St. Paul/Ramsey County

3^rd event held on June 10, 2008

Location: St. Paul River Centre

Guests

• 1,232 people served (1% increase over the previous event)
  • 68% singles or couples without children
  • 32% families with children
  • 1% unaccompanied youth
• Average age of the heads of households was 43
• Race/Ethnicity
  • 43% African American
  • 36% White
  • 9% American Indian or Alaskan Native
• 11% were military veterans
• Nearly half (45%) of the guests reported a disability of long duration
• Housing Status
  •  68% were currently homeless
  •  19% met the state’s definition of long-term homeless
  •  28% were not currently homeless or living with friends/family; 17% of those guests reported that it was “not likely” or “not at all likely” that they would be able to stay in their current housing for at least 60 more days
  • 67 people reported having spent the last night in a place not meant for habitation
• Income
  • 72% reported receiving public benefits
  • 20% reported having no income
  • 13% reported income from employment
• Benefits
  • 54% reported receiving Medical Assistance
  • 48% reported receiving food stamps
  • 19% reported receiving Medicare
• 24% reported having previously been to a Project Homeless Connect
• 90% of guests felt it was worth their time to participate
• 38% of guests were identified as having received some type of services prior to the event from a service provider participating in HMIS

Services provided

• Over 70 agencies participated (97% rated the event favorably)
• Top services sought by guests
  • Housing
  • Employment
  • ID
  • Dental care
• Most common services provided
  • Housing (996 services)
  • Education/Children’s Services (705)
  • Advocacy and Other Services (700)
• What guests felt were the most important services they received
  • Housing (45%)
  • Bus Card (39%)
  • Employment (34%)

Volunteers

• 450 volunteers from the community participated

Successes

• 250 people received one-on-one employment counseling with resumes, online applications, job leads, free email accounts, registration for unemployment, etc.
• 202 people received preventative health screenings and/or health advice and education.
• 185 people received free legal services.
• 158 housing applications were completed, and 96 people were placed on a housing waiting list.
• Over 150 people received a free haircut.
• 147 people received a state ID that day.
• 114 people received dental screenings and 20 child dental exams were provided.
• 115 people registered to vote.
• 52 people received eye doctor exams and 51 people received vouchers for eyeglasses.
• 76 children got backpacks from St. Paul Schools Title I Program.
• 76 people received free voicemail.
• 55 people were enrolled in general education classes, and 15 children were enrolled or placed in school.
• 15 people received brain injury assessments.
• 13 people were placed in chemical dependency treatment.
• Project Homeless Connect served 371 guests who were homeless on the day of the event and had not been previously receiving services from an agency participating in HMIS

Guest Comments - Was it worth your time to come to Project Homeless Connect? 

How can we make Project Homeless Connect better?

• “Just to do more for the homeless man that struggles day to day”
• “I think everything is great—My first time here and it’s more than I can ask for.”
• “I don’t think there is anything you can do to make it better. Absolutely GREAT”
• “That’s a good question.  I found everything I needed, and I think you guys are doing a great job.”
• “I just appreciate everything that has been done today.”
• “Get great volunteers like you had today.”
• “You guys did a great thing today.”
• “I would like to volunteer next year.”

Provider comments

• “I am really impressed with all the services.  It was great to see dentists, lawyers, barbers, and Head Start all together under one roof.  Bravo!”
•  “Empowering.  Life changing”
• “When families are worried about where to live and what to eat, child care and preschool are not a top priority so an event like this gives them the chance to get education for their children.”
•  “Project Homeless Connect is an excellent opportunity and environment for what we do.”
• “Essential—one-stop ‘shopping’ makes it easier to get tasks accomplished which might otherwise require several bus trips and many hours.”
• “Absolutely amazing opportunity for the participants.  I feel as though it gave hope to the participants.”
•  “This was a great opportunity for many people.”
•  “Very well-attended and great opportunity for me to network and learn about other services as well!”

What are the strengths of Project Homeless Connect?