download. - The Commons of NC
Transcription
download. - The Commons of NC
Avoiding Homelessness Building Futures A Campaign to Build Futures A Common Cause Most of us think of homelessness as a person on the corner with a sign. But, there are homeless people you seldom see and reasons for homelessness that you may not even realize. region, every state, every city – urban and rural. Winston-Salem is not immune. Any annually in Winston-Salem. night about 400 people are homeless right here. The costs are high – in grueling lives, In 2006, community leaders created Winston-Salem’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. In 2006, Winston-Salem developed the Ten Year Plan to End Specific goals of the plan are: Chronic Homelessness. The aggressive goal of this plan was not • Adoption of a “Housing First” approach to programs just to address the symptoms, but to END homelessness. Over the years, projects have been developed and great progress has been • Creation of approximately 600 new units of permanent, service enriched housing made in reducing homelessness in Winston-Salem. Recent data shows that homelessness has decreased by 40%. Still, not all populations are being served – and many of these underserved have the potential to overcome homelessness or avoid it altogether with the right support. Recently, Winston-Salem’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, the North Carolina Housing Foundation, Goodwilll Industries, iCan House, CareNet Counseling and a variety of other service organizations, foundations and educational institutions collaborated and identified three populations in special need of help and with a tremendous potential to avoid homelessness. 2 including 200 children experience homelessness emergency room care and, sometimes, for prisons. – Chris Henson, COO, BB&T Chairman, Winston-Salem’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Chairman, Campaign for The Commons Approximately 1,800 people Homelessness continues to be a chronic issue across the country and affects every missed opportunities, dimmed hopes. And, yes, in dollars – for shelters, soup kitchens, “Homelessness is just misunderstood.” Winston-Salem’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness • Development of employment services to assist efforts to gain work • Improved collaboration among service providers • Enhancement of systems to ensure services are more effectively provided The Commons is a significant part of the Ten Year Plan. 1 2 3 Foster Care Youth Autism Spectrum Young Adults Homeless Families with Children 3 No Net Many people think that a safety net exists when children in the foster care system reach 18 years of age, but in fact, it doesn’t. When these children reach the age of adulthood, assistance mostly stops – which means no home, no family, no job and limited education. Through no fault of their own, they are simply left to provide for themselves and struggle once again to find stability, leaving little hope. Their Challenges: Due to family disruption, inconsistent living arrangements, foster care regimentation and limited financial support throughout their childhoods, most former foster youth face significant challenges: At 18, foster care room and board ceases, leaving youth to find their own living arrangements At Risk: Foster Care Youth Former Foster Care Youth in the United States: % 68 of women receive food stamps % 59 of men have criminal convictions 52% are unemployed % 85 earn less than $25,000 per year 3 in 10 homeless adults report having been in foster care No family support and limited, if any, supportive relationships High school education level at best, and often less Job prospects are dim, due to minimal education Financial support is seldom available; no federal programs target this group after 18 Only short-term living options are available with no semblance of a home “One day you have a place to live or community If not homeless already, they are prime candidates for homelessness. and someone to take care of you ... and the next day ... it’s just done.” – Reni Geiger, Director of Community Initiatives, Goodwill Industries 4 5 No Support In the United States: Another population faces many of the same challenges for a very different reason. 1 in 50 children have an Young adults facing autism spectrum challenges are at risk for homelessness similarly to the foster youth. In this case, a developmental disorder causes the problems, but even with loving, supportive families these young men and women require help or face the prospect of no job, limited education and, as their parents age, no family. With the rapid increase of this condition and practically no housing to serve this population, homelessness is a real issue. autism spectrum disorder 60% have never been employed two years after high school 33% have had no employment seven years after high school Their Challenges: Due to a disorder that affects their social skills, communication and ability to adapt to some work and school settings, autism spectrum young adults face significant challenges: No federal or state programs provide supportive housing, and there are no private programs in the Winston-Salem area At Risk: Autism Spectrum Young Adults In Winston-Salem: 500 young adults ages 15-24 have autism spectrum challenges Family support is common, but parents frequently cannot provide the housing, training and case management needed High school education or higher is possible, but is typically obtained much more slowly Job prospects are limited, due to lack of training and/or education “These adults face challenges every day that the rest of us take for granted.” – Kim Shufran, Executive Director, iCan House Financial support is seldom available Stable, supportive housing is necessary due to ongoing life skills management needs Life skills must be ingrained by early adulthood to successfully live independently Institutional-type environments delay development due to the lack of exposure to normal life, work and community interactions These young adults have great potential to live happy, productive lives. They just need a different kind of help to get there. 6 7 No Home In Winston-Salem: Homeless families have been increasing as a proportion of the homeless population due in large part to financial factors driven by a protracted weak economy. In fact, from 2008 to 2012 the poverty rate for married-couple families 160 families are homeless with children more than doubled in Forsyth County. At the same time, most homeless programs are focused on people who are chronically homeless and single male adults. annually in Winston-Salem 86 Only shelter beds are available for families Parents have additional hurdles to address when they become homeless – childcare, schooling, transportation, housing and food for their family – before they can begin taking care of themselves. Their Challenges: Families tend to be less visible because they avoid homeless shelters, soup kitchens and other typical homeless venues in order to protect their children and keep their families 50% are homeless for the first time and do not have family or additional support in the area 4 In only years, the poverty rate for families with children has more than doubled together. Challenges include: At Risk: Families with Children Limited education Job skills that are in less demand or have atrophied Overwhelming logistic and time demands – food, clothing, healthcare, childcare, school, training, job search or work – all with limited transportation access Search for safe housing is constant, sometimes living in cars, sheds or in unsafe “These are people who want to do better – and with a helping hand – can do better.” abandoned buildings Very limited supply of housing for homeless families in Winston-Salem Limited family support structures National Spotlight: The number of homeless school-aged children in the United States surpassed 1 million for the first time during the 2011-12 school year — a 57 percent increase from 2006-07. See the full story at: cbsnews.com/60-minutes These families are just like yours. The difference is that unemployment and financial issues have devastated them. Now they need a steady hand to regain their footing. – Chris Henson, COO, BB&T Chairman, Winston-Salem’s Ten Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness Chairman, Campaign for The Commons 8 9 Common Needs Cost of Homelessness: All of these groups are dealing with situations outside of their control. Unfortunate $24,000 circumstances, illness, unemployment and the effects of a weak economy are the primary causes. And, most importantly, they all have true potential to be contributing members of our community – with the right help. Underserved Risk of Homlessness Annual average cost per homeless person to our community $43 million Cost to the Community Potentially Self-Sufficient Annual cost of homelessness to our community $3.2 million While in some ways they are dissimilar, in many more ways they are the same. They have common needs, hopes and dreams. Average cost for care and treatment for a single person with autism over a lifetime Safe, secure housing for an extended period Access to inexpensive, nutritious meals Case management to navigate access to and make plans for services – healthcare, unemployment, social services Training to gain employment – job training, vocational training and education services Life management and interpersonal skills to regain self-sufficiency – financial counseling, time management, household skills “The Commons is about building futures – for the residents it serves and for Winston-Salem.” Transportation and appointment coordination Perhaps the most important need they all share is the need for a community. Not an institution, but a place where their neighbors understand their challenges. A place where everyone is not identical to them, just like any neighborhood. A place where they get help and understanding, but also take on responsibilities and give support. They need a home. – D. Ritchie Brooks, Director Community and Business Development City of Winston-Salem 10 11 A Common Solution The Commons Campus The Commons delivers an integrated program – extended-term housing, food and supportive services – something unique in Forsyth County and at the forefront of homeless program best practices. The program is consistent with the housing-first strategy Main proven effective throughout our country and supported by our Ten Year Plan to Office End Homelessness. Residences Property Features: Medical The Commons is located on a campus-like property five minutes east of downtown Warehouse Winston-Salem with the facilities to house, feed and provide services to these populations. Conference Center Our objective is to transform highly vulnerable people to be: Future Expansion/ Development Employed or financially self-sufficient – 16 acre campus within Winston-Salem city limits – Accessible by public transportation Permanently housed – 15 condominiums Net contributors to community services vs. net consumers of community services – A multi-purpose building with 20 bedrooms with private bathrooms Key strategic plan components – Two multi-bedroom stand The strategy employs the most effective methods to address residents’ needs and brings alone houses together a variety of service organizations and the local community to help and benefit. – A 5,000 square foot Link housing and various service offerings, establishing long-term strategy for conference center with self-sufficiency with demonstrated success. training rooms Launch a consolidated campus offering interpersonal skills development and – A medical office building safer, family-like atmosphere for residents that have similar life, interpersonal and – Deliver training and services efficiently in one location – Enhance programs with cross-agency cooperation – An occupational training workshop – 12 undeveloped acres ad – A commercial kitchen Drive Leverage the collective expertise of service organizations to: – A 10 office building Harvest employment skills needs. sb or o Ro Invest in a campus with the capacity to expand. d Roa ille 40 dsv 12 BUSINESS Rei O ld G re en Leverage training and facilities to reach financial self-sufficiency near term. 13 Building On a History of Success NCHF, Inc. Support Organizations The North Carolina Housing Foundation, Inc. (NCHF), founded in From the outset, organizations drawn from the premier human service agencies already 1967, will own, manage and maintain The agencies will provide support in the forms of service providers, referral sources and/or Commons. The NCHF draws on its long-term experience developing, managing and existing in Forsyth County and North Carolina have committed to the project. Partner “The Commons is the best example of financial donors. coordinating services for over 2,000 units of quality housing for elderly, handicapped, disabled and low-income families in our community and throughout the state. a community NCHF provides property management and services coordination for their properties. collaboration.” Currently, NCHF has over 26 staff members coordinating services. They operate with a high productivity infrastructure and efficient operating processes resulting in happy residents and successful programs. Campaign Goal – Reni Geiger Director of Community Initiatives, Goodwill Industries Preliminary Campaign Budget Allocation In 2012, The Commons embarked “The Commons is the right project for ending homelessness in Winston-Salem.” – Andrea Kurtz Senior Director, Housing Strategies United Way of Forsyth County 14 on a capital campaign to purchase the campus and to initiate Site Acquisition + operations for the first year. The Board of Directors of Renovations/Code Upgrades Foundation (NCHF) retained Campaign Expenses Committee’s calendar for 2013. $200,000 + Inc., and NCHF secured a slot on the Campaign Coordinating $400,000 + the North Carolina Housing the services of Whitney Jones, $3,200,000 Start-up Costs $200,000 = Based on the survey results and How You Can Support The Commons We invite you to help offer a safety net to foster care youth, provide support to young adults with autism and establish a home for families. Email Us – [email protected] Donate Online – Visit thecommonsnc.org to make your donation online Mail Your Donation – Make checks payable to: NCHF and write “Campaign for The Commons” on the memo line Mail to: approved a capital campaign with NCHF, Inc. a goal of $4 million. 750 Bethesda Road Winston-Salem, NC 27103 the recommendation of Whitney Jones, Inc., the Board of NCHF Total Expenses $4,000,000 “FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING SECTION AT 1-888-830-4989. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE.” All contributions are tax deductible within the limits of federal and state laws. 15 Campaign Leadership Campaign Chairman Chris Henson Honorary Cabinet Members Richard P. Budd Mayor Allen Joines Norwood Robinson Campaign Cabinet Members Cantey Alexander David P. Barksdale Linda Jackson Barnes Dan Besse Nick Bragg Felice Brenner Andy Brown Joe Budd Teddy Burriss Peggy C. Carter Perry Craven Ron Drago Art Gibel Tommy Hickman Michael Hough Marie Ivester Mary Jamis Joycelyn Johnson Dan Kornelis Andrea Kurtz Ward B. Miller John Nichols Tanner Robinson Robert Sanders, Jr. Steve Scoggin Steve Viola Dudley Watts North Carolina Housing Foundation, Inc. Garry Merritt, Consulting Project Director Diane Evans, Director of Development Avoiding Homelessness, Building Futures thecommonsnc.org