Housing Ohio 2023 Materials
Tuesday Plenary
COHHIO’s new Executive Director Amy Riegel kicked off the 2023 conference with an overview on the evolving state of housing and homelessness. In recent years, housing advocates and providers have demonstrated how expanding access to affordable housing can help Ohio tackle other public policy issues, like healthcare, education, and criminal justice. Amy discussed the emerging opportunity for affordable housing to play a key role in state policymakers’ economic development agenda.
We also heard U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Diane Shelley discuss HUD’s role in the Biden Administration’s plan to reduce homelessness by 25 percent by 2025. She provided an update on HUD’s efforts to address the affordable housing shortage, strengthen tenant protections and fair housing rules, and embed racial equity into the agency’s daily operations.
Wednesday Plenary
Documentary filmmakers Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko’s last film “Under The Bridge” focused on the criminalization of people living outside in Indianapolis and ultimately prompted city leaders to enact new homeless protection laws. Their next film “Beyond the Bridge” explores the Housing First approach, and why so many communities have failed to embrace effective policies to end homelessness. Don and Tim screened clips from their upcoming documentary and discussed what they’ve learned from experts, politicians, and most importantly – the people who directly experience the impact of communities’ homelessness policies.
All of the conference presentations and handouts have been uploaded to the conference app and to the schedule below. In sessions where presenters did not use handouts or detailed presentations, no materials will be posted.
The Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board has authorized COHHIO (Provider # RSX110701) to provide up to 12 Social Work CEUs for attending this conference. To obtain CEUs, applicants must complete the online conference evaluation form that will be sent out to all attendees. CEU certificates will be e-mailed out within 30-days post-evaluation completion date.
Please note: If you registered for the conference but were not able to attend, you will be able to obtain Social Work CEUs by watching the videos only if you had previously registered for the conference.
For more information about CEUs, contact Aubre Jones.
Tuesday, April 11 2023
Plenary 1, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
| *Ohio Housing and the Intersection of Opportunity | COHHIO’s new Executive Director Amy Riegel will kick off the 2023 conference with an overview on the evolving state of housing and homelessness. In recent years, housing advocates and providers have demonstrated how expanding access to affordable housing can help Ohio tackle other public policy issues, like healthcare, education, and criminal justice. Amy will discuss the emerging opportunity for affordable housing to play a key role in state policymakers’ economic development agenda.
We’ll also hear U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Diane Shelley discuss HUD’s role in the Biden Administration’s plan to reduce homelessness by 25 percent by 2025. She will also provide an update on HUD’s efforts to address the affordable housing shortage, strengthen tenant protections and fair housing rules, and embed racial equity into the agency’s daily operations. |
Workshop Set A, 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
| *Harm Reduction: Overdose, Naloxone and Housing* | Experts in the field will lay out the basic principles of harm reduction, and help you understand how to apply these strategies in your everyday work with people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. |
| Authentic Stakeholder Engagement | Learn valuable lessons on the ongoing work of partnering with Persons with Lived Experience (PLE). This workshop will focus on the need for professionals to meaningfully and authentically engage people with lived experience in the decision-making process. This session will include discussion on reflecting on community readiness, providing an overview of lessons learned with real life examples, as well as sharing teachable moments and learning spaces. |
| Supportive Housing Development | Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is long-term, community-based housing that includes supportive services to move people with disabilities out of homelessness. PSH is a vital resource to enable the special needs population to live as independently as possible in a safe and permanent setting. This session will address the preliminary considerations in developing projects and planning for the coordination of supportive services for residents. |
| Influencing Federal and State Policies on Housing and Homelessness | Join this interactive session to hear about COHHIO’s efforts to advance better state and federal policies and secure adequate funding to expand affordable housing to end homelessness. And Paul Jarvis, of the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council, presents his incredible Mr. Potato Head lesson to put your advocacy skills into action to win policies and funding to empower your community. This unique experience will have a long-lasting impact on your advocacy. |
Workshop Set B, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
| *Equal Access & Racial Equity | Explore efforts to remove systemic barriers and provide equal access to BIPOC and those historically oppressed due to racism. Learn about inclusionary policies designed to advance equity and HUD’s final rule requiring service provision to be in accordance with an individual’s gender identity. This session will cover guidance to further ensure equal access to individuals in accordance with their gender identity in homeless programs and shelter programs as well as affords equal access to the individual’s family. |
| Ohio Landlord Tenant Law | This workshop will provide the foundational knowledge of Landlord-Tenant Law essential to helping individuals exiting homelessness and supporting newly-housed tenants to remain stable. Attendees will learn how to help tenants navigate common landlord-tenant transactions such as how to make repair requests, the eviction process, and more. |
| Increasing McKinney-Vento Awareness and Response | The Ohio Department of Education has teamed up with COHHIO to provide communities of practice and other professional development supports to Ohio school districts and educational service centers. The purpose of COHHIO Course to HOME is to increase resources and coordinate intentional district responses for meeting the needs of vulnerable students experiencing homelessness. This session will provide an overview of youth homelessness in Ohio, the importance of the McKinney-Vento Act and the role of local homeless education liaisons, and the components of COHHIO Course to HOME. |
| ‘You Can’t Lift People Up by Putting them Down’ |
This facilitated discussion will focus on the article, “You can lift people up by putting them down” by Tribian Shorters, which highlights how social-impact organizations working with marginalized people and unhoused individuals often describe them in language that is offensive and denigrating, which can perpetuate institutionalized racism and systemic issues. Participants will discuss in small groups the importance of shifting the narrative around these populations to focus on their aspirations and contributions instead of solely defining them by their challenges. Group discussions will also center on the need for philanthropy and social-innovation organizations to do more to support these communities and advocate for systemic change to address the root causes of inequality. The discussion will conclude with a call to action for individuals to work toward a society that prioritizes the well-being of all its members, including those who are marginalized and stigmatized.
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| Ensuring Equal Access for Older Adults Facing Homelessness | Adults 65 and older are the fastest growing segment of Ohio’s homeless population, presenting new health, housing and accessibility challenges for social services providers. In this workshop attendees will examine the risks and causes of homelessness among older adults, and learn how to reduce barriers and tailor supportive services specific to this population. |
Workshop Set C, 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
| *Case Notes and Goal Setting | Recording case notes is an essential task in our work. Learn how to quickly document assessment summaries and keep well-documented notes that allow you to capture newly emerging barriers and inform revisions in the client’s action plan as they go. HMIS is considered the “system of record”, and is considered the authoritative source for homelessness data for your community, which allows for internal oversight and makes monitoring and auditing easier on the agencies. |
| PATH: Asset Mapping for Collaborative Solutions |
Join guest speaker, Sherri Downing, for a hands-on asset mapping session where you will gain access to insights and tools for taking your PATH program to the next level through strong local partnerships. SAMHSA’s Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) funds services for people who are experiencing homelessness and who have serious mental illness (SMI) or SMI and co-occurring substance use disorders. These grants are designed to reach and engage people who are experiencing homelessness, and they make a big difference. The reality is, however, that no one program can do it alone. You will with ideas for creating a thriving network and the beginning of a local asset map. Sherri Downing, a senior program manager II for Advocates for Human Potential (AHP) is nationally recognized for her expertise in homelessness and housing. She currently manages a portfolio of PATH projects from around the country, and formerly served as deputy director for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Homeless and Housing Resource Network (HHRN) contract. |
| Cradle to Career: Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness | Children and youth experiencing homelessness are not a single homogeneous group. They include students and young adults across a range of grades and from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. This workshop will highlight the work of one agency offering a full range of supports for children and youth. Rehousing services for this population also address the educational needs and seek to impact chronic absenteeism, graduation rates, and college-going rates. |
| Multidisciplinary Street Outreach | Participate in an interactive discussion in the-round with a multidisciplinary street outreach team. Learn how this model of service delivery works to improve client physical and mental health outcomes, engage in harm-reeducation with direct access to recovery services, and housing-focused outreach. |
| OhioRISE |
As a part Ohio Medicaid’s effort to launch the next generation of Medicaid, ODM has launched OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence), a specialized managed care program for youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs. Hear from a panel of subject-matter experts about specialized behavioral health services.
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Wednesday, April 12 2023
Plenary 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
| *Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness | Documentary filmmakers Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko’s last film “Under The Bridge” focused on the criminalization of people living outside in Indianapolis and ultimately prompted city leaders to enact new homeless protection laws. Their next film “Beyond the Bridge” explores the Housing First approach, and why so many communities have failed to embrace effective policies to end homelessness. Don and Tim will screen clips from their upcoming documentary and discuss what they’ve learned from experts, politicians, and most importantly – the people who directly experience the impact of communities’ homelessness policies. |
Workshop Set D, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
| *Housing First in Practice | Housing First is a consumer-driven approach that provides immediate access to permanent housing with flexible, community-based services for people who have experienced homelessness. In this session we will: increase basic understanding of Housing First practices; explore common challenges in implementing a Housing First program; build a culture of evaluation where data informs programming; and preserve the Housing First approach in a tough housing market. |
| Affordable Housing Finance for Homeless Services Providers | Ohio’s affordable housing shortage has grown more dire in recent years, complicating efforts to help move people quickly out of homelessness. Join the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, and YWCA Hamilton to learn about the basics of affordable housing development and how agencies can leverage a variety of funding sources to develop shelter and affordable rental units in their communities. |
| Developing the COHHIO Youth Data Dashboard | With funding from the Ohio Department of Health, COHHIO worked with Ketchbrook Analytics to develop a Youth Data Dashboard for the visualization and analysis of data from the ODH Homeless Youth Program. This dashboard uses Homeless Management Information System data to allow for use across Ohio’s nine Continua of Care. The app provides detailed information on youth-specific data and could be expanded in the future to accept data from other youth dedicated programs. This session will provide an overview of the app, as well as the technical and programmatic partnerships necessary for the development of useful data analysis tools. |
| Homeless Outreach and Engagement in Rural Areas | Join this interactive session to learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of serving people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. The session will cover person-centered strategies, from outreach and engagement, to shelter and housing options in small towns and rural communities. |
| Ohio Tenant Protection Roundtable |
Co-hosted by COHHIO and the Ohio Poverty Law Center, the Ohio Tenant Protection Roundtable is a forum for local advocates to share information about efforts to enact local ordinances to protect tenants’ rights in communities throughout the state. Join this session to learn more about source-of-income discrimination, pay-to-stay, and eviction prevention ordinances, as well as state legislation to crack down on institutional housing investors. |
Workshop Set E, 1:45 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
| *Fair Housing 101: What Everyone Needs to Know | Learn about the Fair Housing Act and how it protects people from discrimination when they are renting, applying for housing, or engaging in other housing-related activities. This session will review the types of discrimination in housing prohibited under federal and Ohio law and focus on disability discrimination, including reasonable accommodations and modifications. |
| Narrative Shift: Storytelling, Homelessness, and the Media | More than hard data and facts, a compelling story has the ability to broaden perspectives and change minds. As we push elected officials, funders, the media, and the general public to support more effective solutions to housing insecurity, we must get better at telling the stories of people who experience homelessness. Join this session to learn how providers and advocates can shift the narrative by helping people represent their stories with dignity. |
| Direct Cash Transfer: Incorporating Equity into Homelessness and Housing Program | Attendees will learn about emerging evidence that Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) is an effective way to provide immediate and impactful support to households experiencing a housing crisis. Cash Transfer is one tool for advancing equity by offering this type of assistance to BIPOC that have been underserved by other cash stimulus programs. Join us for an stimulating conversation about the potential to broaden our communities’ perceptions and openness to fund and support these types of initiatives. |
| Pets are Family Too: Keeping Humans and Companion Animals Together | In this session attendees will hear from My Dog is My Home, a national organization on a mission to increase access to shelter and housing for people experiencing homelessness with companion animals, as well as Found House, an Ohio-based organization which provides temporary shelter for dogs, cats, and other pets whose owners are in shelters, hospitals, and rehabilitation programs throughout Greater Cincinnati. Come learn why, what, and how this important work is being done. |
Thursday, April 13, 2023
Housing Institute, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
| Prevent And Reduce Homelessness with Shared Housing | Join us to build your organization’s shared housing capacities. The full-day session will provide your team with: the opportunity to engage with national experts in the shared housing field; practical tools based on effective shared housing practices that are easily adapted to help you support shared housing efficiently; and field-tested resources to empower clients to choose housemates and navigate conflicts for long-term housing stability. |
| Racial Equity Action Committee on Homelessness in Ohio | The racial inequities in the homeless system stem from centuries of structural racism that pervades American institutions. Join R.E.A.C.H. Ohio to explore how historical and modern systemic racism contributes to housing insecurity among Black Americans, and how providers can disrupt entrenched patterns of racism and discrimination. |
| Housing-Focused Case Management | Housing-Focused Case Management (HFCM) is a best practice approach for human services professionals to help people avoid or quickly resolve a housing crisis and then stabilize in permanent housing. This includes rapid rehousing, homelessness prevention, outreach, shelter, and other staff who directly support people with finding and stabilizing in housing, even if only providing short-term assistance. |
The Housing Ohio conference is made possible with major support from the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, the Ohio Department of Development, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, and Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Thank you Housing Ohio 2023 sponsors!
Other confirmed 2023 sponsors include:
AARP Ohio
Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Barbara Poppe & Associates
Buckeye Community Hope Foundation
Buckeye Health Plan
CareSource
CHN Housing Partners
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
Community Housing Network
Corporation for Supportive Housing
Enterprise Community Partners
Episcopal Retirement Services
Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
Finance Fund
First Financial Bank
Homeport
Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio
Ice Miller LLP
JPMorgan Chase
The Kroger Co.
Lument
Miami Valley Housing Opportunities
Model Group
Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Inc.
Mount Carmel Health System
MRI Real Estate Software
Mutual of America
National Church Residences
National Equity Fund, Inc.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Neighborhood Development Services, Inc.
NeighborWorks Collaborative of Ohio
New Era Benefits Consulting
Novogradac & Co., LLP
NRP Group
Oberer Companies
Ohio REALTORS
The Ohio State University College of Social Work
Park National Bank
The Provident Companies
Renewal Housing Associates
RiverHills Bank
Sedgwick
The Community Builders
Third Federal Savings & Loan
Tidwell Group
U.S. Bank
Wallick Communities
Woda Cooper Companies
Other Supporters Include:
Porter Wright
St. Mary Development Corp.
If you would like to sponsor Housing Ohio 2023, contact Marcus Roth, Communications/Development Director, 614-280-1984 X 111; marcusroth@cohhio.org
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Housing Ohio 2022 Materials
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Housing Ohio 2022 Agenda
Monday, April 11
Plenary 1, 10:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
| Successes, Struggles, and Opportunities: Moving Forward Through the Pandemic | COHHIO Executive Director Bill Faith and Nan Roman, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, have both announced plans to retire later this year. In this opening plenary session, these renowned housing advocates will provide state and federal policy updates and share their insights on what the movement has accomplished, what the biggest challenges are, and how the next generation can advance the fight to end homelessness and expand affordable housing into the future. We’ll also hear Jeff Olivet, the newly appointed Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, discuss the Biden Administration’s plans to address housing insecurity. |
Workshop Set A, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
| Emerging Crisis: Homelessness Among Aging Ohioans | Homelessness among people age 50 and up is increasing. These individuals present with a unique set of challenges that require equally unique services to meet their needs. In this session we will learn more about the forces behind this increase and practical solutions for addressing the needs of older adults experiencing homelessness. |
| How Recovery Housing and Adult Care Facilities Can Help End Homelessness | Finding affordable housing continues to be a challenge for people who are experiencing homelessness, and this can be exacerbated when mental health and/or substance use disorders are involved. Learn how some recovery housing and adult care facilities can provide alternative housing options for people with behavioral health issues. |
| Homeless Outreach and Engagement in Rural Areas |
Whether you work in a rural community or are simply interested in a session that will include photos of goats and chickens, join this interactive session to learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of serving people experiencing homelessness in rural areas. The session will cover person-centered strategies from outreach and engagement to shelter and housing options in small towns and rural spaces. |
Workshop Set B, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
| Criminal Background Checks: HUD Rules and Guidelines | In 2016, HUD issued guidance for conducting criminal background checks in housing programs in HUD programs and private housing. Learn how your program can adopt these guidelines to prevent fair housing violations. Also, hear from experts working with people with a criminal history who have learned about the necessity of compliance with the fair housing best practices developed as a result of this guidance. |
| Beyond the Numbers: Implementing Qualitative Analysis | Qualitative approaches to homeless system design and delivery are an emerging need in identifying, understanding, and addressing the root cause of homelessness. Systems often emphasizes quantitative measures, while minimizing people’s lived experience. Integrating a qualitative approach is a critical component of eradicating homelessness. In this session we will explore the importance of qualitative data, best practices when strategizing with a qualitative lens, and community examples that encourage participants to think about how to integrate qualitative approaches into their work. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of qualitative approaches, and how they can help create and sustain homeless systems that are person-centered and responsive to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. |
| Housing Now For Homeless Families: Highlights from the Field |
The Housing Now for Homeless Families program funds local nonprofits that provide temporary financial assistance and supportive services to rehouse families with children that are experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of becoming homeless. Hear how COHHIO leveraged federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to support rapid rehousing and homelessness prevention services for families in need around the state of Ohio. |
Tuesday, April 12
Plenary 2, 10:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
| Equity, Intersectionality, and the Wisdom of People with Lived Expertise | Society imposes multiple categories on all of us – race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc. Working to end homelessness requires an understanding of how these complex and intersecting identities contribute to each individual’s unique experience of marginalization. In this plenary, Kaleidoscope Youth Center Executive Director Erin Upchurch, National Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Donald Whitehead, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ Ann Oliva, and Tiffany Haynes, of the National Youth Forum on Homelessness discuss how they incorporate the wisdom of people with lived experience to inform more equitable approaches to ending homelessness. |
Workshop Set C, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
| Coordinated Community-Wide Approaches to Preventing Homelessness | This session will provide an overview of Columbus/Franklin County’s new Homelessness Prevention Network (HPN), which was established to prevent and reduce homelessness. The HPN is a 3-year demonstration led by the Community Shelter Board to develop and scale standardized screening, housing problem-solving, triage, and prioritized access to prevention resources across a wide array of community partners. We’ll hear lessons learned from the first 18 months of HPN implementation, and will receive tools and resources to jump-start local homelessness prevention systems. |
| Unhoused and Undocumented: What Providers Need to Know | Immigration and asylum policy changes in recent years have prompted homeless services providers to ask how they can serve and protect the rights of clients who may be undocumented. Learn what the law permits and discover news ways that homelessness and housing agencies can serve this vulnerable population. |
| Implicit Bias: Mitigating the Impact in the Workplace | Understanding implicit bias and microaggressions are crucial components of cultural competency and key to achieving organizational equity. Attendees will gain a better understanding of these concepts, including their negative health impacts, and will learn constructive strategies for reducing implicit bias and responding to microaggressions in the workplace. |
Workshop Set D, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
| Racism and Homelessness 101 | The racial inequities in the homeless system stem from centuries of structural racism that pervades American institutions. In this session, presenters will explore how historical and modern systemic racism contributes to housing insecurity among Black Americans, and how providers can change patterns of racism and discrimination. |
| Coordinating with Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Boards to End Homelessness | Ohio’s county-operated behavioral health authorities, or ADAMH Boards, plan, evaluate, and fund mental health and addiction services locally. These boards contract with a wide range of providers to meet the needs of the most vulnerable individuals in their communities. In this session, hear how boards have worked to house individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders. |
| Improving Ohio’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program | As part of pandemic relief legislation, the State of Ohio and its local governments received over $1 billion in federal rent relief to prevent evictions. Implementation of the Emergency Rental Assistance has faced challenges in some areas. Join this session to learn about the Ohio Department of Development’s plans for accelerating the distribution of rent relief. We’ll also highlight innovative efforts to publicize local ERA programs and quickly distribute assistance to tenants facing potential eviction. |
Wednesday, April 13
Plenary 3, 10:00 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.
| What America Believes About Homelessness: Barriers to Progress | Invisible People is well known for using innovative storytelling techniques to shatter stereotypes about people experiencing homelessness. In recent years, the LA-based nonprofit started using polling to better understand public perceptions of homelessness. Invisible People Founder Mark Horvath, former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness Barb Poppe, and KTown For All Co-Founder Mike Dickerson will discuss what their research reveals about the public’s evolving views on homelessness, crime, and policing. They’ll also share concrete recommendations for countering harmful messages, navigating NIMBY opposition to housing projects, using video to tell personal stories, and starting discussions on the basis of shared values. |
Workshop Set E, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
| Staff Hiring, Retention, and Recognition | How can agencies use best practices to hire, recognize, and retain employees to mitigate the high turnover occurring in the shelter and housing systems? Attendees will hear and participate in conversations from both the theoretical and practical perspectives. |
| Addressing Racism in Youth Homelessness: A Systemic Approach |
Since 2017, partners in Cleveland have been focused on addressing racism in youth homelessness at the homeless system and CoC leadership level. This work has evolved over time and is now carried forth by the Racial and Ethnic Equity and Inclusion Design Lab steering committee and subcommittees, which is creating tangible action plans for the community. |
| Federal, State, and Local Advocacy Tips From the Experts | Join this interactive session to hear about COHHIO’s efforts to advance better state and federal policies and secure adequate funding to expand affordable housing to end homelessness. Learn how you can put your advocacy skills into action at the local level for better funding and policies to empower the most vulnerable members of your community. |
Workshop Set F, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
| Strategies for Addressing Unsheltered Homelessness | Meeting the needs of individuals who are unsheltered takes a coordinated and intentional plan. This session will focus on how impactful street outreach is ensuring unsheltered individuals can have a place to call home. Providers will learn how to best engage the unhoused, evaluate encampments, clarify the role of the community, and more. |
| Reimagining System Indicators to Support Equitable and Low Barrier Responses | Participants in this workshop will engage in discussions about how to determine which performance measures and goals are most relevant to a homelessness system shifting to a more equitable and low-barrier approach. We’ll consider how to go about making changes in performance plans in order to align those goals with the community’s broader efforts to end homelessness. |
| Unraveling Subsidized Housing Law | Each type of HUD-subsidized housing program comes with its own rules and regulations. Landlords have greater obligations and tenants more rights under federal housing law. In this session attendees will learn about those rules and how they apply to the various types of subsidized housing, as well as how to help your clients effectively advocate to challenge denials and terminations. |
Housing Ohio 2021 Materials
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Monday, April 5
Plenary
| Covid, Housing & Homelessness: Our Path Forward | The pandemic revealed health and safety vulnerabilities in our homeless system, which has long depended to a great extent on congregate shelters to serve unhoused Ohioans. Providers have been working overtime to implement new protocols to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among Ohio’s homeless population. Join COHHIO’s Bill Faith, Richard Cho, HUD’s Senior Policy Advisor, and Ann Oliva, visiting senior fellow of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, to learn how can we emerge from this public health crisis to create a healthier homelessness response system that can respond to future crises and connect people to permanent housing solutions. |
Workshop Set A
| Evicted: Lessons from Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati | Matthew Desmond cast a spotlight on America’s eviction crisis, noting that evictions are not just a symptom of poverty, but a cause. Localities across the country, including several in Ohio, are taking action. Hear from presenters working in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati to stem the tide of evictions, protect tenants, and prevent homelessness. |
| Housing at the Center: A Foundation to Thrive | In this session we will hear how providers utilize housing programs to meet the needs of special populations in Ohio. This session highlights the Ohio 811 project which provides rental subsidies to low-income Ohioans with disabilities; Scholar House which gives young parents the stability to advance their education; and EDEN Inc.’s Returning Home Ohio program, which connects returning citizens to private rental units. |
| Impact of Hotels as Non-Congregate Emergency Shelters | Researchers from the University of Washington and the King County, Washington recently studied the use of non-congregate hotel settings to serve people experiencing homelessness in the Seattle area. Their findings help inform future strategic responses to homelessness and public health crises as a return to high-density shelters may not be an option due to ongoing public health concerns. |
Workshop Set B
| Community Action Agencies’ Role in Ending Homelessness | During the ongoing pandemic, Community Action Agencies in Ohio are playing a critical role in the administration of emergency rental assistance for people affected by job and income loss. We will hear how CAAs have targeted these resources to households most in need and how they are implementing these programs in ways that make them accessible to help at-risk Ohioans avoid eviction and homelessness |
| Street Outreach in the Era of Coordinated Entry | Effective Coordinated Entry systems incorporate street outreach so that people living on the land can access permanent housing resources. Unfortunately, there are often gaps in the interface between the point of engagement and the resolution of homelessness. Learn about best practices for the transition from street outreach to housing, and how data can better inform outreach and ensure integration with other services. |
| Affordable Housing Development Principles: What, Who & How | Affordable housing is crucial for ending homelessness and promoting housing stability for low-income Ohioans. Presenters will demystify the affordable housing development process and explain how Low-Income Housing Tax Credits work, illustrating these concepts with several local case studies. |
Tuesday, April 6
Plenary
| Equitably Transforming Our Community Response to Homelessness | The struggles of communities to respond effectively, urgently, and equitably to the needs of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed what we already knew but have not addressed: our homelessness response systems must be transformed and reimagined, and redesigned to achieve racial equity and justice. Marc Dones and Sam Batko will discuss the Framework for an Equitable COVID-19 Homelessness Response Project, a collaborative call to action delivered by people who have experienced homelessness and homelessness response systems. They’ll share lessons learned from communities, what policy shifts are needed right now, and how we can transform systems to achieve housing justice. |
Workshop Set C
| Segregated City: The Lasting Impact of Redlining, Sundown Towns and More | Historic patterns of discriminatory lending, zoning, and restrictions on African-Americans’ freedom of movement have left a lasting impact on communities around the country. In this session we’ll explore how these practices shaped our present-day neighborhoods and American society. |
| Problem Solving: A Conflict Resolution Approach to Homelessness Prevention | Problem Solving is a client-centered, conflict resolution approach that helps clients identify their own strengths and resources to empower them to create their own paths out of homelessness. This session delves into the Problem Solving philosophy and provides interactive activities to build effective techniques. |
| Healthy Beginnings at Home: Better Birth Outcomes through Rental Assistance | Healthy Beginnings at Home, an innovative partnership between housing and healthcare providers in Columbus, is laying the groundwork to demonstrate the positive benefits of safe, stable and affordable housing on maternal and infant health. During this session, Healthy Beginnings partners will discuss their findings, and ongoing efforts to expand this pilot project beyond Columbus. |
Workshop Set D
| Identifying and Supporting Decompensation in Your Program | The pandemic’s negative impact on mental health is widespread, but an individual who is decompensating in your housing program can cause greater instability and jeopardize their own ability to remain safely housed. In this session, presenters will explain how to identify signs of decompensation and help these individuals maintain their housing and the safety of your program. |
| Beyond a Home: Building Meaningful Supports in Communities | As homeless services providers, we are capable of physically ending a person’s homelessness, but helping someone find a true home is a more complicated challenge. Hear from professionals working to help individuals find a sense of belonging with friends, neighbors, and social networks through pragmatic training in advocating for oneself, public speaking, and conflict resolution. |
| Fair Housing: Animals in Housing & Shelters | The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against protected classes, including those with a disability. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in places of public accommodation. Both laws allow for people with disabilities to have animals to assist them. Learn exactly how these protections apply to shelter and housing programs, and how they implemented strategies to meet the needs of the individual and the animal. |
Wednesday, April 7
Plenary
| Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis | The pandemic and economic recession have exposed many cracks in the foundation of our system, particularly with the growing affordable housing shortage at a time when we’re all advised to stay home. Kicking off this plenary is Sen. Sherrod Brown, the new Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Development Committee, who will share his plans for increasing the Senate’s attention to housing and homelessness issues. Then we’ll hear National Low Income Housing Coalition President & CEO Diane Yentel and Zillow economist Alexandra Lee explore emerging trends in the decades-old affordable housing shortage problem and share ideas for how the Biden administration can adopt new federal policies to expand access to homes for struggling Americans. |
Workshop Set E
| Public Policy Advocacy & Debate | Join this interactive session hear about COHHIO’s efforts to advance better state and federal policies and secure adequate funding to expand affordable housing and end homelessness. Meet legislators and learn how to effectively put your advocacy skills into action. |
| Strategies to Ensure DV Survivors Aren’t Twice Victimized | Domestic Violence survivors face numerous challenges to achieve housing stability. In this session, we’ll learn how communities have used rapid rehousing, Coordinated Entry and more to address the unique needs of DV survivors. |
| Shared Housing: Opportunities & Challenges | The convergence of demographic trends with today’s economic realities indicates a new openness to shared living as an innovative, lower-cost alternative housing model to reduce and prevent homelessness among individuals and families. Discover how this approach uses existing and underutilized housing to overcome affordable housing challenges. |
Workshop Set F
| Improving Services for Human Trafficking Victims | Discover the shocking reality of human trafficking in Ohio, and see how housing interventions can help survivors overcome their trauma. Learn to identify and serve people through wrap-around programs that target human trafficking survivors. |
| Tackling Health Disparities for People Experiencing Homelessness | This session highlights a case study of the Family Health Program, a localized intervention designed to improve health outcomes at a Permanent Supportive Housing campus. Learn strategies to improve health and well-being by expanding access to health services through training and education, and how to turn a demonstration grant into a sustainable project by strategically building community partnerships. |
| Meeting the Housing Needs of Individuals Diagnosed with HIV/AIDS | HIV/AIDS has become more of a manageable chronic disease over the past decade. As with any chronic health condition, providers still need to know about the unique needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. Panelists will offer a variety of approaches for housing providers and case managers to support people with resources that can help them thrive at home and in their community. |
Housing Ohio 2019 Materials
Monday & Tuesday Plenary |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Monday Morning | Bill Faith- Powerpoint |
| Tuesday Morning | Lightning Round- Powerpoint |
| Tuesday Lunch | Amanda Andere- Powerpoint |
Workshop Set A |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Prioritizing Need Among Those Experiencing Homelessness | Danielle Otte|Lori Corey- Powerpoint Linda Rudawski- Powerpoint Jamie Hummer- Powerpoint |
| Moving Beyond Homelessness and Housing Poverty | Vashti Rutledge- Powerpoint Robert Caldwell- Powerpoint |
| Promising Innovations in Permanent Supportive Housing Development | Robert Bitzenhofer-Powerpoint Ryan Cassell- Powerpoint Todd Tober- Powerpoint |
| The Rights of People with Disabilities Under the Law | Kevin Truitt|Michelle Brunson- Powerpoint |
| Meeting the Educational Needs of Children Experiencing Homelessness | N/A |
| Racial Inequity in Our System 101 | Jason Reece- Powerpoint Angelic Arena- Powerpoint Kyle Strickland- Powerpoint |
Workshop Set B |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Working with TANF to End Homelessness | Joe Scalise- Powerpoint Sharon Mcdonald- Powerpoint |
| LGBTQ Youth and Faith Engagement | Melissa Meyer|Heidi Weaver-Smith- Powerpoint |
| Start Your Own Social Enterprise | Ed Miner- Handout Ramona Swayne- Powerpoint Paula Haines- Powerpoint |
| Harm Reduction Housing: Building Recovery Capital | Bela Koe Krompecher- Powerpoint Oona Krieg- Powerpoint Gordon Casey- Powerpoint |
| Housing Subsidies: What Everyone Needs to Know | Nick Dinardo- Powerpoint |
| Moving Up Strategies | Jamie Hummer- Powerpoint Terri Power- Powerpoint |
Workshop Set C |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Key Considerations in Developing LGBTQ Friendly Services and Housing | Beth Holger- Powerpoint Kim Welter- Powerpoint Melissa Meyer – Powerpoint |
| A New Lens: The Ohio Data Warehouse | Katie Fallon- Powerpoint |
| Blended Management Approaches in Permanent Supportive Housing | Ijaz Qureshi|Jennifer Harrison- Powerpoint Matt Smaby|Megan Scheck- Powerpoint |
| The Violence Against Women Act | Hayley Kick|Maria Bruno- Powerpoint |
| Identifying and Understanding Implicit Bias (Part 1) | Teresa Stafford- Powerpoint |
| Working with Landlords in Housing First Programs | Angela Cecys- Powerpoint Briana Primas|David Hunt- Powerpoint |
Workshop Set D |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Using Housing First to Combat the Opioid Crisis | Matt Tice- Powerpoint |
| Identifying and Understanding Implicit Bias (Part 2) | Teresa Stafford- Powerpoint |
| Exploring the Link Between Transportation and Housing | Thea Walsh- Powerpoint Brendan Phillips- Powerpoint Olivia Hook- Powerpoint |
| Thriving Partnerships in Healthcare and Housing | Angela Mingo- Powerpoint Maureen Corcoran- Powerpoint Stephen Brown- Powerpoint |
| Invisible Crisis: Youth Homelessness in Rural Communities | Beth Horwitz- Powerpoint Lisa Brooks- Powerpoint |
| Follow the Money: State Budget Update | Connie Nolder- Powerpoint |
Workshop Set E |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Housing Not Handcuffs! | Eric Tars- Powerpoint Joe Scalise- Powerpoint |
| Using Legal Resources as an Eviction Prevention Strategy | Marcus Salter- Powerpoint & Resource Hazel Remesch- Powerpoint Jyoshu Tsushima- Video 1| Video 2| Video 3 Veronica Martinez- Powerpoint |
| Child Welfare Initiatives in Housing | Geoffrey Hollenbach- Powerpoint Dana Santo- Powerpoint |
| Naloxone Training | Steve Roth- Powerpoint |
| Rapid Rehousing: A Deeper Dive | Tom Albanese- Powerpoint Beth Fetzer Rice- Powerpoint Rachel Duck- Powerpoint |
| Creating Racial Equity in Your Organization | Va Lecia Adams- Powerpoint Shameikia I. Smith- Powerpoint |
Wednesday INstitutere |
Presentation/Materials |
|---|---|
| Program Evaluation and Accountability | Sheri Chaney Jones- Powerpoint |
| Applying Conflict Resolution to the Homeless System | Kara Tellaisha- Powerpoint |
| Utilizing Supported Employment | Zandia Lawson|Sarah Swanson|Jan Mader- Powerpoint |
| Landlord-Tenant Law | Joe Maskovyak|Bill Willis- Powerpoint |
