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Homelessness in Washington State Annual Report on the Homeless Grant Programs December 2013 Report to the Legislature Br
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Homelessness in Washington State Annual Report on the Homeless Grant Programs
December 2013 Report to the Legislature Brian Bonlender, Director
Acknowledgements Washington State Department of Commerce Diane Klontz, Assistant Director, Community Services and Housing Division Tedd Kelleher, Managing Director, Housing Assistance Unit Mary Schwartz, Data Systems Manager Kathy Kinard, Homeless Grants Manager Kathryn Stayrook, Editor
Tedd Kelleher – [email protected] Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Assistance Unit 1011 Plum St. SE P.O. Box 42525 Olympia, WA 98504-2525 www.commerce.wa.gov
For people with disabilities, this report is available on request in other formats. To submit a request, please call 360-725-4000 (TTY 360-586-0772).
Homelessness in Washington State
Table of Contents Executive Summary........................................................................................................................ 1 2013 Annual Report on Homelessness ......................................................................................... 3 Use of Document Recording Fees .............................................................................................. 12 Housing and Essential Needs Program ...................................................................................... 17 Independent Youth Housing Program ........................................................................................ 21 Consolidated Homeless Grant..................................................................................................... 23 Federal 811 Program .................................................................................................................... 25 Point-in-Time Results ................................................................................................................... 26 Recommendations........................................................................................................................ 32 Appendix A: DSHS Report ........................................................................................................... 33 Appendix B: IYHP County-by-County Outcomes....................................................................... 36
Homelessness in Washington State
Executive Summary This annual report on Washington State homeless housing programs provides a comprehensive overview of the state’s integrated approach to reducing homelessness. The Department of Commerce (Commerce) reports on program goals, performance outcomes, and makes recommendations for sustaining and improving services necessary to continue reducing homelessness in the state. The document fulfills reporting requirements under RCW 43.185C regarding the use of state and local document recording fees, and the Consolidated Homeless Grant, the Independent Youth Housing, and Housing and Essential Needs programs.
Homelessness Has Declined Since 2006 Data-driven investments have reduced overall statewide homelessness by 29 percent since 2006, including a large decline in unsheltered family homelessness (down 74 percent) and a more modest decline in the incidence of unsheltered individuals (down 5 percent). These gains were achieved despite an increase in unemployment-driven poverty, large overall social service cuts, and increasing housing costs. Progress in reducing homelessness resulted primarily from the 2006 Homelessness Housing and Assistance Act, which increased investments in short-term housing assistance, performance data collection, coordination, and accountability.
Funding Source Essential to Reducing Homelessness Almost half of the short-term housing for people facing homelessness – $42 million per year – depends on document recording fees. Short-term assistance includes emergency shelter, rent assistance, and transitional housing. Under current law, the document-recording fee that supports homelessness reduction efforts will decline 62.5 percent by 2017. Revenue generated by the fees supports community-based non-profit organizations, faithbased organizations, and local governments under the guidance of local housing plans. Community organizations and local governments, primarily counties, would probably not be able to backfill a loss of these fees, resulting in the closure of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and the end of short-term rent assistance.
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Legislative Recommendations In a large percentage of cases, homelessness is a temporary situation caused by general societal or economic factors, or individual conditions such as health issues, employability, or family disruption. To become stably housed, the majority of people facing homelessness need shortterm help with rent and deposits. Most people who receive short-term rent assistance will never again need help with rent. Document recording fee revenue funds homeless services that have resulted in a 29 percent decrease in homelessness generally, and 74 percent decrease in unsheltered family homelessness since 2006. Removing the fee sunset in RCW 36.22.179 (June 30, 2017) will allow our continued progress in ending homelessness. Commerce also recommends simplifying the document recording fee structure, which would reduce the administrative burden on local county auditors and Commerce.
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2013 Annual Report on Homelessness Investments are Paying Off Data-driven housing investments and system reforms have reduced the incidence of homelessness by 29 percent since 2006. This improvement occurred despite an 18 percent increase in poverty,1 an 8 percent decline in vacancy rates,2 and large cuts to the overall social safety net. From 2006 to 2012 inflation-adjusted rents have increased 14 percent while median wages declined 3.9 percent.3, 4 Figure 1: Homelessness has Declined 29 Percent Since 2006
Homelessness - 29.0%
2006
2007
Rental Vacancy Rate -8.1%
Reduced Social Services
Poverty +18.1%
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Scheduled Funding Reduction Under current law, recording fees that help fund homeless programs will decrease in 2015 and 2017, resulting in a 62.5 percent decline in state and local homeless fee funding. Funds from document recording fees are the biggest single source of homeless funding in our state. This fee is scheduled to decline from $40 to $30 in Fiscal Year 2016 and down to $10 in Fiscal Year 2017.
1
2006 and 2012 Census Bureau American Community Survey Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months. 2006 and 2012 Census Bureau American Community Survey Selected Housing Characteristics. 3 2006 and 2012 Washington Center for Real Estate Research, Washington Apartment Market; adjusted for inflation using U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index CPI-U. 4 2006 and 2012 Census Bureau American Community Survey Median Income in the Past 12 Months; adjusted for inflation using U.S. Department of Labor Consumer Price Index CPI-U. 2
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Funding Reduction Will Impact Local Governments Counties are the primary recipients of document recording fee funds. Counties directly receive 66 percent of the funds to provide homeless services; the other 34 percent are contracted to counties through Commerce. Fee revenue is 49 percent of homeless funding in the state from all sources, including private donations, federal funding, local government funding, and other state funding. For the smallest 10 counties, document recording fees support 61 percent of the funds for homeless services. In larger counties, document recording fees represent 35 percent of homeless funding. Figure 2: Continued Progress Dependent on Funding 400
Homelessness
$70.0
Federal Homeless Funds
Millions of Dollars
$60.0 $50.0
State Homeless Funds
350
300
$40.0 250
$30.0 $20.0
Local Homeless Funds
200
Rate of Homelessness per 100,000
$80.0
$10.0 $0.0
150 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Despite a legacy of underemployment and stagnant wages from the recent economic crisis, the return of relative economic stability and stable funding provides an opportunity to build on the success of our state’s progress to reduce homelessness.
Changes That Have Made a Difference Expanding Flexibility and Reducing Administrative Burden In 2011, the five primary homeless housing programs were streamlined into a single Consolidated Homeless Grant. This reduced the number of redundant contracts and subcontracts by more than 60 percent and aligned contract rules while adhering to the policies of the underlying funding sources. This consolidation also freed housing providers from redundant rules and accounting. Homelessness in Washington State
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Incentivizing Performance The Consolidated Homeless Grant added incentive payments to what were previously exclusively formula-based funding programs. The incentives encourage a focus on people facing homelessness who are: Disabled and chronically homeless. Youth exiting foster care. Discharged from psychiatric hospitals, jails, prisons, and regular hospitals. In 2014, incentives will be added to reward reducing the rate of return to homelessness after exit from foster care and for reducing the number of days people spend homeless. These new incentives align with the new federal Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act measures of community performance. Increasing Feedback and Accountability Data plays an increasing role in how resources are deployed. The Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce), in partnership with housing providers and local funding agencies, continues to hone how performance is measured and how that information is distributed. A quarterly Web-based performance dashboard provides state and local policymakers timely information on program-specific outputs, such as numbers served, and outcomes, such as rates of return to homelessness. In addition to the quarterly reports produced by Commerce, Homeless Management Information Service (HMIS) users now have access to an easy-to-run dashboard (September 2013) that can be used at the county, agency, or individual program level. Housing providers and local governments can also access aggregate information on the characteristics of those served by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and housing providers via a Web interface. Users can run queries against this system to see the relationships in their communities between the people they serve and those served by DSHS with programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and food assistance. Commerce and its partners on the Interagency Council on Homelessness supplement the program-specific data produced by the HMIS with rigorous research on the effectiveness of specific programs. This includes comparing the success of those served versus a matched sample of similar people who were not provided homeless housing assistance. Highlights of this enhanced research include: Rapid re-housing increases the employment and income of those served versus a carefully matched group that were not provided assistance.5 5
http://publications.rda.dshs.wa.gov/1470/.
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Although homeless programs serve many youth exiting out of foster care, some still fall into homelessness.6 The Housing and Essential Needs Program reduces housing instability by 18 percent, and prison incarceration 86 percent versus the former cash program.7
Twelve research and evaluation reports have been published by DSHS Research and Data Analysis through the partnership established by Commerce and the Interagency Council on Homelessness. Data-driven Expansion in Temporary Housing In the face of budget shortfalls, social service programs have been significantly reduced in the past seven years. Increased spending on homeless housing has offset a relatively small portion of these reductions. Although overall job-loss driven poverty has increased in both the state and nation, Washington State’s relatively modest investments in homeless housing have reduced homelessness. Document recording fees are the largest source of funding for homeless housing, 91 percent of which is operated by faith-based or community non-profit organizations. Recording fees account for 49 percent of the emergency shelter, transitional housing, and temporary rent budgets (accounting for all sources: private, federal, and other local government funds). In general, rural homeless housing budgets are more reliant on fees than in more urban areas (61 percent of rural homeless project budgets are fee supported, versus 35 percent of urban homeless project budgets). A loss of recording fees endangers these projects. Temporary Assistance to Move into Private-Market Housing A small portion of the people served by Washington’s homeless housing system require ongoing subsidized housing and support services to remain housed, due to severe and persistent mental health and other illnesses that prevent them from working. About 27 percent of those successfully exiting to permanent housing go to subsidized housing. Housing built by the state Housing Trust Fund is critical for this population, who need ongoing assistance in buildings appropriate to their needs. The remaining 73 percent of this population exit to unsubsidized private-market housing. To become stably housed, the majority of people facing homelessness need short-term help with rent and deposits so they can move into an unsubsidized private-market rental. Most people who receive short-term rent assistance will never again need help with rent.
6 7
http://publications.rda.dshs.wa.gov/1489/. http://publications.rda.dshs.wa.gov/1476/.
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Helping people move into private-market rental housing is central to the success of these efforts. More than 60 percent of state and local document recording fees pay for projects relying on rented or leased housing. Additionally, 91 percent of the state and local document recording fees that are used for temporary rent assistance are provided to landlords in the private market. Three percent are provided to public landlords, and 6 percent are provided to landlords in the non-profit market. Figure 3: Document Recording Fees Benefit Private Landlords Public/ Government 3%
Non-Profit 6%
Private/For Profit 91%
In an effort to build on the success of using of private-market housing rentals to house people facing homelessness, Commerce, in cooperation with local stakeholders, launched a statewide housing locator website that connects landlords with low-income people seeking housing. HousingSearchNW.org allows landlords to easily list available rental units, and potential tenants can search the listing using multiple criteria. Beyond facilitating efficient linking of available tenants to available units, the website can be used by local governments to fulfill their obligation under RCW 43.185C to maintain a list of available private-market units that is provided to tenants receiving document recording fee supported rent assistance. The locator has the capacity to be repurposed in the event of a disaster to re-house displaced people
Next Steps to Build on Successes Rapid Re-housing: The Ending Family Homelessness Initiative In March 2013, Governor Inslee directed the Commerce and DSHS to cooperate on a new initiative to address family homelessness. In the first phase of the Ending Family Homelessness
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Initiative, five communities were provided resources to rapidly re-house homeless enrollees in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The first phase is testing how best to quickly move families out of relatively expensive emergency shelters and into private-market housing that can serve as a permanent and stable base from which to build their skills and employment income. Data has shown that rapidly moving people into permanent housing is at least as effective as traditional shelter or transitional housing at maintaining long-term housing stability – and is more cost effective.8 As part of the initiative, Commerce and DSHS linked local housing providers into the TANF case management system (E-Jas), allowing formal referrals and the addition of housing stability in TANF participant Individual Responsibility Plans. Strategy: In January 2014, the initiative will be expanded to every community in the state using $5 million of Home Security Account Funds. Results from the first phase will be used by the member agencies of the Interagency Council on Homelessness to refine the initiative with the goal of expanding this strategy to homeless families in general and other people facing homelessness. Converting Transitional Housing to Permanent Supportive Housing Rapid re-housing is at least as effective as other temporary housing at maintaining housing stability for most people facing homelessness, and is more cost effective. However, people with severe and persistent disabilities such as mental illness, require permanent housing and intensive support to stay housed. Although the primary strategy continues to be adding new units of permanent supportive housing through new construction and rehabilitation, this effort can be supplemented by converting some existing transitional housing to permanent supportive housing. Strategy: In 2014, Commerce will be working with existing transitional housing projects and their associated funders to convert at least 10 percent of existing transitional housing to permanent supportive housing or rapid re-housing. Issues to resolve include: Modification of capital loan agreements with the state Housing Trust Fund and other public funders. Existing operating subsidies. Identification of mental health and other services necessary to make the projects successful.
8
http://www.endhomelessness.org/library/entry/rapid-re-housing-successfully-ending-family-homelessness.
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Finding Solid Ground to Get Back on Track Paula's parents had always taught her to work hard, take care of herself, and never ask for help. When her husband lost his job a year ago, she had to leave the community college in Whatcom County where she had been studying for a degree in accounting. Both she and her husband took jobs wherever possible, but despite their efforts they were unable pay their rent. Paula, her husband, and their two girls, ages eight and 14, were evicted and homeless. Paula was concerned that enrolling in TANF would be an intrusive and difficult experience, so she went to the Opportunity Council to ask for information and resources. She was encouraged to apply for TANF so that her family could benefit from the Ending Family Homelessness program beginning that May. Within six weeks, they were in an apartment. With the rent assistance from the program and support from their case managers, Paula’s family found the solid ground they needed to get back on track. As a result of stable housing, Paula’s husband soon found full-time employment and Paula re-enrolled in the accounting program. She wants to set a good example for her children and show them the path to building a better life through education and hard work. She looks forward to starting her classes again and sitting down at the dinner table in the evenings to do homework with her girls. Expanding Coordinated Intake and Assessment In 2010, Commerce announced the intention of requiring communities to implement coordinated intake systems by 2014 as a condition of receiving state homeless funding. In 2012, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development also made implementation of coordinated intake a condition of federal funding. Tenants of coordinated intake include: A clear pathway for requesting housing assistance (i.e., a centralized call-in number, or a no-wrong-door approach with a consistent application process). Consistent evidence-based criteria used communitywide to assess housing need and determine the type and amount of housing assistance provided (can vary by population and the specific needs of a household). Prior to the requirement, many communities were already implementing coordinated intake approaches. As of 2013, formal coordinated intake has been at least partially implemented in Clallam, Clark, King, Whatcom, Kitsap, Spokane, Lewis, and Pierce counties. Other small communities with one or a handful of housing providers already have housing systems that fulfill the requirement.
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Strategy: Commerce will provide technical assistance, based on previous successes, to communities that need additional help meeting the requirement, so that every community is on the path to compliance in 2014. Lead the Vulnerable Families Partnership Commerce won a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to improve alignment of housing, homeless, and anti-poverty policies that serve families. This effort began last winter and will end in July 2015. The partnership will encourage the most efficient use of resources and further an integrated approach to assist vulnerable families and children at risk of homelessness and long-term poverty. The Vulnerable Families Partnership includes DSHS, the Governor’s Office, Commerce, and Building Changes (a nonprofit focused on ending family homelessness). The Gates Foundation grant funds positions at DSHS, the Governor’s Office, and Commerce. The Vulnerable Families Partnership will: Develop an inventory of current and historical initiatives, programs, and projects serving families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Utilize data to establish indicators of reductions in family homelessness and improvements in family self-sufficiency and well-being. Establish relationships with public and private entities serving vulnerable families. Identify policy and program gaps in services to vulnerable families. Convene a Vulnerable Families Leadership Committee to provide action, advocacy, resource alignment, and political support. Implement activities that target reductions in family homelessness and family selfsufficiency and well-being. The Vulnerable Families Partnership has been improving outcomes for other new or ongoing efforts, such as l the Ending Family Homelessness Initiative, coordinated intake and assessment, and conversion of transitional housing to permanent supportive housing. Part of this grant is also funding the Affordable Housing Needs Study which will be complete in 2015. Strategy: State and local partners will cooperate to identify systems improvements that can improve outcomes for vulnerable families and children at risk of homelessness and long-term poverty.
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Maximize Leverage of the Affordable Care Act Addressing the health needs of people facing homelessness is critical to their long-term housing stability and increasing their income. Strategy: To aid in the maximum leverage of health care resources for people facing homelessness, Commerce and DSHS will actively measure enrollment in Medicaid of people connected to the homeless housing system using HMIS data and cross-matches with other state utilization data. Commerce and state and local partners will actively work to increase enrollment of populations in areas that are not fully leveraging this resource. Support the Affordable Housing Needs Study The Governor-appointed Affordable Housing Advisory Board is leading an effort to create a replicable affordable housing needs study for our state. The Housing Needs Study will yield a written report and a methodology that Commerce can use to update the research and future reports. The research will include a rental supply analysis, an inventory analysis, a homeownership analysis, and a needs assessment. The statewide analysis will include data for all counties and aggregate data statewide. It will include data on a range of income levels from zero to 120 percent of area median income. Special needs populations to be surveyed will include families with children, the homeless, seniors, and domestic violence victims. Strategy: Commerce awarded a competitive contract to Mullin & Lonergan to conduct this research. Commerce and an array of public and private funders have come together to fund this effort. The study will be complete by 2015.
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Use of Document Recording Fees RCW 43.185C.240 requires that Commerce report data on use of document recording fees. Tables 1 through 5 meet those statutory requirements. Table 1: Summary of Costs by Housing Type
Cost per Person Housed $10,404
People Housed with Recording Fees 1,441
State and Local Recording Fee Expenditures $ 4,848,789
Other Funds Expenditures (Private, Federal, and Other Local) $10,143,252
Transitional Housing
$4,104
3,155
$ 3,419,965
$ 9,529,171
Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re Housing
$1,502
8,026
$10,032,382
$ 2,020,095
Emergency Shelter
$1,291
18,337
$ 6,889,658
$16,783,013
Permanent Supportive Housing
Table 2: Summary of Performance by Housing Type
Transitional Housing Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re Housing Emergency Shelter
Homelessness in Washington State
Exiting to Permanent Housing 59.3%
Return to Homeless Housing One Year After Exit to Permanent Housing (2011 to 2012) 8.2%
65.5% 14.0%
6.1% 13.7%
12
Table 3: Document Recording Fees Expenditures Calendar Year 2012 (RCW 36.22.178, .179, .1791) Operating Expenditures
Adams Asotin
Affordable Permanent Housing -
Emergency Shelter 58,682 25,417
Homeless Prevention/ Rapid Re-housing 11,000 38,178
Permanent Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Services Only
Transitional Housing
Performance Data Collection and Coordinated Intake 8,961
-
Capital Construction -
TOTAL State and Local Fee Expenditures 78,643 63,596
Non-fee Funds Leveraged by Document Recording Fees -
TOTAL Fee and Leveraged Spending 78,643 63,596
Benton-Franklin Chelan-Douglas
18,464 -
415,269 75,154
82,460
-
70,650 -
60,001 98,852
56,284 209,552
10,655 118,386
328,536
1,066,503 912,940
370,570 573,800
1,437,073 1,486,740
Clallam Clark
20,000 -
141,500 807,760
257,300 854,851
-
122,491
35,000 429,931
13,000 123,800
245,994
28,000 -
494,800 2,584,827
1,299,150 2,479,406
1,793,950 5,064,233
Columbia-Garfield
-
2,732
59,345
-
62,077
-
62,077
155,796 15,000 136,500 119,078 35,648 270,783 839,831 312,314 47,150 46,245 155,307 3,281 175,833 53,090
108,436 2,651 136,850 66,752 174,712 2,777,348 198,192 136,575 33,155 122,157 13,941 112,379 96,274
70,000 190,000 149,388 2,491,918 25,000
531,440 228,749 552,361 217,586 430,041 335,250 15,266,168 1,303,123 183,725 96,112 429,383 47,551 345,158 256,827
823,405 26,313 49,199 42,317 26,808 14,891,357 875,184 126,410 365,814 428,568 358,762
1,354,845 255,062 601,560 217,586 472,358 362,058 30,157,525 2,178,306 183,725 222,523 795,197 47,551 773,727 615,589
Cowlitz Ferry Grant Grays Harbor Island Jefferson King Kitsap Kittitas Klickitat Lewis Lincoln Mason Okanogan
3,052,120 276,004 -
Homelessness in Washington State
16,242
-
39,552 218,000
125,000 7,770 61,011
64,467 2,191,917 41,808
44,471
25,821 1,154,290 192,719 10,000 5,000
-
16,414 13,328 31,756
1,980,469 62,811 -
68,110
55,383
237,990 42,394
66,136 5,026 31,160
25,786 9,125
540,286 176,881 6,712 12,673 25,303 17,955
13
Table 3 (continued): Document Recording Fees Expenditures Calendar Year 2012 Operating Expenditures Affordable Permanent Housing Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce San Juan Skagit Skamania Snohomish Spokane City Spokane County Stevens Thurston Wahkiakum Walla Walla Whatcom Whitman Yakima Grand Total
396,600 34,912 -
-
3,798,100
Emergency Shelter
Homeless Prevention/ Rapid Re-housing
38,538 59,616 449,160
Permanent Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Services Only
Transitiona l Housing
4,011 338,772 62,232 22,500 398,751 221,210
83,432 74,585 35,193 18,542 28,448 -
1,005,083
56,000 1,049,410
421,608 22,500 440,031 326,360 221,180 88,491 245,563 18,891 101,717 157,665 24,669 381,299
76,623 3,594 450,826 15,035 196,945 6,569 581,260 168,703 994,016 39,933 964,504 17,287 121,439 234,449 67,964 375,498
48,807
43,240
632,698 84,958 13,912
604,313 176,381 12,802 265,258
2,500 126,754 28,026 -
25,400 423,106
6,889,658
10,032,382
2,482,002
Homelessness in Washington State
Performance Data Collection and Coordinated Intake
25,000
Capital Construction
TOTAL State and Local Fee Expenditures 140,161 123,221 4,563,398 89,620 1,462,737 53,033 2,778,600 1,011,612 1,486,905 156,872 1,555,730 36,178 365,997 1,508,228 134,432 1,014,909
41,022 13,688 2,733,323 1,075 1,209,699 6,749 8,642,925 5,750,335 15,337 23,709 1,167,647 1,648,488 84,000
181,183 136,909 7,296,721 90,695 2,672,436 59,782 11,421,526 6,761,947 1,502,242 180,581 1,555,730 36,178 1,533,644 3,156,716 134,432 1,098,909
41,968,492
44,075,059
86,043,551
-
3,912 367,241 99,455
52,047 153,778 115,563
7,236 45,235 13,773 43,093
340,193 643,810 10,367 200,981 48,461 51,747 -
4,848,789
3,986,525
3,419,965
1,932,670
4,578,401
-
449,922 11,182 1,464 86,356 5,091 44,014
31,944
14
Non-fee Funds Leveraged by Document Recording Fees
TOTAL Fee and Leveraged Spending
Table 4: Use of State and Local Document Recording Fees by Project Housing Source
Adams Asotin Benton-Franklin Chelan-Douglas Clallam Clark Columbia-Garfield Cowlitz Ferry Grant Grays Harbor Island Jefferson King Kitsap Kittitas Klickitat Lewis Lincoln Mason Okanogan Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce San Juan Skagit Skamania Snohomish Spokane County Stevens Thurston Wahkiakum Walla Walla Whatcom Whitman Yakima Total
Rent – Private For Profit Landlord $69,682 $44,295 $690,781 $173,993 $288,960 $1,713,855 $60,345 $246,822 $19,066 $278,567 $86,536 $198,686 $197,007 $6,281,673 $648,478 $126,128 $57,840 $159,556 $13,941 $112,379 $136,394 $113,891 $4,196 $1,495,293 $84,981 $342,896 $48,662 $1,495,381 $1,144,086 $35,940 $1,128,265 $36,178 $270,027 $933,063 $79,040 $563,716 $19,380,597
Homelessness in Washington State
Rent – Non-Profit Landlord
Rent – Public Landlord -
$9,405 $20,171 $25,230 $9,536 $309,000 $11,660 $48,050 $2,907 $119,117 $3,993 $28,788 $13,593 $601,450
$6,270 $50,460 $6,355 $44,143 $177,529 $10,448 $5,316 $23,319 $15,155 $16,270 $355,265
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Table 5: Number Served with State and Local Document Recording Fees by Project Housing Source – 2012 Rent – Private For Rent – Non-Profit Rent – Public Profit Landlord Landlord Landlord Adams 16 Asotin 112 Benton-Franklin 308 10 7 Chelan-Douglas 233 47 Clallam 812 107 215 Clark 800 Columbia-Garfield 121 Cowlitz 169 Ferry 3 1 Grant 140 Grays Harbor 138 17 Island 318 Jefferson 28 King 5,536 151 22 Kitsap 361 102 Kittitas 14 2 Klickitat 72 7 Lewis 379 26 52 Lincoln 12 Mason 81 Okanogan 65 7 Pacific 73 10 Pend Oreille 26 Pierce 373 13 San Juan 27 Skagit 348 Skamania 14 1 Snohomish 1,030 Spokane County 539 53 Stevens 84 9 Thurston 761 Wahkiakum 34 Walla Walla 938 Whatcom 791 51 Whitman 203 43 Yakima 827 Total 15,785 529 423
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Housing and Essential Needs Program Mitigating Effects of Social Service Cuts, Reducing Housing Instability The Housing and Essential Needs Program pays rent directly to landlords for over 4,000 individuals each month who are: Unable to work due to a temporary disability (as determined by DSHS). Homeless or at imminent documented risk of becoming homeless. The program also provides essential needs (i.e., toiletries, bus tokens) for people with a temporary disability. Services are provided via a network of local faith-based organizations, community non-profits, and local governments. The program successfully leverages the long-standing network of local providers with experience working with local landlords and managing rent assistance programs. The program was created in 2011 with a portion of the funds saved when a cash grant program (Disability Lifeline – Unemployable) was ended as part of an overall budget reduction. The Housing and Essential Needs Program helped mitigate elimination of the cash grant, and led to an 18 percent reduction in housing instability among those served versus the cash grant program. Participants were also 86 less likely to become incarcerated in prison than a similar enrolled cohort served with cash assistance. The following fulfills reporting requirements under RCW 43.185C.220. Table 6: SFY 2013 Housing and Essential Needs Spending SFY 2013 Spending Rent Assistance and Operations $20,439,249 Essential Needs $1,739,250 Local Administration Commerce Administration
$1,138,610 $ 357,476
TOTAL
$23,674,585
To be eligible for rent assistance from the program, a person must be determined to be disabled and unable to work for at least 90 days by DSHS, and must be either homeless or have written documented evidence of imminent homelessness (i.e., an eviction notice). Those determined to be disabled are enrolled in the DSHS Medical Care Services (MCS) program, and about 45 percent of people enrolled in MCS have applied for and been determined eligible for rent assistance.
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As of July 2013, the program spends on average $524 per month per person provided housing. Figure 4: MCS Enrollees vs. Recipients of Rent Assistance 20,000 18,000
Cash grant ends, program begins
16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000
MCS enrollment
Jun-13
May-13
Apr-13
Mar-13
Feb-13
Jan-13
Dec-12
Nov-12
Oct-12
Sep-12
Aug-12
Jul-12
Jun-12
May-12
Apr-12
Mar-12
Feb-12
Jan-12
Dec-11
Nov-11
Oct-11
Sep-11
Aug-11
Jul-11
Jun-11
Apr-11
May-11
-
People receiving housing through Housing and Essential Needs
Back to Health, Work After Temporary Assistance David was living a normal life, working a steady job, and paying his rent and bills every month. He was also spending time with his children, caring for his mother, and serving the community as a volunteer fire fighter. On July 12, 2012, David was diagnosed with cancer and his diagnosis “stopped everything.” He could no longer work, making it impossible to pay his bills or his rent. Housing and Essential Needs provided five months of rent and utility assistance. Without the assistance of the program and the essential needs that the program supplies, David would have been without rent, without transportation, and struggling to afford basic needs. David had several surgeries and went through chemotherapy and is now cancer free. He is able to work full-time as a personal trainer and is also working toward becoming a full-time fire fighter.
Homelessness in Washington State
18
Table 7: Housing and Essential Needs by County – Fiscal Year 2013
Statewide Totals Adams Asotin Benton-Franklin Chelan-Douglas Clallam-Jefferson Clark Columbia Cowlitz Ferry Grant Grays Harbor Island King Kitsap Kittitas Klickitat Lewis Lincoln Mason Okanogan Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce San Juan Skagit Skamania Snohomish Spokane Stevens Thurston Wahkiakum Walla Walla
Expenditures $ 46,058,458 $ 3,224 $ 60,120 $ 559,579 $ 206,320 $ 355,067 $ 1,092,503 $ 30,581 $ 676,447 $ 13,287 $ 208,324 $ 876,207 $ 29,310 $ 8,354,793 $ 889,539 $ 117,721 $ 63,083 $ 425,506 $ 24,212 $ 396,741 $ 87,570 $ 118,836 $ 22,330 $ 1,742,004 $ 7,875 $ 315,035 $ 67,465 $ 1,717,763 $ 2,122,325 $ 80,710 $ 1,077,588 $ 3,098 $ 102,010
Rent Assistance Distinct Recipients9 8,859 1 17 258 107 114 436 8 292 7 98 326 14 2,605 415 33 35 200 10 184 38 66 15 835 5 141 42 541 1,012 37 378 2 57
Essential Needs Cumulative Recipients10 51,377 6 51 996 213 374 1,116 1,565 29 40 334 1,671 104 18,585 2,598 73 100 1142 48 651 219 193 50 6,317 5 233 99 2,401 5,882 255 1,269 2 189
9
Use of HMIS allows an unduplicated count of individuals served with housing support. A recipient may be counted more than once if they returned for essential needs support – HMIS is not in use for essential needs. 10
Homelessness in Washington State
19
Table 7: Housing and Essential Needs by County – Fiscal Year 2013 (continued) Rents Assistance Expenditures Distinct Recipients 268 Whatcom $ 889,007 3 Whitman $ 5,172 259 Yakima $ 575,760
Cumulative Recipients 2,278 22 2,067
Ninety-two percent of the individuals who are eligible have received housing support funded by the program. To date, 8 percent (1,029 out of 12,404) of the individuals who are eligible to receive housing support and have requested housing support from the housing needs provider in their community, did not receive housing support because they were not determined to be homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.
Homelessness in Washington State
20
Independent Youth Housing Program The Independent Youth Housing Program (IYHP), codified in 2007 (RCW 43.63A.305), provides rent assistance and case management to youth ages 18 to 23 who have exited the state dependency system. The program was appropriated $1.8 million from the state Home Security Fund during the 2011-13 Biennium. The success of IYHP is measured using the homeless management information system (HMIS) and includes the following outcomes reported as required under RCW 43.63A.311. Table 8: Statewide Outcomes11 for IYHP: Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012 - June 30, 2013) People Enrolled 72 People Served 151 People Exited 71 Households Exited 58 Average length of program participation of exited participants 457 Days 47 Exited to a stable housing situation (with or without subsidy) (81.0%) Exited to a subsidized stable housing situation 1 46 Exited to an unsubsidized stable housing situation (97.8%) Exited to any other (unstable) housing situation 28 30 Exited with increased income (51.7%) Exited with income 200% above federal poverty level 1 35 Exited with increased education (60.0%) 29 Exited with increased employment (50.0%) 32 Exited with increased life skills (55.0%) 26 Exited with decreased use of state funded services (45.0%) DSHS also measures the decreases in the percentage of youth aging out of the state dependency system each year that are eligible for state assistance. The DSHS report to Commerce regarding the decreases in percentage of youth aging out of the state dependency system is included in Appendix A.
11
Appendix B provides a county-by-county breakdown of the participant outcomes for IYHP.
Homelessness in Washington State
21
Housing Assistance, Skills Training Leads to Career Job Jasmine J. is a 22- year-old participant in the Independent Youth Housing Program. She has been actively receiving case management and other resources through the program, and has been in stable housing since early 2012. In July 2013, Jasmine successfully completed the Year-Up program, which helps young adults gain real life work experience (internships) as well as classroom work and college credit. While at Year-Up, Jasmine interned with TMobile’s information technology department. Following a successful experience at T-Mobile and completion of her internship, Jasmine is now working for the Starbucks corporate information technology department. While many would consider this a career job, Jasmine still aspires to go back to college and eventually get her master’s degree or PhD.
Measuring Success The concept for the Independent Youth Housing Program was that providing housing assistance would result in an immediate reduction in the use of other state services. Although investments in youth exiting foster care may reduce long-term dependence, in the short-term the program does not reduce the use of state services. The challenges faced by youth leaving foster care are many. Youth who enter adulthood from foster care are unlikely to have family members who can act as a safety net. Community and government services are their safety net. In an effort to prepare youth for transition to adulthood, DSHS Children’s Administration assists youth for their transition from foster care and educates them on available state and federal resources.
Homelessness in Washington State
22
Consolidated Homeless Grant The Consolidated Homeless Grant (CHG) includes funding governed by the Transitional Housing Operating and Rent (RCW 43.185C.210) and other appropriations from the state Home Security Fund. The grant funding supports temporary housing in every county in Washington State through a network of local non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and local governments. CHG funds complement local document recording fees and private donations to support the system of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and temporary rent assistance for people facing homelessness. The success of CHG is measured using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and annual expenditure information. Table 9: Outcomes and Increases in Housing Stability and Self-sufficiency Homelessness Prevention Emergency Transitional & Rapid Shelter Housing Re-housing Households Enrolled 3,153 3,330 577 Households Served 3,554 13,645 909 Households Exited 2,861 12,112 488 Average length of program 71 Days 48 Days 227 Days participation of exited participants 2,190 1,543 291 Exited to a stable housing situation (with or without subsidy) (76.5 %) (12.7 %) (59.6 %) Exited to a subsidized stable 501 456 125 housing situation 1,689 1,087 166 Exited to an unsubsidized stable housing situation (77.1 %) (70.4 %) (57 %) Exited to any other housing 671 10,569 197 situation 303 846 140 Exited with increased income (10.5 %) (6.9 %) (28.6 %) Exited with income 200% above 122 118 6 federal poverty level
Homelessness in Washington State
Permanent Supportive Housing or Services Only 49 62 11 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
23
Table 10: Financial Performance of CHG Funded Programs Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Emergency Shelter Rehousing Cost Per Person $492.33 $987.40 Cost Per Bed Night $41.77 $21.41
Transitional Housing $2,688.94 $15.68
Quality, Completeness, and Timeliness of HMIS Data All state, local, and federally funded programs are submitting data at least monthly to Commerce using HMIS. Contractors are assessed monthly for timeliness, completeness, and quality via the state homeless assistance fiscal procedures. Participant satisfaction is measured by encouraging exiting program participants to voluntarily submit information via an online survey regarding program satisfaction. Recent years have seen a decline in the numbers of participants electing to submit a satisfaction survey, and in calendar year 2012 we received zero participant surveys. A plan to assess participant satisfaction in state funded homeless programs is currently under development and we expect to implement a participant satisfaction assessment tool no later than January 1, 2014.
Homelessness in Washington State
24
Federal 811 Program In February of 2013, Commerce was one of 13 states to receive a competitive award of nearly $5.6 million in HUD Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration (PRAD) funds. The 811 PRAD program will provide project-based rental assistance to 275 units targeted to non-elderly disabled households for a period of five years (with annual renewals thereafter based upon congressional appropriations). Affordable housing projects funded through the Housing Trust Fund or the Washington State Housing Finance Commission are eligible to apply for project-based Section 811 PRAD vouchers. Commerce expects that 811 PRAD vouchers will ensure that low-income households can maintain affordable housing, and that project owners can stabilize cash flows and provide overall viability of the affordable housing stock in the state.
Homelessness in Washington State
25
Point-in-Time Results The overall incidence of homelessness has declined by 29 percent since 2006 as determined by the point-in-time count of homeless persons conducted during one day every January as required by RCW 43.185C.030. The Homeless Act of 2006 set of goal of reducing the count of homeless persons by 50 percent by 2015. From 2006-2013, the count of homeless persons dropped 19 percent, a rate not sufficient to meet the 50 percent reduction goal by 2015. Figure 3: Not on Pace to Meet the 2015 Goal 25,000
25,000
Change in Homeless People Counted: -19%
20,000
20,000
Unsheltered Homeless
Goal to Date: -30%
15,000
15,000
10,000
10,000
Sheltered Homeless
5,000
5,000
-
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Significant progress (-74.2 percent) has been made reducing homelessness of families with minor children (136 counted as unsheltered), but only modest progress has been made reducing homelessness among single people (-5 percent) Figure 4: Unsheltered Family Homelessness Down 74.2 Percent Change in incidence of homelessness
5.00% -5.00%
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
-15.00% -25.00% -35.00%
-26.4% -32.3%
-37.7%
-34.4%
-45.00% -55.00% -65.00% -75.00%
Homelessness in Washington State
-52.5% -62.4%
-74.2%
26
The following tables are the results of the Point-in-Time Count performed on January 24, 2013. Table 11: 2013 Point-In-Time State Total Household Type
Emergency Transitional
Safe Haven
Total Sheltered
Unsheltered
TOTAL
HH with adults and children
HH persons
607 1,940
1,446 4,739
0 0
2,053 6,679
133 463
2,186 7,142
HH with only children
HH persons
59 60
45 54
0 0
104 114
31 31
135 145
HH without children
HH persons
3,955 3,976
1,867 1,889
54 54
5,876 5,919
4,395 4,549
10,271 10,468
TOTAL
HH persons persons under 18 persons 18-24
4,621 5,976 1,222 443
3,358 6,682 2,537 777
54 54 0 0
8,033 12,712 3,759 1,220
4,559 5,043 280 349
12,592 17,755 4,039 1,569
persons over 24
4,311
3,368
54
7,733
4,414
12,147
CH Individuals CH Families CH Persons in Families Veterans Female Veterans Severely Mentally Ill Adults
951 37 117 1,058 86 1,467
974 73 177 260 15 718
1,925 110 294 1,318 101 2,185
Chronic Substance Abuse Adults Persons with HIV/AIDS Adults
1,085 82
498 12
1,583 94
Subpopulations
HH = head of household CH = chronically homeless
Homelessness in Washington State
27
Table 12: Washington State Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons – January 2013 Sheltered
Unsheltered TOTAL
HH w/out minors
HH with minors
Persons
HH with only minors Persons
Persons
Persons
0
2
0
2
0
0
0
Benton-Franklin
58
20
Chelan-Douglas
123
114
HH w/out minors
HH with minors
County
Persons
Adams Asotin
Clallam
Persons
HH with only minors Persons
Persons
2
15
0
17
0
2
3
0
5
0
78
50
14
0
64
2
239
62
4
0
66
TOTAL
74
154
1
229
32
6
0
38
167
317
29
513
154
34
2
190
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
103
142
0
245
69
8
0
77
Ferry
5
11
0
16
3
0
0
3
Garfield
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
Grant
25
39
0
64
41
9
0
50
Grays Harbor
54
33
0
87
43
0
0
43
Island
10
26
0
36
33
56
1
90
Jefferson
38
19
0
57
14
27
0
41
3,214
3,120
36
6,370
2,717
0
19
2,736
Kitsap
86
90
0
176
43
21
0
64
Kittitas
5
12
0
17
0
0
0
0
Klickitat
4
17
0
21
8
3
0
11
39
19
0
58
40
30
0
70
Lincoln
1
2
0
3
0
0
0
0
Mason
18
81
0
99
73
52
0
125
Okanogan
17
0
0
17
5
10
0
15
Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce San Juan
0 1 422 0
5 6 761 0
0 0 0 0
5 7 1,183 0
87 0 117 21
75 0 3 4
0 0 0 1
162 0 120 26
Skagit Skamania Snohomish Spokane Stevens Thurston Wahkiakum
21 1 283 531 1 161 2
70 10 302 423 8 268 3
0 0 18 16 0 5 0
91 11 603 970 9 434 5
65 0 317 54 32 225 6
15 0 25 5 11 3 1
0 0 2 1 0 2 0
80 0 344 60 43 230 7
Walla Walla Whatcom Whitman Yakima TOTAL
63 182 13 197 5,919
36 189 60 319 6,679
2 5 0 0 114
101 376 73 516 12,712
20 166 1 46 4,549
5 24 0 0 463
0 2 0 1 31
25 192 1 47 5,043
Clark Columbia Cowlitz
King
Lewis
Homelessness in Washington State
28
Table 12 (continued): Washington State Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Persons – January 2013
County Adams
TOTAL Homeless (sheltered and unsheltered) HH with HH w/out HH with only TOTAL minors minors minors Persons Persons Persons Persons
Chronically Homeless Individuals Emergency Shelter + Safe Unsheltered TOTAL Haven Persons Persons Persons
2
17
0
19
0
0
0
2
3
0
5
0
0
0
Benton-Franklin
108
34
0
142
9
23
32
Chelan-Douglas
185
118
2
305
4
10
14
Clallam
106
160
1
267
18
9
27
Clark
321
351
31
703
41
40
81
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
172
150
0
322
12
27
39
Ferry
8
11
0
19
1
0
1
Garfield
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
Grant
66
48
0
114
3
10
13
Grays Harbor
97
33
0
130
6
16
22
Island
43
82
1
126
0
1
1
Jefferson
52
46
0
98
11
4
15
5,931
3,120
55
9,106
487
367
854
129
111
0
240
11
7
18
Kittitas
5
12
0
17
0
0
0
Klickitat
12
20
0
32
1
0
1
Lewis
79
49
0
128
2
16
18
Lincoln
1
2
0
3
0
0
0
Mason
91
133
0
224
2
21
23
Okanogan
22
10
0
32
9
1
10
Pacific Pend Oreille Pierce San Juan
87 1 539 21
80 6 764 4
0 0 0 1
167 7 1,303 26
0 0 62 0
14 0 69 2
14 0 131 2
Skagit Skamania Snohomish Spokane Stevens Thurston Wahkiakum
86 1 600 585 33 386 8
85 10 327 428 19 271 4
0 0 20 17 0 7 0
171 11 947 1,030 52 664 12
6 0 60 74 0 23 0
21 0 98 12 6 102 0
27 0 158 86 6 125 0
Walla Walla Whatcom Whitman Yakima TOTAL
83 348 14 243 10,468
41 213 60 319 7,142
2 7 0 1 145
126 568 74 563 17,755
7 46 0 56 951
5 76 0 17 974
12 122 0 73 1,925
Asotin
Columbia Cowlitz
King Kitsap
Homelessness in Washington State
29
Table 13: Change in Point-in-Time Count from 2006 to 2013 Sheltered HH w/out HH with TOTAL minors minors County Persons Persons Persons
Unsheltered HH w/out HH with minors minors Persons Persons
TOTAL Persons
Adams
(32)
(8)
(40)
(19)
(8)
(27)
Asotin
(8)
(6)
(14)
(9)
3
(6)
Benton-Franklin
(239)
(375)
(614)
14
(9)
5
Chelan-Douglas
(3)
(87)
(90)
(21)
(71)
(92)
(58)
18
(40)
(146)
(19)
(165)
(448)
(159)
(607)
43
(124)
(81)
0
(4)
(4)
(1)
0
(1)
(59)
(20)
(79)
(62)
5
(57)
Ferry
1
(2)
(1)
(2)
(2)
(4)
Garfield
0
(4)
(4)
(1)
0
(1)
10
(71)
(61)
41
9
50
(66)
(9)
(75)
(17)
(12)
(29)
1
(67)
(66)
15
33
48
Jefferson
(49)
(1)
(50)
(20)
27
7
King
168
238
406
1,549
(759)
790
Kitsap
(68)
(191)
(259)
(33)
(15)
(48)
Kittitas Klickitat Skamania Lewis
(21)
(10)
(31)
(23)
(4)
(27)
(1)
(4)
(5)
4
3
7
6
(58)
(52)
4
12
16
Lincoln
(18)
(37)
(55)
(3)
0
(3)
Mason
13
17
30
62
(13)
49
(71)
(54)
(125)
(26)
5
(21)
Pacific
(4)
(26)
(30)
62
54
116
Pend Oreille
(2)
(10)
(12)
(4)
(17)
(21)
(15)
140
125
(181)
(39)
(220)
0
(7)
(7)
3
(20)
(17)
Skagit
(197)
(130)
(327)
(78)
(33)
(111)
Snohomish
(275)
(600)
(875)
(384)
(96)
(480)
Spokane
(6)
(97)
(103)
(382)
(77)
(459)
Stevens
(8)
(11)
(19)
26
11
37
Thurston
(14)
129
115
110
(2)
108
Wahkiakum
(14)
(4)
(18)
2
1
3
Walla Walla
(42)
(64)
(106)
(15)
1
(14)
Whatcom
(156)
(122)
(278)
(3)
11
8
Whitman
(16)
(16)
(32)
0
0
0
Yakima
(27)
84
57
(170)
(51)
(221)
TOTAL
(1,718)
(1,628)
(3,346)
335
(1,196)
(861)
Clallam Clark Columbia Cowlitz
Grant Grays Harbor Island
Okanogan
Pierce San Juan
Homelessness in Washington State
30
Table 13 (continued): Change in Point-in-Time Count from 2006 to 2013
County Adams
TOTAL Homeless (sheltered and unsheltered) HH w/out HH with TOTAL minors minors Persons Persons Persons
Chronically Homeless Individuals Emergency Shelter + Safe Haven Persons
Unsheltered Persons
(51)
(16)
(67)
(7)
(6)
(17)
(3)
(20)
(4)
0
Benton-Franklin
(225)
(384)
(609)
(33)
10
Chelan-Douglas
(24)
(158)
(182)
(14)
2
Clallam
(204)
(1)
(205)
(10)
(23)
Clark
(405)
(283)
(688)
(65)
(33)
(1)
(4)
(5)
0
0
(121)
(15)
(136)
(5)
15
Ferry
(1)
(4)
(5)
1
0
Garfield
(1)
(4)
(5)
(1)
0
Grant
51
(62)
(11)
(3)
10
(83)
(21)
(104)
(22)
(16)
16
(34)
(18)
(6)
(10)
(69)
26
(43)
1
(10)
King
1717
(521)
1196
(656)
(334)
Kitsap
(101)
(206)
(307)
(76)
(16)
Kittitas
(44)
(14)
(58)
(7)
(3)
Asotin
Columbia Cowlitz
Grays Harbor Island Jefferson
Klickitat Skamania
3
(1)
2
(8)
(1)
10
(46)
(36)
(6)
7
Lincoln
(21)
(37)
(58)
(1)
(1)
Mason
75
4
79
2
21
(97)
(49)
(146)
0
(2)
Pacific
58
28
86
(1)
5
Pend Oreille
(6)
(27)
(33)
0
0
(196)
101
(95)
(72)
(64)
3
(27)
(24)
0
(3)
Skagit
(275)
(163)
(438)
(22)
(10)
Snohomish
(659)
(696)
(1355)
(113)
(6)
Spokane
(388)
(174)
(562)
(14)
(25)
Stevens
18
0
18
0
2
Thurston
96
127
223
(40)
62
Wahkiakum
(12)
(3)
(15)
0
(1)
Walla Walla
(57)
(63)
(120)
(17)
(3)
Whatcom
(159)
(111)
(270)
(52)
(2)
Whitman
(16)
(16)
(32)
0
(1)
Yakima
(197)
33
(164)
(37)
(46)
TOTAL
(1,383)
(2,824)
(4,207)
(1,288)
(482)
Lewis
Okanogan
Pierce San Juan
Homelessness in Washington State
31
Recommendations Seek a Continuation of Document Recording Fees Document recording fee revenue has funded homeless services that have resulted in a 29 percent decrease in homelessness generally, and 74 percent decrease in unsheltered family homelessness since 2006. By removing the fee sunset in RCW 36.22.179 which expires June 30, 2017, we will be able to continue our state’s progress to end homelessness. Commerce would also like to simplify the fee structure related to document recording fees, which would reduce the administrative burden on local county auditors and Commerce. Commerce has been hearing concerns about the impact of the sunset from counties and advocates, and has heard concerns from county auditors about the current administrative challenges of RCW 36.22.179. Strategy: Commerce will work with stakeholders and the Legislature to propose solutions to the built-in decrease in revenue, and administrative difficulties of the current statute during the 2014 legislative session.
Homelessness in Washington State
32
Appendix A: DSHS Report Decreases in the Percentage of Youths Aging Out of the State Dependency System Each Year Who are Eligible for State Assistance. As a strategy to identify a means by which to measure youth development and stability after aging out of foster care, DSHS Research and Data Analysis Division (RDA) was able to look at youth who aged out of foster care in 2006 and identify, in a 6-year period through 2012, some of the services they had received. Analyses by the RDA compared risk factors and outcomes for 751 youth who aged out of foster care in 2006 with: Youth turning 18 in CY 2006 who received TANF-related Family Medical Coverage in CY 2006. Youth turning 18 in CY 2006 who received Children’s Medical Coverage in CY 2006. The Children’s Medical coverage group provides Medicaid coverage to children in households with income above TANF program eligibility limits, but below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. These Medicaid medical coverage groups represent most of the state population of children in households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Limiting the comparison groups to youth who turned age 18 in 2006, there were 8,601 youth in the Family Medical cohort, and 17,990 youth in the Children’s Medical cohort. This report examines differences across three groups (foster youth, family medical and children’s medical) in several risk factor and outcome areas. These risk factor and outcome areas include enrollment in disability-related medical coverage, indications of alcohol or other drug (AOD) treatment need, indications of mental illness, indications of housing instability or homelessness, and risk of arrest. Homelessness and housing instability is measured using living arrangement information in the Automated Client Eligibility System (ACES) that indicates a period of time where the youth was “homeless without housing,” “homeless with housing,” or living in an emergency shelter. This measure likely understates the true prevalence of housing instability because it is reliably collected only during periods of time where persons receive cash or food assistance. Arrest measures are derived from linked Washington State Patrol data. This data does not include all arrests for misdemeanor offenses, and therefore somewhat understates arrest prevalence. Mental illness data is derived from medical and mental health claims and encounters in the ProviderOne and legacy MMIS data systems. Disability enrollment is derived from the ACES system. Mental illness is the most common primary disabling condition for the youth in these cohorts who become disabled.
Annual Report on Homeless Housing
33
Alcohol or Drug (AOD) treatment need is identified if the youth was arrested for a substance-related offense (e.g., DUI or possession of illegal drugs), diagnosed with a substance use disorder by a clinician during a medical or behavioral health service encounter, or participated in AOD treatment or detoxification services.
The analysis summarized in the chart below shows that across these risk and outcome areas, there is a much higher rate of occurrence among youth aging out of foster care than among youth in the comparison groups. Figure 5: Selected Risk Factors and Outcomes – Ever Occurring After Emancipation in CY 2006 Through December 2012 52%
52%
45% 40% 37%
35% 30%
29%
26%
Disability Medicaid
Alcohol/Drug Treatment Need
Mental Illness Diagnosis
Arrested
Foster Youth
Family Medical
Children’s Medical
Foster Youth
Family Medical
Children’s Medical
Foster Youth
Family Medical
Children’s Medical
Foster Youth
20%
Family Medical
Children’s Medical
5%
Foster Youth
6%
23%
21% Family Medical
Children’s Medical
24%
Homeless
This analysis shows: 29 percent of foster youth enrolled in disability-related Medicaid coverage at some point after emancipation in CY 2006 through December 2012, compared to only 5 percent of youth in the Family Medical and 6 percent of youth in the Children’s Medical comparison groups. 40 percent of foster youth had an indication of an AOD treatment need at some point after emancipation in CY 2006 through December 2012, compared to 24 percent of youth in the Family Medical comparison group and 21 percent of youth in the Children’s Medical comparison groups. 45 percent of foster youth were diagnosed with mental illness in Medicaid-paid service encounters at some point after emancipation in CY 2006 through December 2012, compared to 23 percent of youth in the Family Medical comparison group and 20 percent of youth in the Children’s Medical comparison groups. Homelessness in Washington State
34
52 percent of foster youth experienced a spell of homelessness or housing instability at some point after emancipation in CY 2006 through December 2012, compared to 35 percent of youth in the Family Medical comparison group and 30 percent of youth in the Children’s Medical comparison groups. 52 percent of foster youth were arrested at least once at some point after emancipation in CY 2006 through December 2012, compared to 37 percent of youth in the Family Medical comparison group and 26 percent of youth in the Children’s Medical comparison groups.
Homelessness in Washington State
35
Appendix B: IYHP County-by-County Outcomes IYHP Outcomes By County BentonFranklin
King
Kittitas
Lewis
Pierce
Spokane
Thurston
Walla Walla
Yakima
Enrolled Served
6 8
3 31
3 3
3 7
10 34
13 22
24 28
0 2
10 16
Exited
6
6
3
2
14
10
15
2
13
Exited HH Count
3
6
2
2
10
10
13
1
11
LOS
275
684
182
547
688
385
297
379
394
Exited Stable
1
4
3
4
14
4
9
1
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
4
3
4
14
4
8
1
7
2
2
0
0
4
6
10
0
4
0
2
0
2
9
2
8
2
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
4
1
1
6
6
8
1
7
2
3
1
1
6
4
7
1
6
2
3
1
1
10
1
7
1
6
1
3
1
1
5
5
6
0
5
Exited Subsidized Exited Unsubsidized Exited Other Exited with Increased Income Exited with Income 200% Above Federal Poverty Level Exited with Increased Education Exited with Increased Employment Exited with Increased Life Skills Exited with Decreased Use of State Funded Services
Homelessness in Washington State
36