Oregon Balance of State HIV/AIDS Housing & Services Systems ...

Oregon HIV/AIDS Housing and Services Systems Integration Plan 31
first section of the 10-Year Plan, “Understanding Homelessness in Oregon.” 66 Stakeholders indicate
that the Council is still in its early planning stages. EHAC has focused thus far on understanding the
extent of the problem and developing a case for more resources and improved coordination between
agencies to use funding more effectively.
Several counties in the balance of state, including Coos, Jackson, Lane, Lincoln, and Marion, are in
the process of developing or implementing 10-Year Plans. Some counties have used the 10-Year
Plan process to improve community awareness of homelessness issues. For example, the Lane
County Project Homeless Connect (a one-day event to match drop-in homeless clients directly with
services and resources in the community) served over 1,000 homeless people in February 2007. 67
The survey of housing and service providers asked respondents if their agencies participated in the
development of a local or statewide 10-Year Plan. Of agencies that did not specifically serve people
living with HIV/AIDS, 50 percent reported participating in their 10-Year Plan, compared to just 13
percent of HIV/AIDS agencies. Of all respondents, 62 percent did not know how well their 10-Year
Plan included the housing and services needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, and 21 percent
responded “Not well.”
Addictions and Mental Health Services
People with chemical dependency and/or mental illness face substantial barriers to housing. A 2005
survey of Oregon community mental health programs found that more than 5,000 people with
mental illness and over 2,000 alcohol and drug treatment clients were in immediate need of
affordable housing. Approximately 3,000 adults with mental illness and 3,000 people with
substance abuse disorders were estimated to be currently homeless. The vacancy rates for all types
of mental health and alcohol and drug housing programs were reported at well under five percent,
indicating a very high utilization of existing housing resources. 68
People living with HIV/AIDS in Oregon have identified a high level of need for behavioral health
treatment. More than three-quarters of Ryan White clients reported suffering from a mental health
problem in the past 12 months. 69 People living with HIV/AIDS and co-occurring mental illness are
significantly more likely to need ongoing help with housing (50 percent versus 31 percent of clients
without mental health needs). Homelessness was similarly associated with behavioral health needs
among people living with HIV/AIDS. 70
The latest OHOP program evaluation identified clients with co-occurring mental illness as
particularly difficult to serve. In addition, HIV/AIDS service providers in Oregon reported that
many of their clients had co-occurring substance issues.
66
Ending Homelessness Advisory Council (EHAC). Draft 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, Part 1: Understanding Homelessness
in Oregon. Available online: http://www.ehac.oregon.gov (Accessed: November 27, 2007).
67
Ending Homeless Advisory Council. Summary of Local 10 Year Planning Efforts. Available online: www.ehac.oregon.gov
(Accessed: November 29, 2007).
68
Oregon Department of Human Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services. Results of the 2005 OMHAS Housing Survey.
Available online: www.oregon.gov/dhs/mentalhealth/housing.shtml (Accessed: January 10, 2008).
69
Oregon Department of Human Services, Ryan White Title II HIV Client Services Comprehensive Plan, 2006-2009. Available
online: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/hiv/services/coalplan/2006plan.pdf (Accessed: November 27, 2007).
70
Oregon Department of Human Services, Program Design and Evaluation Services. We Listened…2005: Survey for People Living
with HIV and AIDS in Oregon. Available online: http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/hiv/services/needs/reports.shtml (Accessed:
November 27, 2007).