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Press Release, Oct 01, 2009:
Lt. Governor Skillman Announces Change in Homeless Service
Delivery
RICHMOND - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman today announced a fundamental
shift in the way homeless services are delivered in Indiana, and
touted tax credits that will help build new homeless housing in
Richmond. Indiana's Homelessness Prevention and Re-Housing Program (HRPRP)
is being praised by the federal government for organizing local
programs, strengthening the state's Continuum of Care system, and
creating a common assessment tool.
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority is using a
portion of $16 million in federal funding to create a web-based tool
- called IHOPE - that assesses each individual who enters the
homeless system, identifies barriers to self-sufficiency, and
addresses each barrier while finding a housing solution. Local
homeless agencies began using the software today.
For example, a single parent who is homeless because they can't
afford child care, and thus can't keep a job, would be helped into
permanent supportive housing and also connected with child care
providers. This is a change from past practice, which would have
provided the family with temporary housing without addressing the
underlying reasons for homelessness.
"This new system will save the state thousands of dollars across the
board in medical, incarceration, emergency shelter and other
expenses," Lt. Governor Skillman said. "But more importantly, it
will help Hoosier families and individuals maintain a stable way of
living and end the cycle of chronic homelessness."
Since March, IHCDA has been training local continuums of care on how
to assess individuals and deliver a solution that will help them
back on their feet. The system is unique to Indiana, but the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was impressed with
Indiana's HPRP model and featured it in six national training
sessions they held over the summer.
The state's goal is to reduce the number of temporary homeless
shelter admits by 30 percent in three years. About $500,000 of the
federal funds were used to develop IHOPE and train local homeless
service providers. The remainder will be used for rental assistance
and homeless case management across the state.
Lt. Governor Skillman also announced the state will deliver tax
credits and a grant totaling $1.3 million for construction on the
Dunn Center's new facilities. IHCDA is providing the center with a
$340,000 Community Development Block Grant and $960,000 in Low
Income Housing Tax Credits. The new building, adjacent to the
existing facility, will contain 60 housing units for homeless
Hoosiers struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, or
disability. |
