Common Questions

Common Questions

(created by South Central Radio Group)

To access the full 10-year plan

in PDF format,

click here: "Destination: Home"

10-year plan

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Destination: Home

Resource Coordinator

812.428.4975 x 28

indianahousingnow.org

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Integra Bank

Destination: Home > FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

How do I learn more about Destination: Home?
How many homeless are in Evansville?
How many agencies are serving the homeless?
What is Destination: Home?
What will be the cost?
Are there other cities implementing the “Ten Year Plan”?
How can we help?

**How do I learn more about Destination: Home?**

Destination: Home--A Ten-Year Journey Toward Ending Homelessness in Evansville and Vanderburgh County is a ten-year plan to end homelessness using the "Housing First" model and to prevent homelessness for those at-risk of becoming homeless.

Plan -- Working Together to End Homelessness

Because homelessness affects every aspect of a community, it will take the entire community working together to end homelessness as we have known it … because Housing Matters!

Close the Front Door to homelessness

Prevention is essential! Imagine everyone in the community becoming a “housing specialist” at some level, able to recognize when someone encountered is at-risk of becoming homeless and knowing how to connect the individual or family with resources to prevent homelessness … because Housing Matters!

Open the Back Door to leave homelessness

Through providing “Housing First,” those who are currently homeless are permanently housed and connected with support services as needed in order to maintain housing. As housing becomes stable, services become more effective. Those supporting through services can help as issues arise, providing as much support as needed and encouraging as much independence as the person can handle on the path toward self-sufficiency. Stable housing, not shelters or transitional housing, is often key to the success of services that will equip people to build a secure future … because Housing Matters!

Build the Infrastructure

To accomplish this goal, we must build the infrastructure of our community in ways that (1) recognize the key role of secure & affordable housing (affordable to the lowest incomes among us) and (2) recognize the necessity of incomes that match the cost of living in Vanderburgh County; and (3) facilitate access to existing services and create new services that both prevent and address homelessness … because Housing Matters!

	Housing -- There is presently a lack of permanent housing affordable to the 30% Area Median Income (AMI) group ($56,900 AMI for Evansville area - 3/06). Our community has a tremendous need for more housing that is affordable to those who make less than $17,070 a year.
	Raising Incomes -- There are a significant number of residents who do not have the skills or the opportunity to obtain and maintain living wage positions. As a community we need to Increase opportunities for low-wage/low-skill workers to obtain the necessary skills and employment to earn a living wage
	Services -- A variety of services are available to the homeless or near-homeless, but they are not always quickly accessible or coordinated in a way that maximizes resources and service delivery. As a community, we need to continue to make the best use of current resources, enhance access to services through coordination of existing services and providers, as well as to develop and deliver new services where gaps exist.
	Community Awareness -- There are misconceptions about the prevalence, causes and necessary measures to end homelessness. Throughout the area, it is necessary to increase the spread of accurate information about homelessness within our community. In addition, community members need engaged in productive activities to end and prevent homelessness.

All of these components combine to create the route of our journey toward ending homelessness … so that everyone in our community can reach his/her Destination: Home … because Housing Matters!

Click to learn more about Destination: Home

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How many homeless are in Evansville & Vanderburgh County, Indiana?

	On average there are 429 individuals in shelter or transitional housing on any given night in Evansville. One third of these individuals are children. Uncounted others (at least 30-40) are living in places not meant for habitation or are doubled-up due to an inability to find safe, clean, affordable independent housing. (Summer 2004 Department of Metropolitan Development point-in-time survey)
	The 2000 Census documented that Vanderburgh County had the highest percent of homeless persons per capita than any other Indiana county.

Click for more statistics

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How many agencies are serving the homeless?

17 specialized services as well as a community-wide collaborate effort to serve the homeless through various social service agencies and faith-based ministries.

Homeless Service Providers

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What will be the cost?

Less than what it is costing the taxpayer now for repeated episodes of homelessness, shelter use, medical costs from living on the street, etc.

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Are there other cities implementing the “Ten Year Plan”?

Yes, many of the largest cities in US and Hawaii have implemented the plan (over 40) e.g. Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, Chicago, IL, Philadelphia, PA, Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH and many more are in the planning stages. See the links to other sites below or click here.