Finding Your Way Out of the Swamp Strategies

Finding Your Way Out of the Swamp: Strategies for Moving Forward in Tough Times Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania

Let’s Discuss… O Housing Alliance of PA – Who We Are O How to Frame Messaging for Our Work O Doing What Works: Evidence-Based Approaches O Finding a Pathway Forward

Housing Alliance of PA O Statewide Advocacy Organization O Values-Driven O Working for a home within reach of every Pennsylvanian O Bipartisan and effective, with proven results: O State Housing Trust Fund O Land Banks

Effective Messaging: Talking About What You Do O Talk Values, Not Problems O Discussing Solutions is Persuasive O Use Data in your Messaging

Research-Guided Messaging O Polling shows us that among the vast majority of Americans: O Attitudes toward renting have become more positive. O People get the link between having a stable home and positive social impacts. O People would like to see a more balanced federal housing policy.

If we ensure that more people/families have access to decent, stable housing they can afford, it will have a major positive impact on this: Safety of neighborhoods/communities 73% Economic well-being of neighborhoods/communities 71% Children’s ability to do well in school 71% Individuals’/families’ financial security 70% People’s mental health 68% People’s physical health 62%

Doing What Works: Evidence-Based Approaches O Back to Basics - Data-Driven Outcomes O Prioritize Prevention O Less costly O More effective O Fix-It First O Invest in and rejuvenate communities. O Make use of what we have to match up with need.

Average Cost Per Unit of Emergency and Crisis Services in Philadelphia Type of Service/Treatment Inpatient Hospital Stay Cost Per Day $1, 300 Psychiatric Hospital $700 Emergency Room Crisis Visit $230 Detoxification Program $215 Non-Hospital Rehabilitation $150 Prison $91 Emergency Shelter $34 Permanent Supportive Housing $25

Data-Driven Outcomes O Use Evidence and Data to Drive Funding and Policy Decisions O Evaluate what we are doing O Hold ourselves accountable O Learn more about what works O Reward success

Our Pathway Forward O Opportunities O State Housing Trust Fund O National Housing Trust Fund O What are some of the local opportunities that you are encountering?

References O “How Housing Matters” Survey Report – Mac. Arthur Foundation, 2013 O “A New Vision” – Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, 2012