Hub of Hope Outcomes Report | 2013

The Hub of Hope is a walk-in engagement center located under Two Penn Center in Philadelphia, providing social and health services to individuals experiencing long-term homelessness living in and around the subway concourses. The Hub's second season of operation lasted from December 2012 through March 2013.

Goals of the Hub of Hope

• Transition people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing
• Provide easy, centralized access to co-located physical and behavioral healthcare and connect people to on-going primary care
• Deepen our understanding of necessary, strategic, and effective tools and methods to better assist and end homelessness for individuals experiencing homelessness in the subway concourses

Accomplishments

• 1919 social service visits from 640 unique individuals
• 484 medical visits from 184 unique individuals
• 298 essential medical assessments and forms completed for housing, services, and benefits
• 157 individuals placed into shelter, treatment, and other housing options around the City
• 240 total placements made -- 157 initial placements and 83 follow-up placements
• 14 individuals referred to primary care providers
• Invited an evolving population of participants including center city neighbors, businesses, SEPTA and Philadelphia police, and participants, some of whom were in recovery, actively addicted, mental ill and vulnerable
• Engaged individuals on the margins of care during a “treatable moment”
• Provided coordinated health care and housing, along with the ability for consistent follow-up
• Connected and reconnected individuals who are difficult to locate with supports around the City

Lessons Learned

• Centralized, convenient location promoted initial access and continued follow-up.
• Project attracted interest from a broader participant base than eligible population. Services and referral guidelines for ineligible people are needed, including returning individuals, individuals in substandard or unsafe housing, and individuals with case management.
• Increased Rapid Re-housing and Housing First permanent supportive housing options would improve outcomes for individuals seeking safe, decent, affordable housing.
• Expanding the Hub’s operating hours and scope while decreasing staffing decreased Hub of Hope staff capacity to walk the concourses and encourage hard-to-reach individuals to come to the Hub.
• Strength of collaboration with Philadelphia Outreach teams, MHA Peer Ahead, Pathways to Housing, SEPTA police, and other case managers to collaborate and assess, engage, plan, and follow-up with individuals living in and around the concourse made for a strong project.