2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER)

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CR-25 - Homeless and Other Special Needs 91.220(d, e); 91.320(d, e); 91.520(c) Evaluate the jurisdiction's progress in meeting its specific objectives for reducing and ending homelessness through: Reaching out to homeless persons (especially unsheltered persons) and assessing their individual needs St.Joseph County is a separate region within the Balance of State CoC that encompasses all of, and only, St.Joseph County.The region has utilized Coordinated Entry since January of 2019 to determine the needs of houseless individuals and families place them in a program which is best suited to provide them with housing and services. Persons who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless are evaluated using the recent State adopted assessment. CHAT replaces the previously used VI-SPDAT and prioritized veterans and domestic violence survivors.CHAT is used to determine the appropriate housing for the individual and/or family. With the adoption of Coordinated Entry, placement rates of homeless individuals and families has been high. Additionally,the City and RPC worked to establish a Lived Experience Advisory Committee, in which RPC/City representatives meet monthly with currently or formerly unhoused individuals to better understand their experiences, learn their perspectives on the current system, service gaps, etc. Participants are compensated for their time with gift cards provided by an Anthem grant. The City's Homeless Coordinator established an outreach team which meets monthly to identify locations where people were staying outside,coordinate services, plan for weather amnesty, coordinate the Point In Time Count and identify gaps in services.The Coordinator also goes out with agencies to do street outreach and build trust with the unhoused community to understand their needs and connect people to services. Partners include those working in the fields of medical and mental health, housing,veterans, youth and recovery services.The Coordinator also visits meal sites and shelter locations to learn from service providers,gain input from guests, share information from other providers, and coordinate services. In 2024,the City of South Bend continued its efforts addressing the needs of the City's vulnerable population—those who are experiencing homeless or are at-risk of homelessness. Many of the initiatives put in place as part of the City's Coronavirus response over the past few years have continued to develop and grow. One such initiative is the City's work with Our Lady of the Road and the Motels4Now program.This converted hotel has been put in place to temporarily house unsheltered individuals by utilizing the Housing First Strategy.The City supports this program by using CDBG, ESG, and general city funds to assist agencies around South Bend that are aiding the residents of this hotel in terms of food support and supportive services. Plans are in place to begin the construction of a non- congregate shelter to provide an additional shelter option.This shelter will be developed in part with HOME-ARP funds received by the St.Joseph County Housing Consortium. CAPER 27 OMB Control No:2506-0117(exp.09/30/2021)