Hub of Hope Outcomes Report | 2017

The Hub of Hope was a walk-in engagement center run by Project HOME located in the concourses under Two Penn Center in Philadelphia. It provided social and health services from January through April 2017 to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness who lived in Center City. Below is the summary from the full 2017 outcomes report, which can be downloaded here. 

GOALS OF THE HUB OF HOPE

• Transition people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing
• Provide low-barrier access to centralized co-located physical and behavioral healthcare and connect people to ongoing care
• Deepen our understand of strategic and effective tools and methods to end homelessness

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• 11,363 visits to the Hub from 1,462 unique individuals. 1,028 individuals were new to the program
• 398 people sat down with a case manager; 231 of whom had histories of long-term homelessness or other vulnerability indicators
• 205 clinic visits with 127 unduplicated individuals
• 130 clinic assessments and forms completed for housing, services, and benefits
• 156 people placed into shelter, treatment, and other housing options around the City
  • 111 of these individuals were deemed long-term homeless or fragile
• 205 total placements made – 156 initial placements and 49 follow-up placements
  • 148 total placements of long-term homeless/fragile individuals
• Invited an evolving population of participants, many of whom were in recovery, actively addicted, mentally ill or vulnerable.
• Connected and re-connected difficult-to-locate individuals with supports throughout the city
• Engaged individuals on the margins of care during a “treatable moment,” and provided possibility for consistent follow up
• Created a safe space and nurtured a sense of community among everyone who came through the doors

LESSONS LEARNED

• A central location promoted initial access and our ability to strengthen existing support systems.
• The storefront model allowed participants to build a relationship with a place and talk to a provider when they were ready for services, maximizing efficiency and successful service connections.
• A warm, hopeful atmosphere inspired and uplifted everyone involved.
• Integrated housing and healthcare services were essential partners in preventing, responding to, and ending homelessness.
• The partnership with Arch Street United Methodist Church and Student-Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia (SREHUP) was key in providing short-term respite options for vulnerable men.
• Large crowds gathered in the concourse in the morning hours when individuals who utilized temporary winter beds with early dismissals had nowhere to go, especially in inclement weather.
• The partnerships with Philadelphia Outreach teams, SEPTA police, City departments, and providers to collaborate, assess, engage, plan, and follow-up with individuals living in and around the concourse made for a strong project.

ACTION STEPS

• Strategically target efforts of Philadelphia Outreach teams to collaborate and assess, engage, plan, and follow-up with individuals living in and around the concourse.
• Explore year round options for an expanded Hub of Hope