Tag: Laura Leete

Reversing the Homeless Trend: A Case Study of the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program in Lane County, Oregon

Presenter: Korrin Bishop, Planning, Public Policy and Management

Poster: D-8

Mentor: Laura Leete, Planning, Public Policy and Management

The Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) is a $1.5 billion stimulus program that came out of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds were distributed to qualifying communities to provide Housing First and housing stabilization services. Lane County received a total of $1,490,050 from combined City of Eugene and Oregon state grant funds to coordinate HPRP services for the Lane County community. As a locally active participant in the HPRP, Lane County lends itself as a case study for exploring this new federal policy. The research question explored through interviews with HPRP staff members and an analysis of reported program data follows: Despite its time limitations as a short-term, stimulus program, is the HPRP building upon long-term, sustainable solutions to homelessness in Lane County, Oregon? Upon completion of research, highlights of the program focused on positive collaborative efforts and forward changes in organizational thinking, while challenges centered on burdensome reporting requirements and struggles with low funding and time. Overall, the HPRP has helped to build upon long- term, sustainable solutions to homelessness both in Lane County and nationwide. However, a commitment to collaborative efforts and the establishment of a substantial funding source are vital for continued sustainability. This research is significant to the field, as it explores best practices for ending the homelessness epidemic and discusses the challenges they face in implementation. currently showing at the Princeton University Art Museum.

So What? The Impact of Social Capital Created by the Ford Institute Leadership Program

Presenter: Aimee Fritsch

Mentor: Laura Leete

Oral Presentation

Major: Planning, Public Policy and Management 

This study investigates the impact of social capital, defined in this context as the personal or community benefits that come from social networks, that participants formed by being a part of the Ford Institute Leadership Program (FILP). FLIP is a community leadership class sponsored by the Ford Family Foundation designed to train emerging, existing and experienced leaders, and draws class members from individuals who live and/or work in the sponsored communities. The study asks the question, “What are people doing with the new or deepened relationships they formed because of these classes?” Research is being done primarily via in-person interviews with participants in three case study communities: Ontario, Hermiston, and Forest Grove, Oregon. The preliminary results of this research suggest that new connections are creating personal, professional, and community benefits, especially in increased access to resources. Findings from this study will be of primary use to the Ford Family Foundation, but would also be interesting and applicable to anyone interested in community development, rural studies, some sectors of sociology, and/or program evaluation.