Dear Supporters and Friends,
We need your help more than ever! This year has given us unprecedented challenges. In July, we experienced funding delays at the federal and state levels that held up our revenue payments for our contracted services for three months. Our commitment to our mission and participants did not postpone providing services to some of the most vulnerable folks in our community. As you can imagine, the delay in payment created financial constraints for us to meet our own financial obligations in the form of payroll to our employees, paying client rents, and to the vendors and community members that support our operations.
Just as we were beginning to regain our footing from these delays… the government shut down. ShelterCare relies on government funding to support both our behavioral health and housing programs.
And, now, we are facing another challenge at the federal level with HUD changing its policies and practices in providing affordable housing and voluntary support services for our community members who have experienced chronic homelessness, are disabled, or face other barriers to housing. ShelterCare’s Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is one of our housing programs that utilizes the Housing First model.
In 2006, ShelterCare was an early pioneer of the Housing First model, which is an evidence-based model that reduces barriers to accessing housing and has been proven to have effective, long-term results for ending homelessness. Housing First works on the premise that tenants have the same rights and responsibilities as any other renter, including a lease. The model also works on the premise that tenants have voluntary access to supportive services, including case management and peer support. In a nutshell, Housing First believes individuals must meet their basic needs (i.e. shelter, food, water) before they can move on to other challenges, such as physical and mental health, sobriety, and employment.
ShelterCare’s PSH program is not only vital to our community but is also one of our biggest programs, providing services to 111 people in our community. Of the 111 people served in the last year, only 6 exited to homelessness.
Two weeks ago, the federal government announced a shift away from housing first and permanent supported housing models to focus on transitional housing that centers on a treatment-first model. To learn more about the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), here is a link to the full release (128 page NOFO). These plans will not only drastically cut funding nationwide but also to ShelterCare’s PSH program. By HUD’s own estimates, about 170,000 people across the country will be at risk of homelessness as a direct result of implementation.
Why this matters: This is a shift away from ShelterCare’s mission and values to provide services that are result-focused, evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centered. We believe that there is never a good time to abandon evidence-based practices to reduce homelessness, especially when it concerns our community members. Understanding the importance of these programs, the State of Oregon has joined a number of other states to sue the federal government and HUD over these sudden changes.
In lieu of these challenges, and to be able to continue to provide services, we’ve had to make some difficult decisions that weigh heavily on our hearts. We recently underwent a restructuring that included staffing reductions to help stabilize our future. We are also in the process of evaluating our assets, including the sale of one of our properties, to place us in a better financial position.
No matter the challenges, we are committed to our mission and to continuing to provide services in our community. We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home.
Here is what you can do to support ShelterCare during this time:
Add your voice at the National Alliance to End Homelessness’ portal.
Contact your local elected officials.
Thank you for your support and for believing in the essential work we provide to the community.
I’m deeply committed to our community, and I know you are, too.
Take care,
Jennifer DeVault, Executive Director, ShelterCare