Housing stability is the foundation of our health and well-being.
Without housing, our ability to obtain an education or job and even meet our basic needs to live a healthy lifestyle is not only in danger but nearly impossible.
When basic needs are not met, like housing, an individual’s general health, mental health, job stability, and financial stability will also struggle, creating a ripple effect on many other issues.
The factors affecting housing security and homelessness, locally and across the country, are extremely complex. There are many reasons why individuals and families face homelessness. The two root causes we see most often in the Mohawk Valley are struggles with mental health and lack of affordable housing.
We are working to mitigate homelessness and housing insecurity.
Our next step is working with community leaders and our local CoC to find innovative solutions to address these overarching issues facing the Mohawk Valley.
The focus of United Way of the Mohawk Valley and our community partners is to:
- assist homeless individuals and families in obtaining housing,
- connect individuals and families with necessary resources such as food, clothing, mental health and/or substance abuse services, additional outlets to education and employment skills, and more,
- decrease the number of individuals and families in danger of becoming homeless,
- and understand the root causes and prevent homelessness
United Way MV housing staff ensures individuals identified as homeless are linked with the proper agencies and services based on their specific needs, plus lead the local database efforts.
You can help.
A donation to United Way of the Mohawk Valley is the most effective and efficient way to allow us to continue to identify and address the needs of our community, including housing and homelessness. Donate today.
Data and Prevention
Data is the most valuable resource in helping us understand what causes homelessness and how we can work to prevent it. This data drives decisions for housing developments, funding, programs and services, and solutions for homelessness.
In one year, from September 2019 through October 2020, locally:
- 565 individuals were served and placed in Emergency Shelters and then Transitional Housing
- 192 individuals were eligible and placed into Rapid Re-Housing
- 506 individuals were eligible and placed into Permanent Supportive Housing
Homeless Management Information System
Each CoC is responsible for selecting a software solution that complies with HUD’s data collection, management, and reporting standards, or HMIS. This local information technology system is used to collect client-level data and data on providing housing and services to homeless individuals, families, and persons at risk of homelessness. The SNAPS Data Strategy provides a multi-year vision and specific goals and objectives for HMIS.
Funding and Partnerships
Through federal, state, and local grants, United Way of the Mohawk Valley receives thousands of dollars assisting those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless. United Way MV and our local Continuum of Care (CoC) partners follow the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) and Homelessness Assistance Programs rules and regulations.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD is the federal body that supports a variety of interrelated policy areas that are fundamental to creating strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all. The policy areas include affordable housing development and preservation, community and economic development, environment and energy, fair housing, health, and housing, ending homelessness, homeownership, rental assistance, and supportive housing and services.
The Continuum of Care Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness, provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families, and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition (MVHHC)
Locally, our CoC (NY-518 HUD) is known as Mohawk Valley Housing and Homeless Coalition (MVHHC), comprising multiple agencies, government departments, Social Science Associates and United Way MV staff, and a Board of Directors. MVHHC and the Board of Directors meet regularly to collaborate and work to end homelessness in our community.