Think Upstream

Support effective prevention programs and strategies, such as effective discharge planning, employment training, substance abuse counseling, and family reunification efforts.

Examples of Successful, Evidence-Based Programs

Community Shelter Board, Columbus, OH

Prevention, Diversion, Re-Housing

Critical Access to Housing (CAH) is a Rebuilding Lives project to address street homelessness. Participants are staying in places where there are identified health and safety concerns or otherwise need critical care and focused attention to secure housing.

Critical Access to Housing:

• Focuses on persons with the most critical needs related to health and safety;
• Streamlines access and outreach activities among 10 local outreach, shelter and permanent supportive housing providers;
• Provides additional permanent supportive housing units and financial assistance.

As of June 30, 2008 the project has assisted 349 homeless men and women staying at various locations around Columbus. Of these, 131 have obtained permanent housing. 94 of the 131 have been housed in Rebuilding Lives. Of those, 67 have been placed in housing specifically dedicated for CAH participants.

The YMCA and Southeast provided 35 units and 15 units respectively for Critical Access to Housing, and during the last reporting period, achieved successful housing outcomes of greater than 94%.

The Critical Access to Housing program is funded by the Harry C. Moores Foundation, the United Way of Central Ohio, and the City of Columbus.

HomeStart program, Boston, MA
Re-Housing

HomeStart's Prevention Program aims to dramatically cut the eviction cases of low-income tenants with its exciting new initiative

• Most people remain housed - 90% of those receiving HomeStart's follow-up housing retention services remain housed when tracked one year later.
• Many others avoid homelessness - Over 250 low-income families and individuals on the verge of eviction are prevented from becoming homeless each year.
• A sizable pool of flexible rental funds - Nearly $370,000 a year is carefully distributed in small grants of rental assistance to help people to secure and keep housing (e.g., move-in costs, short-term rent stipends, rent arrears).
• Cutting-edge Housing First programs - Approximately 57 chronically homeless are now making it in apartments of their own, thanks to HomeStart's intensive case management, money management services and rental subsidies. Since the program's inception in 2005, 97% of those assisted remain housed.

Anishinabe Wakiagun, Minnesota
Harm Reduction, Permanent Supportive Housing

Anishinabe Wakiagun demonstrates an approach to providing safe, affordable service-supported housing for homeless people with chronic alcohol addiction through a “harm reduction”, permanent housing model.

The average length of a resident's stay is 21 months, with the longest at 4 1/2 years. 60% stay for more than one year. 5% stay three to six months and 17% stay up to three months.

Resident Profile:

Residents must have 20 or more admissions to detox centers in the last three years, two or more attempts at chemical dependency treatment, and have been homeless the majority of the last five years. Other indicators of eligibility include physical deterioration and evidence that the individual is incapable of self-management due to alcohol use.

Cost Savings to County:

Anishinabe Wakiagun saves the taxpayers over $500,000 per year by reducing:

• detox admissions by 85%
• ER visits by 20%
• jail bookings by 23%