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.