DOCKET FOR HOMELESS PERSONSFIVE-YEAR REPORTJune 2013 - June 2018

DOCKET FOR HOMELESS PERSONS: FIVE-YEAR REPORT JUNE 2013 - JUNE 2018

The goal of the Docket for Homeless Persons (DHP) is to remove criminal charges that can prevent people experiencing homelessness from obtaining housing and employment1, while giving individuals access to services they need.2 Research shows that homeless court participants have criminal charges that exhibit “symptoms” of homelessness rather than dangers to public safety.3 For example, trespassing is a common offense because people experiencing homelessness are looking for places to sleep. Theft charges for stolen food items also are common because people often get desperate when they are hungry.4 Because the activities they engage in are considered illegal, they may receive jail time or a fine if they are not involved in a program like DHP. The routine criminal justice system is a revolving door for individuals experiencing homelessness and does not address the underlying issues an individual may be experiencing.5 In Baltimore City, the DHP is striving to break that endless cycle.__________1. National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (2017). Housing

Not Handcuffs: Ending the Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities.

2. United States Department of Housing & Urban Development. (n.d.). Employment services for homeless exoffenders.

3. International Journal of Drug Policy (2013). Exposure to project-based Housing First is associated with reduced jail time and bookings.

4. National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (2017). Housing Not Handcuffs: Ending the Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities.

5. Binder, S. (2012). Homeless Court Program: Taking the Court to the Streets. Judges’ Journal, 51(2), 29.

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS TO SUCCESS

Of the 287 defendants who agreed to participate in DHP, 220 completed diversions and had their cases dismissed, while five are still participating in the program and receiving services. Six defendants were transferred to other courts because of other offenses or needs. The diversion process was unsuccessful for 56 defendants (20%).

Number of total participants: 287 participated in the DHP

Number of successful participants: 220 (77%) completed diversions and had cases dismissed

Number of transfers: 6 (2%) were transferred to other courts

Unsuccessful participants: 56 (20%) the diversion process was unsuccessful

Number in progress: 5 are still participating in the program and receiving services

Top 5 Charges on DHP• Trespassing/fourth degree breaking and entering

• Drug possession (not marijuana)

• MTA offenses

• Open container/alcohol-related offense

• Disorderly conduct/failure to obey a lawful order

Top 5 Services Received at DHP• Health care treatment/health care education

• Mental health treatment

• Substance use treatment

• Housing assistance

• Employment/job training

RESULTS: JUNE 2013 - JUNE 2018

20%

DHP Success Story

Thomas* found himself on the DHP docket after having an open warrant for a Maryland Transit Administration offense. Through DHP, he was connected to a local organization that works with youth experiencing homelessness. While at that program, Thomas was not only able to gain access to stable housing, but he also obtained employment at a local café. He continues to work with the program daily and receives general case management services so that he can continue on the right track. Thomas’ story is one of several youth experiencing homelessness that we often see at the DHP. We are thankful for the partnership with local city agencies who can assist the youth in housing, GED courses, employment and stability.

*This name has been changed for the purposes of client confidentiality.

Cost Savings• Maryland taxpayers spend $288

million on correctional costs in Baltimore City. “For the cost of sending one person to jail for an entire year, Baltimore City could pay for half of a high school teacher’s salary, employment training for seven people, two-bedroom apartments for 30 families for one month, or a GED course for 37 people.”1

• According to the central booking and intake facility in Baltimore City, it costs approximately $149 per day to house one individual in jail. The DHP is saving the city thousands of dollars every year by having individuals referred to the DHP and released on their own recognizance. In other words, individuals are not sitting in jail when they are unable to post bail or remaining in jail before their trial.2

• By eliminating barriers to employment (e.g. a criminal record), court programs of this type can produce economic growth due to a reduction in correction costs, increase in earnings in the labor market and increase in taxpayer revenues.3

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1. Justice Policy Institute and Prison Policy Initiative. (2015). The Right Investment: Corrections Spending in Baltimore City.

2. Metraux S, Caterina R, Cho R. “Incarceration and Homelessness” Toward Understanding Homelessness: The 2007 National Symposium on Homelessness Research. Ed. Deborah Dennis, Gretchen Locke & Jill Khadduri. Washington DC: US Department of Housing & Urban Development, 2008.

3. Economy League of Greater Philadelphia (2010). Economic Benefits of Employing Formerly Incarcerated Individuals in Philadelphia.

DHP Cases by Age

11%

22%

19%25%

22%

1%

20’s 30’s 40’s 50’s 60’s Under 20

While planning the first Project Homeless Connect in January 2012, United Way of Central Maryland and the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Human Services learned about a special court for individuals experiencing homelessness in San Diego. They, and several partners, went right to work setting a docket up in Baltimore in June 2013 – the first Docket for Homeless Persons (DHP), a unique partnership between the City’s legal system and local nonprofits that helps people experiencing homelessness receive support services as an alternative to criminal penalties.

The DHP could not have been created without the collaboration of Judge Albert Matricciani and the District Court of Baltimore City, the Homeless Persons Representation Project, the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, the Office of the Public Defender, United Way of Central Maryland, The Journey Home: Baltimore’s Plan to Make Homelessness Rare and Brief, and many nonprofit service providers.

For more information on the Docket for Homeless Persons, please contact DHP@uwcm.org.

For more information about homeless courts, please visit the American Bar Association at http:bit.ly/HomelessCourts

DHP HISTORY

The DHP would not be possible without the bi-weekly dedication of Baltimore City service providers who come to the courthouse and meet face-to-face with participants to connect them to services.

• Catholic Charities provides an array of services including job training through their Work for Success program and shelter services.

• Health Care for the Homeless is a federally qualified health center that offers pediatric and adult medical care, mental health services, social work and case management, addiction treatment, dental care and vision assistance.

• Seedco provides EarnBenefits services that assist participants in screening and accessing public benefits such as food stamps, temporary cash assistance, etc. “When homelessness is added to the barriers experienced by low income people in general, the process of completing a successful application for mainstream benefits can be daunting.”1 The Seedco EarnBenefits specialist streamlines the process by working face-to-face with the person in need and provides bilingual support in Spanish.

• Youth Empowered Society (YES) Drop-In Center provides supportive services for youth experiencing homelessness and assists with health/mental health services, education, employment and housing.

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1. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research. (2010). Strategies for Improving Homeless People’s Access to Mainstream Benefits and Services.

Service Providers