2018 MCH Conference Matrix Emergency Shelter: Mobilizing Community Support & Developing a Rotating Shelter Model PRESENTED BY: MATRIX HOUSING SERVICES & DAKOTA COUNTY
Welcome Introductions: • Matrix Housing Services: • Subi Ambrose, Executive Director • Kristen Brown, Program Manager • Dakota County: • Rebecca Bowers, Resource Developer
Overview of Presentation • History of the Pop-Up Shelter in Dakota County • Evolution into the Matrix Shelter • How we developed, funded and operated the shelter • Shelter model and service needs • Challenges and lessons in this process
Matrix Housing Services – What We Do Our mission is to deliver high quality programs and services to those experiencing homelessness. The Numbers: • Rapid Rehousing Programs – 100 households • Shelter – 50 people per night and over 200 for the winter • Assessments – 800 people • Over 1,000 people served
History of the Rotating Shelter • Lack of shelter capacity in Dakota County • Community engagement 2015-2016 • Extreme cold in Dec. 2016 prompted call to churches for help • Pop-Up shelter born in Dec. 2016
History of the Rotating Shelter Pop-Up Shelter rotated to 4 different churches: • Grace Lutheran • Prince of Peace • Spirit of Life • Easter Lutheran • Served 78 people in 32 days • Shoestring budget and rapid mobilization
Community Engagement and Support • Success of Pop-Up shelter provided inertia • Heading Home Dakota • Faith leadership and congregations • Elected Officials • Shelter Leadership Work Group • Board financial commitment
Moving from Pop- Up to a “Real” Shelter Community Partnerships Key to Move Forward • The Faith Community (volunteers, donations, financial support) • Technical Assistance - Minnesota Philanthropy Partners - St. Paul Foundation and F.R. Bigelow Foundation funding • Minnesota Housing Partnership • Law Enforcement • Community members
Moving from Pop- Up to a “Real” Shelter Private Funding: Government Funding: • St. Paul Foundation • Dakota County contract with Matrix Housing Services for • WCA Foundation $45,000 to plan and develop shelter • Church fundraising and events • Emergency Solutions Grant $56,258 • Private donations to support shelter operations, case management, and HMIS
Matrix Housing Services - Vision • Only 3 months to open temporary shelter by November 1, 2017 • Plan to shelter 50 single adults nightly • Needed to fundraise to support the funding gap • Identify multiple sites for shelter • Recruit and hire staff
Matrix Housing Services – Fundraising • Private fundraising through faith communities, community members, business community, government • Support through St. Paul Foundation, Bigelow Foundation, and WCA Foundation • In-kind donations • Fundraising committee
What we needed from sites Need: Negotiate: • Willingness to welcome up to 50 • Space community members nightly • Hours • Sleeping space • Security • Bathrooms, showers, laundry • Maintenance • Kitchen and dining area • Volunteers • Public transportation • Open to sheltering kenneled pets Temporary Shower
Matrix Housing Services – Volunteers • Committees Developed • Fundraising, Volunteers… • Many volunteer opportunities: • Evenings and overnights • Dinner and breakfast • Move the shelter between sites • Serve on a committee • Special talents
Matrix Housing Services Beliefs Shelter Model & Design • Our beliefs: • People who have experienced homelessness have the most important voice in shelter design • Shelter must be safe, dignified, and welcoming to all who seek it • Shelter should be low-barrier and housing-focused • Shelter rules should be simple and minimal to support a positive environment
Matrix Housing Services – Shelter Model • Overnight shelter with extended hours during extreme cold • Staffing • Accessing shelter • Intake process • A day in shelter • Moving on from shelter to housing Community of Christ Church
Who stayed at the Shelter Served 230 people in the shelter last winter: • 60% men, 40% women • 8% were Veterans • 14% were youth • 27% were chronically homeless • 32% had experience domestic violence in the past, with 10% currently fleeing Geography of persons served
Who stayed at the Shelter Self-reported at intake: • 60% were disabled • 42% reported a mental health issue • 38% reported a chronic health condition or physical disability Pets: Dogs, cats, and a bird
Matrix Housing Services Politics are challenging: • Vast differences by city • Elected Officials involvement • Funding • Political support • Community members support critical Community support shows up in Apple Valley City Council Chambers
Matrix Housing Services Lessons Learned
Matrix Housing Services Questions & Discussion
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