Toolkits | November 5, 2010

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Columbus, OH has consistently performed well on outcomes in the HEARTH Act, including reducing length of homelessness, new, repeat, and overall homelessness.

From 2007 to 2009, the community reduced homelessness in the midst of a nationwide recession with 7 percent, 6 percent, and 4 percent reductions in overall, family, and single adult homelessness, respectively. In 2009, the majority of homeless families exited the “front-door” emergency shelter for housing within 21 days and more than 60 percent of homeless families exited homelessness for permanent housing. Only one percent of singles and zero percent of families who exited homelessness in 2009 returned to homelessness.

Columbus’ performance on these outcomes is a direct result of their homeless assistance system, which helps people quickly move out of homelessness and into permanent housing. During the 2010 fiscal year, over 8,000 homeless people were served in the community. This total includes nearly 1,305 families who sought emergency shelter during the fiscal year. Thirty-two percent of these families received prevention or diversion services and were successfully diverted from entering emergency shelter. Additionally, of the 2,792 total people served in housing programs, nearly 90 percent were placed in permanent housing (i.e., rapid re-housing or permanent supportive housing), and nearly half (40 percent) were rapidly re-housed. Remarkably, the combined budgets for Columbus’ rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing programs account for less than half of the community’s total program and services budget.

Columbus’ homeless services and programs receive over $12 million annually in funding from the lead Continuum of Care (CoC) agency, the Community Shelter Board (CSB), in addition to the annual HUD CoC award of approximately $8 million.

System Snapshot 2009

2009 Annual Homeless Count

Total: 1,359
Sheltered: 1,251
Unsheltered: 108
Single Adults: 966
Persons in Families: 387
Youth: 6

Number of Households Served by Program Type, FY 2010

In FY 2010, Columbus homeless system served more than 8,000 people. Of the 2,792 total people served in housing programs, nearly 90 percent were placed in permanent housing (i.e., rapid re-housing or permanent supportive housing), and nearly half (40 percent) were rapidly re-housed.

 

Unit/Bed Allocation

Budget Allocation for Program & Services

• Overall Homelessness Reduction: 7 percent
  • Families: 6 percent
  • Single Adults: 4 percent
  • Prevention:
    • 974 Households
  • Diversion:
    • Families: 32 percent diversion rate
    • Single Adults : 13 percent diversion rate
  • Return to Homelessness:
    • Families: 0 percent
    • Single Adults: 1 percent
  • Emergency Shelter: 42 percent
  • Transitional Housing: 0 percent
  • Permanent Supportive Housing: 58 percent
  • Rapid Re-Housing : N/A
  • Prevention / Diversion: 11 percent
  • Emergency Shelter & Outreach: 47 percent
  • Rapid Re-Housing: 19 percent
  • Permanent Supportive Housing: 23 percent
  • Transitional Housing: 0 percent

The Columbus Model: Becoming a Data Driven System
The Columbus Model: Quality Improvement
The Columbus Model: Performance Measurement & Evaluation

Downloadable Tools

1. Columbus Program Performance & Evaluation Measures List
2. Columbus Program Performance Measures Definitions and Measurement Methodology
3. Columbus System Performance Measures Definitions and Measurement Methodology
4. Columbus Sample System & Program Level Indicator Report
5. Columbus Performance Outcome Plan (POP) Overview
6. Columbus Performance Outcome Plan (POP) – Blank Sample
7. Columbus Performance-based Contracts Samples
8. Columbus & Community Shelter Board Administrative and Program Standards

Additional Resources

Community Shelter Board Website