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LINK Project - Partner Agencies |
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 (LINK Project) |
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| Municipality of Anchorage Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) The DHHS has considerable experience in the receipt and distribution of HUD formula grant funds for the homeless, near homeless, and low- and moderate- income citizens. DHHS distributes HUD formula grants that include Stewart B. McKinney, Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), Community Development and Block Grant (CDBG), and Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA). Over the past eight years, the DHHS has administered and directly distributed ESG funds to assist eligible families and persons who were near-homeless, or to shelters which serve the homeless. In 1999, ESG funds were used to assist 486 recipients for services that included: rental assistance such as rental and utility arrearages and deposits; 22,165 transports through bus tokens, day passes, monthly passes, youth passes, and cab fare for or transport from emergency shelters to medical care or job opportunities; and for operations and maintenance at the following shelters: the shelter for domestic violence victims, the youth shelter, and the crisis nursery. According to HUD guidelines, up to 15% of all new CDBG funds in a year, may be used to provide direct services for low and moderate-income residents in the municipality. Over the past ten years, the DHHS has worked with the Municipal Department of Community Planning and Development to allocate these monies to local service provider agencies that assist low- and moderate- income persons. In 1999, DHHS's Human Services Task Force, allocated approximately $340,200 of CDBG Public Service monies for such activities, to name a few: crisis intervention in hospital emergency rooms for individuals and families of domestic violence; out-patient care for substance abuse treatment services for women; a Peer Outreach Program for homeless youth for job readiness training in order to increase economic self-sufficiency; computer training for underprivileged youth; and Anchorage's Local Literacy Project to reduce functional illiteracy and increase employability. Under the concept of a seamless continuum of care, the DHHS works with LINK Partners to assist persons who are ineligible for LINK case management services. Ineligible families and individuals are often near-homeless, and consequently can be assisted through the DHHS SAFE City Program's distribution of HUD's Emergency Shelter Grant homeless prevention dollars. These monies can be allocated to landlords or utility companies to defray the cost of rent or utility arrearages for those who would otherwise be evicted and homeless or, for those without heat or electricity and living in uninhabitable conditions. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) AHFC is the comprehensive housing agency for the State of Alaska, providing services since territorial days in the late 1950's. As a quasi-unit of state government, AHFC provides a complete range of housing programs from public housing sites to single-family home ownership. Under its statewide jurisdiction, Section 8 Vouchers and Certificates are distributed. As one of the state housing finance agencies in the nation, AHFC provides mortgage financing for first-time homebuyers, veterans, and rural Alaskans, and acts as the state's primary source of mortgage financing for multi-family rental development At this time, AHFC's Preliminary Application for Housing/Rental Assistance form is on the LINK intra-net system to allow for quick access and entry of client information to determine eligibility at the Family Investment Center. AHFC staff can access client data and applications. Abused Women's Aid In Crisis (AWAIC) In operation since 1977, AWAIC is Alaska's oldest and largest provider of services to victims of domestic violence, with a facility capacity of 52. AWAIC offers safety and shelter to battered women and their children. Services include information, counseling, advocacy, and crisis intervention. AWAIC is keenly aware of barriers that prevent victims of domestic violence from becoming self-sufficient and avoid homelessness. In 1999 AWAIC had 13,946 shelter nights for a total number of 1,471 persons. During 1999, unduplicated numbers of persons were 755 persons, including 434 adults and 321 children. As a subcontractor in the LINK Project, AWAIC has implemented the Moving Forward Program ("MFP"), which offers case management services and direct financial assistance for, to name a few, rental and utility assistance, education and training opportunities, child care, and transportation. MFP has served 175 households in the last four years, comprised of 468 persons, 63% of whom were children. Case management services include two case managers and half-time resource specialist. Bean's Café Since 1979, Bean's Café has operated as a private non-profit, non-sectarian organization, providing meals and day shelter every day of the year to the homeless. The staff serves 470 meals a day every day of the year, which includes breakfast and lunch. They also provide information and referral for clients seeking employment, housing, medical and legal aid, alcohol or drug rehabilitation, educational opportunities, day labor, transportation assistance, mail service and first aid. In collaboration with a variety of community agencies, additional emergency and long-term assistance is provided for those requiring mental health, veteran's assistance, disability and financial and case management services. Bean's Café's Kid's Kitchen, serves approximately 178 children a day in the Municipality's neighborhoods known as Mt. View, Fairview and Muldoon. Catholic Social Services (CSS)   CSS has over 30 years of experience in the delivery of human services, particularly services to the homeless. CSS has been a successful applicant for both Stewart B. McKinney Emergency Shelter Grant monies through the DHHS/MOA and as a grantee for a three-year Supplemental Assistance for Facilities to Assist the Homeless (SAFAH) grant that provided case management, financial assistance, and supportive services to homeless families with children. CSS operated a SAFAH grant from 1996 through June 1999, and has collaborated as a sub-contractor/recipient of ESGP Maintenance and Operations funds from the Municipality. CSS also oversees two of Anchorage's largest shelters, both of which are included as LINK subcontractors. As a subcontractor in the LINK Project, CSS provides Information and Referral through its emergency shelters, and case management under Beyond Shelter's Reach For Independence Program ("RFIP"). The following provides more information: Beyond Shelter Program (BSP) As a subcontractor for the LINK Project for the last four years, CSS's Beyond Shelter Program has provided computerized case management services to 413 households. These households comprise 1,096 persons of whom 54% are children, under the BSP. Two case managers, a case manager supervisor, and a full time resource specialist provide direct client case management services. Intensive case management services are implemented in conjunction with an Individual Action Plan. The majority of BSP clients are families; however, individuals are also assisted through these services. Most BSP clients access non-subsidized housing. Brother Francis Shelter (BFS) BFS opened in 1983 in what was formerly a vehicle warehouse. The warehouse is owned and maintained by the Municipality. With a capacity set at 240 per night, a total of 53,018 nights of service were provided in 1999, to an unduplicated number of 2,912 persons. BFS offers support services and referral into LINK's case management system of services. BFS also has a "hire from within" policy, which allows for employment and training of nearly 100 formerly, sheltered individuals a year. As a LINK emergency shelter, BFS offers Information and Referral to clients, including referral to case management services. Clare House Since 1983, this emergency shelter has assisted single women, and women with children. Approximately 50% of persons assisted at Clare House are children. Over the past few years, Clare House has seen an increasing number of women who have mental health, substance abuse, and other disability challenges. In 1999, Clare House provided a total of 8,313 emergency shelter assists to an unduplicated number of 382 persons. Because the majority of clientele have little to no resources, Clare House's referrals, numbering 75 on the average per year, account for the largest number of LINK case management clients. Salvation Army McKinnell House The Salvation Army McKinnell House provides emergency shelter for families that include mother, father, and children; and single fathers with children. Each room has bed space for six to eight persons, plus room for a crib. Services include 24-hour lodging and staff supervision, three meals per day, case-management, information and referral services. The Anchorage School District provides school-age tutoring and pre-school activities. In 2002, 138 families were sheltered at McKinnell House. Of the 96 families who received intensive case management services, 94% were still living in self-provided housing 6 months after leaving McKinnell House. |
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| Page updated on 10/15/04. | ||||
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