1. Effective Strategies for Outreach to the Street and Abandoned Buildings Angela Patterson, Deputy Director Katy Quigley, Outreach July 15, 2011

2. UNITY of Greater New Orleans UNITY of Greater New Orleans is a nonprofit organization leading a coalition of 60 organizations providing housing and services for the homeless. Our mission is to coordinate community partnerships to prevent, reduce and end homelessness in the New Orleans area. In addition to raising and distributing funds to support our member organizations’ work, UNITY conducts homeless outreach on the streets and in abandoned buildings, rehabs apartment buildings, helps the public locate affordable housing, and advocates for public policy to prevent and reduce homelessness.

3. Housing and Services Provided by the CoC Supportive Services:

4. Homelessness TodayComprehensive Estimate of Homelessness Feb. 2011 Homelessness remains a huge problem in New Orleans, 5 ½ years after Katrina. 9,165 persons meeting the HUD definition of homelessness (including people facing imminent eviction or discharge from institutions) in Orleans and Jefferson Parish on any given night. An additional 1,603persons residing in Permanent Supportive Housing. 6,687 Core Homeless Persons – persons residing in places not meant for human habitation, emergency shelters and transitional housing. 70% increase in homelessness since Hurricane Katrina.

5. Homelessness in New Orleans: Large-Scale Homeless Camps Between Nov. 2007 and July 2008, 452 peoplehoused from two large squalid homeless camps in the heart of downtown New Orleans – a national record. 975 different individuals documented who lived in one or both of these camps. 64%said they came from an abandoned building In 2011, homelessness no longer concentrated in downtown as it was before Katrina – now it is spread across the city, with Central City the largest “hot spot.”

6. Homelessness in New Orleans: Abandoned Buildings Random sample survey Feb. 2011: Estimated 4,767 homeless personsresiding in abandoned buildings on any given night. 38,382abandoned residential and commercial buildings. 75%are Katrina survivors.

7. Abandoned Building Outreach We are the only outreach team in the nation to send its outreach workers, armed only with flashlights, into abandoned buildings in the middle of the night to find and rescue severely disabled homeless people.

8. Where People Sleep When They Have Nowhere Else to Live

9. Homelessness in New Orleans: Five Factors Causing Post-K Homelessness Devastation of Rental Stock Escalating Rents Physical and Mental Health Trauma Loss of Healthcare Infrastructure Loss of Extended Family and Neighborhood Supports

10. 2011 Point in Time Count DataCore Homeless

11. 2011 Point in Time Count DataHomeless Veterans

12. UNITY’s Abandoned Building Outreach Strategies Who: Strength in Diversity What: Systematic and Responsive Outreach Where: Geographic and Structural Challenges Why: Targeting the must Vulnerable When: Unique Times for Unique Circumstances Safety: Things to Keep in Mind

13. Who: Strength in Diversity Eight trained and committed Outreach Workers with many skill sets. Four are tasked with primary responsibility to work with men and women who are living within some of the 38,000 abandoned buildings in New Orleans. All have experienced homelessness for a period of time post-Katrina.

14. What: Systematic and Responsive Outreach Primary Mission Vulnerability Index Systematic Searches Responsive Searches

15. What: Geographical and Structural Challenges The types of abandoned structures where we have found people: Residences Factories Churches Hospitals Schools Hotels Retail Establishments Private and Government Offices Abandoned Amusement Parks and Bowling Alleys

16. Homeless Within Their Own Homes: The Reyes Brothers

17. Why: Targeting the Most Vulnerable 87% of persons living in abandoned buildings have some Mental Health or Physical Disability

18. When: Unique Times for Unique Circumstances Daytime Abandoned Buildings Outreach Search buildings Structural Challenges Safety Concerns Global Neighborhood Issues Leaving Indicators

19. Night Time Abandoned Buildings Outreach HMIS Vulnerability Index Releases of Information PSH/HPRP/SRO/VASH applications as appropriate Identity Documentation

20. Safety: Things to Keep in Mind Team Approach Right Equipment Day/Night Contacts Leaving Identifying Information Use of Identifying Clothing

21. Remaining Need for Resources Additional Outreach funding More PSH housing More Rapid Rehousing Safe Haven/Low Shelter threshold options SRO’s Wet Beds Hotel Vouchers for immediate Safety

22. Contact Information Angela Patterson Deputy Director apatterson@unitygno.org Katy Quigley Abandoned Buildings Outreach kquigley@unitygno.org www.unitygno.org www.unityhousinglink.org www.facebook.com/UNITYGNO