BRIDGES TO HOUSING STABILITY INC

Our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan maps out the strategies that will help Bridges achieve its goals. Bridges' practices align with the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), focusing on the prevention of homelessness and Housing First model, an approach that stresses the placement of homeless individuals and families in permanent housing, not shelter. Bridges has been a leader and advocate in bringing the NAEH approach to Howard County, influencing the development of the Howard County Bridges has continued to expand Bridges Alliance, the affordable housing program, permanent supportive housing, shelter diversion, and Rapid Re-Housing. Bridges is part of the local Continuum of Care, and the Board to Promote Self Sufficiency.

Bridges has 12 skilled staff with a combined 70+ years of experience with low income housing, case management, or finance work in 3 programs and administration. All programs are focused on housing stability for low-income households with a vision of eradicating homelessness in our county. Case management services for homeless or at risk households follow a housing first model, are client centered, and employ a creative, problem-solving, empowerment approach to support housing stability. Case management includes creation of a plan that includes identified measurable goals. A majority of households remain housed long term. Bridges Alliance provides below market scattered site rental housing for 31 families working in the County. Partnerships ensure the program continues to grow by adding 6 additional housing units annually. Housing Connections provides housing location and case management for up to 18 mos to low income tenants & supports landlords that rent to households with barriers.

Bridges uses a Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to track progress, households served, demographics and housing outcomes. Grant, board and committee reports show the progress toward desired outcomes. Data and outcomes are tracked regularly. The number of homeless individuals in the county during the annual point in time count has been going down consistently over the past 7 years since the County's Plan to End Homelessness was implemented. Bridges' must report outcomes to multiple funders each year with outcome data showing program progress.

In 2016 Bridges' completed the goals set out in the Strategic Plan created in 2012. Bridges has added 3 new programs in the past 4 years, adding new staff, and providing services to a broader spectrum of low-income homeless and at-risk households. A new Strategic Plan for 2017-2020 was passed by the Board of Directors in June 2017. This plan focuses Bridges' work on case management leadership, expanding the Affordable Housing program (Bridges Alliance), involvement in the update to the County's Plan to End Homelessness, and becoming a workplace of choice for staff. Bridges will continue to expand on 3 current programs by increasing Affordable Housing units, Permanent Supportive Housing slots, and rapid-rehousing families served.