is the first step for homeless individuals in recovery from substance abuse and/ or
mental illness. This will require significant capital investment and funding for building
maintenance costs and adequate staffing at three locations.


Increased Case Management:
The Task Force recommends case management services be expanded to people who are
homeless and those case management delivery systems follow client needs, rather than
reimbursable service delivery models. Clinically, Assertive Community Treatment-(ACT)
services which are 24 hour/ 7 day a week delivery have been proven to be effective in national
studies with clients who are chronically homeless. For those who have less severe issues,
including co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, case management based on the Rose,
1993, model has proven to be effective in increasing clients’ self sufficiency and reducing
recidivism rates. This will require hiring additional case management staff.


Report Monitoring:
The Task Force also recommends the development of a legacy group of Task Force members
who can serve as a monitoring body to ensure the implementation plan moves forward in
accordance with the proposed timeline.
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 Executive Summary


Our exploration of the issues and circumstances surrounding homelessness in Portland affirms
that the problems are as complex and interrelated as are all issues that surround people who are
struggling day to day with the challenges of living in poverty. Our work has examined the issues
and causes of homelessness, the structural challenges of meeting the housing needs of those who
are frequenting the emergency shelter system and the increasing challenges of providing
appropriate level of stabilization for people with physical and behavioral health challenges.

Through an exploration of the data from city and social service providers who work directly with
people who are homeless, as well as research on other programs, service delivery and
recommendations from the national plan to end homelessness, we have developed a series of
principles and strategies. These principles and strategies serve two important functions. First,
they provide a framework which can relieve the overcrowding situation. Secondly, thoughtful
adaptation of the longer term goals will reduce the reliance on longer term temporary shelter
stays by quickly moving people into more appropriate housing. These longer term goals of
increasing housing availability have proven effective in reducing the number of people who are
chronically homeless.

Task Force members recognize that the issues of people being homeless and homelessness in
Portland are complex and interrelated. The Task Force also recognizes that there are many
myths associated with who is homeless as well as the circumstances surrounding how and why
people are homeless in Portland. The Task Force recommends a coordinated series of public
service announcements and public education initiative be developed to address several of the
myths and stigma associated with people who are homeless and the circumstances surrounding
how they became homeless, the daily struggles they face and other issues associated with the
challenges of surviving in Portland without a permanent place to stay.

The Task Force recognizes this will require a significant investment on the part of many different
organizations that are impacted by the challenges of homelessness within our community. Rough
estimates of the costs associated with supporting our current system of housing, meeting people’s
basic needs and support is $6,748,021. This is based on an average annual cost of providing
shelter and emergency services. This is based on an average annual per person cost of $25,086.
This estimate is calculated from data associated with providing emergency services to people
who are homeless, including shelter costs.

It is important to note that most of the funding sources for homeless services are prescribed for
specific aspects of service delivery, e.g. funding which is earmarked for shelter cannot be used
for case management. Case management funding may only be used with certain segments of the
population who qualify. Additionally, these estimates do not include a large portion of the
service delivery system which is funded through private donations, volunteer hours and other
types of support. As suggested earlier, this also does not include many other organizations in
Portland which interface and support the homeless service system including Milestone, Preble
Street, Salvation Army and other organizations.
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Even with all of this, the data from several studies in Portland is clear that providing additional
housing options, further integration of flexible case management services and other flexible
supports for individuals, youth and families reduces emergency room, mental health, case
management and health care costs. Cost data suggests providing a combination of these three
options can reduce emergency room costs by 63%, health care costs by 47%, mental health costs
by 41% and case management costs by 22% - (cost studies, 2008, 2009, HPRP study 2011). The
shift of costs and services also increases the clients’ quality of life and increases efficiency in the
level of services which are non emergency related. Appendix A provides a snapshot of the
savings which can be observed through a greater focus on supportive housing and case
management. Based on previous costs study analysis, it is estimated that the savings could be
$5,086,723 over a 5 year period.

The Task Force also calculates that with the implementation of all of these initiatives, the
emergency shelter system would see significant savings in shelter bed nights. Additionally,
through full implementation, we estimate an annually cost savings to the emergency service
system of $2,245,000.

The Task Force identified three key themes with specific principles and goals. These are further
operationalized in the implementation plan and were derived from the work of the four
committees of the Task Force. The themes are as follows:


Retooling of the Emergency Shelter System:

As suggested within this report, the current emergency shelter system is beyond capacity. Staff
and local organizations continue to struggle with overflow strategies in order to meet the
increasing need. Currently, a working group has been meeting within the city to develop a new
approach. This retooling of the emergency shelter system will include the creation of a
centralized intake process where all clients who are homeless would be assessed. Those
appropriate for diversion to housing, other specialized shelters or other housing situations would
be rapidly reassigned to these more appropriate options. This model is similar to other
emergency shelter systems and is a recommended approach as defined by the United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness, the national body created to address issues and best
practices in working with people who are homeless. Co-locating all service delivery partners
within this centralized intake process, will also increase the efficiency of the system and provide
a higher level of service delivery and reassignment. Through this intake system, the overall
emergency shelters in Portland will see a reduction in the number of clients who remain in the
general shelter for more than 21 days.


Rapid Rehousing:

Portland Emergency Shelter data suggest most people who are homeless stay at the shelter for
less than three weeks. Additionally, research on cost effectiveness of the Homeless Prevention,
Rapid Rehousing Program-(HPRP) suggests that people who are diverted from the shelter or
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who are placed into appropriate housing sooner, cost less to the overall system, have better
outcomes on health and self sufficiency matrices, and score higher on quality of life indexes.
Additionally, rapid rehousing has proven to be effective in reducing the rate of recidivism over
time. Appropriate rapid rehousing has also worked to reduce the number of people who are
chronically homeless through the use of permanent, supported housing units. Rapid rehousing
has proven effective in past initiatives in Portland and is a recommendation of the Task Force to
explore additional rapid rehousing initiatives.


Increased Case Management:

It can get very challenging for people with mental illness and those with substance abuse issues
to navigate the complex health and human service delivery system. Additionally, eligibility
requirements, requalification rituals and quick timelines often make it a struggle for someone
who is homeless to keep track of deadlines, filing requirements and changing systems. In
addition, untreated mental illness and significant struggles with substance use often cloud the
process and a person’s ability to meet basic needs in addition to advocating for themselves. A
structured approach to providing both clinical case management which meets client needs, rather
than dictated by eligibility requirements, as well as a case management navigator has proven to
be effective in other assessments of service delivery models within Portland.

The Task Force recommends case management services be expanded to people who are
homeless and those case management delivery systems follow client needs, rather than
reimbursable service delivery models. Clinically, Assertive Community Treatment-(ACT)
services which are 24 hour/ 7 day a week delivery have been proven to be effective in national
studies with clients who are chronically homeless. For those who have less severe issues, case
management based on Rose, 1993, model has proven to be effective in increasing clients self
sufficiency and reducing recidivism rates. Studies of two different initiatives within Portland
have confirmed these findings.

The Task Force understands that changing the current system to focus on these three themes is an
ambitious undertaking and one which will require the expertise of many other stakeholders who
are currently working closely with people who are homeless. If our goals, principles and
strategies come together, the delivery of services and the support provided to people who are
homeless will change in two significant ways. First, a central intake process will provide for
quicker assessment, access to housing and supports for individuals to remain in housing.
Secondly, separating specialized, temporary housing, will allow for individualized services to be
provided in smaller housing units located in multiple locations throughout the greater Portland
area.
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Implementation Plan:

Retooling the Emergency Shelter System

Strategy Action Items Potential Timeline Responsible
 Funding Source Party
Develop a central Phase 1, increase Phase 1-State Phase 1- City of
intake and assessment assessment and case PATH funding completed Portland
process where rapid management staff Phase 2-City, by Preble
assignment to other integrate Preble CDBG, GA, February Street-(lead)
temporary housing Street and Oxford MaineHousing, 2013. Family
placements will occur. Street Shelter roles HUD, private Crisis
Individuals who arrive and responsibilities- sources, United Phase 2- Milestone
at an intake center Phase 2-create a Way. completed Homeless
would be assessed and single point of entry Phase 3- City, July 2013 Voices for
placed in other and a general shelter CDBG, GA, Justice
temporary housing in the same site. MaineHousing, Phase 3-
located in other parts of Phase 3-review of HUD, private ongoing
Portland and shelter sites for sources, United
surrounding specialized Way.
communities. implementation

Work with clients Create a City of Portland, Completed City of
through a representative payee DHHS pilot by July Portland-
representative payee type program which 2013 (lead)
type model to assess would work with Preble Street
individual assets which clients to assess Homeless
can be placed in escrow individual assets Voices for
to support transition to which can be placed Justice
stable housing. in escrow to support
 transition to stable
 housing.
Work in partnership Convening regional n/a Ongoing Mayors
with regional meetings Coalition-
governments on (lead)
creating a continuum of City Council
specialty housing to be
located in the Greater
Portland region.
Explore municipal Convene Mayoral n/a Completed Mayors
zoning requirements so summit to address by July Coalition-
that all properties that the issues of zoning 2013. (lead)
satisfy conditional use and location of City council
regulations can be additional temporary
candidates for shelter housing.
usage.
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Develop several Convene a group of DHHS, HUD, Convene ESAC-(lead)
temporary housing stakeholders to MaineHousing, first Preble Street
units which serve the explore the private funding, meeting by City of
needs of people who opportunity to create affordable care November Portland
present at the intake additional temporary act, accountable 2012. Maine
center. Temporary shelter alternatives. care Develop Medical
housing units may organizations first new Center
include respite housing site by Family
for those discharged December Crisis Center
from local hospitals, 2013. Avesta
housing for veterans, Milestone
short term housing for Mercy
people with substance Hospital
abuse issues, housing Opportunity
for people with mental Alliance
illness, housing for
families, etc.


Rapid Rehousing

Strategy Action Items Potential Timeline Responsible
 Funding Source Party
Create three new Develop, locate and HUD, DHHS, Phase 1- Avesta
housing, 35 housing site 3 projects. City of Portland, first Housing-
first units and building (lead)
appropriate supports for complete City of
people who are July 2015, Portland
homeless within the final Preble Street
Greater Portland building Portland
Region. completed Housing
 July 2018. Authority
 Shalom
Enlarge diversion and Develop flexible HUD using the Pilot of Preble street
prevention funding source. HPRP model, funding Veterans
opportunities such as Implement wrap HUD VASH, and Assistance
short term rental around funding for program Shalom
vouchers, assistance eligible clients; implementa Portland
with back rent and tion by Housing
security deposits and December Opportunity
legal services for 2012, full Alliance
people who have been implementa DHHS
homeless for 14 days or tion with
less and are in the July 2013.
emergency shelter
system.
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Work in partnership Convene working General Ongoing City of
with landlords to group to develop assistance, Portland-
increase access to housing liaison MaineHousing, (lead)
housing stock which system for working DHHS, City of Portland
will increase available with local landlords Portland, HUD, Housing
rental opportunities for SSVF for Authority
people who are veterans Preble Street
homeless. Shalom
Create/expand
resources for landlords
to work through issues
with tenants.


Increased Case Management

Strategy Action Items Potential Timeline Responsible
 Funding Source Party
Utilize flexible funding Create services DHHS, Mercy, July, 2013. City
mechanisms to support funded for non Maine Medical Council-
the delivery of MaineCare clients Center (lead)
substance abuse and but efficient link and Preble Street
mental health services follow up by Opportunity
for clients who are substance abuse and Alliance
homeless through an mental health Maine
ACT that meets providers. Medical
chronic homeless Center
fidelity standards. Mercy

Implement a medical Convene a summit of n/a November United Way
home model of respite leaders in the health 2012 of Greater
and treatment for care field in Portland Portland-
people who are to explore the issue (lead)
discharged from the of integrating care to
hospital. people who are
 homeless and
 suffering with health
 related issues
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Strategy Action Items Potential Timeline Responsible
 Funding Source Party
Implement a medical Develop a working DHHS, July 2013 United Way
home model of respite group to create a Affordable Care Portland
and treatment for medical home model Act, hospitals and (lead)
people who are of respite care will private funding. City of
discharged from the cost for clients Portland
hospital. transitioning from Opportunity
 the hospital Alliance
 Maine
 Medical
 Mercy
 Hospital
Collaboration and Create a Task Force n/a December Opportunity
planning between to address issues 2012 Alliance-
community provider, relating to schools (lead)
schools, and DHHS. and neighborhoods. Preble Street
Family mediation, case
management is
available in community
(neighborhoods)
Replicate HOME Maintain and build DHHS, CDBG, ongoing Preble
Team and Preble on existing teams. MaineCare, Street/Milest
Youth Outreach type one-(lead)
model for people who
are suffering from
behavioral health
issues.
Increase work, Create community DHHS, July 2013 Preble
training/education and support teams to MaineCare, Street-(lead)
treatment options for work with homeless CDBG City of
homeless youth youth. Portland
including flexible
shelter options.
Increase work, Create community DHHS, July 2013 Preble
training/education and support teams to MaineCare, Street-(lead)
treatment options for work with families CDBG City of
homeless families who are homeless. Portland
including flexible
shelter options.
Increase work, Enhance community Veterans July 2013 Veterans
training/education and support teams to Administration, Administrati
treatment options for work with veterans DHHS, on-(lead)
veterans who are who are homeless MaineCare,
homeless including Department of
flexible shelter options. Defense
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 Full Report


Introduction:

The emergency shelter capacity for people who are homeless in Portland has reached a point
where the current system of overflow, moving of people during the night and overall capacity is
unsustainable. According to data from Preble Street and the City of Portland, shelter capacity at
the women’s shelter, teen shelter and men’s shelter has been over capacity since June 2011.
According to Portland Emergency Shelter Assessment Committee, in July 2012, on any given
night in Portland, there are 444 people seeking shelter. The data suggests that 71 percent of
people who are homeless are homeless for 30 days or less. Factors such as mental illness,
substance abuse, and lack of employment and job training all contribute to people being
homeless.

These factors are intertwined with the larger issue of poverty and affordable housing not just in
Portland but nationally. A 2009 U.S. Conference of Mayors report cites lack of affordable
housing is the number one reason first time homeless people report when arriving at the shelter.
This lack of affordable housing also places a number of people at risk of being homeless. Rental
subsidies play an important role in a person or families ability to remain stably housed but the
need for subsides far outpaced the available resource. Data from the 2010 HPRP report
suggested less than 30 percent of individuals who requested assistance had received a subsidy in
the past from a federal, state or local funding source.


Homelessness in Portland:

As suggested earlier, the issue of homelessness and the factors which lead to people being
homeless are complex. Data from the City of Portland and Preble Street suggest the average age
of a person at the shelter is 40. At Oxford Street Shelter, 49 percent of clients at the shelter were
over the age of 41. At Florence house, 66 percent of the women reported being victims of abuse
and 54 percent reported being victims of domestic violence.

For both men and women who are homeless in Portland, the challenges of mental illness and
substance abuse are significant. The data suggests nearly 60 percent reported mental illness and
38 percent reported struggling with substance abuse. Additionally, nearly 72 percent of those
who reported mental illness also reported a co occurring disorder of substance abuse. The
correlation between co occurring disorders and homelessness is well supported in the research
literature, (Arehart-Treichel, 2004). Untreated co-occurring disorders interfere with a person’s
ability to secure and maintain employment and long term, stable housing. Additionally, research
suggests navigating the complex social service and benefit system is often unrealistic for a
person who is suffering from a co-occurring disorder, (Burt, 2003, Arehart-Treichel, 2004).

Substance abuse and the challenges associated with addictions are as complex as the issue of
homelessness. According to HPRP data, nearly 70 percent of clients, who are chronically
homeless, also report struggling with addictions. Housing first models (Roman, 2012) suggests
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permanent, supportive housing can impact the frequency and overall abuse of substances over
time.

Moreover, recent research on housing first models suggest the insecurity of being homeless,
including issues of isolation, danger and vulnerability can actually serve as confounding factors
in a person’s mental illness and ability to function, (Witte, 2006).

Another important factor relating to homelessness in Portland is the current capacity of the
shelters. Data from 2011 suggested the overflow plan was used 256 nights, or 70 percent of the
time. While the data suggests the number of chronic homeless has dropped from 36 percent in
2007 to 29 percent in 2011, the number of intakes at the shelters has continued to increase. The
Task Force has explored this issue through the data and there appear to be many factors
contributing to the increase. As mentioned before, these include lack of affordable housing
options, changes in funding for different programs and services, limited employment
opportunities which provide a sustainable, living wage and changes in the allocation of
MaineCare benefits. All play a role in the increase of homelessness in Portland.

One issue which continually emerges relating to homelessness in Portland is the issue of
residency in Portland. The Task Force explored the issue of residency and its impact on
capacity. Data from the census bureau suggests the actual population of Portland has decreased
over the past 20 years. Additional data from the Department of Health and Human Services
suggests more people who were receiving benefits in Maine have left the State than have
returned. Additionally, data from several comparable New England Communities, with similar
demographics, suggest residency requirements do not reduce the number of people who are
homeless and actually can increase issues relating to capacity.


Best Practices and Solutions that Work - Retooling the Emergency Shelter System:

The 2010, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 10 year plan suggests
communities consider retooling the crisis response system which includes shelter and the
delivery of social services to people who are homeless. The plan suggests part of the retooling
may include the integration of service delivery models and sectors within the same organization.
Portland has a long history of collaboration and collocating of services for people who are
homeless including, meals, casework services, drop-in centers, community policing, health care
and workforce development. For youth, Preble Street, Day One, Portland Public Schools have a
long and demonstrated history of success at working in tandem with youth on issues of
homelessness, mental illness and substance abuse, education and workforce development.
Several of the subcommittee’s work has been focused on exploring alternatives with the goal of
creating a system whereby people who are homeless can still have a place to stay, but also a
process of quicker, more responsible referral and assessment to other, longer term solutions.
Other cities in the Northeast have developed a centralized intake process which serves as the
clearinghouse for all people in need of shelter.

The clearinghouse concept can address two important issues, chronic homelessness and episodic
homelessness. The data suggests, 29 percent, of people who are homeless are chronically
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homeless. People who are included in this category often have multiple needs that need to be
supported in order for them to find, secure and remain in stable housing. These needs can
include issues of domestic violence, veterans who may be struggling to integrate back into the
community, people who have mental illness which prevents them from finding stable, supported
housing and people who have severe medical needs. The data clearly suggests a majority of
people who are in need of emergency shelter; require shelter for less than 30 days. This accounts
for 71 percent of the total shelter population. These episodic experiences with homelessness
require a rapid response to move them from the shelter to stable housing. Additionally, the
number of veterans who are experiencing homelessness has been increasing in recent years.
Many federal and State programs have been developed to address homeless veterans.

An effective clearinghouse approach will include several key concepts from the successful
Housing Prevention and Rapid Rehousing program-(HPRP). HPRP is based on the premise that
a quick assessment, appropriate and relevant case management, and a customized placement and
support plan increases the likelihood of stable housing. Additionally, the HPRP model also
suggests increases in individuals’ self sufficiency once placed in specialized housing.

The clearinghouse approach also affords the opportunity to locate smaller, temporary housing
units, in different parts of Portland and surrounding communities. This approach builds on
strong collaborative work which Preble Street and the City of Portland have done in addressing
the increased demand versus limited capacity in the shelter continuum.


Best Practices and Solutions that Work -Housing First/Rapid Rehousing:

According to the Resource Development Institute, 2011 report, “Rapid Re-Housing” means that
the household gets help to obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible. There is no universal
deadline or time limit that defines “rapid.” Households vary and housing markets in Portland and
the Greater Portland area vary. It may take days or weeks to find a vacancy in housing for
individual or family they can afford with a landlord who will accept their rental history. The
important point is that permanent housing is the preeminent goal. Households are not required to
wait in temporary housing while they attend classes, acquire skills or otherwise demonstrate a
given level of “housing readiness.” They move directly into permanent housing. If there are
skills and information they must learn to sustain their housing, those things are learned when
they are in their own housing.

As suggested earlier, this rapid rehousing approach has been proven to be effective with both
people who are situationally homeless as well as those who are chronically homeless, (Witte,
2009). Rapid rehousing has also demonstrated to be effective in stabilizing people who suffer
from mental illness and substance abuse. The paradigm of a housing first system is simply that
providing stable and permanent housing is the first priority for people in crisis. In housing first,
individuals struggling with mental illness and/or substance abuse are housed without service or
treatment requirements. Outcomes locally and nationally show success in stabilization as well as
acceptance of services and decreases in substance abuse and mental health crises. The
foundation of a re-imagined system is the conclusion that housing stability is a critical first step
on the road to wellness. Physical health, mental health, and other supportive services are
 15


provided after individuals are housed, enabling these individuals to better address these
challenges, (Draine, Salzer, Culhane, Hadley, 2002). If people do not have to worry about
whether they have a safe place to sleep, and enough food to eat, they are more likely and able to
focus on the other necessary steps they need to take to stabilize the other complicating factors in
their lives, (Chalmers McLaughlin 2012, Majtabai, 2005).

Best Practices and Solutions that Work –Increased Case Management:

For people who are suffering from homelessness, case management is an important factor in
helping them transition back to and maintaining stable housing. In the context of the HPRP
program, case management in Engagement and Stabilization as well as the Diversion and
Prevention was defined as the case manager serving in the role of a system navigator who
provides community resource connections and links and brokers relationships with other service
providers. The key distinction in these instances is the expectation that participants who work
with the case manager are themselves expected to follow through and to participate fully in their
own stability. As such, the participants play a vital role in determining the goals to be
accomplished in developing clear objectives to reach those goals, (2012, HPRP report). Davis,
1998, identifies seven important components to effective case management with people who are
homeless:

 1. Conducting assertive, community-based outreach;
 2. Nurturing trusting, caring relationships with clients;
 3. Respecting client autonomy;
 4. Prioritizing client self-determined needs;
 5. Providing clients with active assistance to obtain needed resources;
 6. Maintaining small case loads; and
 7. Implementing Assertive Community Treatment approaches.

Other researchers such as Rose, 1992, and Saleeby, 1997, suggest the most important aspect of
case management is the connection between the client and the worker, as well as the need for the
worker to understand the role of client self determination within the context of the service
delivery structure. The essence of this approach to case management is that case workers meet
the clients where they are. This could be in the shelter, at the drop in center, soup kitchen, on the
street. Case managers are embedded in these locations where clients congregate. As such, case
management from this model is street based, rather than office based or on call.
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Committee Goals, Principles and Strategies:

Through the work of the four Committees, the Task Force identified the following goals,
principles and strategies for preventing and ending homelessness in Portland. These goals,
principles and strategies are divided into four key areas: 1) Retooling the emergency shelter
system, 2) Access to physical and behavioral health, 3) Services to youth, families and veterans,
and 4) Supportive and affordable housing. .

After examining several different Task Force models used to create a framework for addressing
homelessness in other cities and at the national level, the Task Force chose a system of
organization based on goals, principles and strategies. As suggested by our overview here, these
three components are linked to issues which are presented within the data, as well as aligned
with national priorities established by the Interagency Council on ending homelessness and
embedded within the academic and professional literature.

The goals outlined are linked directly to the overall findings of our Committees/work groups and
provide the initial frameworks, or guidelines for the further detail. Principles provide the further
detail to the goal by offering some definition of the initial action steps which lead to the
strategies. Strategies are the specific activities which operationalize the terms set forth in the
principles.


1. Retooling the Emergency Shelter System:

Short term goal A: Alleviate overcrowding in Portland’s emergency shelter system

Principle 1: Coordinate Portland’s emergency shelter services to a centralized intake and
assessment model.

 Strategy a: Work in partnership with Preble Street, City of Portland shelter services,
 Milestone and others on integrating a centralized intake, engagement and rapid
 assessment protocol.

Principle 2: Create a centralized rapid assessment and referral mechanism which serves all of
the Portland emergency shelter system, and coordinate with existing services offered.

 Strategy a: Develop a central intake and assessment process/center where rapid
 assignment to other temporary housing placements will occur. Individuals who arrive at
 the intake center would be assessed and placed in other temporary housing located in
 other parts of Portland and surrounding communities.

 Strategy b: Work with clients through a representative payee type model to assess
 individual assets which can be placed in escrow to support transition to stable housing.

 Strategy c: Work with clients on employment opportunities and workforce development
 in order to achieve greater economic security.
 17



Long term goal A: Regionalize the solution to homelessness in Greater Portland

Principle 1: Encourage other neighborhoods and communities in Greater Portland to support the
creation of temporary housing campuses for referral from the intake center/process.

 Strategy a: Work in partnership with regional governments on creating a continuum of
 specialty housing to be located in the Greater Portland region.

 Strategy b: Explore municipal zoning requirements so that all properties that satisfy
 conditional use regulations can be candidates for shelter usage.

 Strategy c: Explore other vacant buildings and municipal properties that can be
 adaptively reused for temporary shelter.

Principle 2: Enlarge temporary housing units in Greater Portland to serve as suitable housing for
those who are referred from the intake center.

 Strategy a: Develop several temporary housing units which serve the needs of people
 who present at the intake center. Temporary housing units may include respite housing
 for those discharged from local hospitals, housing for veterans, short term housing for
 people with substance abuse issues, housing for people with mental illness, housing for
 families, etc.

 Strategy a: Explore Portland’s zoning requirements so that all neighborhoods are equal
 candidates for emergency shelters, dispersed service locations or specialized care housing
 as a conditional use.


2. Access to Physical and Behavioral Health Services:

Short term goal A: Coordinate behavioral and primary care treatment for people in the shelter
system.

Principle 1: Increase the availability of substance abuse and mental health services for clients
who are homeless and do not have the ability to pay the full cost of the service or lack insurance.

 Strategy a: Create flexible funding mechanisms to support the delivery of substance
 abuse and mental health services for clients who are homeless.

Principle 2: Develop medically appropriate housing and respite care services for people who are
discharged from the hospital and are in need of medical monitoring.

 Strategy b: Implement a medical home model of respite and treatment for people who
 are discharged from the hospital.
 18



Long term goal A: Increase housing opportunities for people who are homeless and are
struggling with addiction.

Principle 1: Enlarge non-medical supportive transitional housing opportunities, case management
and health service delivery systems.

 Strategy a: Replicate HOME Team and Preble Youth Outreach type model for people
 who are suffering from behavioral health issues.

 Strategy b: Replicate HPRP type model of case management and flexible rental funding
 for people who are homeless and suffering with behavioral issues.

Principle 2: Expand medically appropriate treatment facilities for people who are homeless and
are struggling with physical or behavioral health issues.

 Strategy a: Increase capacity in residential treatment facilities to accept people who are
 homeless with physical and behavioral needs.


Long term goal B: Increase employment opportunities for people who are homeless and are
struggling with addiction and mental illness.

Principle 1: Create supportive work force development programs which serve people who are
homeless and have struggles with addiction and mental health disabilities.

 Strategy a: Expand appropriate employment opportunities for people with behavioral
 disabilities.


3a. Youth and Families:

Short term goal A: To intervene early with runaway youth/youth at imminent risk of leaving
home.

Principle 1: Provide earlier, targeted intervention and better options decrease number of
unaccompanied youth seeking shelter and decrease the length of time out of home or out of a
safe place.

 Strategy a: Ensure collaboration and planning between community provider, schools, and
 DHHS. Family mediation, case management is available in Portland neighborhoods.

 Strategy b: Create housing options for youth leaving corrections and foster care (needs
 assessment of need and development of models).
 19


 Strategy c: Develop/maintain specific substance abuse and mental health interventions for
 families.


Short Term goal B: Provide a continuum of care for unaccompanied youth who cannot return
home.

Principle 1: Decrease the time youth spend in homelessness by increasing housing, support, and
treatment options.

 Strategy a: Increase shelter options for homeless youth; maintain outreach, drop-in,
 health, mental health, and substance abuse in harm reduction model.

 Strategy b: Increase specific housing options to include transitional and permanent
 supportive housing models. (Explore housing first models emerging for youth)

 Strategy c: Increase work, training, and education options and models which target
 homeless youth.

 Strategy d: Implement and maintain community support models that meet the needs of
 homeless youth with multiple challenges and co-occurring mental health and substance
 abuse.


Long term goal A: Prevent families from falling into homelessness.

Principle 1: Increase prevention with families utilizing the “but for” definition.

 Strategy a: Increase availability of housing support and case management for families at
 risk including legal services.

 Strategy b: Maintain a client fund that can assist with immediate financial issues.

 Strategy c: Provide financial counseling to families at risk of homelessness

 Strategy d: Increase work and income options for families (including looking at models
 for training and employment).

 Strategy e: Increase subsidies available for low income families.

 Strategy f: Ensure that mental health and substance abuse treatment are quickly available
 when needed.
 20


3b. Veterans:

Short term goal A: Develop shelter, transitional housing, and/or permanent housing
programming options specifically for veterans

Principle 1: Veterans have specific issues and entitlements and a veteran’s shelter can alleviate
shelter crowding.

 Strategy a: Work in partnership with the VA, community providers, and housing
 developers to create emergency shelter and transitional housing options in Portland
 (exploring VA funding for transition in Place).

Principle 2: Increased permanent housing options for veterans

 Strategy a: Advocate for and obtain additional VASH vouchers for Portland.

 Strategy b: Maximize use of the Support Services for Veteran Family program to house
 homeless households and to prevent households from becoming homeless. (Support
 continued funding past year two).

 Strategy c: Explore and possibly implement permanent housing for veterans through a
 site or the development of site based vouchers in existing units.

Short Term goal B: Ensure that veterans access all entitlements from the VA and other public
programs.

Principal 1: Outreach at shelters is essential to connecting veterans with VA entitlements

 Strategy: Place a full-time outreach worker from the VA at Oxford Street Shelter to assist
 with connecting homeless vets to VA and to verify status and entitlements.

Principle 2: All veterans should access needed health and behavioral health services.

 Strategy a: Work with the VA Community Based Outreach Center, Togus Medical
 Center, and health providers in the community to create barrier free access to health care.

Short term goal C: Make sure veterans with needs for community support receive the
appropriate level of case management as well as employment, mental health, substance abuse,
and social supports.

Principle 1: All veterans should be provided case management if needed at an appropriate level
to support stability in the community.

 Strategy a: Support case management through VASH, SSVF, and other VA options and
 provide additional case management and outreach through community programs as
 needed.
 21




4. Supportive and Affordable Housing:

Short term goal A: Reduce the number of admissions to the Portland emergency shelter system.

Principle 1: Alleviate the number of first time admissions to the emergency shelter system in
Portland.

 Strategy a: Enlarge diversion and prevention opportunities such as short term rental
 vouchers, access to legal services, assistance with back rent and security deposits for
 people who have been homeless for 14 days or less and are in the emergency shelter
 system.

Principle 2 Work in partnership with local landlords to stabilize individuals and families who are
14 days from eviction and at risk of entry into the emergency shelter system.

 Strategy a: Strengthen the proactive system of catching and diverting individuals and
 families from the emergency shelter system.

Principle 3: Reduce the number of direct referrals from hospitals and correctional facilities to the
Portland Emergency Shelter system.

 Strategy a: Integrate into the hospital/jail referral and discharge system appropriate
 housing placements and services for patients or inmates where they have natural
 supports.


Long Term Goal A: Reduce the number of long term/chronically homeless in Portland.

Principle 1: Enlarge the number of supportive housing units available in Portland for people who
are long term homeless.

 Strategy a: Create new housing first units and appropriate supports for people who are
 homeless-(acute cases). Work with regulators and organizations to advocate for funding
 for development costs.

 Strategy b: Work in partnership with landlords to increase access to housing stock which
 will increase available rental opportunities for people who are homeless. Create/expand
 resources for landlords to work through issues with tenants– (broader approach).

Principle 2: Ensure necessary level of support which will allow people to remain housed.

 Strategy a: Leverage Federal, State and local funding sources to fund supports for people
 to secure and remain in their homes.
22
 23



Cost Savings of Full Implementation:


The Task Force recognizes that implementation of all of the initiatives within this plan are both
ambitious and expensive. However, the data from other cost effectiveness evaluations of many
of the initiatives outlined here will provide an overall system savings.

The number of chronically homeless individuals, estimated to be 100 clients, would represent at
bed night savings of 36,500. Cost study data suggests these 100 clients will also saving the
emergency shelter system, to include emergency room visits, ambulance calls, jail nights, mental
health crisis admissions and emergency social service delivery systems nearly $1,300,000
annually. Shelter night savings would also be realized for an estimated 167 clients who would be
rapidly rehoused, saving approximately 4,000 bed nights. Changes in case management and
mental health and substance abuse service delivery methods are estimated to reduce emergency
room costs and inpatient psychiatric admissions by nearly $945,000 over a 12 month period. All
told, total emergency system cost savings is estimated at $2,245,000 annually.
 24


References

Arehart-Treichel, J.,(2004), Homelessness Does Not Lead to Increased Substance Abuse.,
Psychiatric News, 39(12),9-11.

Burt, M., Aron, L. Douglas, T., Valente, J. Lee, E & Iwen, B.(1999). Homelessness: Programs
and the people they serve. 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients

Burt, M. and Cohen, B.(2002), Differences among Homeless Single Women, Women with
Children and Single Men, Social Problems, 36(5), 508-524.

Chalmers McLaughlin 2012, Homeless prevention, rapid rehousing evaluation for the City of
Portland, available: www.portlandmaine.gov

Draine, J., Salzer, M., Culhane, D. & Hadley, T. (2002). Role of Social Disadvantage in Crime,
Joblessness, and Homelessness Among Persons With Serious Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services,
53(5), 565-573.

Fangmeier, R. (1990). Doubled-Up Homeless Study. Practice and Research. Retrieved
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/csswp/research/complete.double.htm.

Folsom, D., et al. (2005). Prevalence and Risk Factors for Homelessness and Utilization of Mental
Health Services Among 10,340 Patients with Serious Mental Illness in a Large Public Mental Health
System. Am J Psychiatry, 162(2), 370-376.

Mojtabai, R. (2005). Perceived Reasons for Loss of Housing and Continued Homelessness Among
Homeless Persons With Mental Illness. Psychiatric Services, 56(2), 172-184.

Moore, J. (2005). Unaccompanied and Homeless Youth Review of Literature (1995-2005). National
Center for Homeless Education. Retrieved
http://www.serve.org/nche/products_list.php#uy_lit_review.

Morse, G, 1998, A Review of Case Management for People Who Are Homeless: Implications for
Practice, Policy, and Research, retrieved: http://aspe.hhs.gov/homeless/symposium/7-
Casemgmt.htm

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, (June 2010). Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan
to Prevent and End Homelessness. Washington, DC.
 25


Appendix A: Total cost of supporting 99 people who are homeless over a 12 month period in
Portland.


 % of total cost
 0%
 2% health care
 1% 7%
 mental health care
 23% dental
 case management
 14%
 transportation
 ambulance
 housing
 3%
 substance abuse treatment
 shelter night
 21% police contact
 14%
 jail night
 emergency room
 12% food
 2% 0% 0%



Data represented here is for the 99 clients who were homeless in Portland 1 year in 2009. The
total cost of providing the emergency service structure to these 99 individuals was $2,776,409.36
over the 12 month period. That is $28,044.59 per person per year. The costs reflected above are
the percent of the total cost for providing the emergency structure.