POTS Breakfast Forum. Then and Now: The journeys of families in shelters to Crisis to Stability and, ultimately Self -Sufficiency

Transcription

1 POTS Breakfast Forum Then and Now: The journeys of families in shelters to 2016

2 Growth and opportunity in the news

3 Our economy, our community 13.0% 12.0% 11.0% 10.0% 9.0% 8.0% 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% Bronx Unemployment Rate NYC Unemployment Rate NYC Shelter Pop. 65,000 60,000 55,000 50,000 45,000 40, % 35,

4 Other positive economic trends NYS minimum wage up from $7.15 to $9.00 a 25% increase. Workforce participation is making a comeback among adults of prime working age American Community Survey, poverty rates are down and people in the lowest and second lowest income category have seen an increase in annual income.

5 Homelessness grows Shelter Population 60,000 50,000 40,000 30,000 20,000 10, NYC Shelter Pop. NYC Child Shelter Pop.

6 Many external factors Demography: NYC Population increases by 375,000 people from 2010 to 2015 Development: Only 71,500 new housing units were completed during this period Costs of housing: Rapid rent increases, approximately 50% in the Bronx over 5 years from $950 - $1,400 Government policy: Voucher program failures (HSP), cancellations (Advantage), and now lack of trust by landlords(linc or CityFEPS)

7 Current policies in NYC Prioritize existing affordable housing supports, like NYCHA apartments, for those in shelters Provide vouchers (LINC and CityFEPS) $62M to support legal services for renters facing eviction since July 2014 $180.7M in emergency rent assistance to prevent evictions since July 2016

8 Getting Personal

9 Immediate Cause of Homelessness 9 evicted for nonpayment of rent 6 in neighborhoods with rapid rent increases 2 domestic violence 4 relationships ending 1 not on lease, doubled up Primary tenant left, in neighborhood with rapid rent increases

10 Most Common Factors Broken support networks: All reported that family and friends have own troubles and relationships troubled or broken leave families with no options Income Change: 14 experienced an income reduction before entering shelter Additional Factors Additional Factors Arrest of partner Challenge managing family mental illness Fears of assault by others in household against self or child Family tragedy murder of son Ongoing disputes over repairs Risk to make a better life that did not succeed

11 Where clients lived prior to shelter 3 other NJ 1 7 1

12 Income type and duration in shelter 8 Income sources in shelter Earned income 4 Disability payments 6 Public assistance 10 8 First time in shelter, by household Before 2008 Since year or less

13 How clients describe change over time What was your situation like 8 years ago? Which best describes the last 8 years? Minor living at home 1 Things have gotten better 1 Homeless 2 Things are the same 5 Unstable - feared homelessness 4 Challenges - no fear of homelessness 3 Things have gotten worse 10 Very stable - no fear of homelessness

14 Challenges in Shelter System What do you think are the biggest obstacles to getting out of shelter/becoming stable?

15 What has helped? What has been helpful to you during homelessness? Friends and family 2 Back to work program at FedCap 4 Private shelter staff 5 Community based nonprofits

16 What is needed for success? Other than stable housing, what three things would be most helpful to improve your family s life? Activities for teens 2 Job Training 5 Consistent and accurate advice 6 Better childcare 7 Easier access to food 13 More income

17 8 Can you build stability in the NYC shelter system? Does shelter make things easier or harder? Easier in shelter Same in shelter Harder in shelter

18 Almost everyone described insufficient income as their reason for homelessness. Change in income precipitated homelessness. Two in this population left a household due to abuse. Drawing conclusions

19 High rents make moving from the shelter hard. Vouchers are not accepted by landlords. Many find that the shelter makes life harder or at least is the same. Drawing conclusions

20 Those in private shelters reported better help by shelter workers. Many found that community based organizations were essential to meeting needs of family. Drawing conclusions