The City of Philadelphia, in partnership with Project H.O.M.E. and five other nonprofit and faith-based community organizations, will develop a web-based network to link homeless individuals and families, the organizations that serve them, and the broader community to reduce homelessness. In Philadelphia, approximately 2,500 individuals and families are in emergency shelters on a given night, including 900 children. Family homelessness has increased by 8% over last year. The remaining individuals on the streets have the most complex physical and mental problems, and a poor economy has resulted in less resources available to help the most needy.
The proposed project will support a reduction in homelessness by directly improving efforts to better coordinate and leverage existing resources and create new opportunities for homeless people. The City's existing password-protected Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which consists of client-level data, resources and information, will be more effectively shared through a central hub, including a Community of Practice whereby businesses and the general public will learn about the system serving homeless individuals and families in Philadelphia, evaluate where they can contribute, and dedicate their resources appropriately. Shelter providers and practitioners in the homeless field will exchange tips, best practices, upcoming events and available resources.
Street outreach workers from three organizations and six city emergency relocation workers will access HMIS via laptop technology directly from the street, to aid them in identifying client histories and current case managers or existing shelter or housing arrangements. Homeless individuals, as well as case managers and volunteer counselors at computer labs in city-owned shelters and community-based labs, will utilize the Benefits Bank.
