Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

Category: Featured

  • Help TPCH Secure Additional Funds to End Homelessness in Pima County – Participate in the 2021 TPCH CoC Application Community Input Series (October 7-25 ,2021)

    Help TPCH Secure Additional Funds to End Homelessness in Pima County – Participate in the 2021 TPCH CoC Application Community Input Series (October 7-25 ,2021)

     

    Help TPCH prepare the Continuum of Care (CoC) application for Tucson/Pima County. The CoC Application plays a critical role in our ability to retain and increase HUD funding for housing and services for people experiencing homelessness throughout Pima County. Each session will include a review of draft application sections and the opportunity to suggest improvements to our community’s funding application.

    FY 2021 Continuum of Care Application Community Input Series Schedule

    Download the full community input series schedule with topic details and registration links. 

     

    Addressing Youth and Family Homelessness: Coordination with Educational Systems and Providers (1C-4), Informing Youth and Families of Educational Rights (1C-4a)

    *Included as part of regularly scheduled Homeless Youth Coalition Meeting

    October 7, 2021, 3pm-5pm

    Zoom Link

     

    System Performance – Housing: Housing First Implementation (1C-9), Improving HMIS Bed Coverage Rate (2A-5a), Reducing First Time Homelessness (2C-1), Reducing Length of Time Homeless (2C-2), Increasing Exits to Permanent Housing Destinations (2C-3), Reducing Returns to Homelessness (2C-4)

    October 11, 2021, 9am-11am

    Zoom Link

     

    Promoting Equity and Inclusion: Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ+ Persons (1C-6), Efforts to Promote Racial Equity in Homelessness (1C-15c)

    *Included as part of regularly scheduled Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Meeting

    October 11, 2021 1pm-2:30pm

    Zoom Link

     

    System Performance – Employment, Income, Benefits: Promoting Attainment of Mainstream Benefits (1C-13a), Increasing Employment Cash Income (2C-5), Workforce Development and Education/Training (2C-5a), Increasing Non-Employment Cash Income (2C-5b)

    October 14, 2021, 9:30am-11am

    Zoom Link

     

    System Performance – Outreach and Coordinated Entry: Street Outreach Approaches (1C-10), Coordinated Entry System (1C-14), Adjusting Coordinated Entry to Account for Rapid Changes During COVID-19 Pandemic (1D-8)

    October 18, 2021, 1pm-2:30pm

    Zoom Link

     

    Responding to the COVID-19 Crisis: COVID-19 Safety Protocols (1D-1), Improving Readiness for Future Health Emergencies (1D-2), Coordination to Distribute ESG-CV Funds (1D-3), Coordination with Mainstream Health Resources (1D-4), Communicating Information to Homeless Service Providers (1D-5), Identifying Persons Eligible for Vaccination (1D-6)

    October 21, 2021, 1pm-3pm

    Zoom Link

     

    Addressing Domestic Violence: Training Providers to Address Needs of DV Survivors (1C-5), Using De-Identified Aggregate Data to Assess Special Needs of DV Survivors (1C-5a), DV Safety Protocols in Coordinated Entry (1C-5b), Addressing Possible Increase in DV During the COVID-19 Pandemic (1D-7), Receipt of De-Identified Aggregate Data from Comparable Database (2A-4.2), Comparable Database Bed Coverage Rate (2A-5b.1)

    October 25, 2021, 1pm-3pm

    Zoom Link

  • Join TPCH and Arizona Department of Economic Security for a One-Hour Provider Forum for Community Agencies

    Join TPCH and Arizona Department of Economic Security for a One-Hour Provider Forum for Community Agencies

     

    Looking to improve your ability to connect people experiencing homelessness to State benefits and social programs?  Join TPCH and the Arizona Department of Economic Security for a special one-hour provider forum on OCTOBER 22, 2021- 9:30AM-10:30AM.

    Click here to register.

    DES Benefits and Services: One-Hour Provider Forum

    The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is an integrated human services agency that provides critical protective and assistance services to Arizona’s children, adults, and families. DES has five divisions responsible to serving the community:

    • Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility
    • Division of Aging and Adult Services
    • Division of Developmental Disabilities
    • Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services
    • Division of Child Support Services

    During this one-hour forum attendees will receive an overview of DES and the 40+ programs and services in the five divisions, plus the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP). This is an excellent introduction to the agency and an opportunity to meet the division liaisons.

    This provider forum is the first in a series of Division focused dialogues related to improving coordination between homeless service providers and DES. Please join us as we work together to develop strategies to serve our community more holistically.

  • TPCH Partners with US Interagency Council on Homelessness to Host Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Listening Session.

    TPCH Partners with US Interagency Council on Homelessness to Host Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness Listening Session.

    Join TPCH and US Interagency Council for Homelessness for Listening Session on Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness – October 6, 2021

    The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) is in the process of updating the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.  USICH is very interested in hearing from you.

    Please join USICH and TPCH for a virtual listening session on October 6, 2021 from 10:30am-12pm. 

    Click here to register for the virtual listening session. 

    Already registered?  Perfect!  Now click here to download the online Participation Guide to refer to during the session.

    This virtual listening session will provide USICH representatives an opportunity to hear directly from stakeholders in Tucson and throughout Pima County regarding promising practices and key priorities in the work to prevent and end homelessness.

    USICH is holding listening sessions and seeking written feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of homelessness and tribes. If you are not able to participate in the listening session, please provide feedback online through the USICH website:https://www.usich.gov/fsp. USICH will be gathering input through the end of November.

    If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to USICH Regional Coordinator Helene Schneider at Helene.Schneider@usich.gov.

  • TPCH Invites Applications for CoC Program and YHDP Renewal Funds. Applications due October 8, 2021.

    TPCH Invites Applications for CoC Program and YHDP Renewal Funds. Applications due October 8, 2021.

    ANNOUNCEMENT: SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

    Application Due Date – October 8, 2021 (12pm Noon – AZ Time)

    TPCH has released the local application materials for the FY 2021 Continuum of Care Program Funding Competition in Tucson/Pima County.  Funding opportunity information and application instructions are posted at https://old.tpch.net/about/nofa-documents/fy-2021/.

    Organizations interested in applying for FY 2021 Continuum of Care Program and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project funds should begin by carefully reviewing the FY 2021 Continuum of Care Program Notice of Funding Availability, HUD’s funding competition web page, and the TPCH FY 2021 CoC Program Funding Competition Overview, Instructions, and Process for Tucson/Pima County posted at https://old.tpch.net/about/nofa-documents/fy-2021/.

     

    Funding Available

    The Tucson/Pima County FY 2021 funding competition includes four categories of available funding:

    CoC Program Renewal Funds: A total of $8,544,055 is available for renewal of existing Continuum of Care Program grant awards.  The Continuum of Care Board has determined that no projects are subject to involuntary reallocation during the FY 2021 funding competition.  Only organizations currently awarded CoC Program grant funds expiring in Calendar Year 2022 are eligible to apply under this category.

    Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Renewal and Replacement Funds: A total of $2,091,492 is available for the renewal or replacement of existing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP) grant awards expiring in Calendar Year 2022.  Only organizations currently awarded YHDP grant funds expiring in Calendar Year 2022 are eligible to apply under this category.

    CoC Bonus Program: A total of $531,777 is available for new project applications for service-rich permanent supportive housing projects dedicated for persons meeting Chronic Homelessness and/or Dedicated Plus eligibility standards.  Organizations which do not currently administer CoC Program funds are encouraged to apply.

    Domestic Violence Bonus Program: A total of $1,108,660 is available for new project applications for rapid rehousing, joint transitional housing – rapid rehousing, and supportive services only – coordinated entry projects dedicated for persons fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including victims of human trafficking. Organizations which do not currently administer CoC Program funds are encouraged to apply.

    Pre-Proposal Workshops

    TPCH will host three online pre-proposal workshops for new and renewal project applicants.

    RSVP for Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project Renewal and Replacement Webinar
    September 20, 2021   8:30am
    Mandatory for all YHDP renewal project applicants

    RSVP for CoC Renewal Application Webinar
    September 21, 2021   9:00 am
    Mandatory for all CoC renewal project applicants

    RSVP for CoC New Project Application Webinar
    September 22, 2021   8:30 am
    Strongly encouraged for all CoC new project applicants

    For More Information

    Visit https://old.tpch.net/about/nofa-documents/fy-2021/ for detailed information about this funding opportunity and application instructions.  Email questions regarding this competition to tpch-nofo@tucsonaz.gov.  Please allow up to 3 business days for a response.

  • City of Tucson Hiring CoC Program Supervisor – Applications Due September 3, 2021

    City of Tucson Hiring CoC Program Supervisor – Applications Due September 3, 2021

    The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department is hiring for the position of Continuum of Care Program Supervisor.  The CoC Program Supervisor is a key staff member in the Department’s Planning and Community Development Division and is responsible for oversight and administration of the City’s functions as the CoC Lead Agency and Collaborative Applicant for the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH).

    The application period closes September 3, 2021.

    Click here to review the job description and apply online. 

    TPCH is a community-based coalition of government entities, not-for-profit organizations, businesses, faith communities, volunteer groups, and community members working together to prevent and end homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County, Arizona.  TPCH has a bold strategic plan centered on efforts to end chronic homelessness, reduce and abbreviate episodes of homelessness among all people, elevate the voices and authority of persons with lived and living experience of housing instability, and advance racial equity and housing justice in Southern Arizona.

    Learn more about TPCH at www.tpch.net.

    Click here to review TPCH’s Community Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in Tucson/Pima County.

    Ready to join the team? 

    Click here to review the position description and apply. 

  • HUD releases FY 2021 Continuum of Care Program Funding Competition – August 18, 2021.

    HUD releases FY 2021 Continuum of Care Program Funding Competition – August 18, 2021.

    FY 2021 CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY RELEASED (AUGUST 18, 2021).

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the release of the FY 2021 Continuum of Care Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on August 18, 2021. Through the NOFO, eligible applicants may apply for Continuum of Care Program funds for renewal of existing Continuum of Care Program and Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grants, as well as to create new projects dedicated for people experiencing chronic homelessness and/or who meet DedicatedPlus eligibility and/or survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking (including victims of human trafficking). 

    TPCH administers the local funding competition for the HUD Continuum of Care Program in Tucson and Pima County, Arizona.  To apply, eligible organizations must complete all application materials described in the TPCH FY 2021 HUD Continuum of Care Program Funding Competition Overview, Instructions, and Process for Tucson Pima County which will be published  on or around September 10, 2021.

    Visit www.tpch.net/about/nofa-documents/fy-2021 for more details about the FY 2021 funding competition.

  • August 2021 Newsletter: New Report on Homelessness, Special General Council Meeting, Training, Shared Housing, and More.

    August 2021 Newsletter: New Report on Homelessness, Special General Council Meeting, Training, Shared Housing, and More.

    IN THIS ISSUE

    • New Report on Homelessness in Pima County
    • TPCH Membership Meeting and Update on Homelessness in Pima County
    • Annual Update to TPCH Coordinated Community Plan to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness
    • TPCH Welcomes New Committee Members
    • HMIS Consumer Survey Feedback Forum
    • Five Truths About Shared Housing
    • Using Data for Decisions Workshop – Digging into the Data
    • New Additions to the TPCH Online Training Center

     

    New Report Released on Homelessness in Pima County

     

     

     

     

     

     

    TPCH partnered with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women and the City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department to publish an in-depth analysis of multi-year homelessness data in Tucson and throughout Pima County.  People Experiencing Homelessness in the Tucson/Pima County Continuum of Care provides a detailed examination of the current demographics, conditions, and experiences of homelessness in our region.

    Click here to review and download the report on www.tpch.net.

     

    TPCH Membership Meeting and Community Update on Homelessness- August 12

     

     

     

     

     

    TPCH will hold its quarterly membership meeting from 3pm-5pm on Thursday, August 12.  Join us for this important meeting which will feature community updates on homelessness including presentations by:

    Helene Schneider, Region IX Coordinator
    United States Interagency Council on Homelessness 

    Dr. Keith Bentele
    University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women

    Daniela Figueroa
    Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

    Liz Morales
    City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department

    Dan Sullivan
    Pima County Community & Workforce Development Department

    Registration is required.  Click here to register. 

     

    TPCH Publishes Annual Update to the Coordinated Community Plan to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    In 2019, TPCH received $4.558M in HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project funds to launch innovative strategies to prevent and end youth homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County.  As part of this important initiative, TPCH published its first Coordinated Community Planning to Prevent and End Youth Homelessness in 2020.  Earlier this month, the TPCH Board approved the 2021 Annual Update which focuses in on key activities to advance the work to end youth homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County.  Learn more about the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project and read the Annual Update at www.tpch.net/youth.

     

    TPCH Welcomes New Committee Members

    TPCH is pleased to welcome several new members to our standing committees.  These incredible community volunteers and homeless service professionals provide a diversity of experiences that will help TPCH as we work to prevent and end homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County.

    Coordinated Entry Committee
    Valerie Grothe (La Frontera Center)
    Cristina Hernandez(Community Bridges, Inc.)

    Homeless Management Information System Committee
    Valerie Grothe (La Frontera Center)

    Continuum of Care Program Grant Committee
    Elaine MacPherson (Arizona Serve)

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
    Carlos Moreno (Community Bridges, Inc.)
    Hannah Woelke (DIRECT Center for Independence)
    Molly Hilber (Pima County)
    Victoria Micharski (La Frontera Center)

    System Performance Evaluation Committee
    Lori Kindler (Our Family Services)
    Chula Robertson (Pima County)

    TPCH continues to seek applicants who are not affiliated with organizations which receive Continuum of Care Program funding to participate in the Continuum of Care Program Grant Committee and two persons with lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, or residency in Section 8/public housing programs within the past five years for the Continuum of Care Board.  If you or someone you know is interested in serving, please email tpch@tucsonaz.gov.

     

    HMIS Consumer Survey Feedback Forum

     

     

     

     

    The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Committee conducted the HMIS Consumer Satisfaction Survey in April of this year. Join the HMIS Committee and HMIS Lead August 11th at 3:00 PM to learn more about the results, provide feedback, and make recommendations.

    You can find the HMIS Consumer Satisfaction Survey results here.

    Review of and discussion about the HMIS Consumer Satisfaction Survey results will take place during the first hour of the next HMIS meeting. To join, use the link on tpch.net/calendar.

     

    Shared Housing: A Missing Ingredient that Can Help Address Homelessness in Pima County

     

     

     

    What’s so wrong with shared housing? The answer is nothing.

    Shared housing is a completely normal and accepted living situation. Families share housing while raising kids. Roommates share housing, especially in major cities with extremely tight rental markets. College students share housing while attending school together. Shared housing is so common now that it is often considered a luxury to be able to live alone, even for people with higher incomes.

    Yet for people entering housing after experiencing homelessness, shared housing is often not viewed as the beneficial, go-to solution that it should be.

    Check out Five Truths About Shared Housing, a recent blog post from the National Alliance to End Homelessness to learn more about shared housing and the role it can play in efforts to end homelessness.

     

    Upcoming Training

     

    Using Data for Decisions Workshop #2 with Arizona Housing Coalition
    August 24, 2021: 10am-11:30am    In June we brought you Using Data for Decisions Part 1, in which we discussed establishing a culture of data in your organization (check it out in the TPCH Online Training Center).  Join us for Part 2, where we examine strategies for incorporating qualitative and quantitative data for continuous quality improvement.  We will cover how to choose valid, relevant data elements for program evaluation, and what to do when your data demonstrate a need for change.  Facilitator: Dr. Scott Pruitt, Data and Evaluation Specialist, Housing and Community Development, The Cloudburst Group.

    Click here to learn more and register online. 

     

    TPCH Online Training Center

     

    Recently Added On Demand Training
    Check out these and dozens of other on demand training resources by visiting the online training center at www.tpch.net.The Justice and Homelessness Connection A moderated panel exploring the intersections of the criminal justice and homelessness featuring representatives from Pima County, City of Tucson, Arizona Serve, Old Pueblo Community Services, The Earnest House, and Community Activists.Emergency Housing Voucher, Coordinated Entry Transfer, and Chronic Homelessness VerificationA multi-topic training for housing services staff related to TPCH’s processes related to the HUD Emergency Housing Voucher program, Coordinated Entry project transfers, and requirements for documenting chronic homelessness among people in need of permanent supportive housing interventions.Using Data for Decisions – Workshop #1

    Adding a data lens to your organization’s toolkit has the potential to act as a catalyst for informed change. However, these efforts must be intentional and run deeply within an organization. This can be a challenge when terms like “data” and “evaluation” are being used so frequently (sometimes missing the necessary intention) and without much clarity as to where you should start!
    Have you signed up for the TPCH Online Training Center?

    TPCH has launched an online training center with a library of recorded webinars and on-demand training modules covering best practices, compliance requirements, and other topics of importance to staff and volunteers working in homeless services programs.

    The online training center is free for staff and volunteers of TPCH member agencies.  Visit the e-learning section of our website at www.tpch.net to learn more about course offerings and sign up.
  • UofA Southwest Institute for Research on Women releases report on people experiencing homelessness in partnership with TPCH and City of Tucson

    UofA Southwest Institute for Research on Women releases report on people experiencing homelessness in partnership with TPCH and City of Tucson

    TPCH partnered with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women and the City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department to publish an in-depth analysis of multi-year homelessness data in Tucson and throughout Pima County.  People Experiencing Homelessness in the Tucson/Pima County Continuum of Care provides a detailed examination of the current demographics, conditions, and experiences of homelessness in our region.

    Download the report here. 

  • Join TPCH for Special Event – August 12: Community Update on Homelessness in Pima County

    Join TPCH for Special Event – August 12: Community Update on Homelessness in Pima County

    August General Council Meeting: A Special Community Update on Homelessness in Pima County
    Thursday, August 12, 2021
    3pm-5pm

     

    The impacts of homelessness and the work to address it have changed considerably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Join TPCH for a special update on the state of homelessness in Pima County featuring new data about the conditions and experiences of homelessness in Pima County released by the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women, updates from local government regarding strategies to address homelessness, and a special presentation by the US Interagency Council on Homelessness.

    This meeting will be held virtually and pre-registration is required. Register online at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoc–pqz4oE9SJ3nIhi-aPRHLfnJ484UTF. After registering, you will receive an automated email with details to access the meeting.

    August 12 Meeting Highlights

     

    New Report on Homelessness in Pima County (University of Arizona)

    Dr. Keith Bentele with the University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women will provide an overview of key findings from the recently published report, People Experiencing Homelessness in the Tucson/Pima County Continuum of Care, which includes an updated estimate on the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the region and important learnings about the demographics, conditions, and experiences.

    Federal Landscape and Response to Homelessness (US Interagency Council on Homelessness)

    Helene Schneider with the US Interagency Council on Homelessness and former Mayor of the City of Santa Barbara will provide an update on the national landscape and response to homelessness including Federal priorities under the Biden Administration.

    Addressing Homelessness at the Local Level (City of Tucson, Pima County)

    Liz Morales, Director of the City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development and representatives from the Pima County Community and Workforce Development Department will provide updates on local governments’ response to homelessness including a report on activities since the onset of the pandemic and planned activities for the future.

    TPCH Update

    Jason Thorpe, Planning and Community Development Administrator with the City of Tucson Department of Housing and Community Development, will provide an current and upcoming TPCH activities to support community agencies’ work to prevent and end homelessness in the region.

    Don’t Miss Out – Register Now
    Register for the August 12 TPCH General Council Update on Homelessness event at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoc–pqz4oE9SJ3nIhi-aPRHLfnJ484UTF. After registering, you will receive an automated email with details to access the meeting.
    General Council Meeting Participation Requirements
    This special event will be held in lieu of the traditional TPCH General Council meeting to provide critical updates on the issue of homelessness in Tucson and throughout Pima County.  Traditional General Council meeting participation requirements do not apply; however, attendance will be recorded and attendance will count toward new membership requirements for agencies and individuals seeking voting membership in TPCH. Not a TPCH member? Learn more and apply at www.tpch.net/join.
  • TPCH Hosts Justice and Homelessness Connection Community Forum

    TPCH Hosts Justice and Homelessness Connection Community Forum

    <img src="forum.jpg" alt="Justice Homelessness Forum.">

     

    Join TPCH and the Pima County Criminal Justice Reform Unit for a Community Forum on  JULY 13, 2021- 1:00PM-3:00PM

    Click here to register.

    The Justice and Homelessness Connection- A Community Forum

    People incarcerated more than one time are 13 times more likely to experience homelessness than the general population according to the Urban Institute. The homelessness-jail cycle has devastating consequences for individuals and families and poses considerable costs to the community.

    Join TPCH and the Pima County Criminal Justice Reform Unit for this two-hour community forum exploring the connection between criminal justice and homelessness. The forum will include a background on the case for greater collaboration to support people leaving incarceration and lessons learned from current efforts to coordinate post-release housing and support. During the session, a moderated panel including representatives from local justice systems, Pima County’s Criminal Justice Reform Unit, organizations providing re-entry supportive services, and community members who have experienced the homelessness-jail cycle themselves will share insight, expertise, and opportunities for greater system collaboration.

    Click here to register for TPCH’s July 13 webinar with CJRU

    This community forum is the first in a series of dialogues related to improving coordination between the TPCH Coordinated Entry system, housing and supportive services, and the criminal justice system.  Please join us as we work together to develop effective strategies to break the cycle.