This document summarizes local homelessness research conducted in Richmond, VA. It discusses how Homeward, a non-profit, has used consistent point-in-time count data since 2007 to describe the homeless population, identify risk factors, and establish need. This data has strengthened partnerships and informed programs. For example, over 70% of homeless adults report prior incarceration, and data matching found overlap between jail and shelter use. The data helped launch a Frequent Users System Engagement initiative and influenced alternatives to incarceration. Three case studies of frequent jail and shelter users are also summarized.

1. Local homelessness research: the impact of data in Richmond, VA Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. Homeward Richmond, VA www.homewardva.org mackermann@homewardva.org

2. 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

5. Convened local FUSE group2011

6. 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

7. 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 futureresearch

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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?

11. 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.

12. 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. 31.5% (828/2627) of adults who had stayed in area shelters had been in jail during the year. 7.4% (828/11,203) of RCJ inmates had been in an area shelter during the year.

13. Highlights Shelter Jail and shelter Jail More episodes of homelessness Higher classification levels Held longer prior to sentencing No differences in gender or family status No differences in sentence length or gender

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Frequent User Highlights Shelter Jail and shelter Jail No significant differences in gender, family status, disability status, and veteran status Male Unaccompanied by children in shelter Disability Veteran

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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)