The Tarrant County Homeless Coalition is reporting a slight decrease in the 2011 point-in-time (PIT) count of the homeless compared to 2009.
Despite very poor employment prospects for low-skill and low-wage workers during the period, the Fort Worth/Arlington/Tarrant County Continuum of Care posted a 1 percent reduction in the number of people who were homeless countywide.
The Directions Home plan was adopted by the Fort Worth City Council and endorsed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court in Summer 2008. Official point-in-time counts are conducted in odd numbered years; therefore, Directions Home uses data from 2007 as a baseline. Compared to 2007, the 2011 PIT count shows an 18.9 percent decrease in homelessness county-wide.
During the same period, our Continuum of Care has added 563 units of permanent supportive housing--due in large part to Directions Home and the VASH (HUD-VA supportive housing) program for veterans. Recently announced funding from HUD will enable our community to achieve the six year goal for Directions Home of 544 additional units of supportive housing in the third program year.
Occupancy rates for transitional housing programs have also increased and a Directions Home-funded Housing Specialist at the Fort Worth Housing Authority has recruited 85 additional landlords to work with families and individuals who are moving out of homelessness. UTA/TCU evaluation reports indicate that Directions Home housing opportunities are having positive impacts on housing retention and self-sufficiency—especially increases in income.
]]>Permanent supportive housing is a cornerstone of Fort Worth’s Directions Home plan. Across America, permanent supportive housing is helping to end chronic homelessness by pairing attractive, well-managed housing with professional, on-site services.
Download a study of the impact of permanent supportive housing on neighborhood property values in Fort Worth between 2000 and 2008. The report discusses design considerations, property management and strategies for neighborhood involvement. The evidence that the value of properties closest to permanent supportive housing have grown robustly and consistently with the neighborhoods in which they are situated is encouraging news for property owners who may be concerned by a proposed development.
]]>Watch the Directions Home Year One Report to the Fort Worth City Council, presented Aug. 11, 2009, during the Pre-Council work session.
Download a copy of the 2008-09 Year-End Report.
Video of the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition presentation during the City Council meeting is also available.
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