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K-Count Training Dates
The 2016 K-Count, Kentucky's annual point-in-time count of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, will take place on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. While the K-Count does not identify every single homeless person, the results provide a snapshot of the homeless population, both sheltered and unsheltered, in the Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC).  

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) will be conducting K-Count trainings around the state the first week in January. Trainings are free and open to the public. Trainings are intended for representatives of emergency shelters and transitional housing programs serving the homeless, as well as individuals interested in assisting with the unsheltered count, including social service providers, law enforcement, local officials, faith-based organizations, and other interested parties.

Below are the regional training dates and locations. Please select the training within your CoC Region or the one most convenient for you. Attendees must register.

Region 1
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Pennyroyal Center
3999 Ft. Campbell Blvd.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
1-3:30 p.m. CT

Region 2
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Economic Justice Institute
2109 Old Louisville Rd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
9:30 a.m.-noon CT

Region 3
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Northern KY Area Development District
22 Spiral Dr.
Florence, KY 41042
1-3:30 p.m. ET

Region 4
Friday, January 8, 2016
Ashland City Building
1700 Greenup Ave.
Ashland, KY 41101
9:30 a.m.-noon ET

Region 5
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Shiloh Steakhouse
218 Russell Dyche Memorial Highway
London, KY 40741
9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ET

Region 6
Friday, January 8, 2016
KY River Foothills Development Council
309 Sprangler Dr.
Richmond, KY 40475
1:30-4 p.m. ET

Please register today and share this message with others interested in participating in the 2016 K-Count.
BoS VI-SPDAT Guidance
As noted in previous KHC eGrams, all BoS emergency shelters receiving CoC and/or ESG funding are required to begin using the VI-SPDAT starting in January 2016.  
 
There is now an updated version 2 of the VI-SPDAT. The online form is currently available in KYHMIS and the printable copy is now available on the HCA Help Desk.

Remember, as part of the 2016 K-Count, BoS CoC- and ESG-funded emergency shelters will be asked to conduct a VI-SPDAT on the night of Wednesday, January 27, 2016, for all appropriate clients who have not completed the VI-SPDAT.

Please note, if a client has completed a version 1 VI-SPDAT within the past year, it is not necessary for a version 2 to be completed. However, if the only VI-SPDAT for a client was completed as part of last year's K-Count, the client's VI-SPDAT must be updated using version 2. Agencies should use the first three weeks of January to familiarize themselves with the assessment process.
 
KHC created a VI-SPDAT V2 Guidance document to assist agencies with use of the VI-SPDAT, including specific directions relating to victims of domestic violence and Victim Service Providers. Anyone conducting the VI-SPDAT must read this document.  
 
Also, KHC strongly encourages each agency representative completing the VI-SPDAT to view a brief training video produced by OrgCode. 
 
KHC will continue to provide technical support and general guidance to agencies. If you have questions, please contact Terry Helton toll-free in Kentucky at 800-633-8896 or 502-564-7630, extension 273; TTY 711; or email [email protected].
Defining Chronically Homeless

The Final Rule on Defining Chronically Homeless is now available in the Federal Register on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website, with an effective date of Friday, January 15, 2016.

 

The most significant changes between the definitions of chronically homeless currently in effect and the definition included in the final rule relate to how to define an occasion of homelessness and time frames included in the definition.

 

Additionally, the final rule establishes recordkeeping requirements for documenting chronic homelessness.

 

HUD understands that implementing this new definition will have a significant impact in communities. When the new definition goes into effect on Friday, January 15, 2016, any permanent supportive housing (PSH) agency required to serve persons that are chronically homeless, either dedicated or prioritized, may only accept new participants that meet this definition. Program participants already residing in these programs will not be affected.

 

For more information, please read the SNAPS In Focus: Final Rule on Defining Chronically Homeless Part I:  How We Got Here and the SNAPS In Focus: Final Rule on Defining Chronically Homeless Part II:  Policy and Practical Implications of the New Definition. 

KYHMIS Feedback Requested--Deadline Extended

KHC is interested in feedback regarding how the Kentucky Homeless Management Information System (KYHMIS) is working for you and what improvements are needed to work better for your agency and your community. To accomplish this, KHC has engaged the Institute for Community Alliances (ICA) to create a survey, analyze results, and assist in creating an action plan for 2016 that will enhance the overall use and effectiveness of KYHMIS.  

 

To get a comprehensive understanding of your agency's use of KYHMIS and its effectiveness for your agency, we are requesting participation from the following:

  • KYHMIS Enrolled Agency Executive Directors
  • KYHMIS Participating Project Supervisors
  • All KYHMIS End Users

The deadline to complete the survey has been extended to Sunday, January 31, 2016. ICA takes your privacy and anonymity seriously. All answers will be aggregated and reworded to maintain confidentiality before sharing the information with KHC.

DO NOT REPLY-This is an unmonitored email address. 

 

Kentucky Housing Corporation prohibits discrimination on the basis of race; color; religion; sex; national origin; sexual orientation; gender identity; ancestry; age; disability; genetic information; or marital, familial, or veteran status. 

 

To change your eGram preferences or sign up for an eGram list, please visit KHC's website and click on the eGram icon under Quick Links. 

 

If you have subscription problems, please contact KHC's Nicole Morris toll-free in Kentucky at 800-633-8896 or 502-564-7630, extension 459; TTY 711; or email [email protected].