Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness

Category: Now Happening

  • Join TPCH for Part III of Foster Care Training Series and Family Unification Program Voucher Availability

    Join TPCH for Part III of Foster Care Training Series and Family Unification Program Voucher Availability

    The Homeless Youth Coalition of TPCH is hosting its third and final segment of the three-part training series on Foster Care. Part III, Policies and Programs Serving Older Youth, will take place at the Goodwill Metro Re-engagement Center (REC) on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 3-4:30pm.

    This training will be in person and pre-registration is required. Register here, or download the flier below for a QR code to register.

    A special part of this agenda will include staff from the City of Tucson Public Housing Authority, who will be sharing updates on the availability of Family Unification Vouchers, which serve youth exiting the foster care system. This program has immediate availability to enroll 75 eligible youth in housing.

    Click here to download the flier.

    What is the Family Unification Program?

    The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a program under which Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) are provided for families engaged with the child welfare system and unaccompanied youth age 24 and younger who are aging out of or have aged out of the foster care system.

    Eligibility restrictions do apply. The City of Tucson Public Housing Authority currently has immediate availability to enroll 75 eligible youth in the program which provides up to 36 months of rental assistance.

    Join us on March 2 to learn more about eligibility requirements and the process for helping eligible youth receive FUP housing assistance.

  • TPCH General Council Attendance and Voting Privileges Community Notice

    TPCH General Council Attendance and Voting Privileges Community Notice

    TPCH Quarterly Membership Met on Thursday, February 9


    Section 2.04 of the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness Governance Charter requires that the CoC Lead Agency/Collaborative Applicant publish a list of members gaining voting privileges, at risk of losing voting privileges, and having lost voting privileges within 15 days following each General Council meeting. The last TPCH General Council meeting was held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 from 12:30-5pm.

    Per the TPCH Governance Charter, voting privileges are assigned to TPCH members in attendance at two of the three immediately preceding General Council meetings. For a list of members now eligible to vote as a result of attending this meeting, see the TPCH Voting Member Roster linked below. 

    TPCH Voting Member Roster as of February 22, 2023

    If you believe your voting privileges are not accurately reported here, please email tpch@tucsonaz.gov.

  • Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness Receives $7.8M in NEW Federal Funds to Address Unsheltered Homelessness

    Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness Receives $7.8M in NEW Federal Funds to Address Unsheltered Homelessness

    On February 2, 2023, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $315 million in new federal program awards in 46 cities and localities across 30 states to address unsheltered and rural homelessness. This announcement encourages coordinated planning among a variety of partners that include healthcare, Public Housing Agencies, other HUD-assisted housing providers, and people with lived experience. Click here to read the HUD announcement. 

    The Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness received $7,802,581 which will support five new housing, outreach, and system administration projects to address unsheltered homelessness in Pima County. Each of these projects have received an initial three years of funding and will be eligible for annual renewal following the initial three-year grant period. 

    “These funds will have a remarkable impact in our community’s ability to respond to the growing crisis of unsheltered homelessness,” said Jocelyn Muzzin, TPCH Board Chairperson. “We applaud the local organizations and projects funded through today’s announcement.”

    Click here to review the TPCH Plan to Address Unsheltered Homelessness Submitted to HUD as part of this funding competition.
     

    Learn More About the TPCH Projects Funded Through Today’s Announcement
     

    Old Pueblo Community Services – Mesquite Permanent Supportive Housing Project ($2,886,954)

    The Mesquite PSH project will provide 80 year-round units of permanent supportive housing for unsheltered persons with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness.

    Community Bridges, Inc. – CBI Pima Permanent Supportive Housing Project ($2,886,954)

    The CBI Pima PSH project will provide 70 year-round units of permanent supportive housing for unsheltered persons with disabilities experiencing chronic homelessness.

    City of Tucson – Tucson Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Program ($1,560,516)

    The Tucson Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Program will establish a coordinated street outreach team and volunteer outreach initiative through a partnership between the City of Tucson, Community Bridges, Inc., El Rio Community Health Center, Old Pueblo Community Services, and Our Family Services. 

    Pima County – Homeless Management Information System Unsheltered Supplemental ($234,078)

    The HMIS Unsheltered Supplemental will provide additional HMIS staffing to support the projects funded under this award and expanded homeless system data analytics and reporting. 

    City of Tucson – Continuum of Care Planning Unsheltered Supplemental ($234,078)

    The CoC Planning Unsheltered Supplemental will support additional CoC Lead Agency staffing to support systems change and improvement initiatives throughout the Continuum of Care. 

  • TPCH General Council Meets February 9, 2023

    TPCH General Council Meets February 9, 2023

    TPCH Quarterly Membership Meeting

    Thursday, February 9

    12:30pm-5:00pm

    In Person @ Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, 5049 E Broadway


    Join us for the quarterly General Council meeting of the TPCH membership on Thursday, February 9, 2023.  This meeting will be held in person, and pre-registration is required.

    For a list of members eligible to vote in this meeting, see the TPCH Voting Member Roster linked below. 

    Click here to register for the General Council Meeting.

    After registering, the CoC Lead Team will email you a confirmation. Please note that the meeting will be 12:30pm – 2:30pm, followed by additional training opportunities 2:45pm – 5:00pm. The meeting confirmation you receive will include the entire time of 12:30pm – 5:00pm.

    Updated February 1, 2023: GENERAL COUNCIL TRAINING SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

    2:45-3:45 PM – Your Choice of:

    • Fair Housing Law
    • Understanding the TPCH Move-On Strategy
    • Equity Part I: Laying the Foundation

    4:00-5:00 PM – Your Choice of:

    • Coordinated Entry
    • Local Domestic Violence Services
    • Equity Part II: Continuing the Conversation

    Summary Meeting Agenda

    Roll Call and Consent Agenda

    Jocelyn Muzzin, Continuum of Care Board Chairperson

    Community Celebrations

    Jocelyn Muzzin, Continuum of Care Board Chairperson

    TPCH Updates

    Cindy McClain, Continuum of Care Lead Agency (City of Tucson)

    Budget Updates

    Cindy McClain, Continuum of Care Lead Agency (City of Tucson)

    Motion to Update TPCH Governance Charter

    Jocelyn Muzzin, Continuum of Care Board Chairperson

    Motion to Update TPCH Written Standards

    Jocelyn Muzzin, Continuum of Care Board Chairperson

    Committee and Coalition Updates

    Committee and Coalition Representatives

    New Business/Announcements

    Group Discussion

    Download the Meeting Materials:

    TPCH General Council Meeting Draft Agenda (February 9, 2023)

    TPCH Voting Member Roster as of February 9, 2023

    TPCH General Council Meeting Minutes (November 10, 2022)

    TPCH Continuum of Care Board Recommended Changes to TPCH Governing Charter

    TPCH Continuum of Care Board Recommended Changes to TPCH Written Standards

  • TPCH Homeless Youth Coalition to host Part II of three-part Foster Care Training Series

    TPCH Homeless Youth Coalition to host Part II of three-part Foster Care Training Series

    The Homeless Youth Coalition of TPCH is hosting a three-part training series on Foster Care. Part II, Foster Care and the Education System, will take place at the Goodwill Metro Re-engagement Center (REC) on Thursday, February 2, 2023 from 3-4:30pm.

    This training will be in person, and thus registration is required. Register here, or download the flier below for a QR code and parking instructions.

    Click here to download the flier.

  • Arizona Department of Economic Security to host informational forum and discussion on programs and services available in 2023

    Arizona Department of Economic Security to host informational forum and discussion on programs and services available in 2023

    AZ DES invites all providers to attend their Winter Virtual Informational Forum January 23, 2023 from 2:00-4:00 PM

    Monday, January 23, 2023

    2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

    Featuring

    Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS)

    Division of Benefits and Medical Eligibility (DBME)

    Division of Child Care (DCC)

    Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

    Division of Community Assistance and Development (DCAD)

    Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD)

    Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)

    Arizona Achieve Better Life Experiences (AZ ABLE)

    Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP)

    and Special Guests

    Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS)

    Arizona Department of Child Safety (ADCS)

    Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS)

    Social Security Administration (SSA)

    The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is inviting community services leaders to join in on a conversation with DES leadership to strengthen the efforts of our shared mission to serve Arizonans in need. The forum will feature a roundtable format with breakout group discussions to facilitate focused conversation in programmatic areas. You will have an opportunity to join up to four (4) of the breakout rooms. Each breakout session will be 20 minutes long.

    Please share this invitation with other service providers that may be interested. A list of DES programs and services is attached for reference.

    REGISTER.

    After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Forum.

     IMPORTANT NOTE:  To use the self-select Breakout Room feature you must have:

    – Zoom Desktop client or mobile app: version 5.3.0 or higher.

    – Zoom Chrome OS: version 5.0.0 (4241.1207) or higher.

    To ensure you have the correct version of Zoom, please consult your technology department or manager.

    Anyone that requires a reasonable accommodation based on language or disability should contact ADES’s Office of Equal Opportunity at oeoada504coordinator@azdes.gov. Requests should be made no later than January 18, 2023 to ensure there is ample opportunity to address the accommodation.

    Download the flier for all DES programs and services here.

  • U of A Southwest Institute for Research on Women releases census updates to Housing Insecurity and Potential Homelessness Report

    U of A Southwest Institute for Research on Women releases census updates to Housing Insecurity and Potential Homelessness Report

    The University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women has released its thirty-eighth update to its report on Housing Insecurity Indicators and Potential Homelessness Estimates for Arizona and Pima County. This report measures current housing insecurity with newer census data. Without further analysis the causes of this locally are unclear, but the prime suspects are rising rents and the lingering aftermaths of the pandemic for the household budgets of lower-income households (via death, illness, and changes in employment and caretaking responsibilities).

    Download the report here.

    Since the last census wave, there are points of significant concern. Those include:

    • Disparities in financial strain along the lines of household incomes have increased in this and recent survey waves.
    • Measures of households not being current on rental payments and those experiencing great difficulty meeting spending needs indicate that lower-income and BIPOC households in Arizona are slipping behind (again).
    • Nationwide, individuals reporting that they have serious disabilities are increasingly disproportionately likely to report being behind on rent payments.
    • It appears that members of historically marginalized groups (especially people living with disabilities) are not benefiting from the improved economy as quickly on average as other demographic groups.
    • Simultaneously, inflation and increases in rents appear to be straining the finances of lower-income households despite a historically low unemployment rate.
    • In September we observed the largest monthly count of eviction filings in Pima County since the onset of the pandemic.

    The most recent update to the report also includes many indicators that have seen some improvement.

    • Tucson rent prices appear to be slowing their rate of increase substantially in recent months.
      • Tucson rent prices appear to be starting to decrease, albeit very modestly, in recent months. This is consistent with national trends and is likely a downstream consequence of recent interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve.
      • This reversal of recent trends is a very welcome relief, but does not erase the increases in average and median rents experienced over the past two years (which remain the area of 30-33% even after including the small recent declines in median rents).
      • Statewide 69% of Arizona renters reported an increase in their monthly rent in the last year and 60% reported an increase of $100 or more. This indicates that most renters have been directly impacted by increases in rent prices in Arizona over the past year.     
    • Despite hardship caused by inflation, the positive macroeconomic situation has continued to hold steadily at the national and state levels
      • Arizona unemployment has increased very modestly, but remains well below historical averages.
      • In the previous survey wave, collected October 5th-17th 2022, the proportion of non-current renters was to 14.5%. In the most recent survey, conducted November 2nd-14th 2022, this proportion fell to 9.5%.
      • In the October 2022 survey wave nearly a quarter of non-current renters (24%) reported viewing eviction in the next two months as “very likely”. The intensity of this indicator decreased further in November with only 16% of non-current renters viewing eviction as “very likely” in the next two months.
      • The majority of Arizona renters who are behind on their rent, 79%, were only 1 or 2 months behind on their payments. That said, there was a substantial increase in the small proportion (7%) of non-current AZ renters who reported being 8 months or more behind on rent payments.
      • In the previous report from mid-October, 81% of non-current renters had not applied for rental assistance, this proportion fell to 60% in the most recent wave.
      • Mortgage holders in Arizona continue to be in a strong financial position. 5% reported being not current on mortgage payments (down from 6.2% in the previous survey) and of those that are not current <1% see a foreclosure in the next two months as “very likely” the lowest level of concern on this measure in this survey series to date.  

    Download the report here.

  • TPCH Homeless Youth Coalition to host Part I of three-part Foster Care Training Series

    TPCH Homeless Youth Coalition to host Part I of three-part Foster Care Training Series

    The Homeless Youth Coalition of TPCH will be hosting a three-part training series on Foster Care. Part I, Foster Care and the Legal System, will take place at the Downtown Joel D. Valdez Public Library on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 3-4:30pm.

    This training will be in person, and thus registration is required. Register here, or download the flier below for a QR code and parking instructions.

    Click here to download the flier.

  • City of Tucson Hiring Coordinated Entry Lead to Support TPCH

    City of Tucson Hiring Coordinated Entry Lead to Support TPCH

    The City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Department is hiring for the position of Continuum of Care Project Coordinator (Coordinated Entry Lead).  The Coordinated Entry Lead is a key staff member in the Department’s Planning and Community Development Division and is responsible for supporting and administering the local Coordinated Entry system in collaboration with the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH) and Homeless Management Information System Lead Agency.

    The application period closes January 2, 2023.

    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. 

  • TPCH News – December 2022

    TPCH News – December 2022

    TPCH Newsletter – December 2022

    IN THIS ISSUE

    ANNOUNCEMENTS

    Operation Deep Freeze in effect for 2022-2023 Winter season
    Resumption of in-person TPCH meetings
    Continuum of Care Administrative Review currently underway

    EVENTS

    Point-in-Time Count to happen January 24th and 25th of 2023
    Change of meeting day and time for TPCH Youth Action Committee

    RESOURCES

    Resource Corner: Upcoming tools, trainings, and resources
    El Rio hosting walk-in clinics at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Mondays 1-3pm
     
    OPERATION DEEP FREEZE HAS BEGUN FOR THE 2022-23 WINTER SEASON

    ODF is Tucson’s Winter severe weather emergency shelter program for people experiencing homelessness.  ODF goes into effect when the weather prediction is for an overnight temperature of 40⁰F or lower with rain, 35⁰F or lower without rain, or when wind chill factors indicate a health hazard for exposure. 

    When ODF is on, shelter access instructions will be posted on TPCH.net, on TPCH’s Facebook page, and emailed to local providers.  Neither ID nor TB cards are required to enter shelters when ODF is on.

    CHECK THE STATUS OF ODF HERE.

    STARTING JANUARY 1, 2023, TPCH MEETINGS ARE RETURNING TO IN-PERSON
     
    The TPCH Board voted to return to in-person meetings in 2023.  Remote options will be made available to those who have ongoing barriers to attending meetings in-person.  If you need an accommodation, please email tpch@tucsonaz.gov by December 31, 2022.
    Continuum of Care Administrative Review Currently Underway
     CoC-funded housing programs were notified last month that they have until December 30, 2022, to submit their documentation to the CoC Lead Team.  If you have a CoC-funded housing program, and you did not receive the email notification, or if you received it and have questions about the process, please email tpch@tucsonaz.gov or cindy.mcclain@tucsonaz.gov.

    Point-In-Time Count to Happen January 24th and 25th, 2023

    The Point-In-Time (PIT) is just around the corner.  

    Planning and preparation has begun for the 2023 PIT count.  This is a huge event which allows us to count how many people are experiencing sheltered homelessness and unsheltered homelessness in Pima County.  This information is used to request federal funds for various local assistant programs, as well as tracking our progress toward ending homelessness.  This year’s PIT Count will happen on the night of January 24th and the morning of January 25th.  Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks.  If you are interested in helping, watch for volunteer registration instructions which will be posted soon.
    SIROW has released the updated “Housing Insecurity Indicators & Potential Homelessness Estimates for Arizona and Pima County.” 



    You can read the report here.

    YAC now meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, 3:30–5:00pm.

    If you are or if you know of transitional-aged youth (youth between the ages of 18 and 24) who have lived or living experience of homelessness and are interested in joining the Youth Action Committee, please have them email tpch@tucsonaz.gov. 

    Resource Corner: Tools, Conference Opportunities and Upcoming Trainings

    EL RIO WILL BE HOSTING WALK-IN CLINICS AT THE JOEL D. VALDEZ MAIN LIBRARY MONDAYS 1-3PM

    No appointment needed.  The services offered are: primary care, blood pressure check,  screening labs/STD check, medication prescription, acute and chronic disease management, and housing assessment.  All ages are welcome! Check the QR code on the flier below for more info.


    BIDDERS CONFERENCE FOR HVRP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT

    The Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (DOL-VETS) and the National Veterans’ Technical Assistance Center (NVTAC) are pleased to invite you to a Bidders’ Conference for the HVRP Funding Opportunity Announcement.
     
    HVRP is a DOL-VETS initiative that provides workforce development, employment services, and training to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. If your organization has experience providing veteran and/or employment-related services, you may be interested in applying for an HVRP grant.
     
    The Bidders’ Conference will be led by NVTAC staff and provide a comprehensive overview of the HVRP program, the types of organizations and partners that are often successful, and steps your organization can take to prepare to submit a competitive application.
     
    The conference will take place on December 15, 2022, 3 – 4:30 p.m. EST. We are looking forward to your participation.  Click Webinar Registration – Zoom to register.

    RAPID REHOUSING ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION SERIES – STARTING DECEMBER 8, 2022
     
    Earlier this year, HUD sponsored the first round of the roundtable discussions to identify, imagine, and increase trends that support innovation in RRH services and programs. Practitioners, policy-makers, and people with lived experience of homelessness shared their thoughts, challenges, and promising practices on topics including racial equity, assertive engagement, and landlord recruitment. View materials and recordings from the previous sessions.
     
    HUD is sponsoring a second round of the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Roundtable Discussion Series, kicking off December 8, 2022 at 1:30 PM EST, with the topic of Advancing Equity. Additional sessions will follow every six weeks, with topics to be determined along the way. Each webinar in the series will host a facilitated dialogue amongst a small group of panelists and will include an opportunity for participants to submit questions to the panelists and technical assistance (TA) providers. Learn how to join the first session on December 8.

    ARIZONA HOUSING COALITION RELEASES NEW DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION AND HOUSING WEB PAGE

    Understanding how diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) concepts impact housing outcomes is critical in our mission to prevent and end homelessness and advocate for safe, affordable homes for all Arizonans. For guidance on housing equity, visit the webpage here.
     
    MONKEYPOX GUIDANCE FOR PROVIDERS SERVING PEOPLE LIVING IN CONGREGATE SETTINGS

    In addition to the below resources, TPCH and the Pima County Health Department hosted “Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness During the Monkeypox Outbreak” – A Webinar for Homeless Service Providers” on September 21, 2022. To access this webinar via the TPCH Online Training Center, use this link.

    The National Health Care for the Homeless Council has gathered several resources from the Center for Disease Control and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council to advise service providers on how to safely serve those living in encampments or other congregate settings. Those are listed here:
    Fact Sheet: Monkeypox and People Experiencing Homelessness (National Health Care for the Homeless Council)
    Considerations for Reducing Monkeypox Transmission in Congregate Living Settings (CDC)
    Monkeypox Resources (HUD)Fillable Flyer for Outreach – What You Need to Know About Monkeypox
    Protecting Yourself and Others from Monkeypox
    What To Do if There Is a Monkeypox Case in the Shelter
    Monkeypox Preparedness Considerations for Homeless Shelters
    The Time Is Now! Talking to People Experiencing Homelessness About Monkeypox

    NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS PRESSURE POINTS SERIES

    The Alliance’s new Pressure Points Resource Series outlines specific strategies, practices, and philosophies that can help relieve the pressures experienced by providers and systems alike.
    Do you have an upcoming event or resource you’d like added to the next TPCH Newsletter? Email tpch@tucsonaz.gov by the 15th of the month.

    DECEMBER EVENTS

    TPCH Meetings & Training Events

    Meetings and events are added regularly.  Find details and locations on the TPCH calendar at https://www.tpch.net

    December 1, 3pm
    Homeless Youth Coalition

    December 7, 1pm
    Youth Case Conferencing

    December 8, 9:30am
    Chronic Case Conferencing

    December 9, 9am
    Built for Zero Coalition

    December 13, 1pm
    Community Outreach Coalition

    December 13, 3pm
    System Performance Evaluation Committee

    December 14, 10:30am
    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

    December 14, 3pm
    HMIS Committee

    December 15, 9am
    Continuum of Care Program Grant Committee

    December 21, 1pm
    Youth Case Conferencing

    December 22, 9:30am
    Chronic Case Conferencing

    December 28, 3:30pm
    Youth Action Committee

    January 4, 1pm
    Youth Case Conferencing

    January 5, 3pm
    Chronic Case Conferencing

    January 5, 3pm
    Homeless Youth Coalition

    For the most up-to-date meeting information, visit the TPCH calendar at https://www.tpch.net.