Chittenden County Homeless Alliance Reimaging the longstanding Continuum

Chittenden County Homeless Alliance Re-imaging the long-standing Continuum of Care to better meet challenges and opportunities.

Continuum of Care For decades Chittenden County’s Continuum of Care: � Provided a consistent forum to share information about housing needs and opportunities � Fulfilled regulatory functions for state and federal funds � Supported educational and advocacy efforts to build awareness about the financial and human costs of homelessness � Was comprised of individuals from a variety of organizations that provided services to individuals who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness and affordable housing organizations

The Need for Change In 2012, prompted by changes required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and supported by worsening conditions, changes in funding levels and approaches, the local continuum began a process that resulted in: �a new governance structure �development of a Coordinated Entry System �joined statewide HMIS system �implemented the 100, 000 Homes model �began exploring the appropriateness of using Collective Impact to maximize the benefits of our efforts and investments

Five Conditions of Collective Impact �Common Agenda - a shared vision, data-informed description of problem and clear goal for change. �Shared Measurements - Agreement on success indicators and measurements �Mutually Reinforcing Activities – portfolio of aligned strategies �Continuous Communications – consistent open communication among and across all partners �Backbone Organization – supporting infrastructure to manage, coordinate and facilitate partners and communication

Our Progress April 7, 2016 Chittenden County Homeless Alliance Retreat 5

Common Agenda Working with Cope and Associates over the last 3 – 4 months, the Alliance is proposing the following common agenda: Homelessness in Chittenden County will be rare and brief. All people who experience homelessness become stably and safely housed through access to a responsive, comprehensive and coordinated community network

Shared Measurements Alliance has also adopted HUD System Performance Measures as key measures: �Number of persons experiencing homelessness (rare) �Length of time persons remain homeless (brief) �The extent to which persons who exit homelessness to permanent housing destinations return to homelessness (stable) �The number of persons homeless for the first time (stable)

Next Steps �Finalize resource and services map �Draft new 3 -5 year strategic plan �Align programs and services to be mutually reinforcing �Increase membership in the Alliance – Interest survey �Work directly with funders to leverage and align funding where ever possible.

Questions and Observations…