Housing & Homeless Needs Assesment: Homeless Needs:
Facility Needs for Homeless Populations

As detailed in the previous section, persons who are homeless and living alone represent the largest percentage of those served in Iowa City's emergency shelters; an estimated 800 adults were sheltered in FY97. An estimated 75 unaccompanied minors were also served. Facility needs for this population is found at all points along the continuum of care.

As described above, consideration must be given to the overcrowding conditions at EHP. Overcrowding becomes even more of a concern because an estimated 40% of shelter guests have special needs relating to mental illness, substance abuse, or medical disability. These special needs populations demand a disproportionate amount of staff time, and can become more difficult to manage as overcrowding conditions intensify.

Additionally, there has been an ongoing debate revolving around the day shelter needs of the homeless community. The Salvation Army currently operates a facility that provides an evening meal and day shelter. While the meal attracts many to the Salvation Army, the day shelter is significantly below capacity use. However, a recent study indicates a consumer interest in the day shelter concept. Questions have been raised as to whether location and limited services are the primary deterrents to daytime use of the Salvation Army facility.

Statistics suggest that as many as 777 homeless individuals living alone could be seeking permanent housing in our community each year. Currently there are two facilities owned by D&K Properties that provide for transitional or permanent housing opportunities for this specific population. Supportive services are provided by Successful Living.

The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) is the only emergency shelter specifically equipped to deal with the needs of families in crisis. Limited staff capacity and the primary mission of serving women and children affected by domestic violence do not currently allow DVIP to provide shelter and services to all of Iowa City's homeless families with children.

At the same time, the Emergency Housing Project shelter is operating beyond capacity to such an extent that it can no longer accommodate all of the families who seek shelter there. The result, as described earlier, is that as many as three families a week are unable to find shelter within Iowa City's existing system. Emergency shelter facilities need to be expanded or adapted to meet the increased demand from homeless families.

Transitional housing serves as a bridge between emergency shelter and permanent housing by providing housing with supportive services to assist households towards self-sufficiency. Iowa City has very limited transitional housing opportunities for families. HACAP provides 28 units of supported rental housing; waiting lists for this housing can be very long, with a wait of more than two years. More transitional housing opportunities need to be developed.

The general trend in providing care and services to persons with special needs is toward non-facility-based, outpatient, independent living services. Housing for persons with mental illness who are leaving the hospital or extensive care settings is an important part of the continuum of care that leads to successful independent living programs. This particularly vulnerable population does not manage well independently or in shelters, where failure and repeat hospitalization can become cyclical. Hillcrest Residence currently provides a 5-unit transitional group home that accommodates adults with serious mental illness. Emphasis is placed on skill building and future reentry into the community. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics estimate that as many as 30 additional individuals could receive housing and support in a transitional setting in Johnson County at any given time.

The need for special needs transitional housing is also shared by persons struggling with substance abuse. However, it is unrealistic to expect that every consumer with special needs will be best served in an independent living environment. There are some consumers who will continue to need 24-hour supervision and support. While what is considered to be the optimal size of group living facilities is shrinking, housing fewer individuals per facility increases the total number of facilities needed. Permanent supportive housing needs for special needs populations are discussed in detail in Section II.D., Supportive Housing Needs of Non-Homeless Special Needs Populations.