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All Chicago 101 September 18, 2015

All Chicago History • In 2011, two non-profits, the Emergency Fund and the Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness, began working in partnership with one board of directors and one staff. • On May 21, 2015, the organizations officially merged into one non-profit known as All Chicago Making Homelessness History. • The merger allowed us to eliminate duplicate efforts, more effectively use limited resources, more closely unite key stakeholders, and become a stronger leader in preventing and ending homelessness.

Our Values • We are committed to demonstrating the following values at every level: – Integrity and accountability to all stakeholders. – Diversity in all its forms, treating everyone with dignity and respect. – Trust, stability, and transparency. – The collective impact we can make through working together. – Innovation and bold leadership in developing and implementing solutions. – Adaptability and an openness to change. – Excellence in all we do.

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All Chicago Overview • All Chicago effectively combines immediate resources with long term solutions to address the complex social issue of homelessness. • We have three signature programs: – The Emergency Fund – The Chicago Alliance – The Learning Center

The Emergency Fund • In collaboration with community organizations, we provide critical financial assistance to people experiencing an emergency that could lead to homelessness or other crises. • We can quickly provide payments on a person’s behalf for things like rent, utilities, or even bus passes. • The Emergency Fund stewards five different funds that are all crisis/emergency oriented.

The Emergency Fund • Flexible Financial Funds – Privately donated funds – Cover a wide variety of basic needs up to $500 per person, per year – Payments made directly to landlords or vendors – Work with 32 partner agencies who refer their clients – Partner agency selection process is currently under revision – stay tuned! – Anyone needing financial assistance can dial 3-1-1 and ask for “Short Term Help” to get screened for a referral – Special Funds cover basic needs for specific target groups based on the donor’s intent – Impact: In 2014, we assisted 2,682 households and distributed $421,941.

– Lead Staff: Lynette Barnes

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Emergency Fund Partners • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

AIDS Foundation of Chicago The Ark Asian Human Services Bethel New Life Cabrini Green Legal Aid The Cara Program Catholic Charities Center for Changing Lives Chicago Family Health Center Christopher House Cornerstone Community Outreach Deborah's Place Dr.Jorge Prieto Family Health Center EZRA Multi-Services Cntr FeatherFist Heartland Human Care Services

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Howard Area Community Center Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago The Inner Voice, Inc Inspiration Corporation Jane Addams Resource Corporation Jewish Vocational Service La Casa Norte Lincoln Park Community Shelter Mujeres Latinas En Accion North Lawndale Employment Network Phalanx Family Services Renaissance Social services St. Sabina Church St. Vincent De Paul Center Thresholds YMCA

The Emergency Fund • Student Emergency Funds – Privately donated funds – Cover a wide variety of basic needs up to $500 per semester for college students to help them overcome a crisis that might cause them to drop out of school – Payments made directly to landlords or vendors – Students must be Chicago residents attending an Illinois college or university – Work with 6 partner agencies who refer clients – Partner agencies are selected through an application process – Impact: Since May 2015, we have assisted 52 students and distributed $16,510 – Lead Staff: Tremel Daniel

Student Emergency Fund Program Partners • • • • • •

Chicago Scholars Companies That Care Embarc Genesys Works North Lawndale College Prep One Goal

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The Emergency Fund • State Homeless Prevention Funds – State government funds – Cover security deposits, rent, mortgages, and utilities up to $1,500 during a two-year period – Payments are made directly to landlords or vendors – 4 partner agencies provide eligibility determination and case management services – Partner agencies are selected every two years – Anyone needing financial assistance can dial 3-1-1 and ask for “Short Term Help” to get screened for a referral – Impact: In 2014-2015, $999,663 was distributed to 885 households; 1060 children and 1183 other adults in the household benefitted from the assistance – Lead Staff: Lynette Barnes

State Homeless Prevention Fund Partners • • • •

AIDS Foundation of Chicago Catholic Charities Heartland Human Care Services La Casa Norte

The Emergency Fund • Rental Assistance Program – Federal funds which are locally administered by DFSS – Cover rental arrears up to three months – Partner agencies are Chicago’s DFSS six Service Centers who refer clients – Anyone needing financial assistance can dial 3-1-1 and ask for “Short Term Help” to get screened for a referral – We conduct habitability inspection for Service Center referrals, and once approved, make payments directly to landlords – Impact: In 2014, $302,313 was distributed to 256 inspected households – Lead Staff: Leturyurin Woods

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Rental Assistance Program Partners (DFSS/RAP Community Service Center Locations) • Englewood • Garfield • King Center • North Area • South Chicago • Trina Davilia

The Emergency Fund • Rapid Re-housing Program – Federally funded through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), awarded to the City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) and administered by All Chicago – Provides short-term financial assistance (up to 8 months), including security deposit, rent, and utilities, to individuals and families experiencing homelessness – Clients are referred by Emergency Shelter or Interim Housing programs as caseload availability allows – Impact: In 2014 (May-Dec), the RRH funds provided housing and services to 198 households – Lead Staff: Amanda Borta, Elizabeth Perez, Leturyurin Woods

Rapid Rehousing Partners • There are three partner agencies who provide case management and housing location services: • Heartland Human Care Services • La Casa Norte • Center for Housing & Health

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The Chicago Alliance • We analyze, recommend, and collaboratively implement sustainable housing solutions for Chicago. • We bring together data and key stakeholders to understand and improve our city-wide approach to preventing and ending homelessness.

The Chicago Alliance • We administer the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database that captures data on homelessness • The database tracks demographic, services, and housing information for people experiencing homelessness and the organizations that serve them • The HMIS database is used by more than 377 housing and homeless services projects • The HMIS Data Standards provides communities with baseline data collection requirements which is developed by each of the federal partners (HHS, HUD and VA) – HUD is responsible for coordinating the collection of data, oversee HMIS rules and regulations, report to Congress, and provide support to HMIS Lead Agencies.

The Chicago Alliance • As the HMIS Lead Agency we are responsible for: – Administering day-to-day operational functions of HMIS – Developing local HMIS policies and procedures – Monitoring compliance with HMIS standards and data quality – Administering vendor agreements/contracts – Submitting reports on behalf of the Continuum, including Annual Performance Report (APR) and Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) • Impact: In 2015, we are managing over 700 system users and over 35,000 client records. • Lead Staff: Padma Thangaraj, Kim Schmitt, Amanda Fox

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The Chicago Alliance • We administer the Housing Inventory Count (HIC), which counts the total beds and units dedicated to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Chicago. • Conducted during the month of January, in conjunction with the Point-in-Time Count (PIT), which counts the number of people experiencing homelessness at that given time • Both are HUD requirements and give us a snapshot of what homelessness looks like in Chicago at a point in time • Impact: In 2015, we collected 261 HIC submissions from over 70 agencies. The total inventory for Chicago includes more than 14,000 beds occupying over 8,000 units • Lead Staff: Elizabeth Perez

The Chicago Alliance • We administer an evaluation of all projects funded through the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) program based on system priorities, performance outcomes, best practices, and financial strength. • We provide technical assistance through both on-site and remote support to organizations who want to strengthen particular program areas. • Impact: In 2014, we provided TA to two agencies who were low scoring in the previous evaluation process, resulting in an average 20% increase in their scores. • Impact: In 2015, we evaluated 155 projects and implemented a new Site Visit process, with 6 six agencies receiving a visit. • Lead Staff: Amanda Borta

The Chicago Alliance • We administer a complex, collaborative application process called the CoC Program Competition that annually requests funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development • Impact: In FY14, we secured $55.6 million in federal funding for 167 housing and homeless services projects in Chicago • Lead Staff: Lisa Mayse-Lillig, Dave Thomas, Amanda Borta, Loren Seeger

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Alliance Partners / Service Providers (Organizations Providing Homeless Services) • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A Safe Haven Foundation AFC-Community Development Corporation AIDS Foundation of Chicago Breakthrough Urban Ministries, Inc. Cathedral Shelter of Chicago Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago Chicago House and Social Service Agency ChildServe Christian Community Health Center City of Chicago Community Supportive Living Systems, Inc. Cornerstone Community Outreach Deborah’s Place EdgeAlliance, Inc. Featherfist Goldie’s Place Heartland Health Outreach, Inc. Housing Opportunities for Women, Inc. Independent Community Living LLC Inspiration Corporation, Inc. The Interfaith Housing Development Corporation of Chicago

• • • • •

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

LaCasa Norte Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA) Matthew House Inc. Mercy Housing Lakefront Near West Side Community Development Corporation New Mom The Night Ministry North Side Housing and Supportive Services Primo Center Renaissance Social Services, Inc. Sarah’s Circle San Jose Obrero Mission The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. Single Room Housing Assistance Corporation Teen Living Programs, Inc. Thresholds Inc. Trilogy Unity Parenting & Counseling Inc. Volunteers of America YMCA

Alliance Partners / Public Organizations • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund Chicago Office of Budget and Management Chicago Police Department Chicago Public Schools (CPS) City of Chicago Mayor’s Office Cook County Jail Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Illinois Department of Corrections Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Illinois Housing Development Authority Social Security Administration (SSA) U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The Chicago Alliance • We support 18-20 committees by providing administrative activities, connecting committee members with resources and research to make informed decisions, and assisting committees in implementing their decisions. • Lead Staff: Amanda Borta, Lisa Mayse-Lillig, Loren Seeger

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The Learning Center • The Learning Center is our newest program • Equips those working in the housing and homeless services sector with tools and information to be more effective • Facilitate trainings and workshops that build capacity and professional development • Facilitate peer-to-peer learning exchanges • Research and share leading practices • Research and publish information that highlights community needs and offers solutions • Impact: In 2014, we conducted 92 trainings • Lead Staff: Loren Seeger

Upcoming Learning Center Trainings • Housing Resources for Veterans: October 22 • LGBTQ Cultural Competency & Fair Housing: October 27 • Chicago Continuum of Care Orientation: October 30 • Using Public Benefits to Combat Homelessness: November 12 • Roberts Rules of Order: November 20

Mythbusters • Myth #1: All Chicago provides direct services to the homeless. – FACT: We work collaboratively through partner agencies to assist individuals and families in need.

• Myth #2: All Chicago is the Continuum of Care (CoC). – FACT: The Continuum of Care is a membership organization for a designated geographic region collectively working to provide advocacy, housing, and services to those at-risk or experiencing homelessness. All Chicago is a member of the CoC, just as service providers, funders, and other stakeholders.

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Mythbusters • Myth #3: All Chicago defunds programs. – FACT: The CoC Board and committees set priorities, guidelines, performance outcomes, and metrics. While occasionally programs are at-risk of being defunded, all decisions regarding HUD-funding are made by the Board and committees of the CoC.

• Myth #4: All Chicago is a wealthy organization. – All Chicago faces the same funding challenges as other non-profit organizations. We have a mix of individual, foundation, corporate, and government funding. Many of the government programs we manage require match or have zero administrative dollars, so we raise private dollars to cover our own costs.

All Chicago 101 Handouts All Chicago Overview Staff List Plan 2.0: Seven Strategic Priorities

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