Ending Homelessness
At OrgCode we believe homelessness can be ended.
We know that ending homelessness is a complex and complicated task. It takes strong leadership. It requires an array of programs to function as a comprehensive system. It also requires attention to proven approaches and appropriate measures to track progress and make refinements.
A focus on housing is the most effective approach to ending homelessness because before someone can address the issues that led to their homelessness, they need the safety, security, and dignity of a roof over their head. At OrgCode, we offer a range of proven effective services designed to end homelessness including targeted prevention strategies, Rapid Re-housing and a Housing First approach, because we know that the only known cure to homelessness is housing. We have also developed a proven and reliable approach to measuring acuity of individuals through outreach and intake which helps align homeless people to the best intervention to meet their needs.
Services
Housing First Programs
Rapid Re-Housing
Homeless Counts and Needs Assessment
Optimizing Homelessness Data
Homelessness Prevention Strategies
Plans to End Homelessness
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Service Prioritization Training
Program Evaluation (duplicate)
Housing First Programs
We help develop and implement Housing First programs, as well as providing assessment and redesign for existing programs. Our approach to Housing First is through the use of Assertive Community Treatment or Intensive Case Management with a focus on those clients with more complex presenting issues. OrgCode offers a 9-module learning program for leaders, managers, supervisors, and frontline Housing First practitioners that covers: Core Concepts; Service Orientation; Intensive Case Management; Brokering and Advocacy; Housing and Landlords; Case Planning’ Change’ Meaningful Daily Activity; and Common Issues. In addition, we provide public education on Housing First to community members, elected officials, and other stakeholders. At OrgCode, we believe strongly in a Housing First approach to ending homelessness because it is proven to significantly save costs, is supported by clients, and results in the long-term reduction of street homelessness. Housing First has demonstrated 75% fewer people using police detox and a 56% decrease in arrests, as well as significant reductions in emergency room visits, ambulance calls, and jail detainments. In Toronto, a Housing First approach effectively reduced street homelessness by 51% in just three years.
Rapid Re-Housing
We help develop and implement Rapid Re-housing programs, as well as providing assessment and redesign for existing programs. Focused on people with some presenting issues that require supports to achieve housing stability – but not as complex as those clients better served through Housing First – we offer a 9-module learning program for Rapid Re-housing practitioners.
Homeless Counts and Needs Assessment
In order to end homelessness, a community must measure the scope of the problem and the effectiveness of current solutions. At OrgCode, we realize the value of meaningful and verifiable data and provide services that often begin with a homeless count. Our services include needs assessments, community organization, and implementation of various approaches to homeless counts. We have also implemented an innovative approach to collecting survey information from homeless people directly to help improve homeless programs. In addition, we provide thorough analysis of the data generated and prepare recommendations for service responses.
Optimizing Homelessness Data
Data demands on homeless service providers have increased over the last decade. At OrgCode, we help simplify the process. We provide technical assistance to Continuums of Care, Local Leadership Tables, policy makers and others in aligning Homeless Management Information Systems. We help individual service providers create data architecture plans that are easily understood and implemented from intake through to discharge. We have created quality assurance and performance measurement systems for homeless service systems and individual providers. We help researchers and analysts mine homeless data sets in ways that are appropriate and assist homeless people and service providers. We also assist communities and providers to organize their data to meet funding requirements, prepare for implementation of new legislation such as the HEARTH Act, use their data and information to increase public awareness and education, and to help hard-working staff reflect and refine their practices.
Homelessness Prevention Strategies
Prevention is an important component to end homelessness. At OrgCode, we create homelessness prevention strategies and design, develop, and implement homelessness prevention assessment tools. In addition, we work with shelter providers on diversion strategies to exhaust all community resources prior to entering a shelter and to ensure that the shelters are playing a vital role in providing emergency shelter on the housing continuum. Effective diversion housing options can help people at risk of homelessness access the supports that they need to begin to stabilize their housing rather than entering the shelter system.
Plans to End Homelessness
A community plan is an important document because it helps all stakeholders clarify and understand the community’s goals and their role in achieving those goals. At OrgCode, we assist communities to create, update, and evaluate Plans to End Homelessness. We also assist with the implementation of community plans by establishing and facilitating leadership tables. Finally, we create evaluation frameworks and accountability models to ensure that Plans to End Homelessness are being used optimally.
Intensive Case Management (ICM)
Intensive Case Management (ICM) is an effective approach to service delivery that focuses on the coordination of appropriate services and the provision of ongoing support based on the client’s needs. OrgCode’s specialty is the integration of the Intensive Case Management approach with a community-based Housing First program. We teach and train ICM theory and practice, assist in the integration of ICM into community-based services, and provide evaluation for ICM service delivery.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an intensive, team-based approach to service delivery for clients with serious mental illness. We believe that Assertive Community Treatment is an important component in ending homelessness, and help design ACT teams that take into account local nuances and recruit professionals for these teams. At OrgCode, we also review and evaluate ACT service delivery and make recommendations for implementing continuous improvement.
Service Prioritization Training
OrgCode has developed the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) for assessment, triage, and prioritizing of services based on client acuity. This tool allows service providers to match clients with the interventions that best meet their immediate needs. This revolutionary tool has been widely implemented across North America and is being used to assess thousands of clients prior to housing and after they are housed to measure their progress. OrgCode provides training in the use of this tool to ensure that SPDAT is being used most effectively.
Program Evaluation
How can a program be successful without evidence that it is making a difference? At OrgCode, we know that measuring the outcomes of a program is essential to its success. We help organizations ensure that their services are being delivered effectively by creating performance measurement systems, service standards, and quality assurance frameworks. In addition, we monitor and evaluate housing and homelessness programs, provide report cards and outcome tracking, and make recommendations.
Examples
Housing and Urban Affairs, Province of Alberta, Canada
The Province of Alberta selected OrgCode to create an evaluation framework to review the implementation of the provincial 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness. OrgCode consulted with numerous stakeholders in the seven largest cities in Alberta and leveraged its existing expertise in Plan evaluation as well as multi-city evaluation frameworks.
City of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, Alberta
The City of Lethbridge, Alberta was in the process of delivering a Housing First program that was a component of the Lethbridge 5 Year Community Plan to End Homelessness. OrgCode was retained to support implementation of the program by providing training on Intensive Case Management for Community-Based Housing First; to improve Housing First implementation through Social Housing in Action; to work with City Council, police, EMS, and other community stakeholders to understand Housing First; and to increase capacity in working with youth who experience homelessness.
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia was evaluating their 10 Year Plan and was facing a lack of public awareness about rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing. OrgCode was asked to give presentations to local executives and senior managers. OrgCode also ensured that the 9 outcomes of the new strategic plan had a strong focus on data.
National Alliance to End Homelessness
Washington, D.C.
OrgCode was retained by the National Alliance to End Homelessness in Washington, D.C. to create the Ending Family Homelessness Toolkit for communities and organizations throughout the United States.
Homeward Trust
Edmonton, Alberta
OrgCode was retained to create a framework for a Service Team comprised of psychiatrists, physicians, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, addiction counsellors, concurrent disorders therapists, senior case managers, and a Team Leader. This Service Team was created to meet the service needs of homeless persons with health, addiction, and mental health issues not currently being served by “mainstream” services.
Michigan Summit to End Homelessness
Michigan, USA
OrgCode was engaged by the Michigan Summit to End Homelessness to provide both the opening keynote address and closing address at their annual summit that was attended by stakeholders from across the state working to end homelessness.
Canadian Mental Health Association
OrgCode worked with a local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association to assist in understanding the acuity of clients seeking service. This work led to the creation of the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool.
Metro Vancouver Homeless Count
Vancouver, British Columbia
Metro Vancouver is comprised of 23 municipalities that includes the City of Vancouver. OrgCode was awarded the contract to lead the 2011 Homeless Count in Metro Vancouver in an effort to determine the overall scope of homelessness and the sub-populations impacted by homelessness such as gender-specific, youth and Aboriginal. OrgCode worked with the Metro Vancouver Homeless Secretariat, local community coordinators and over 700 hundred volunteers to survey homeless persons in shelters, those who were unsheltered and persons with No Fixed Address who were staying in hospitals, jails, transition housing, detox and other institutions. OrgCode will write a final report based on the data that will inform policy and funding over the next three years.