Analyzing Racial Disparities in the Homelessness System ...

1 Analyzing Racial Disparities in the Homelessness System : What You Should Know April 17, 2019. Moderators: Chan L. Crawford, PhD, Policy and Program Analyst, National Alliance to End Homelessness , Washington, DC. Presenters: Va Lecia Adams Kellum, PhD, President & CEO, St. Joseph Center, Venice, CA. Clifton J. Harris III, HMIS Director, VIA LINK, Inc., New Orleans, LA. The contents of this presentation do not represent the views of the US Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States Government. Overview This presentation will discuss: Race and Homelessness within VA. Homelessness and Racial Disparities Defining Explicit and Implicit Racial Bias Promising Practices for Addressing Racial Disparities for Services Providers Using Data to Analyze Racial Disparities in the Homeless System Summary Q&A.

2 3. Learning Objectives 1. Identify implicit bias and its origins, including explicit bias 2. Demonstrate innovations in hiring practices and service provision that can improve program outcomes for groups most impacted by Homelessness 3. Apply tools that can help communities analyze their data to identify any Disparities in outreach, inflow, assessment, services, housing, or recidivism;. 4. Describe emerging ways to address such Disparities 4. Introduction Dina Hooshyar, MD, MPH. Director, National Center on Homelessness among Veterans (NCHAV). Introduction The Center's Research Core recently initiated work to better understand Racial Disparities in Homelessness and incarceration among Veterans Several data sources will be used including nationally representative data of Veterans and VA administrative data from medical records Plan to understand not only incarceration rates and Homelessness , but examine Disparities in service use and access to service We hope to look at many other relevant variable such as service era, compensation disability, mental health, substance use.

3 And chronic medical conditions Center also supporting efforts of some local committees in planning in examining catchment areas 6. Unannounced Standardized Veteran Project (USV). Eileen Devine, LCSW. National Program Director, HCHV. VHA Homeless Program Office Unannounced Standardized Veteran Project (USV). In 2017 the Homeless Programs Office (HPO) initiated an unannounced standardized Veteran (USV) project, commonly referred to as a mystery shoppers program at all CRRCs to identify and disseminate best practices to Veterans experiencing Homelessness . A second round of visits took place in 2018. Case 1: Male, Caucasian, OEF Veteran with PTSD.

4 Case 2: Female, Caucasian, Desert Storm Veteran with High Blood Pressure Case 3: Male, African American, Vietnam Veteran with Alcoholism 8. Systematic Unconscious Bias The USV portraying an African American Vietnam Veteran with substance use issues experienced a statistically significant higher number of additional barriers to accessing care in comparison to the other USV actors. Unable to access services without a DD-214. Case 1 11%. Case 2 8%. Case 3 57%. 9. Systematic Unconscious Bias The USV portraying an African American Vietnam Veteran with substance use issues experienced a statistically significant higher number of additional barriers to accessing care in comparison to the other USV actors.

5 Unable to access services without a DD-214. Case 1 11%. Case 2 8%. Case 3 57%. Veteran Homelessness and Race Analyzing Racial Disparities in the Homelessness System : What You Should Know Chan Crawford Policy and Program Analyst National Alliance to End Homelessness NAEH is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to end Homelessness in the United States We use research and data to find solutions to Homelessness We work with federal and local partners to create a solid base of policy and resources that support those solutions We help communities implement solutions National Alliance to END HOMELESSESS Race and Homelessness Most minority groups in the US represent a disproportionate share of the homeless population The most striking disproportionality can be found among African Americans African Americans make up 40% of homeless population, but only 13% of general population Source.

6 The 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress (HUD). National Alliance to END Homelessness Race and Homelessness (Cont.). Source: NAEH State of Homelessness Report 2019. National Alliance to END Homelessness Veterans, Race, and Homelessness We also see disproportionate numbers among Veterans experiencing Homelessness According to HUD's 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, 44% of all homeless Veterans are African American or Hispanic/Latin African Americans make up one-third of Veterans experiencing Homelessness ; 12% of Veterans overall Hispanics account for 11% of Veterans experiencing Homelessness ; 7% of Veterans overall National Alliance to END Homelessness Veterans, Race, and Homelessness Cont.

7 Race Data for Veterans General Population & Homeless Population 140. 120. 100. 80. 60. 40. 20. 0. White Black Veteran Homeless Source: The 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress (HUD). National Alliance to END Homelessness What Can the Homelessness System Do? Disproportionality influenced by historical and structural racism; including feeder systems such as criminal justice Homeless workers can and should contribute to these efforts to address disproportionality Homeless systems have the responsibility to make sure they are not, themselves, having a disparate impact on people based on race or ethnicity National Alliance to END Homelessness THANK YOU.

8 Contact Information: Chan Crawford 1518 K Street, NW, 2nd Floor Washington, DC 20005. (202) 942-8297. National Alliance to END Homelessness Analyzing Racial Disparities in the Homelessness System : What You Should Know Va Lecia Adams Kellum, President & CEO. St. Joseph Center April 17, 2019. Racial Disparities within Homeless Populations Racial PROMISING AD HOC REPORT &. Racial Disparities IMPACT ON SERVICES. BIAS PRACTICES RECOMMENDATIONS. Racial Inequity Demographics Data General United States Deep Poverty Homeless Population White Black American Indian and Alaska Native Asian .8%. Native American and Other Pacific Islander .2%.

9 2% Two or more races Hispanic/Latinx (of any race) Source: SPARC, 2018. Racial PROMISING AD HOC REPORT &. Racial Disparities IMPACT ON SERVICES. BIAS PRACTICES RECOMMENDATIONS. PEOPLE. EXPERIENCING. Homelessness . 2018. City of County of Los Angeles Los Angeles 31,285 52,765. 6% Decrease 4% Decrease The LA CoC total number was 49,955, a 5% decrease from 2017. The LA CoC is Los Angeles County excluding Glendale, Pasadena, & long beach CoCs. 2018 HOMELESS COUNT RESULTS. Racial PROMISING AD HOC REPORT &. Racial Disparities IMPACT ON SERVICES. BIAS PRACTICES RECOMMENDATIONS. Veteran Homelessness decreased What's Working: 19% Established a Countywide Veterans Benefit Advocacy Program Dedicated resources, continued hard work, local leadership Redesigned VA programs to target chronically homeless Veterans Enhanced direct-service staff Veteran Homeless Persons Los Angeles County, 2017 & 2018 collaboration Coordinated VA housing resources through the Coordinated Entry System LA's Plan Moving Forward.

10 Continuing to strengthen System 4,792 collaboration between VA and the Coordinated Entry System 3,886 Adding 800+ Veteran-specific supportive housing units Allocating $20 million countywide to house Veterans experiencing mental health issues Creating countywide Veteran Peer 2017 2018 Support Network 2018 HOMELESS COUNT RESULTS. Racial PROMISING AD HOC REPORT &. Racial Disparities IMPACT ON SERVICES. BIAS PRACTICES RECOMMENDATIONS. Racial Disparity in Los Angeles County 35% of LA County Homeless Population is African American Black people experiencing Homelessness are young, more likely to be female, and more likely to be in families.