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Continuum of Care Advisory Council
Ten Year Plan To End Homelessness
Final: October 21, 2011

Click here for printable pdf of the Ten Year Plan

Table of Contents

Section Description Page
I. Executive Summary 3
II. Needs Assessment 8
III. Vision and Mission 14
IV. Plan Goals 15
V. Values to Guide the Plan 15
VI. Implementation Issues 16
VIII. Goals with Strategies and Action Steps 18
  Goal 1: SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT  
Strategy 1. Internal Collaboration/Coordination and Roles for/Participation of All Tribal Departments in Plan. 18
Strategy 1a. Develop a strong process for external collaboration and coordination 18
Strategy 2. Gather and Use Current, Relevant Information & Data on Homelessness and Related Services on the Leech Lake Reservation. This is critical to funding. 18
Strategy 3. Gather and Use Current, Relevant Information & Data on Homelessness and Related Services on the Leech Lake Reservation. This is critical to funding. 18
Strategy 4. Change policies that perpetuate homelessness. 18
Strategy 5. Provide ongoing education to tribal dept. staff, LLHRA, and Homeless Cte. on issues that lead to, perpetuate, and can help solve/resolve homelessness. 19
Strategy 6. Guarantee equal transportation access for all Leech Lake communities. 19
  Goal 2: EDUCATION/PREVENTION & SERVICE COORDINATION  
Strategy 1. Create a centralized homelessness resource center. 19
Strategy 2. Promote strong transitions to adulthood. Ensure community members have the skills they need to live independently/self-sufficiently. 19
Strategy 3. Create a Pool of Dedicated Resources to Support Elders in Remaining in their Homes. 19
Strategy 4. Create board and lodge residences that provide affordable housing for very low-income elders. 19
Strategy 5. Establish Regular Interagency Meetings to Coordinate Services. 19
Strategy 6. Establish a Process for Benefits Coordination. 19
Strategy 7. Organize and Coordinate Discharge Planning so that Individuals are not discharged to homelessness 20
Strategy 8. Create a Pool of Resources to Assist Households with utilities. 20
Strategy 9. Create a designated department for prisoner re-entry support for both men & women. 20
Strategy 10. Increase Social Security Disability Insurance Income & Earned Income Tax Credit Income for Homeless Members. 20
Strategy 11. Ensure Educational Rights for Homeless Children and Youth. 20
Strategy 12. Improve Readiness for Independence/Prevent Factors that lead to homelessness. 20
Strategy 13. Implement 3rd party billing income options that can increase services for homeless individuals. 21
  Goal 3. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT  
Strategy 1. Identify new housing development priorities. Note: This logically has to happen first to enable effective resource development. 21
Strategy 1a. Create a housing inventory and annually update it. 21
Strategy 1b. Have each tribal department identify capital and grantwriting needs. 21
Strategy 2. Identify resources to pay for new housing development projects, including tax credit development opportunities. Leech Lake needs to develop relationships with developers to come onto the reservation to build for the tribe. 21
Strategy 2a. Create a 501c3 (IRS tax exempt) Organization to access additional resources available to nonprofits. 21
Strategy 3. Establish a Halfway House for Prisoner Re-Entry for both men & women. 22
Strategy 4. Create Additional Affordable Housing, especially SRO and other options for very low-income people. 22
Strategy 4a. Develop land/community/housing project development guidelines. 22
Strategy 4b. Obtain sites for future homes and housing projects. 22
Strategy 4c. Bring current housing stock up to code. 22
Strategy 4d. Create Permanent Supportive Housing Units with Services. 22
Strategy 5. Develop and Annually Update a List of Financial and Housing Resources. 22
Strategy 5a. Create a list of temporary housing resources. 23
Strategy 6. Create a Strong Services Branch for the LL Housing Authority. 23
Strategy 7. Collaboration with other organizations for resources. 23
Strategy 7b. Traditional & Faith-Based Organization Support for Special Needs for the Homeless. 23
Strategy 7c. Collaborate with Traditional & Faith-based & other organizations for meals. 23
VII. Timeline 23

Appendices:

Appendix A: Seven Cultural Values of the Anishinaabe
Appendix B: Participants in the Ten-Year Planning Process
Appendix C: Definitions of Terms
Appendix D: Minnesota Housing Partnership - County Housing Profiles (Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, & Itasca Counties)
Appendix E: Family Violence Profile
Appendix F: Homeless Student Profiles (2 separate stories)
Appendix G: Homeless Family with Disabilities Profile
Appendix H: Homeless Mother Profile
Appendix I: Maslow Through Indigenous Eyes & Traditional Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Appendix J: Resource List of People and Organizations
Appendix K: Leech Lake Reservation History
Appendix L: Sample Local Educational Agency Policy to Implement the McKinney-Vento Act for
Homeless Students (from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty)

Leech Lake Continuum of Care Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness

I. Executive Summary

Vision

“To prevent and end homelessness on and near the Leech Lake Reservation.”

Mission Statement

“Empowering individuals and families to succeed through education, housing options,
and tribal and community support by coordinating efforts to maximize resources.”

Leech Lake COC Planning Process

To address the significant challenge of homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation, the Leech Lake Continuum of Care (COC) group began meeting in September 2010 following a directive from the Leech Lake Tribal Council and with support from a Bremer Foundation Grant to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. One year later, the group has continued its work and there is now a strong draft plan in place. The goal is to have this plan approved as a “working document” by theReservation Tribal Council in November 2011. It should be noted that the Leech Lake Planning Department staff developed a plan to address homelessness in 2009. Although this plan was not formally approved by the Tribal Council, it included many excellent recommendations and strategies that the COC planning group incorporated into the current plan.

Leadership for this process was provided by Eli Hunt of the Leech Lake Housing Authority. Eli is a former Leech Lake Tribal Chairman and had the contacts and understanding of tribal procedures to initiate this process. In June 2011, Eli asked Becky Schueller of Evergreen Youth and Family Services, to provide assistance with facilitating COC meetings and developing the written plan. Josie Whitefeather of the Leech Lake Housing Authority compiled minutes for the first 9 months of the process and developed the first plan draft. Shannon Avery of Tribal Development was asked to put the plan in
final form, add graphics, and provide editing. Sarah Larson of Cass Lake ABE provided strong leadership in organizing and maintaining the website for the COC group. Cindi Doke of Leech Lake Health Division organized a project management worksite for the group through teambox.com.

During the year-long process, more than 85 participants from tribal departments, Leech Lake Housing, Leech Lake Human Services, Cass Lake ABE, the Cass Lake-Bena Schools, area nonprofits, Leech Lake YouthBuild, Bi-County Community Action Program, Evergreen Youth & Family Services, the Cass Lake Chamber of Commerce, tribal elders, community representatives, and others participated at various points. Participants included individuals currently homeless as
well as individuals who had formerly experienced homelessness. Tribal departments represented include: the Reservation Tribal Council, Women’s Services, Human Services, Health Division, Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Elders Program, Tribal Development/Planning, Veterans Services, Tribal Courts, Human Resources, and Leech Lake Tribal Police.

A highly committed group of 10-12 Leech Lake tribal staff and community members deserve credit for keeping this process moving forward. Special appreciation go to Eli Hunt of Leech Lake Housing, community representatives Patty Smith and Michael Smith, Jr., Family Violence Department staff member Pat Singleton, Leech Lake Homeless Program Manager Earlene Buffalo, Health Division Elder Advocate Bill Butcher, Housing Authority staff Pauline Johnston, Reggie
Wind, and Paula LaRose, Cass-Lake Bena Schools Indian Education Director and Homeless Students Liaison, Luann Frazer, Cass Lake ABE Program Director Sarah Larson, Cindi Doke/PHN Assistant Director of Nursing Dept./Leech Lake Health Division, Hyacinth Stiffler/Dir. of Supportive Housing /Resource Development and Barb Meuers/Housing Self-Sufficiency Counselor, Bi-County Community Action Program, Becky Schueller of Evergreen Youth & Family Services,
and Community Elder Kenn Mitchell. A complete list of participants who contributed to the plan
during the year-long process are listed in Appendix B.

It is difficult to fully understand the issues identified in the plan without having been present for the specific discussion that led to a particular strategy. One of the strongest features of this year-long planning process is the group’s commitment to the accessibility of their process. All meeting minutes are included on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe website. From the home page, simply click on the COC Homeless button. We invite you to visit www.llojibwe.org.

The COC group offers its thanks and appreciation to Jane Lawrenz and Vern LaPlant of Minn. Dept. of Human Services (DHS), Rick Smith of Minnesota Housing, Kim Walker and the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and Leah Lindstrom of the Corporation for Supportive Housing for technical assistance on specific occasions. The Leech Lake COC expressed strong appreciation for learning from and sharing with other tribes about their successful efforts and concerns regarding reservation homelessness. The group also extends its appreciation to the Otto Bremer Foundation for its support for this process and its ongoing commitment to Minnesota’s rural communities. Bremer is one of the few Minnesota foundations that consistently funds projects and programs in Greater Minnesota.

State and National Efforts to End Homelessness

The Leech Lake COC’s Plan to End Homelessness is part of a broader tribal effort in Minnesota, as well as broader state and national efforts. At the national level, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) and the nonprofit National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) have been at the forefront of this national movement. USICH, headed by Philip Mangano, coordinates the federal response to homelessness with state and local government, creating a
partnership to reduce and end homelessness across the country.

On the state level, Minnesota has developed a Business Plan to End Long-Term Homelessness. Minn. DHS staff member, Jane Lawrenz, developed a proposal to the Bremer Foundation to help six Minnesota tribes develop tribal plans to end homelessness. As part of this process, NAEH staff member, Kim Walker, Jane Lawrenz, and Leah Lindstrom from Corporation for Supportive Housing-Minnesota, convened a technical assistance meeting in January 2011 to assist a number of the tribes participating in the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe’s grant through the Bremer Foundation.

The meeting was held at the Northern Lights Casino Conference Center on the Leech Lake Reservation. A follow-up meeting was held in August 2011 on the Red Lake Reservation.

Current Efforts to Address Homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation

Leech Lake currently addresses homelessness primarily through the Leech Lake Housing Authority.
Leech Lake Housing has a separate, independent board, although it coordinates with the Leech Lake Tribal Council. Like other City and County HRAs, Leech Lake Housing is eligible for a variety of funding available through the Federal Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD).

In addition, Leech Lake’s former homeless shelter is transitioning to a homeless resource center in
order to better address prevention needs. The Homeless Resource Center receives support from the
Minn. DHS Long-term homeless supportive services grant, and a State Supportive Services for
Rural Homeless Youth grant. This transition to a Homeless Resource Center coincided with this
year-long planning process. Although there is now an emerging Homeless Resource Center, this
effort has just started. In order to achieve the vision described in this plan, Tribal Council support
in the form of funding and authorization to develop a more comprehensive program is still needed.

Other Leech Lake tribal departments have some small pots of financial assistance that can be used
to help homeless individuals and families. However, coordination of services to assist homeless
individuals can be difficult as there is no single tribal entity that is currently responsible for this.
There are currently only extremely limited resources for any type of homeless prevention and there
is limited coordination of services for homeless residents between tribal departments as well as
between tribal departments and area counties. Bi-County Community Action and Evergreen Youth
and Family Services both have Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program funds and
both of these agencies currently serve Leech Lake individuals and families with prevention and
housing resources. These nonprofit resources can be coordinated for specific clients if a tribal staff
members has a homeless client who meets the eligibility criteria.

The Plan

During this year-long process, the Leech Lake COC group developed three (3) overarching goals
and more than 35 individual strategies to prevent and end homelessness on the Leech Lake
Reservation. In addition, the group developed seven (7) values that guide the plan and addressed
eight (8) implementation issues that will affect the plan’s success.

Values: All of the seven values that guide the plan are important. However, two deserve specific
attention. The emphasis on cultural values, which is the first guiding value, reflects a strong desire
on the part of many Leech Lake members to understand and have opportunities to learn and practice
bimaadiziwin (to live a good life or a life in balance). Due to the boarding school experience and
persecution experienced by Native People, many of these traditions were not passed on or “went
underground.” As a result, many Leech Lake elders and adults, as well as children, have never had
the opportunity to know or practice their cultural beliefs.

The fourth value, supporting “doubled up and tripled up families,” is highly important as a costeffective
strategy to address homelessness at a time when mainstream resources are shrinking.
During this year-long planning process, participants identified a perspective that Leech Lake
Leech Lake Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness – Update of Oct. 21, 2011 – Page 6
residents are not homeless as the land is our home. It is a traditional cultural value to take in family
and friends. Resources should be directed to support families who are doubled up by helping to pay
for an additional room, a new septic system, or a second bathroom. Steps should be taken to
prevent homes from becoming substandard due to doubling up and over-use of single-family home
capacity. It is also important to support doubled up families with services and case management
that helps them successfully live together whether short-term or long-term.

Goals and Strategies include:

Goal 1: Systems Improvement. The focus of this goal is creation of policies and procedures
that support our mission to prevent and end homelessness by using current, relevant information and
data to educate the broader community. There are six (6) strategies to implement this goal which
include coordination of services and collaboration with internal and external partners, gathering and
using the most current data on homelessness and related services, changing policies that perpetuate
homelessness, raising awareness and providing staff development on the causes of and solutions to
homelessness, and transportation access.

Goal 2: Education/Prevention/and Service Coordination. The emphasis of this goal is
increasing awareness and education on factors that contribute to homelessness and coordination of
tribal and other resources for homelessness prevention and services. There are 13 strategies in
support of this goal. These include:

Goal 3: Resource Development. The intent of this goal is to create collaborative partnerships
and seek and develop new financial, and housing resources to generate additional housing units and
services at all points along the continuum from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing
to affordable home ownership. There are 17 strategies that support this goal. These include:
identification of new housing priorities, identification of tribal department capital needs, resource
identification, creating a halfway house to support re-entry for those returning from prison/jail,
establishing a 501c3 organization can capture resources not otherwise available to tribal
governments, creating additional affordable housing (especially single room occupancy options and
other options for very low-income people), creating land/community/housing project guidelines,
obtaining sites for future homes, updating current housing stock to code, creating permanent
supportive housing units with services, maintaining a current list of housing and financial resources,
creating a list of temporary housing options, creating a strong services component for Leech Lake
Housing, collaborating with other organizations to maximize resources, working with a local
Habitat for Humanity Chapter, encouraging Traditional and Faith-Based Organizations to help
provide special needs for homeless individuals and families, and collaboration to provide meals.

Implementation Issues

The COC group members frequently expressed concerns about what would happen once this plan
was finalized There were significant concerns about implementation. Issues that will impact
implementation are spelled out in detail starting on page 16. Most important is that the Tribal
Council approve this plan and give it implementation “teeth” and authority through the oversight of
the Tribal Executive Director.

Challenges and Opportunities for Ending Homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation

While ending homelessness can appear to be an overwhelming goal, the vast majority of all
strategies and action steps identified in the Leech Lake COC Plan are both realistic and achievable.
The vast majority of these do not require new resources to implement, just a willingness to work
together to coordinate services.

The success of the Leech Lake COC Plan will depend upon the serious commitment and
coordination of the Reservation Tribal Council, all tribal divisions, coordination of efforts between
the Leech Lake Housing Authority and Leech Lake Human Services Division, traditional
community members, other nonprofit, faith-based, and county organizations involved in serving the
homeless, as well as the support of the larger community. The Leech Lake COC’s ability to achieve
the goals set forth in this plan depends upon the continuing support of private philanthropic, county,
state and federal housing and homeless funding streams. It would be a travesty if the tremendous
effort that went into this plan, as well as other tribal/state/and county plans across the U.S., were
compromised by cuts to homeless services and housing development projects just as efforts to
address and prevent homelessness are becoming more strategic and coordinated.

Implementation of the Goals, Strategies, and Action Steps in the Leech Lake 10-Year Plan provides
a tremendous opportunity to improve communication and coordination with other systems,
including counties, nonprofits, and local businesses and organizations. Due to historical issues
including systemic racism and economic disenfranchisement of reservation communities, this level
of communication and coordination has been lacking. In an era of significantly declining public
resources, however, this is essential, especially for the benefit of the most vulnerable members of
the Leech Lake Reservation. There is tremendous interest and willingness among Leech Lake
Tribal staff to establish stronger working relationships with external partners, including counties,
cities, and other organizations.

There is also an opportunity to take a strength-based approach to ending homelessness which can
focus on the resiliency that has allowed Leech Lake residents to survive and raise families against
tremendous odds. One guest presenter stated:

”Let’s teach generational pride, not generational trauma. The language and drums and other
traditions are not ‘lost.’ We can give them back to our people. We should be reinforcing strength
and health, not sickness and victimization. It is all about ‘learning from mistakes, changing,
becoming better, and giving back to help others."

This approach can encourage tribal departments to recommit to teaching cultural values and
traditions to support cultural resiliency that can help prevent and resolve homelessness episodes
more quickly.

Now is the time to act to implement this plan. The COC group often discussed the issue of the
larger U.S. and world economy. There are many things that aren’t working currently – foreclosures,
unemployment, the recent Minnesota State shutdown, and the housing market collapse. Most
people are truly one or two paychecks from homelessness.

Lastly, there should be no debate about the importance of preventing and ending homelessness.
Because the cost effectiveness of ending homelessness has been documented extensively by other
housing advocacy organizations, the Leech Lake COC Planning Group is merely summarizing
findings from other plans below. The group did not consider it a good use of time or resources to
duplicate existing high quality information which was readily available.

Cost effectiveness of ending homelessness

“Homelessness is not simply a moral issue in our society, it also represents a significant financial burden. Homeless people disproportionately use costly crisis services like emergency shelter, hospitals, mental health institutions, child protection, foster care, jails and prisons. Without stable housing, single adults and families struggling with issues such as mental illness and chemical dependency cost taxpayers a tremendous amount of money while ultimately not getting the help they need to become stable and self-sufficient.”
- Excerpted from Heading Home Hennepin County

Supportive housing programs, which combine affordable housing with supportive services to help individuals maintain housing stability, consistently document the cost effectiveness of permanent supportive housing. Programs in New York City, Denver, San Francisco, and Hennepin County, Minnesota, document that providing housing and services saves 30-45% on use of expensive emergency services and interventions.

The annual costs for Leech Lake Child Welfare in the year (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011) were $1,517,792 to keep 134 children in out-of-home care. Data provided by Leech Lake Child Welfare

“According to the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), the annual cost of keeping a child in foster care is approximately $45,000. The CWLA estimates the cost of preserving a family in permanent supportive housing averages $9,000 per year, for a savings of over $30,000 a year.”
- Excerpted from Heading Home Hennepin County


II. Needs Assessment

Homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation is unique and reflects the particular historical experience of the Leech Lake Band. Not only do reservation communities generally experience higher poverty than surrounding counties and cities, but Leech Lake is located on the border of northwest Minnesota, which is the state’s poorest region. This region is home to multiple counties which experience persistent poverty. Although there are some notable success stories with tribal businesses and gaming revenue, the reality is that many reservation communities have experienced both historical and current economic disenfranchisement. This is true at Leech Lake, and, as a result, there is an extremely high percentage of Leech Lake individuals and families living in a very, very poor economic tier. Many Americans in neighboring towns and across the U.S. would be shocked and appalled by the health disparities and conditions of the homeless and “near homeless” on the Leech Lake Reservation. They would find it unacceptable and there would be no question about the need to dedicate resources to improve the living situation of people in reservation communities.

Homelessness in this region and on the Leech Lake reservation tends to be multi-generational with many children and families never thinking of themselves as “homeless,” but couch hopping consistently with family and friends. When asked where they live, it is common to hear youth say “Oh, I stay with my auntie.” Leech Lake COC members submitted stories of homeless individuals they encountered to provide “a face to homelessness” on the reservation. One special story appears on the next page, while several others are included in Plan appendices.

No discussion of homelessness on Leech Lake can be complete without acknowledging the devastating results of U.S. governmental policy that resulted in the reservation system and forced cultural assimilation, including the boarding school experience and related trauma. These policies interrupted traditional parenting and the transmission of culture and traditional practices. These policies resulted in the loss of language and traditional values for the majority of Leech Lake residents. These impacts are clearly observed today in the high rates of alcoholism, mental health issues, jail and prison
rates, family violence, and out-of-home placements experienced by Leech Lake residents.

Factors that contribute to homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation include:

The Scope and Characteristics of Homelessness on Leech Lake

One of the most comprehensive sources of data on homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation is the Leech Lake data breakdown from the 2009 Wilder Research Center’s Comprehensive Reservation Homeless Survey. In October, 2009, Leech Lake staff with the assistance of state staff, interviewed 388 individuals. Of these individuals, 96% were American Indian. The vast

Jesse’s Story
Submitted by Cass Lake Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Jesse is a 19 year-old recent GED graduate. She started in the ABE program when she was 16 and homeless. It took Jesse 3 years to complete her GED not because she needed to study much for the test, but because her housing situation prevented her from attending regularly and caused her to miss her scheduled test dates. She qualified for her age waiver to take the tests almost immediately. Paying the $50 testing fee was a major issue for her too as she did not hold a job, nor did she qualify for MFIP.

Throughout the course of her three years in the GED program, Jesse slept on the couches of relatives and friends. While staying at some of these places, she was concerned for her safety at night and many times she didn't sleep all night. At school, she knew she would receive a hot lunch and frequently would pull out the pillow and blanket to sleep where she knew she would be safe from any kind of unwanted sexual approaches. Other issues she dealt with during her homeless time included becoming involved with alcohol and drugs at the parties in the houses she was staying at, something she did not want to do, but had to in order to keep her place on the couch. In some of the places she stayed at, she was used as a maid and babysitter, sometimes causing her to miss her scheduled GED tests. Other places she was beaten up. Jesse said, “At least I've never been stabbed or shot, so I'm lucky.”

Eventually Jesse became pregnant. She stayed at a house that hosted parties almost every night. One night she became so drunk she passed out. She was 17. A little over a month later she discovered she was pregnant. She
does not remember having sex, let alone knowing who the father of her baby is. She still wonders if she was raped or if it was consensual. Once she was pregnant, she qualified for MFIP, and within 6 months she got an apartment.

While she had the apartment, Jesse was able to complete her 3 remaining GED exams with the test fee paid for by MFIP. She started making plans to attend college to pursue a degree in environmental science. She stayed in the apartment until her son was about 4 months old, but she did not have the skills to keep the apartment clean or maintained. When she discovered bats in the house, the landlord did not have them removed in timely manner, and she and her son moved out. She is homeless once again and back to living in other people's houses, this time with her son. Trying to survive with her son living like this has definitely postponed her college plans for now. She still comes by the ABE program for coffee, lunch and conversation about future plans for college once she finds a place to live. She spent most of her childhood living from home to home with relatives at Leech Lake, the Metro area, and in Wisconsin, so she thinks that her housing situation is normal…”it’s just the way things are.”

This profile was submitted by Sarah Larson, Cass Lake ABE Program.

majority of all respondents (84.4%) were from the Leech Lake Reservation, followed by 6% from White Earth and approximately 3% from Red Lake. While the majority of respondents had spent most of their life in “Greater Minnesota,” 87 respondents (23%) reported that they had “lived most of the time between when they were born and age 16” in The Twin Cities and the Seven County Metro Area [Table 15, page 23]. Note: Tables and page numbers for excerpts from the Wilder
Survey are provided throughout this Needs Assessment for the purposes of double checking facts and figures.

Chronic and Long-term Homelessness

The Length of Homelessness is striking. Of respondents, 225 of 367 individuals (61%) had been “without a regular or permanent place to live” for 1 year or longer. 143 of 367 respondents (39%)

had been homeless for 7 months or fewer [Table 20, page 37]. 154 respondents of 356 (43.2%) had been homeless one or two times in the last 3 years. 202 respondents (56%) had been homeless 3 or more times in the last 3 years [Table 21, page 37]. 253 respondents (71.1% ) had been homeless 3 or more times throughout their entire lives [Table 22, page 38].

In addition, the following statistics contribute to understanding homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation:

The Leech Lake Homeless Shelter staff recorded many sobering facts about the homeless individuals and families who stayed with them during 2011. Among these were: “Couch hopping, baby due any day;” “working with child welfare, living in household with 15 others, overcrowded;” “eviction, low income, loss of work hours due to pregnancy, unable to pay rent;” “staying with friend, kicked out, unable to pay rent, low income, no childcare;” “room caught on fire, landlord unable to repair damages;” “couch hopping, no employment, no housing, pregnant;” “evicted due to non-payment of MFIP, could not afford $500/month rent, family of 5 living with 4 others in a one bedroom house;” living with mother, mother often kicks them out, waiting list at LL Housing is 3 years.”

Where are the Leech Lake Homeless?

Places unfit for human habitation: Notably, 119 of 352 respondents indicated that they had spent between 1 and 22 nights outside, in a vehicle or vacant building or some other place not intended for housing. Of these, nearly 5% had spent 22 nights outside [Page 16, table 5].

Doubling/Tripling Up: 352 individuals, or 91% of all respondents, reported that they had lived doubled or tripled up in someone else’s house, apartment or room due to economic reasons or because there was not a safe or affordable place to rent or buy [Table 4, Page 4]. Of all doubling up situations, parents with children showed the most extreme overcrowding with a median # of 7 people in the house/apartment of sharing 4 rooms. Adults 22 or older and Youth 21 or younger showed a median # of 5 people sharing 3 rooms [Page 9, Table D1].

What Factors Contribute to Homelessness?

Age of first homeless episode: 138 of 358 respondents (38.6%) were first homeless at age 17 or younger (either on their own or with their parents). 123 respondents (34.4%) were first homeless between ages 18-21. Approximately 26 respondents (7.2%) became homeless for the first time at age 40 or older [Table 31, page 54].

Special Education: 93 of 378 respondents (24.6%) indicated that they had an IEP or received special education services while in school.

Out of Home care/Foster care history: 101 respondents out of 384 (26.3%) indicated that they had lived in a foster home at some point in their lives [Page 25, Table 16.1]. 15 respondents of 374 (4%) stated that they had lived in an adoptive home [Table 16.7, page 31] 124 respondents or (32.2% of 385) indicated they had been held for a week or more in a juvenile detention facility, other juvenile facility, or camp.

Suspected Traumatic Brain Injury: 172 of 382 respondents (45%) reported that they had been hit in the head so hard they saw stars or were knocked unconscious—for example from a blow, fall, or a motor vehicle accident [Table 58, page 92]. 78 respondents out of 170 (or 45.9%) were 17 years or younger at the time of the injury. 33 respondents (19.4%) were 18-21 years at the time of the injury. 48 respondents (28%) were 22 to 39 years at the time of the injury [Table 58b, page 93].

Drug/Alcohol Treatment History: 176 of 385 respondents (45.7%) indicated that they had lived in a drug or alcohol treatment facility at some point in their lives [Table 16.3, page 27]. 51 respondents of 162 (31.5%) indicated they had lived in a drug or alcohol treatment facility in the last 2 years [Table 51, page 89]. 50 of 383 respondents (13.1%) had been told in the last 2 years by a doctor/nurse that they had an alcohol abuse disorder [Table 60.7, page 100]. 161 of 385 respondents (41.8%) reported using alcohol in the past 30 days. Of these, 32 were parents [Table 64.2, page 104]. 95 of 384 respondents (24.7%) reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.

Mental health problems: 50 (13%) of 384 respondents reported that they needed to see a health professional about an emotion or mental health problem [Table 50, page 88]. 6 of 386 respondents (1.6%) reported that in the past 2 years they had been told by a doctor or nurse that they had schizophrenia [Table 60.1, page 98]. 24 of 385 respondents (6.2%) reported that they had been told in the past two years by a doctor/nurse that they had manic episodes or manic depression, also called bipolar disorder [Table 60.3, page 99]. 53 of 386 respondents (13.7%) had been told in the past two years by a doctor/nurse that they had major depression [Table 60.4, page 99]. 22 respondents of 384 (5.7%) had been told in the last 2 years by a doctor or nurse that they had antisocial personality, obsessive-compulsive, or another severe personality disorder [Table 60.5, page 100]. 27 of 382 respondents (7.1%) had been told in the past 2 years by a doctor/nurse that they had PTSD [Table 60.8, page 101]. 96 of 381 respondents (25.2%) had previously received outpatient care from a counselor, psychologist, or mental health worker because of nervousness, depression, or mental health problems [Table 61, page 101].

Suicidal Ideation/Attempts: 53 of 383 respondents (13.8%) reported that they had previously considered suicide [Table 62, page 102]. 27 of these 53 respondents, reported a suicide attempt [Table 62a, page 102].

Jail status: 186 of 383 respondents (48.6%) indicated that had served time in a county jail or workhouse for a month or more [Page 34, Table 18.2]. Of these respondents, 80 of 167 (47.9%), Leech Lake Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness – Draft of Oct. 19, 2011 – Page 13 had served time in a jail or workhouse in the last 2 years. Table 18a.2, page 34 45 respondents of 228 (19.7%) said they had left “these facilities” in the last 12 months [Table 19, Page 35].

State/Federal Prison Status: 42 respondents of 380 (11.1%) indicated that as an adult they had served time in a state/federal prison [Table 18.3, page 34]. 11 of 36 (30.6%) said they had served this time in the last 2 years [Table 18a.3, Page 35]. 27 of 42 respondents (64.3%) stated that they had been homeless at the time they entered the facility.

Veteran Status: 20 respondents of 387 (5.2%) had served in the U.S. Military [Table 46, age 77]. 13 of 18 respondents (72.2%) had served more than 2 years [Table 46c, page 78]. 1 of 18 respondents (5.6%) had served in a combat zone [Table 46e, page 78]. Most recent housing loss

Substandard or Unsafe Housing: 82 of 381 respondents (21.5%) indicated they left their last housing because it was substandard or unsafe [Page 45, Table 26.10].

Breakup with spouse or partner: 103 of 377 respondents (27.3%) said they left their housing because of a break-up with a spouse or partner [Table 26.13, page 46].

Family Violence/Abuse: 43 of 376 respondents (11.4%) indicated they left their housing because of abuse by someone they lived with [Table 26.11, page 45].

Left housing because of drinking or drug problem: 77 of 377 respondents (20.4%) said they had left their last regular or permanent housing because of drinking or a drug problem they had [Table 26.6, Page 43]. 87 of 378 respondents (23%) indicated that they left their housing because of drinking or a drug problem of someone else who was living with them [Table 26.7, page 44]. Criminal background: 50 respondents of 205 (24.4%) reported that a criminal background is preventing them from obtaining housing [Page 55, Table 33a].

Economic Realities

“Even before the economic downturn, housing needs were severe. In 2008, 1 in 8 Minnesota households spent at least half of their income on housing, up from 1 in 5 in 2000. Minnesota experienced the fastest increase of extremely cost burdened households of any state in the nation during this time period.” Minnesota Housing Partnership

County housing data for the four counties of Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, and Itasca, which are located on portions of the Leech Lake Reservation, indicate the extreme cost challenges individuals and families face in affording and maintaining housing. In Cass County, it is especially severe: More than 75% of households earning less than $20,000 a year (i.e. the poorest households in the county), pay more than 30% of their income for rent. According to the Minnesota Housing
Partnership, “…the burden of housing costs weighs more heavily on lower-income families.” Please see Appendix D for the full County Housing profiles prepared by Minnesota Housing Partnership.

Wilder Research Center’s Leech Lake data confirm the extreme cost burden of housing:

Housing Affordability: When asked how much they could pay each month, including rent and utilities, for their own place to live, 52 of 300 (17.3%) indicated $0, 40 respondents (13.3% indicated $1-$100, 63 respondents (21%) indicated$101 $200, 38 respondents (12.7%) indicated $201-$300, 43 respondents (14.3%) indicated $301-400, and 31 respondents (10.3%) indicated $401-$500. 33 respondents (10.9%) indicated they could pay $501 or more [Table 38, page 65].

Income/Pay rate: Almost 140 people of 173 respondents (more than 80%) earned $9.99 an hour or less down to minimum wage of $6.15/hour [Table 47b, page 85].

Loss of job/hours cut: 155 of 380 respondents (40.8%) stated they left their last regular or permanent housing because of job loss or reduced hours [Table 26.5, p. 43].

Lack of a job or income: 143 of 205 respondents reported that lack of a job or income is preventing them from obtaining housing currently. 57 respondents (27.8%) indicated that credit problems are preventing them from obtaining housing currently [Page 55, Table 33a]. Only 28 of 386 (7.3%) respondents indicated they had received Earned Income Tax Credit in the past 12 months [Table 40.4, page 67].

Food Insecurity

Poverty and food insecurity go hand-in-hand. It is notable that respondents reported food stamps, food shelves, and other food support programs as the service that is most often used. This is essential to understand for effective services to the Leech Lake homeless population. Food needs to be considered a core service, and this is a traditional culture value and a way of expressing welcome. Specific data from the Wilder Survey show that:

Food Stamps/Food Shelf Usage: 182 of 387 respondents (47%) indicated that they had received Food Stamps in the past 12 months [Table 40.5, page 67]. 155 of 387 respondents (40.1%) indicated that they used or received Food Stamps in the month of October [Table 44.1, page 71]. 152 of 385 respondents (39.5%) indicated that they had used Food Shelves in the month of October [Table 44.16, page 74]. When asked, of all the services you have used this month, which services have helped you the most, the largest response was 125 of 266 respondents (47%) who indicated “Food Stamps.” This was followed by 80 respondents (30.1%) who indicated Food Shelves, and 61 respondents (22.9%) who indicated WIC/Women-Infants-and Children Food Program [Table 45, page 76].

III. VISION AND MISSION

Vision

“To prevent and end homelessness on and near the Leech Lake Reservation.”

Mission Statement

“Empowering individuals and families to succeed through education, housing options, and tribal and community support by coordinating efforts to maximize resources.”

IV. GOALS:

  1. Systems Improvement—To create policies and procedures that support our mission to prevent and end homelessness by using current, relevant information and data to educate the broader community.
  2. Education/prevention/service coordination—To increase awareness and education on factors that contribute to homelessness and to coordinate tribal and other resources for homelessness prevention and services.
  3. Resource Development—Create collaborative partnerships and seek and develop new financial, and housing resources to generate additional housing units and services at all points along the continuum from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing to affordable home ownership.
V. VALUES TO GUIDE THE PLAN
1. Strong Cultural Identity. It is important to promote strong cultural identity to
build resilience that can help tribal members prevent homelessness and minimize the
length of episodes of homelessness. This needs to be a basic component of all tribal
services provided, including the strategies identified in this 10-Year Plan. These 7
Anishinaabe values include: respect, love, trust, honesty, humility, courage, and
wisdom. See Appendix A for a more comprehensive description of these values.
2. Priority on Prevention. Prevention should be a priority since it is a more cost
effective strategy than re-housing and homelessness response.
3. Maximize Resources. Maximize existing resources first. Seek new resources to
address gaps in the prevention and housing continuum/and to address inadequate
existing resources. Leech Lake must accurately document existing services and
resources, both internally (within Leech Lake) and externally (within the larger
community).
4. Support “Doubled Up” Families. During this year-long planning process,
participants identified a perspective that Leech Lake residents are not homeless as
the land is our home. It is a traditional cultural value to take in family and friends.
Resources should be directed to support families who are doubled up by helping to
pay for an additional room, a new septic system, or a second bathroom. The COC
wants to prevent homes from becoming substandard because of doubling up and
over-use of single-family home capacity. The COC also wants to support doubled
up families with services and case management that helps them successfully live
together.
5. Family and Tribal Support. The COC recognizes that it is important for residents
on and near Leech Lake (including enrollees, descendants, and spouses) to maintain
their connections to family and friends and Leech Lake formal services while
homeless. “On or near” is defined as a 20-mile service area extending beyond the
external boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation. There should not be divisions
based on tribal enrollment. There are different requirements for different funders
and a number of funders require that all individuals be provided services who are
living within the reservation service area. The Leech Lake COC acknowledges that
this is an issue that will take more discussion within other levels of the tribe to fully
6. Continuum of Housing Options. Leech Lake residents need a continuum of
housing choices that honor extended family relationships and life circumstances,
which includes multi-generational family housing options. The tribe needs a
continuum of housing options to serve populations with multiple and diverse needs.
Some may want sober housing, others may need permanent supportive housing for
chronic alcoholism/other addiction, and there are other individuals/families which
may fall somewhere in between these two ends of the spectrum. There will be
different rules for different housing, but there needs to be responsibility and
accountability. There needs to be a continuum of housing options based on
disability status, personal readiness to maintain housing, and other factors.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

  1. Leech Lake ReservationTribal Council Approval. The Leech Lake Tribal Council needs to review and approve this plan for it to be implemented in a meaningful way.
  2. Tribal Leadership Commitments to Plan Responsibilities. Tribal Departmental Leaders and Local Indian Councils need to come to a roundtable discussion to finalize this plan and commit to specific roles/responsibilities/tasks required to make this plan successful. The COC hopes that once this plan is formally approved by the Tribal Council, the Tribal Executive Director will provide oversight for plan implementation.
  3. Central Departmental Responsibility for Homeless Services. There needs to be a centralized department/process/location responsible for comprehensive assessment of and services to homeless individuals and families so all tribal staff and community partners know who to refer clients to. Services also need to be coordinated with the Leech Lake Housing Authority’s housing development functions. Currently, the Housing Authority doesn’t have regular access to information from other tribal service providers for those individuals who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. This creates major gaps in service and hinders coordinated efforts to prevent
    individuals from becoming homeless and provide early intervention and rapid re-housing. The Leech Lake Homeless Resource Center is currently emerging, but needs the full support described in this plan. The COC expressed concern that the newly emerging Homeless Resource Center should maintain a priority on homeless prevention and services instead of being absorbed into an existing department.
    In addition, there is a serious space shortage on Leech Lake. If something new is built, the COC recommends combining it with emergency shelter beds, transitional housing apartments, or permanent supportive housing units. This department/center will be the clearinghouse for resources for homeless and at-risk individuals, including host home options, motel vouchers, shelter options, transitional housing resources, etc.
  4. Intentional Collaboration within Tribal Departments and among External Partners. There needs to be a high level of intentional cooperation and collaboration on the issue of homelessness, both within the Leech Lake Tribe and with external partners (nonprofit, governmental, and faithLeech based, including traditional Native spiritual providers/healers/helpers). This does not currently exist. There needs to be strong leadership from within the Leech Lake Reservation Tribal Council and among Tribal Staff and community partners to initiate and maintain this. Job descriptions need to reflect responsibility and encourage accountability for effectively serving homeless individuals and families. There should be an internal meeting organized to discuss service coordination. We need to address the issues of: 1. Who should provide the services? 2. Who has the expertise? 3. How can we help pay for the services? This should be the focus instead of “reinventing the wheel” if a department is already providing a service and doing it well. This meeting to address service coordination needs to address capacity for expansion of the service if another department’s clients need the service and are currently not receiving it.
  5. Ongoing Data Collection and Monitoring. This plan needs to be data driven based on what is known about homelessness on the Leech Lake Reservation and its causes, as well as solutions that combine best practices research with local reservation conditions and values. This plan needs to be regularly reviewed, and updated if needed, as new information becomes available.
  6. Access to Plan through Leech Lake Website. This plan and related documents, meeting minutes, etc., need to be placed and maintained on the centralized tribal website so that all tribal leaders, members, departmental staff, and external partners can review it and easily access information.
  7. Annual Evaluation and Report. There needs to be an annual evaluation/annual report produced documenting progress toward goals. We need to answer the question: What are we accomplishing and have we met our goals? If not, what needs to change?

VII. STRATEGIES & ACTION STEPS TO ACHIEVE PLAN GOALS

Goal 1: Systems Improvement. To create policies and procedures that support our mission to prevent and end homelessness by using current, relevant information and data to educate the broader community.
Goal 1/Strategy 1. Internal Collaboration/Coordination and Participation of All Tribal Departments in Plan. All tribal departments have roles and responsibilities in preventing and addressing needs to end homelessness.
Goal 1/Strategy 1a. Develop a Strong Process for External Collaboration and Coordination. Promote external collaboration, coordination, and partnerships with government (county, state, and federal offices), nonprofits, schools, and Traditional and Faith-based providers, and regional housing groups.
Goal 1/Strategy 2. Gather and Use Current, Relevant Information & Data on Homelessness and Related Services on the Leech Lake Reservation. Pass a Tribal Resolution stating that the Leech Lake Tribe will participate in the Wilder Research Center Surveys conducted every three years. The COC group. needs to contact Wilder to discuss the survey questions and improve specificity and relevance for tribes. This is critical to funding. *Note: Human Services Director Rose Robinson recommended exploring use of the new Reservation computer system to collect data (TAMS-Tribal
Administrative Management System). It isn’t currently being used except to track gas vouchers. Request that Tribal Development/Planning explore whether coordinated use of this system can allow staff to track Leech Lake data and report to other funders like HMIS. Further, request that Tribal Development help coordinate use of this system among the different departments.
Goal 1/Strategy 3. Tribal Development/Planning Dept. should facilitate annual planning for each division/department (to identify annual priorities and work plans) and develop an annual report (on what was accomplished during the year). Human Resources and Planning should bring together Division directors to discuss each division’s plan. Each plan should be submitted to the Tribal Council.
Goal 1/Strategy 4. Change policies that perpetuate homelessness. Coordinate with tribal legal counsel to discuss tribal waivers from certain funding restrictions, such as eligibility for housing, that does not meet the needs of homeless tribal individuals and families. What can be allowed while not jeopardizing funding? Can Leech Lake specify
certain concerns in the initial grant applications or would a waiver following funding awards be an option? Currently, felons are prohibited from most subsidized housing. Elders can lose housing if youth are living in the unit. Encourage Housing to discuss a policy to change leases, i.e. through lease addendums, to address eligibility restrictions that don’t serve residents needs. Consider a sliding fee scale for elders who have other homeless family members living with them so that income limits don’t exclude elders from public housing.
Goal 1/Strategy 5. Provide education to tribal dept. staff, Leech Lake Housing Authority, and the COC group on issues that lead to, perpetuate, and can help solve and resolve homelessness.
Goal 1/Strategy 6. Guarantee equal transportation access for all Leech Lake communities. Explore extending the tribal transportation system pilot project to cover all tribal communities.
Goal 2. Education/Prevention/Service Coordination—To increase awareness and education on factors that contribute to homelessness and to coordinate tribal and other resources for homelessness prevention and services.
Goal 2/Strategy 1: Create a centralized homelessness resource center. Develop a centralized homelessness resource center/drop-in center/tribal department with staff and budget to be specifically responsible for prevention, services, and coordination of housing and other resources for the homeless. Develop and define homeless resource center/drop-in center. Have showers/washer/dryer available. Clarify role of tribal referral. Staff the center with qualified social workers and use a comprehensive assessment to address barriers to housing stability. Develop prevention resources for individuals and families to prevent situations from escalating to homelessness.
Goal 2/Strategy 2. Promote strong transitions to adulthood. Ensure that Leech Lake young adults and community members have the life skills, education, and financial literacy they need to live independently/self-sufficiently.
Goal 2/Strategy 3. Create a Pool of Dedicated Resources to Support Elders in Remaining in their Homes. Elders (both owners and renters) need help with renovations/rehabilitation and yard and home maintenance needs. This could be coordinated with the Youth Division or possibly YouthBuild. Request that the Tribal Council designate resources for Elders to help with these needs.
Goal 2/Strategy 4. Create board and lodge residences that provide affordable housing for very low-income elders. These need to be scattered throughout the reservation service area as many elders want to remain connected to their home community. This can be a joint program between Health Division, Human Services, and other external elder service providers.
Goal 2/Strategy 5. Organize regular Interagency Meetings to Coordinate Services. Traditional community members, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, tribal and other governmental staff can gather to network, share information, and build relationships. Ask partners to accommodate the needs of Leech Lake homeless clients by increasing
accessibility to resources. In some instances, they may need to come on-site to Leech Lake to meet with clients. Build upon the Health Division’s V-Link with Cass County as a method for increasing access to other county workers and resources. Leech Lake could provide confidential office space and help with the initial client connection to the partner agency. Make available electronic and/or paper copies of applications for services/resources from outside providers so clients don’t need to spend gas money or coordinate transportation just to pick up and complete an application.
Goal 2/Strategy 6. Benefits Coordination through quarterly meetings with County Human Services and Financial Services Directors of area counties. Ask counties to attend monthly or quarterly meetings to be educated on the issues and needs of Leech Lake people and to form strong working relationships with Tribal staff. Ask counties to invite tribal staff to come to their meetings to share information and coordinate services for clients.
Ask counties to re-establish on-site service hours/days of the month on the reservation as appropriate. Request electronic copies and extra paper copies of applications so that clients don’t have to expend scarce resources on transportation (30-40 miles round trip) simply to pick up applications. Many applications are available at www.dhs.state.mn.us. Ask Health Division to provide training to other tribal staff regarding accessing county and other resources.
Goal 2/Strategy 7. Organize and Coordinate Discharge Planning. Ensure that individuals are not discharged to homelessness. This should include discharge planning and coordination with referral systems from facilities including foster care, county jails, prisons, hospitals, alcohol/drug and mental health treatment facilities, and in-patient facilities. It is essential that this coordination happens pre-discharge.
Goal 2/Strategy 8. Create a designated department for prisoner re-entry support for both men & women. There needs to be a designated department for offender services within the Tribe. It should be based within Human Services – for access to Alcohol and Drug Abuse services and Family Preservation services. Coordinate with groups like the Northwest Indian OIC in Bemidji and the American Indian OIC in the Twin Cities.
Goal 2/Strategy 9. Increase Social Security Disability Insurance & Earned Income Tax Credit Income Opportunities. The Wilder Survey for Leech Lake (2009) shows very few people accessing this, yet many have disabilities. There needs to be advocacy to help complete applications and file appeals following an initial denial. The Health Division has expertise and currently provides SSDI advocacy and assistance.
Goal 2/Strategy 10. Create a Pool of Resources to Assist Households with utilities. Elders and others need supplemental funding for fuel and energy assistance. This should be a tribal entitlement for elders. This should be coordinated with home inspections so that funds are being used well (i.e. no waste of fuel due to a broken window upstairs or a clogged furnace filter).
Goal 2/Strategy 11. Ensure Educational Rights for Homeless Children and Youth. 1) Share McKinney-Vento Homeless Students Liaison resources with the Human Services Div. Leadership Team at meetings twice a year to provide updates and ensure that everybody remembers this resource. 2) Identify homeless students and ensure transportation to school. 3) Educate Tribal Dept. staff and community partners to make referrals to Adult Basic Education for GED or Adult high school diplomas. 4) Educate Tribal Dept. staff and community partners to refer students for help with successful transitions to post-secondary education. 5) Prioritize homeless center resources for children, youth, and young adults.

Goal 2/Strategy 12. Improve Readiness for Adulthood/Prevent Factors that Lead to Homelessness. Collaborate with youth services and young adults programs through the tribe, area schools, area nonprofit programs, and other partners. Help improve education in areas that impact homelessness (i.e. cultural identity, health, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, financial literacy and budgeting, independent living skills, job readiness, domestic /partner violence, and transitions to post-secondary options for youth/young adults). Ensure effective transition planning for youth in foster care, juvenile detention, and other forms of out-of-home care.
Goal 2/Strategy 13. Implement 3rd party Billing Income Options that can increase services for homeless individuals. Human Services is already working on this and building capacity to do this. They will continue to seriously explore the feasibility of billable services that can help the homeless, i.e., Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services (ARMHS), CTSS, and using Targeted Case Management (TCM) and other Medical Assistance reimbursable services to pay for case management and other services to help households find and keep housing. Leech Lake Behavioral Health is currently exploring helping individuals apply for MA and Minnesota Care and the Health Division currently does this. Explore billing for transportation in all cases where this is an eligible expense. Human Services has agreed to explore development of a revenue-sharing agreement with the Homeless Program so that funding from these reimbursable services can benefit both programs.
Goal 3. Resource Development—Create collaborative partnerships and seek and develop new financial and housing resources to generate additional housing units and services at all points along the continuum from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing to affordable home ownership.
Goal 3/Strategy 1. Identify new housing development priorities. Ask each division/department to establish priorities for the homeless populations they serve. Note: This logically has to happen first to enable effective resource development. Identify housing development priorities. What is most needed? How many units are needed? Units for families? SRO housing for those exiting prison? Housing with first floor entrances for the elderly and those with physical limitations?
Goal 3/Strategy 1a. Develop a Current Housing Inventory and update it every year in conjunction with the annual Indian Housing Plan required by HUD.
Goal 3/Strategy 1b. Have each Tribal Department Identify Capital Needs. Tribal Development/Planning should meet with all tribal divisions to help identify capital resources needed and grantwriting assistance needed by divisions. This is essential to improve each division’s functioning and coordination with other divisions. Identify housing priorities, needs, and options for new capital facilities, i.e. emergency shelter, drop-in center, elder housing,Women’s Family Violence Shelter, and a juvenile home for youth who can’t live at home. Convene a working group to discuss and set priorities for new capital projects and renovations. Explore whether new capital projects/new facilities/facility renovations and rehab. projects can have some housing units attached to maximize use of space.
Goal 3/Strategy 2. Identify resources to pay for new housing development Projects, including tax credit development opportunities. Leech Lake needs to develop relationships with developers to come onto the reservation to build for the tribe. Research opportunities available under the ROSS (Resident Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency) grant through HUD that can be paired with capital funding in PSH and other projects requiring services. Continue to explore and build alternative housing units using “greener” technologies such as straw bale homes which can be built with local materials, are low maintenance, and very cost effective to heat. Pursue funding options currently available.
Goal 3/Strategy 2. Identify resources to pay for new housing development Projects, including tax credit development opportunities. Leech Lake needs to develop relationships with developers to come onto the reservation to build for the tribe. Research opportunities available under the ROSS (Resident Opportunity for Self-Sufficiency) grant through HUD that can be paired with capital funding in PSH and other projects requiring services. Continue to explore and build alternative housing units using “greener” technologies such as straw bale homes which can be built with local materials, are low maintenance, and very cost effective to heat. Pursue funding options currently available.
Goal 3/Strategy 2a. Create a 501c3 (IRS tax exempt) Organization to access additional resources available to nonprofits. The Red Lake Homeless Shelter has accessed both tribal resources and nonprofit funding resources through strong relationships with the RTC and Housing Authority, as well as mainstream funders. It is a good model for a future similar organization on Leech Lake. Bring this request to the Tribal Council within the next year.
Goal 3/Strategy 3. Establish a Halfway House for Prisoner Re-Entry for both men & women. Explore use of Consolidated Chemical Dependency Treatment Fund (CCDTF) resources for treatment services and operating support. Coordinate with American Indian OIC and other programs for re-entry support. Explore Second Chance Act funding.
Goal 3/Strategy 4. Find Financing and Create Additional Affordable Housing, especially Single Room Occupancy (SRO ) and other options for very low-income people. Leech Lake Housing Authority identifies the need for single family housing and both congregate housing and assisted living for seniors. This should include rent-to-own units that are rented for less than Fair Market Rents.
Goal 3/Strategy 4a. Develop land/community/housing project development guidelines. It is important to create a mix of income levels and families in each community so that there is not a concentration of low-income families/individuals in a particular community. The Leech Lake land use plan should be updated every two years to reflect community and natural resources needs and determine the most appropriate locations for housing development.
Goal 3/Strategy 4b. Obtain sites for future homes and housing projects. Request that the Tribal Council make a designation that tribal surplus buildings be offered first to the Housing Authority or Homeless Resource Center. Specifically request this for the “Bug” School, old Indian Health Service hospital, and the old Pennington School if new facilities are to be built. Find, explore and secure additional building sites for future homes, apartments, group residential facilities.
Goal 3/Strategy 4c. Bring current housing stock up to code (i.e. make homes safe and livable for residents) and upgrade substandard homes. This can include designation of Leech Lake Housing Resources, as well as coordination with formal and informal groups such as Walker Habitat for Humanity and other grassroots groups. Increase tribal resources for weatherization assistance and rehab/needed renovations for elders’ housing needs (new roof, new porch, etc). Explore resources available through existing tribal resources via BIA program, local regional development corporations like the HRDC, and Bi-CAP, Kootasca, MAHUBE for weatherization help. Work with the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council to make legislative language equitable for services and assistance to tribal members, who often have complex ownership issues regarding land and homes.
Goal 3/Strategy 4d. Create Permanent Supportive Housing Units with Services. The focus should be highly vulnerable populations such as youth, elders, veterans, and people with disabilities. These housing options need to provide adequate supervision and safety.
Goal 3/Strategy 5. Develop and Annually Update a List of Financial and Housing Resources. Ask each tribal dept. to catalog their resources, request list from nonprofits and other providers, use the Bridges to Benefits website, and
use Anishinaabe Legal Services to help when benefits are denied by local government Units. Include access to showers/restrooms/washers/dryers in the resource directory.
Goal 3/Strategy 5a. Create a list of temporary housing. Include resources available from area nonprofit shelters and transitional and permanent supportive housing programs, such as BICAP, Evergreen, People’s Church, Village of Hope, the Leech Lake Homeless Resource Center, the Red Lake Homeless Shelter, and others. Explore development of transitional housing units at Leech Lake with staff from LLHA, LL Planning/Development, LL Human Services, and LL Public Works.
Goal 3/Strategy 6. Create a Strong Services Branch for the Leech Lake Housing Authority. Traditionally Housing Authorities focus on development of housing and management of housing units. Given the needs on the Leech Lake Reservation, we need a housing approach more similar to permanent supportive housing, where services are
integrated with housing. Leech Lake Housing can also improve resident accountability for housing. This can be coordinated with different strategies to house people based on readiness for independent living. LLHA needs funding for case management staff in order to effectively integrate services with housing. Pursue opportunities such as the ROSS grant from HUD to fund these types of services. Encourage LL Housing Authority to convene a meeting with State and LL Development/Planning Dept. staff to discuss resources that can support services provided in combination with housing. Convene separate meetings with Indian Health Services and Leech Lake Human Services, Leech Lake Housing, and LL Development/Planning to discuss 3rd party billing funding streams that can support services provided in combination with housing.
Goal 3/Strategy 7. Collaboration with other organizations for resources. These may include: Walker Habitat for Humanity Chapter, Conifer Estates, Traditional-Faith-based organizations (including traditional Native providers, and churches). Ask T-FBOs to help elders with transportation to appointments, shopping etc.
Goal 3/Strategy 7a. Traditional- and Faith-Based Organization (T-FBOs) Support for Special Needs for the Homeless. Ask T-FBOs, including to help with temporary housing. The committee would like to see a Servants of Shelter (SOS) (like the one in Bemidji) in Cass Lake, Walker, and Deer River. Ask T-FBOs to help with small fundraisers to help pay
for new home supplies for homeless individuals transitioning into housing: cleaning supplies, sheets, towels, dishes, perhaps some furniture.
Goal 3/Strategy 7b. Collaborate with Traditional and Faith-Based Organizations and other organizations for meals. Ask Traditional-Faith-Based Organizations to please open their doors to provide regular meals 1-2 days a week on a consistent basis (whatever they are realistically able to do).

VIII. TIMELINE

The attached timeline reflects the basic order in which this COC group believes the different strategies and action steps identified above should be accomplished. Leech Lake tribal staff contacts are recommended for the various strategies based on this group’s assessment of who the best people were to give leadership. These individuals and departments have been asked to give their agreement to provide leadership, but not all have responded to date. Once the Tribal Council
approves this plan, the Tribal Executive Director should assign leadership for the strategies listed in the timeline. Again, this is a working document and it is understood that roles and responsibilities may change over time. Thus, it is assumed that if a position turns over, the next person who takes the position should be directed to take responsibility.

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