LOCAL HOMELESSNESS RESEARCH: THE IMPACT OF DATA IN RICHMOND, VA

Margot Ackermann, Ph.D.

Homeward

Richmond, VA

www.homewardva.org

mackermann@homewardva.org

Local Climate• Homeward’s role• Multiple jurisdictions• Involvement of business community• Private funding (67%) for homeless services• Large number of non-profits and other stakeholders• Involvement in Community Criminal Justice Board

(CCJB) and plans for new jail• Majority of homeless population = single adult ex-

offenders

2

Timeline

2008

• Detailed snapshots on ex-offenders published locally• Ten Year Plan published

2009

• Jail study on stability of housing plans• Governor with interest in re-entry elected

2010

• One-year HMIS data match with jail• State homelessness plan published• CCJB identifies diversion and housing as key priorities

• Collection of consistent point-in-time (PIT) data begins• Introduction of summer PIT2007

• Frequent user HMIS data match with jail• Convened local FUSE group2011

Point-in-Time Count and Survey• Conducted in January and July of each year• Sheltered count done by shelter report; unsheltered count

is conducted by survey• Survey conducted in shelters, through street outreach, and

local meals programs (includes people not currently experiencing homelessness)

• Partners include shelters and other service providers, departments of social services, police, and community volunteers

• Anonymous, self-report survey includes informed consent and questions on housing, employment, history of incarceration, service use, foster care, mental health, substance use … and more

How We Use PIT Data• Describe people experiencing homelessness in our

community• Compare people experiencing homelessness with others

to identify risk factors for homelessness• Determine whether there is support (or not) for

perceptions• Establish need• Build partnerships• Get ideas for future

research

Impact of PIT Data• Community members are more educated about people

served• Local agencies have access to timely data• Strengthen and create partnerships

• With agencies that serve people experiencing homelessness• Others interested in poverty and housing

Background: Homeless Ex-offenders

72.9% of adults experiencing homelessness in the Richmond region report that they have spent time in jail and/or prison (January, 2011).

• Jail = 60.8%, prison = 3.4%, jail + prison = 35.9%• 33.3% homeless before incarceration, 50.3% homeless

upon release. • Compared to others experiencing homelessness, ex-

offenders are more likely to have a substance abuse problem.

Homelessness and Unstable Housing Plans (5/09)• Obtained list of 111 respondents; 50 were surveyed

• Administered the PIT survey used in 06/08, along with questions on housing barriers, job skills, and social support

• Research question: Among jail inmates, what characteristics distinguish those who have been homeless from those who have not been homeless – and what characteristics predict housing instability at discharge?

Homelessness and Unstable Housing Plans (5/09)• Main findings were that those with a history of homelessness:• Reported lower social support of friends, family, and significant

others;• Were more likely to have a current substance abuse problem; and• Were less likely to have a checking account.

• The small sample size made it difficult to find significant differences, but the fact that those with a history of homelessness reported lower social support on three subscales was intriguing.

Overlap Between Jail and Shelter Use: 5/09 – 4/10• In September 2010, one year’s worth of data on adults from

the Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) and the Richmond City Jail (RCJ) was matched to examine the overlap between people who use area shelters and the RCJ.

7.4% (828/11,203) of RCJ inmates had been in an area shelter during the year.

31.5% (828/2627) of adults who had stayed in area shelters had been in jail during the year.

Highlights

Shelter Jail and shelter JailMore episodes of homelessness

Higher classification levelsHeld longer prior to sentencing

No differences in gender or family status

No differences in sentence length or gender

Frequent Users of Jail and Shelter• In March 2011, we decided to match five year’s worth of data

(2006-2010) on adults from the Homeward Community Information System (HCIS) and the Richmond City Jail (RCJ) and look at clients within the overlap who could be considered frequent users of both systems.

32.4% (2685/8289) of adults who had stayed in area shelters had been in jail during the five-year period.

7.4% (2685/36,377) of RCJ inmates had been in an area shelter during the five-year period.

Frequent Users of Jail and Shelter• Of the 2685 clients who had spent time in both jail and

shelter, 1623 (60.4%) were frequent users (4+ stays) of jail or shelter.

40.8% (1095/2685) qualify as frequent users of shelter. 33.3% (893/

2685) qualify as frequent users of jail.

Frequent User Highlights

Shelter Jail and shelter JailNo significant differences in gender, family status, disability status, and veteran status

MaleUnaccompanied by children in shelterDisabilityVeteran

Mr. A’s Story• Median total time in jail and shelter: 277 days (41 shelter, 236 jail)• 36 year old, single adult Black male. • Has been in shelter four times. Spent a few weeks in shelter in early

2005 and then returned a few more times in 2005-2006. • When he first sought shelter, he had been homeless and living

outdoors for at least a couple years. • Beginning in May 2007 through August 2010, he went to jail six times.

Once, he was released in the same day, but a few times, he stayed at least a month. The past two times he was arrested, he’s only been in jail for a couple days.

• Has been in and out of jail since 1992, with a break in 1994-2001 when he was in prison.

• Usual charges: felony narcotics, felony forgery, larceny, and felonious assault.

Mr. B’s Story• Median jail time: 146 days; 97 days in shelter• Mr. B. is a 47 year old, single White male who has

physical and alcohol-related disabilities.• Has been incarcerated 13 times during this five year

period, mostly for just one or two days. The one exception is a stay of about three months.

• During this same period, he has been in and out of shelter many times, with most stays being fairly short – a week or two. He has had eight shelter stays during this time.

• History of incarceration in RCJ goes back to 1997, with multiple convictions for drunk in public, trespassing, and petty larceny.

Mr. C’s Story• Median shelter time: 74 days; 1140 days in jail• Mr. C. is a 52 year old, single Black male. • He has drug and alcohol-related disabilities and has been

incarcerated 12 times during this five year period. Although he has had some brief stays, he has also had several longer period of incarceration (e.g., 4-6 months).

• He has been staying in area shelters for the past seven years, usually just for a night, though he did try to get treatment for his substance abuse problems in 2008. It appears that he left the program and was arrested just a few days later. Overall, he has had five stays in shelter.

• Has had charges of trespassing, felony narcotics, drunk in public, disorderly conduct, and an old DUI, as well as a couple assaults on law enforcement.

Local Impact• Engagement of high level stakeholders and elected

officials• Partnership with law enforcement and RPD Homeless

Outreach and Partnership for Enforcement (HOPE) unit• Ongoing data matching with Richmond City Jail• Data will help guide programs and funding related to

alternatives to incarceration• Establishment of Richmond City’s mental health docket

(4/11)• Homeward’s FUSE coordinating council (6/11)