Executive Summary

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

City Homeless Outreach

End of Year Report 2006

Year End  Report

· First Year   (May 15^th to Dec 15^th 2006)

·  2844 hours of direct outreach service provided   

· 555  individuals received some form of contact and or ongoing services, 

· 77 declined services

· 242 – 44% of Individuals contacted received some form of housing assistance i.e technical, property search and or location, LDCHA apps, landlord negotiation etc.

· 33 households (14 % of individuals) made up of 86 individuals improved their housing or received housing in 2006 with the assistance of the Outreach team.

Summary of Flex Funds

18          birth certificate/ driver license ID for adults and children

11          deposits

11           rent

4            meds

6            utilities

Other forms of assistance provided to 8 other consumers by Staff who are Co-located at Lawrence Community Shelter, ECKAN, Salvation Army, and Bert Nash CMHC.  All staff are cross trained and can provide supportive services at any and all community service locations.

Other Highlights:

* Numbers indicate that there are more homeless individuals willing to participate in services provided by the City Homeless Outreach Team.  The team continues to build its reputation and relationships with service providers, including landlords and the homeless population in general. 

*The Outreach Team has been asked and has participated in the Homeless Coalition meetings and the Town Hall Meeting.

*The Outreach team has been very effective in decreasing duplication of services, providing one point of entry for individuals seeking services. 

*Service agencies report applications are being submitted more accurately and follow up with the individuals easier with the interventions of the outreach staff.

* The City Outreach Team has taken over the responsibility of completing applications and assisting with scheduling interviews for the Lawrence –Douglas County Housing Authority HOPE program, a permanent housing option for chronically homeless adults with disabilities.

* Outreach Team leader worked with members of the Community Commission on Homelessness such as Helen Hartnett and Loring Henderson. Modifications of the reporting document were made to make it more user friendly and provide meaningful data to the Community Commission on Homelessness.  The document continues to be a work in progress to provide the most effective, useful information.  The Outreach Team Leader is an active member of the Community Concerns Committee and the Practitioner’s Panel to provide education and information to the community at large re; homeless and housing issues for high risk populations.

* Ongoing general challenges are:

1. Lack of affordable housing units for individuals with limited income which creates barriers to reaching housing goals.

2.  Lack of affordable fully handicapped accessible units.

3. The new SRS presumptive benefit program may create longer waits for financial support and some individuals who may have received general assistance in the past may no longer be found eligible. 

Budget Report:  budget remains on track for end of year 2006.