[NASW Alaska Chapter Listserve] Project Homeless Connect

[Summer LeFebvre]

Anchorage Coalition on Homelessness:

For those interested in being a part of Project Homeless Connect please
review the following FAQ:

Project Homeless Connect FAQ

Date: July 27th

Time: 10am ­ 3pm

Location: Central Middle School (15th Ave and E Street: 405 E Street)

What is the purpose of Project Homeless Connect?

Project Homeless Connect is a one-day event to provide housing, services,
and hospitality in a convenient one-stop model directly to people
experiencing homelessness in Anchorage.  It is a way to bring service
providers, government agencies, and the general community together to
address a problem that affects everyone.  The goal is not to just provide
information at the event, but to provide a service to people as well.
Ultimately, we want to move from simply managing homelessness towards really
ending it.

Who is planning and sponsoring Project Homeless Connect?

Project Homeless Connect is being sponsored by the Municipality of
Anchorage, the United Way and the Anchorage Coalition on Homelessness.  It
is an entirely volunteer driven event that is being funded by donations and
grants. 

I turned in my logistics form and I have not heard anything back about the
event?

The deadline for the logistics form is July 2nd.  If you have turned in a
logistics form by that date you will soon be receiving a letter in the mail
providing more details about your site placement and other logistical items.

Who are the appropriate consumers to come to this event?

This project is for individuals and/or families that are homeless or that
are on the verge of being homeless.  We consider the definition of homeless
as: 

A.      A person that resides in places not meant for human habitation, such
as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street); in an
emergency shelter; and in transitional or supportive housing for homeless
persons who originally came from the streets or emergency shelters; in any
of the above places but is spending a short time (up to 30 consecutive days)
in a hospital or other institution.

B.      A person that is being evicted from a private dwelling unit and no
subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the resources
and support networks needed to obtain housing.

C.      A person that is being discharged from an institution, such as a
mental health or substance abuse treatment facility or a jail/prison, in
which the person has been a resident for more than 30 consecutive days and
no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the
resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.

D.      A person that is fleeing a domestic violence housing situation and
no subsequent residence has been identified and the person lacks the
resources and support networks needed to obtain housing.

E.      A person who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence
and includes:  children and youths who are sharing the housing of other
persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are
living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack
of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or
transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster
care placement. This includes families with children that are doubled-up
with family or friends.

This event is entirely funded through grants and donations and has limited
resources.   It is not appropriate for consumers with permanent housing to
attend this event. 

How will Project Homeless Connect determine who is homeless?

We will be asking one question at registration.  ³Where did you sleep last
night?²  Based on the persons answer the registrar will determine their
status in the data system.

What information will be collected on people at the event?

There will be very limited demographic data collected at the event that will
be entered in the ServicePoint, the community¹s Homeless Management
Information System. Only registered and trained users on ServicePoint will
be entering information into the system.  All persons entering the event
sign a confidentiality clause indicating that they know that personal
information will be collected an entered into a database.  In addition, all
data on people attending the event will only be released in aggregate.  At
exit in order for people to receive giveaways they will turn in a form
indicating the services that they utilized at the event.  The purpose of the
exit form is to gather information about the services that were needed the
most.  

Do you need volunteers to assist with the event?

Yes we are in need of volunteers!  Please check out our volunteer website at
http://www.alaskanaids.org/ProjectHomelessConnect.html
<http://www.alaskanaids.org/ProjectHomelessConnect.html> .  There are plenty
of volunteer jobs available.  All volunteers must sign a confidentiality
agreement.  

How can I let persons experiencing homelessness know about the event?

Project Homeless Connect has created a palm card that can be handed out to
consumers.  This card also acts as a free bus pass to the event.  We will
soon be distributing this card throughout the community and we would like
this card distributed appropriately.  We are printing a limited number of
these cards that volunteers will be handing out the week of Project Homeless
Connect as a attendance drive for the event.  A palm card is coming soon!

Who can I contact if I need more information about Project Homeless Connect?

You can contract Corrine O¹Neill at coneill at muni or 343-4182.

Corrine O'Neill, Associate Planner

Department of Neighborhoods

Municipality of Anchorage

P.O. Box 196650

Anchorage, AK  99519-6650

Tel: 907-343-4182

Fax: 907-343-6831



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