7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Promoting Equity & Reducing Barriers

Julie McFarland

Sept. 16, 2013

CCUSA Conference

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Do We Have A Right To

Housing?

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Housing Readiness vs. Housing

First Housing Readiness: An approach based on

belief that people need to address issuesthat may have led to their ownhomelessness before they enterpermanent housing.

Housing First: An approach to ending

homelessness that centers on providingpeople experiencing homelessness withhousing as quickly as possible and thenproviding services as needed.

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Common Barriers to

HousingAccess

Affordable Housing

Screening Criteria

Funding for Homeless Housing

Providers

Fear of Change

More Traditional Practices housing

readiness vs. housing first

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Access

Adequate Emergency Shelter Beds

Coordinated Intake and Assessment

Outreach

Interpretation and Translation

Phone/Voicemail Services

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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http://givinginla.org/wp-content/uploads/affordable-housing.gif

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Screening Barriers

Evictions

Debt to landlords, housing authorities

Income

Criminal Background

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Example of Criminal History

Requirements for Emergency Shelter

Program Applicants are ineligible if they have/are: Domesticviolence charges (including but not limited to Assault 4DV, Violation of a Protection Order, Extortion DV, &Harassment DV); No violent crimes (misdemeanors orfelony); 1 non-DV Assault 4 charge is appealable;

Felonies within the past 4 years (felonies convicted byjuvenile that were changed over 2 years ago can appeal);Felony convictions at any point in the applicants life for:Rape, Sexual assault, Murder, Arson, Robbery, ChildMolestation, Manufacturing of illegal drug, Outstandingun-adjudicated felony charges, Manslaughter (currently

accepted if more than 10 years old), Assault 1, 2, & 3,Kidnapping (appealable if can prove involving custodydispute), Registered sex offenders, An active warrant fortheir arrest

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Screening Barriers

Fair Housing Violations

Protected Classes in City of Seattle:

Age

AncestryBreastfeeding in a public place

Color

Creed

Disability

Gender identity

Marital statusNational Origin

Parental status

Political ideologyRace

Religion

Sex

Sexual orientation

Use of a Section 8 certificate

Use of a service animalMilitary status or Veteran

7/27/2019 2013 Annual Gathering: Workshop#7D: Housing as a Fundamental Right Promoting Equality and Reducing Barriers

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Other Barriers to Housing

Funding for Housing Providers

Fear of Change

More Traditional Practices housing

readiness vs. housing first

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Group Discussion

What can I do to address housing

barriers in my community?

Who are my allies in accomplishing this

work?

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As Service Providers, We

Can:Ask ourselves why screening criteria

exists.

Advocate for contractual changes in outcomes

Identify training needs and opportunities forstaff

Determine agency position on housing

readiness vs. housing first

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As Community Members, We

Can: Talk to landlords we know about working

with people who have housing barriers

Advocate for additional social service

funding at federal, state and local levels