The Way Home Campaign's Fiscal Year 2018 Budget Recommendations
In 2015, the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) released its 5-year strategic plan, Homeward DC, a roadmap for ending homelessness in the District that is built on national best practices. A key benchmark of the plan was to end chronic homelessness by the end of 2017. As you may know, the ICH is in the process of updating its strategic plan to account for progress made and to reflect course corrections where applicable.
The Way Home Campaign supports the leadership of the D.C. Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) and looks forward to reviewing the proposed budget request for the implementation of Homeward DC in FY18. Until the precise modeling becomes available, however, we want to share what we already know about the importance and urgency of making sufficient investments in ending chronic homelessness in the next fiscal year. It should be noted that estimates of the housing need for families experiencing chronic homelessness are not yet available.
FY18 Budget Recommendations (based on estimated need):
$8.5 million for PSH for 535 individuals (100% of need)
$5.2 million for TAH for 425 individuals (50% need)
$3.7 million for RRH for 343 individuals (33% need)
TOTAL: $17.4 million
1) Invest $8.5 in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for 535 individuals
Research and experience show that Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) that uses the Housing First approach is one of the BEST ways to end chronic homelessness. In the District, programs like the DHS Permanent Supportive Housing Program help residents who have experienced homeless for years to achieve and maintain housing stability and to improve their health. For FY18, 535 units of PSH are needed for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. Our recommendation is that DC funds 100% of this need in FY18.
2) Invest at least $5.2 million for Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) for 425 individuals
Targeted Affordable Housing (TAH) is a program that is designed to meet the needs of individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness, but who either no longer need the services offered by PSH or need longer term assistance than Rapid Re-housing offers. Funding this strategic intervention now will help us ensure that we are targeting our resources effectively and ensuring that individuals can move quickly through the homeless services system. Because the need is greater than is scalable at this time, we recommend funding 50% of the need, or 425 units in FY18.
3) Invest at least $3.7 million in Rapid Re-housing (RRH) for 343 individuals
Rapid Re-housing helps individuals to find housing, pay for housing (through short-term financial and rental assistance), and stay in housing (through support like case management). At minimum, we recommend that DC invest in 33% of the current RRH need, or 343 units.
4) End Chronic Homelessness for Families
On a given night, approximately 40 families experience chronic homelessness in DC. We recommend that Mayor Bowser invest the full resources necessary to connect these families to housing in FY18.
