Rapid Re-Housing Home for Everyone Conference July19, 2017 Robyn Thibado and Erica Schoch

Workshop Objectives Understand basic program components Housing First philosophy Program standards Funding Additional Resources

What is Rapid Re-Housing “Rapid Re-Housing is an intervention designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness, return to housing in the community, and not become homeless again in the near term.” (NAEH RRH Toolkit) Housing Identification Move-in and Rent Assistance Case Management and Services

Eligibility To receive COC or ESG/HPP RRH assistance, individuals and families may be defined as homeless under the following categories included in the Homeless Definition Final Rule: Literally homeless (Category 1). Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions (Category 4). For HPP households must also be at or below 30% CMI

West CAP’s Approach Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Changing people’s lives We move people out of homelessness into permanent housing as quickly as possible Embody the spirit of hope Housing First We always assume a positive outcome Housing plans focus on stability & no longer needing our assistance Improving communities Decreasing homelessness Educational stability for children Increased employment Decreased use of emergency services (ER, crisis line, CPS) Helping people help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency Families are resilient Provide “just enough” assistance Helping people help each other Our greatest source of referrals is current and former program participants

Housing First Philosophy of providing housing Housing is a right, not a reward Housing provides stable environment to address other issues Program Model Immediate focus on housing Minimal barriers to obtaining housing Targets the most vulnerable Supportive services offered, not required

Housing First in Practice Program Participation Supportive services offered, but not required Regular home visits are an expectation Harm reduction approach Program moves with the client if an eviction occurs Program termination is rare Case Management Initial focus: overcoming housing barriers and finding safe, appropriate housing Once housed: focus on long term goals, support to maintain housing, and connection to community resources Goals are developed by the participant, NOT case manager

Housing Identification Build relationships with landlords - a successful RRH program will have a large landlord database including: Contact Information Building Type Amenities Up-front costs Utility information Remember to note the less desirable landlords too! Recruit landlords continuously Before you have participants that need housing The more partnerships with landlords you develop, the more opportunities your program participants have to rapidly obtain permanent housing Work with developers of affordable housing to prioritize homeless units in multi-family developments

Housing Identification Find units near jobs, access to transportation, & in safe neighborhoods Craigslist/Online/Newspapers Looking for “FOR RENT” signs in prospective neighborhoods Ask your Facebook followers for landlord names Ask your current tenants for landlord names Ask your current landlords for referrals to other landlords References from partners/board of directors Send out brochures to realtors/landlord associations Units must be sustainable for the household after the assistance ends

Housing Identification Identify the household’s barriers to obtaining housing & develop a plan to overcome the barriers Lack of income = Rent assistance, security deposit assistance, utility assistance Poor rental history = Case management, letters of support from other providers, tenant statement Criminal history = Case management, letters of support from other providers, tenant statement Lack of communication skills = Case manager initiates contact with the landlord, role playing with tenant, case manager attends apartment showing, help with applications Be honest with the tenant about what you know about the prospective landlord Try to make a good match considering personalities, communication styles, tenant’s barriers, landlord’s values After a negative experience with a tenant, try to make sure the next tenant is “low risk”

Move-In and Rent Assistance Moving costs Security Deposits Rental Assistance Utility Deposits Utility Assistance HQS Inspections Supportive Services

Case Management and Services Trauma Informed Approach Realize the prevalence of trauma Recognize the effects of trauma on your clients and yourself Learn how to mitigate re-traumitization Avoid forcing eye contact Be aware of your proximity Avoid asking too many questions Pay attention to your tone of voice

Case Management and Services Identify barriers to maintaining housing & develop plans to overcome Frequency of case management Connection to: Legal services, health care, vocational assistance, transportation, child care, education Obtaining necessary documentation – ID, birth certificate Identify & access supports Mainstream & community services Employment & income Resolve tenancy issues as they arise Assist with conflict resolution as a tenancy skill Sometimes we provide case management for landlords Tenant education Reading & understanding a lease Home maintenance basics Exit Plan Based on client needs, not arbitrary deadlines or spending limits Housing is stable and no longer at risk

Performance Benchmarks Reduce the length of time program participants spend homeless (30 days from program entry) Exit households to permanent housing (80% remain in permanent housing) Limit returns to homelessness within a year of program exit (Less than 15%) 2016 (53 households – 6 chronic, 10 transition age youth) 32 adults with disabilities 53% of households had DV history 17% were fleeing DV at entry 46 adults had zero income at entry 19% of adults increase income from entry 62.5% Exited the program to permanent housing 83% maintained or exited to permanent housing (those who remained in RRH + exits to PH)   First half of 2017 (72 households – 10 chronic, 10 transition age youth) 37 adults with disabilities 64% of households had DV history 23.6% were fleeing DV at entry 58 adults had zero income at entry 16% of adults increased income from entry 35% exited the program to permanent housing 79% maintained or exited to permanent housing (those who remained in RRH + exits to PH)

RRH Program Standards The WIBOSCOC developed the following COC-funded Rapid Re-Housing Program standards to insure: Programs are held accountable to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. That the program is in compliance with HUD rules. That the program is uniform and has adequate program staff that are competent and trained to work with individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

Standards Personnel : The program shall be adequately staffed by qualified personnel to ensure quality service delivery, effective program management, and the safety of program participants Client Intake Process: The program will be an active member of the Coordinated Entry system. The program will have minimal entry requirements to ensure the most vulnerable of the population are being served. The program will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and written CoC guidelines for Rapid Re-Housing Programs. Prioritization : Programs will determine and prioritize which eligible families and individuals will receive Rapid Re-Housing assistance.

Standards Program Operations: The program will assist participants in locating safe, affordable housing that meets participants’ needs in accordance with client intake practices and within CoC guidelines for Rapid Re- Housing programs. Case Management Services: The program shall provide access to case management services by trained staff to each individual or family participating in the program. Service Coordination: The program will assist program participants, pursuant to 24 CFR 576.400, in obtaining appropriate supportive services and other Federal, State, local, and private assistance available for such individuals as needed and requested by the household. Staff should be knowledgeable about mainstream programs, services in the community, and requirements pertaining to school age children – designated staff person – 24 CFR 578.23(c)(4)(iv).

Standards Termination: Termination is expected to be limited to only the most severe cases. Programs will exercise judgment and examine all extenuating circumstances when determining if violations are serious enough to warrant termination. Follow-up Services: The program may provide continuity of services to all participants following their exit from the program. These services can be provided directly and/or through referrals to other agencies or individuals. Client Files: The documentation necessary for the effective delivery and tracking of service will be kept up to date and the confidentiality of program participants will be maintained. Evaluation & Planning: Ongoing program planning and evaluation will be conducted.

Program Funding A successful program uses a mix of funding sources Federal funds – CoC Program, ESG State funds - HPP Private funds – United Way, Foundations, Business Community Assistance for tenants: Moving costs Security deposit Rent assistance Utility deposit Utility assistance Meeting basic needs at move-in: Furniture Kitchen basics Cleaning supplies Stocking the pantry

Additional Resources National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org HUD Exchange www.hudexchange.info/training-events/ United States Interagency Council on Homelessness www.usich.gov Implementing a Homeless Preference in Multi-Family Housing https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/4810/opening-doors- through-multifamily-housing-toolkit-for-implementing-a-homeless- preference