For the purpose of evaluating positive shelter exits, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers a documented exit to a permanent housing option as “successful.” Many individuals and families who leave shelter “self-resolve” – meaning that they simply do not return to shelter. These households are not counted in the outcome data as “successful” because their exit destination is unknown to the system. 

2020 data shows a 17% decrease in the  in the number of verified, successful exits to permanent housing for individuals and a 4% increase in  in the number of verified, successful exits to permanent housing for persons in families.  COVID-19 has presented unique challenges with respect to access to housing, specifically for homeless families. Through the expansion of funding, the CoC has increased it’s efforts to serve those families and continues in its commitment to assist in obtaining safe and appropriate housing.

COVID-19 Efforts:  

Cuyahoga County COVID-19 Continuum of Care Response

• Reduce Shelter Census
  • Diversion at Coordinated Entry – Gift Cards
  • Vouchers for temporary stays to assist with shelter de-concentration
  • For singles and families currently in shelter: encouraged to relocate to family/friends without interruption in Housing Plan action; relocation plan confirmed by shelter staff; gift cards offered to assist with food costs.
  • Originally negotiated 4 Hotels for shelter de-concentration for single adults. As of December 2020, reduced to 3 Hotel Sites for Single Adults with one site dedicated to COVID Isolation & Quarantine. In addition, acquired 1 site for single women and another Hotel site for Seasonal Shelter to serve the Unsheltered Population.  Collectively, these efforts provided the following:
    • 168 Rooms, single men, vulnerable populations (143 people)
    • 64 Rooms, single men, vulnerable populations (76 people)
    • 60 Rooms, single women, vulnerable populations (80 women)
    • 60 Rooms, single men/ Seasonal Shelter for unsheltered population (61 people)
    • Capacity up to 56 rooms based on need, single men/women, vulnerable women (5 people)
    • 40 – 50 Single Veterans placed in Hotels with SSVF funds 

Impact

• 400 bed Men’s Shelter Census currently at 140 census; reduction of 65%
• 190 bed Women’s Shelter currently at 110 census: reduction of 58%            
• Reducing concentration enables congregate shelters to create “social distancing” for those at the shelter.           
• Family Shelters: operating below capacity           
• Family Overflow: not used since last week of March