State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless annual report, fiscal year 2012

State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless
Providing Resources Supporting Opportunities Forming Partnerships
Annual Report State Fiscal Year 2012

Mission Statement
The mission of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless is to support the efforts of organizations that provide housing and essential services for individuals and families striving to end their state of homelessness. These groups include:
Non-Profits Faith-Based Organizations Community Homeless Provider Networks, and Public Programs
The mission of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless will be accomplished by: Providing Resources Supporting Opportunities that Promote Self-Sufficiency, and F orming Partnerships with Organizations that Embrace the Goal of Ending Homelessness in Georgia

Homelessness
in Georgia
How many people are homeless in Georgia? The difficulties of counting the homeless in any single community, much less a large state, have been discussed in detail by both researchers and advocates for the homeless. Therefore, it is impossible to provide a single, definitive, and indisputable number of persons who are homeless in Georgia. However, it is important to have at least some understanding of the magnitude and scope of the problem. All of the count efforts around the state, along with a statistical model, indicate that in 2011, there were almost 20,000 people in Georgia who were homeless at a single Point-InTime (a one-night snap shot) during the last week in January. In addition to the literally homeless population, DCA counted 4,712 persons who were either facing loss of housing within two weeks or staying in dilapidated housing on the night of the count.
Georgia's homeless population isn't static. Some of the people who were homeless on the January count date will find housing. Other people, who had housing on the count night, will later become homeless. Using data collected about the length of time that people had been homeless, and a weighted average of those responses, an estimated 62,172 people experienced homelessness in Georgia at some time during 2011. Statewide, this is 31% lower than the 2009 estimate.

Georgia's Literally Homeless:

2011 Single Night (Point in Time) Count

Housing Status

Number of Individuals

Unsheltered

11,383

Emergency Shelters &

Transitional Housing

8,577

Total

19,960

State FY2012 Accomplishments
$20.9 million was expended for programs that provide shelter, transitional housing, permanent housing, or services for homeless individuals and families.
Programs funded through the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Program served a total of 26,297 individuals with emergency shelter, 3,576 individuals with transitional housing, and 39,890 individuals with supportive services.
Under the Homelessness Prevention program through ESG, 544 individuals (194 households) received assistance during the operating year.
$14.7 million was awarded to 68 programs under the 2011 Continuum of Care Plan for the `Balance Of The State'. This included 26 Shelter Plus Care renewal projects in coordination with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. An additional 17 Shelter Plus Care renewal projects were awarded through the Continuums of Care of the Tri-Jurisdictions (Atlanta/ DeKalb/Fulton), Augusta-Richmond County, Athens-Clarke County, ColumbusMuscogee/Russell County, and Savannah/Chatham County.
$8.9 million in Shelter Plus Care Program funds supported more than 1,584 housing units, which provided housing assistance to over 2,452 homeless persons with a disability.
Over $1.7 million was administered to 7 organizations through the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program to serve 1,813 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. During the program year, 446 households consisting of one or more persons with HIV/AIDS were provided needed housing assistance (457 persons w/ HIV/AIDS and 268 other family members) and an additional 1,099 households consisting of one or more persons with HIV/AIDS were provided supportive services under the HOPWA Program.
Project Homeless Connect Events to connect individuals and families with homeless service providers were held in Atlanta, Augusta, Hinesville, Jesup, and Henry County.
The Permanent Supportive Housing Program awarded $5,479,831 in HOME funds and $200,000 in State Housing Trust Funds to a project that will produce 70 units for individuals who are homeless with a disability.
During State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2012, the Re-Entry Partnership Housing (RPH) Program assisted 506 eligible parolees with housing placement, meals and the opportunity to reintegrate into the general population to become reconnected with society through a collaboration between the HTF, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Department of Corrections.

State Housing Trust Fund Programs

Fundamental Components of CoC System

Emergency Shelter

Transitional Housing

Affordable Housing

Prevention
Outreach/Intake Housing

Rapid Re-Housing

Supportive Services

Permanent Supportive
Housing

Permanent Housing

Supportive Services

Homelessness Prevention The first line of defense against homelessness is to prevent it from occurring or to rapidly re-house families as quickly as possible. In SFY2012, Homelessness Prevention assistance was provided through the ESG program. Prevention funds can be used to pay utility bills, past due rents, moving costs, security deposits and rental assistance. Generally, persons appropriate for this program are those who are in their own rental housing and about to be homeless because of a temporary economic setback. During this period, the State made awards to nine agencies to provide assistance under the Homeless Prevention program, and seven agencies expended $153,309 to assist 544 individuals (within 194 households). Of the total number served, 90% were persons in families (335 children).
Emergency Shelters Emergency shelters and outreach to unsheltered populations are the points of entry for thousands of persons who have become homeless. In SFY2012, through 82 project grants, the Trust Fund assisted in providing 2,188 bed spaces in emergency shelter facilities with an average of 2,262 clients receiving housing per day. A total of 26,297 persons were housed by funded shelter programs this year. Forty-seven percent (47%) of the persons housed by these shelter programs were persons in families, and fifty-three percent (53%) of the persons housed were individuals. Of the total number receiving emergency shelter, 26% were children.
Transitional Housing In SFY2012, through 59 project grants, the Trust Fund assisted in providing 1,814 bed spaces in transitional housing facilities with an average of 1,474 clients receiving housing per day. A total of 3,576 persons were housed by funded transitional programs this year. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the persons housed by these transitional housing programs were persons in families, and thirty-four percent (34%) of the persons housed were individuals. Of the total number receiving transitional housing, 44% were children.
Supportive Services In addition to housing, the Trust Fund awards money to organizations that provide services designed to address issues that may have contributed to the individual's or the family's homelessness. The range of supportive services available through provider programs included housing support services, outreach, case management, childcare, employment training, financial counseling, legal aid, mental health counseling, health care, and substance abuse therapy. In SFY2012, through 45 project grants, the Trust Fund assisted in providing supportive services to an average of 1,488 clients per day. A total of 39,890 persons received supportive services through programs funded this year.

Shelter Plus Care (S+C) The Shelter Plus Care program is designed to provide housing and supportive services on a long-term basis for homeless persons with disabilities and their families. There are 69 current projects with 1,636 units under contract. Thirty-one (31) programs are operating in a five-year grant period while 38 programs are operating in a renewal term for a 12 month period. The programs benefitted an estimated 2,452 individuals or heads of families who are homeless or chronically homeless and have a disability. Approximately 95% of the households residing in S+C units were below 50% of the area median income.
Permanent Supportive Housing Program DCA's Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSHP) finances the development of affordable rental housing with accompanying supportive services for eligible homeless tenants with a disability. The program offers 100% capital financing combining the resources of the federal HOME Investment Partnership program and the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless. Eligible participants include head of household or family members who must be either homeless or threatened with becoming homeless and an individual with a disability. The disability must be of long-continued and indefinite duration, substantially impedes their ability to live independently, be improved by more suitable housing conditions, and may be a physical, mental, developmental, or emotional impairment including impairment due solely to alcohol or drug abuse. During SFY2012, DCA awarded $5,479,831 in HOME funds and $200,000 in State Housing Trust Funds to one project that will produce 70 special needs units. One project consisting of 48 special needs units was completed during this reporting period. Approximately 75% of the occupants of the completed project were below 50% of the area median income.
Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) HOPWA is a federally funded program that has been in operation since 1994. Borne out of Congress' desire to address the housing crisis associated with the AIDS epidemic, the program serves individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. In SFY2012, the Trust Fund administered $1,693,631 in HOPWA funds to seven organizations that serve persons affected by HIV/AIDS. HOPWA funds were also administered by the State to provide Housing Information for persons calling in seeking housing or services. The State drew down $60,559 in HOPWA funds for administration, so the total amount of HOPWA funds expended during SFY2011 was $1,754,190. During the program year, 446 households consisting of one or more persons with HIV/AIDS were provided needed housing assistance (457 persons w/ HIV/AIDS and 257 other family members) and an additional 1,099 households consisting of one or more persons with HIV/AIDS were provided supportive services. Using the data sets on housing stability, Project Sponsors were able to report the percentage of clients in stable housing at the end of the operating year. Of the clients served with Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, 93% were determined stable at the end of the year, 71% stability was reached in Facility-based housing, and 80% stability in Short Term Rent Mortgage and Utility Assistance.
Re-Entry Partnership Housing Program The State Board of Pardons and Paroles, DCA, and the Department of Corrections have entered into an agreement to accomplish the Re-Entry Partnership Housing (RPH) for the Residence-Problem Inmates (RPI) project. This program provides housing to convicted felons who remain in prison after the Parole Board has authorized their release due solely to having no residential options. Re-entry housing partners must provide released offenders stable housing and food. The goal of the RPH program is to provide short-term financial assistance to help stabilize an individual's re-entry process to enhance his or her ability to remain crime free. During SFY2012, the RPH assisted 506 eligible parolees with housing placement, meals and the opportunity to reintegrate into the general population to become reconnected with society. DCA disbursed $654,600 of RPH funds to agencies providing the required services.

Collaboration & Training
Homeless Management Information System The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has mandated that Continuums of Care utilize a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for their federally funded programs directed to the homeless. In Georgia, six of the seven Continuums have adopted the use of the same system provided through Pathways Community Network. Statewide, over 360 homeless service providers use Pathways HMIS. The Georgia HMIS was used to track services provided to 264,433 homeless or at-risk Georgians in the twelve months ending June 30, 2012. Of this total number, 91,521 were children and 7,918 were senior citizens. Trust Fund staff provides leadership to the Southeastern Regional HMIS Collaborative (SERHC). This past year, the focus has continued to be on data quality and increasing HMIS participation among PATH, VASH, SSVF, VA per diem, HOPWA, and faith-based programs.
State Homeless Interagency Coordination Council Established by Executive Order by Governor Perdue and chaired by DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty, the Homeless Action Plan (The State's Plan to End Chronic Homelessness in Ten Years) developed by the Council was endorsed by the Governor on November 29, 2004. In 2011, this significant work continues, and updates to the Homeless Action Plan goals and activities were made to line up the Plan with the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness. This collaborative initiative is focused on ending chronic homelessness in 5 years; policies that will eliminate discharging clients back into homeless situations; improving state agency coordination; improving access to SSI with a consideration given to presumptive eligibility; develop effective community planning models to enhance local implementation if integrated housing and service delivery strategies; and coordination strategies that will best achieve the Council's and the Governor's goals for reducing the number of homeless families with children and unaccompanied youth in Georgia. In recognizing that the planning and strategizing necessary to address homelessness cannot be confined to `homeless-only' planning processes, DCA actively participates in mainstream planning efforts throughout the State such as the Mental Health Planning Advisory Council, the Prisoner Re-Entry Policy Team, and the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Regional Planning Partnerships DCA regularly attends local homeless coalition meetings as well as the Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Homeless Commission. Staffed by the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Commission's vision is to address needs in the larger metro region. Using State HTF dollars, DCA is able to fund and support local sponsors of Project Homeless Connect events in all of Georgia's 12 regions. Five (5) of these events were held in four of the State's regions last year. Project Homeless Connect is designed for agencies to coordinate and sponsor one-day, one-stop events to deliver services to people experiencing homelessness in the community.
Staff Directed Technical Assistance and Grantee Monitoring Trust Fund staff provides on-going training and technical assistance to grantees and persons who are interested in starting new homeless projects. Each week on average, one or more members of the staff visit several facilities around the state and during those visits, one-on-one technical assistance support is offered. Another important function of Trust Fund staff is the monitoring of each grantee's participation in the various programs to ensure compliance with program regulations. Monitoring visit reviews include such areas as financial record systems, program benefits, and compliance with other program rules.

Finances
Expenditure of Funds From July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, $20.9 million was expended by the State Housing Trust Fund to support homeless assistance programs operated by non-profit organizations, including faith based organizations, and local governments throughout Georgia. Funds for these programs come from federal and state resources.
The Housing Trust Fund's support for DCA's competitive Continuum of Care (CoC) planning process led to $10.3 million in new awards for the 152-county DCA-sponsored Continuum of Care and Shelter Plus Care (S+C) projects supported by the Commission in each of the state's competitive homeless Continuums of Care, which enhance competitiveness and lead to HUD awards for new projects. In 2011, HUD awarded an additional $4.1 million in new CoC awards in Georgia. Overall, $33.5 million in CoC funds were awarded throughout the state. Most likely, this would not have been possible without Housing Trust Fund support of S+C projects and other work by DCA within each Continuum. These resources were also used to leverage over $3.5 million of Federal ESG funds. $2.3 million of the $29.2 million expended represents State HTF Commission resources. $18.6 million is from outside resources, the majority of which was provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The chart below illustrates how these dollars were distributed to projects in SFY2012.

Final SFY 2012 State Housing Trust Fund Expenditures

Program Name

Amount

%

Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG)*

$3,577,163

17%

Matching Funds

$1,048,289

5%

Shelter Plus Care

$8,987,167

43%

Re-Entry Partnership Housing

$654,600

3%

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

$1,754,190

8%

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

$579,885

3%

Administration

$1,084,740

5%

Permanent Supportive Housing

$606,000

2%

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP)

$3,221,933

15%

Total

$20,907,967 100%

*ESG includes shelter, transitional housing, homeless prevention, supportive services

only, and Homeless Connect grants.

Source of Funding For Major Programs

State-HTF $2.3 M D

Federal-HUD and other $18.6 M D

Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing

Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

*Continuum of Care Coordination

*Shelter Plus Care (S+C) Program

*Project Homeless Connect

*Housing Opportunities for Persons

*Homelessness Prevention

With AIDS Program

*Essential Services

*Homelessness Prevention and Rapid

*Service Match for Shelter Plus Care

Re-Housing Program

*Re-Entry Partnership Housing Program

For a copy of the Audit Report, please contact the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless at 404.679.4940.

2013 Commissioners State Housing Trust Fund For The Homeless
Mike Beaudreau, Chair National Accounts Manager, Ricoh Business Solutions, Inc.
Lawrenceville
Randy Glass Director of Business Development, HavenBrook Homes
Smyrna
Douglas Hanson Board Member, Good News Clinic
Gainesville
Bernard H. Reynolds Principal, True North Public Affairs, Inc.
Atlanta
Barry Maurice Slay President, Terco, Inc. (d/b/a Fairytales Learning Center & Academy)
Atlanta
Joyce C. Stevens Partner, The Stevens Group Board Member, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Good Hope
Brian Williamson Deputy Commissioner, Community Development & Finance
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Chris Yaughn Fostering Bulloch
Statesboro
The State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs/Georgia Housing Finance Authority
Mike Beatty, Commissioner
Note: Commissioners and/or Staff of the State Housing Trust Fund can be contacted at: State Housing Trust Fund
Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329
If you have a disability and would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please contact the Georgia Department of Community Affairs at 404.679.4915 (TDD)