R2005-158 PLACING ON FILE FINAL REPORT

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FIVE YEAR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PLAN FINAL REPORT Five sequential steps were undertaken to create a plan: data gathering and needs assessment, housing strategy/concept formulation, identification of sites, project feasibility studies, and an integrated action plan that incorporates all developments. Descriation of Chronicallv Homeless Poaulation To gather data about this population, a survey instrument was designed and administered by Heritage Behavioral Health Center. Heritage operates two programs reaching the chronically homeless, the Oasis Day Center and the MISA Team. Through these two programs, the survey identified 173 individuals who fit the definition of ehronically homeless in Decatur and Macon County. Of these: • 63% are white and 36% are African American. • 77% are male. • 42% have criminal convictions. • 51°fo have both mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. • 42% have been chronically homeless for two to four years. Housinct Needs Assessmen� The planning team assessed the demand for and the existir�g supply of permanent supportive housing. The major factor in determining demand is a person's current sleeping place. Based upon an analysis of nine permanent housing options, the planning team identified �hree rnodels that are most appropriate for this population: safe havens, single room oceupaney units, and supportive living apartments.3 The current supply of permanent supportive housing for this population is extremely timited, consisting of only 17 units, most of whieh are currently oecupied. Moreover, the planning team identified barriers that impaet the development of and access to �Safe havens are low-demand facilities with private or semi-private rooms and shared bathing and cooking facilities. PAGE IV