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The Cost of Homelessness <br />The problems associated with homelessness are expensive for the community. People without <br />shelter often require medical care that is frequently accessed in hospital emergency <br />departments, one of the most expensive points of medical care at an average of $200 to $1,800 <br />per visit. Emergency mental health care is even more expensive. A day of in-patient mental <br />health care at Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Johnson Unit costs between $2,500 and $2,900. <br />Unfortunately, people living without shelter and who may be experiencing drug or substance <br />abuse problems or mental illness frequently run afoul of the law and end up incarcerated and <br />involved in the criminal justice system. Both bring additional expenses to the community that <br />could have been averted through better access to housing and supportive services. <br />What is Being Done? <br />Government agencies, nonprofit organizations and the faith community together provide a <br />variety of housing programs aimed at assisting those in poverty and homelessness in Lane <br />County. Emergency shelters, transitional <br />housing, permanent supportive housing, <br />During the winter of 2014-15, 948 <br />rapid-rehousing and extreme weather <br />individuals slept in our Extreme Weather <br />shelter are all part of the mix. Each is <br />Shelter Program, Egan Warming Center, <br />different and uniquely designed to <br />on sub-freezing nights. <br />accommodate a different segment of the <br />population depending on its particular <br />needs. <br />Emergency Shelter is short-term, generally up to 60 days, and might include large <br />communal settings or a single unit for a family without stable housing. Seasonal <br />emergency shelters provide protection from the elements when temperatures drop <br />below 30 degrees during winter months. <br />Transitional Housing provides rent assistance and supportive services for up to 24 <br />months and facilitates the movement of homeless households to permanent housing. <br />Permanent Supportive Housing provides long-term, community-based housing and <br />support to homeless households that include individuals with disabilities. <br />Rapid Re-Housing provides homeless households with rent assistance and supportive <br />services for up to 24 months with the goal of moving into permanent housing and long- <br />term stability. <br />Safe Havens are supportive housing units that serve those who are often referred to as <br />“hard-to-reach” homeless persons with severe mental illness and other debilitating <br /> <br />behavioral conditions. <br /> <br />Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br />