Matrix Emergency Shelter: Mobilizing Community Support & - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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

Government Funding:

• Dakota County contract with

Matrix Housing Services for $45,000 to plan and develop shelter

• Emergency Solutions Grant $56,258

to support shelter operations, case management, and HMIS Private Funding:

• St. Paul Foundation
• WCA Foundation
• Church fundraising and events
• Private donations

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:

• Willingness to welcome up to 50

community members nightly

• Sleeping space
• Bathrooms, showers, laundry
• Kitchen and dining area
• Public transportation
• Open to sheltering kenneled pets

Negotiate:

• Space
• Hours
• Security
• Maintenance
• Volunteers

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