| Notes |
10/03/2017
“Just in Reach” Supportive Housing
Los Angeles County Launches “Just in Reach” Supportive Housing Program
to Break Cycles of Homelessness and Re-Incarceration
Innovative public-private partnership uses “Pay for Success” financing model
to maximize public resources and ensure positive outcomes for individuals
Los Angeles County has launched Just in Reach (JIR), a new health-based housing program that will reduce jail recidivism and help end homelessness among people experiencing repeat jail stays. Over four years, JIR will place 300 homeless individuals who are currently in custody within the county jail and who have a mental health and/or substance-use disorder into permanent supportive housing.
The innovative public-private partnership is the region’s first program to be funded through a “Pay for Success” financial model. Pay for Success uses up-front private funding to ensure the most positive outcomes for individuals and communities, reduce the financial risk to government, and maximize public resources.
The initiative’s key partners include the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS), CSH and the National Council on Crime & Delinquency (NCCD), in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the County CEO’s Office (CEO). The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and UnitedHealthcare have invested a combined $10 million in the program. Awards from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the California Board of State and Community Corrections will support various program activities and evaluative work. Through Nonprofit Finance Fund, the James Irvine Foundation provided grant funding to engage Third Sector Capital Partners, which conducted the feasibility assessment and contributed to the financial modeling for the Pay for Success contract.
How It Works
Just in Reach builds on the success of two DHS initiatives: the Office of Diversion and Reentry, whose mission is to divert people living with a mental and/or substance-use disorder away from the justice system and into community-based treatment; and the Housing for Health program, which has provided supportive housing to over 3,500 people, 96% of whom have remained in housing for 12 months or more.
The program will be managed by the Office of Diversion and Reentry. Along with receiving permanent supportive housing, people who are participating in the program will be connected to mental health, substance-use treatment, and physical health services. Additionally, they will receive intensive case management before, during and after securing housing to help them remain housed and to reduce their likelihood of returning to jail.
“Nearly 60,000 people currently experience homelessness in LA County on any given night,” said Judge Peter Espinoza, Director of DHS’s Office of Diversion and Reentry. “For individuals cycling through our criminal justice system, overcoming homelessness can be deeply challenging and short-term fixes aren’t enough. Just in Reach is a huge step toward reducing re-incarceration by connecting people to permanent, stable homes.” |