Improving the Tenancy Sustainability of Those Unstably Housed Tenancy Training: Improving the Tenancy Sustainability of Those Unstably Housed

Urban Pathways Provides a Continuum of Services & Housing to Homeless Adults in the NY Metropolitan Area.

In 2017, Urban Pathways Helped about 2,000 Homeless Individuals. Continuum of Services Programs Street Outreach (750 clients) Newark Airport; Fashion & Flatiron areas in Manhattan; NJ PATH train stations; Port Authority Bus Terminal Drop-In Center (332 clients) Olivieri Drop-In Center Transitional Housing (268 clients) Travelers, Hegeman & 105th Street Safe Havens Supportive Housing (687 residents) Extended Stay: Ivan Shapiro; Hughes; Hallet’s Cove; Crotona; Cluster; Scattered Site Permanent: Scattered Site; Clinton; Boston Road, Fairmount; 162nd Street UPwards Employment Services Safe Haven Career Enhancement Program; Assisted Competitive Employment

What Is Crisis? Is the national charity in the UK for homeless people; Operates 11 Skylight centers in England, Wales and Scotland; Dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering services and campaigning for change; Amid its 50th Anniversary: producing a national plan to end homelessness, in consultation with the sector.

Crisis’ Housing Efforts Occur at the Individual and Broader Levels. At Skylights, housing coaches work with homeless individuals to find and sustain housing in the private rental sector (PRS). The London and Scotland housing teams provide broad assistance to govt. and organizations on housing individuals in the PRS. Since 1997, has worked to engage the PRS in housing. Funds, supports and delivers Help-to-Rent housing projects, which support the tenant and landlord. Gathers and disseminates best practices. Housing coaches conduct groups to help members become familiar with housing services, prepare for tenancy and property search.

What Is Tenancy Training? Is a program for those with limited or unstable housing histories. Imparts information on obtaining and maintaining a tenancy, including independent living skills. Highlights common tenancy issues so individuals know what to expect and how to deal with them. Occurs pre-tenancy or during tenancy. * Is NOT a requirement for individuals to find and secure a tenancy! Tenancy training aims to equip people to move away from homelessness for good. Accessing a tenancy is one thing, sustaining it and having the ability to move on on ones own is another.

Why Tenancy Training: It Helps Those Unstably Housed. Puts them in a better position to access and secure housing. Creates realistic expectations about what to look for; Helps them understand what makes a good tenant. Prepares them for independent living. Educates them about their tenancy rights and responsibilities; Empowers them to address issues during a tenancy; Helps them sustain their tenancy and not return to homelessness. In the early stages, London housing coaches see an over 95% sustainment rate, 12 months after housing placement.

It Addresses Landlord Concerns and Biases. Why Tenancy Training: It Addresses Landlord Concerns and Biases.  Landlords have concerns and biases about renting to our clients. According to Crisis’ survey of 1,000 landlords: (1) 82% are unwilling to rent to the homeless due to perceived risks of rent arrears and intensive management; (2) when renting, 18% increased the deposit & 16% increased the rent. Landlords like tenancy training , are more inclined to rent to those who show commitment to it. “What’s good for the tenant is good for the landlord.”

It Helps Organizations Meet Their Client-Centered Needs. Why Tenancy Training: It Helps Organizations Meet Their Client-Centered Needs.  Can be tailored to meet the needs of organizations, including: Libraries; Housing authorities; Homeless services providers; Prison or probation services; Supportive housing residences; Social services organizations focused on housing, child welfare, refugees, etc. Can be detailed or light-touch, depending on the housing and support needs.

What Is Renting Ready? Is Crisis’ tenancy training course for homeless people with little experience of independent living. Provides practical learning around living on a budget, looking after a home and managing relationships with landlords and roommates. Delivered by Crisis Housing Coaches to homeless individuals: as a mini Renting Ready group workshop; during pre-tenancy one-to-ones; and as a 10-week workshop, 2-3 hours per workshop. As the lead for the PRS in the country, we heard of lots of good examples tenancy work but often geared towards a particular group and often not a formal training course. It also highlighted the gaps. We decided we should create something that would suit a range of clients, and that could be useful for those imminently moving as well as for those where move on may be further in the future.

What Is Most Valuable about Renting Ready? The most valuable components are: the practical advice and coaching on finding housing, within budget; how to speak to a landlord; how to furnish a home. For shared housing, just holding the course is beneficial! Creates an opportunity to match sharers in a less pressured situation than a house viewing or interview. As the lead for the PRS in the country, we heard of lots of good examples tenancy work but often geared towards a particular group and often not a formal training course. It also highlighted the gaps. We decided we should create something that would suit a range of clients, and that could be useful for those imminently moving as well as for those where move on may be further in the future.

Who Is Renting Ready for? Those homeless; Those at risk of homelessness; Those with limited experience of managing a tenancy.

What Do People Say about Renting Ready? “It made [learners] think about things, even down to not smelling of cigarettes and what they wear to meet a potential landlord, in preparing to move on. Plus … it really emphasized about taking care to pay rent on time, and the other responsibilities they have to fulfil as tenants, or risk losing their tenancy.” Project Worker, Porchlight "Very informative and helpful. Reinforced what I assumed and now I know what is right and what is wrong." Learner, HM Prison Bullingdon “Renting is a serious business - so make sure the property and landlord are safe, legal and secure. Get advice and ask any questions before you sign. RLA landlords support Renting Ready as a sure way to avoid future misunderstandings.” Residential Landlords Association

Renting Ready Course Overview

Learning Objectives: Housing Options In Housing Options, individuals learn about: the types of housing; the tenancy types and tenancy agreements; how to end a tenancy; housing benefits; one’s rights and responsibilities as a tenant; preparing oneself to move.

Recommended Exercise: Property Priorities

Learning Objectives: Getting Ready to Move In Getting Ready to Move, individuals learn about: landlords and their expectations; how to search for suitable, affordable properties; how to view properties.

Recommended Activity: Attending a Viewing

Learning Objectives: Money Matters In Money Matters, individuals learn about: managing debts; savings and financial products; budgeting and financial liabilities; utilities – how to get the best deal.

Making Your Money Go Further Learning Objectives: Making Your Money Go Further In Making Your Money Go Further, individuals learn about: budgeting for meals; saving energy and money on meals.

Learning Objectives: Making a House a Home In Making a House a Home, individuals learn about: furnishing and maintaining a home; when to ask the landlord for help with maintenance; finding out about services and activities in the new area; dealing with neighbors and conflict.

Simple Tips: Living with Neighbors

Finding and Living with Flatmates Learning Objectives: Finding and Living with Flatmates In Finding and Living with Flatmates, individuals learn about: things to think about when looking for a roommate or living with other people; issues that arise in shared housing; how to sort out problems in shared housing.

Recommended Activity: Solving Problems with Roommates

The Transatlantic Practice Exchange: How to Learn First-hand about UK Homeless Practices. Enables 5 homeless services professionals in the U.S. and 5 in the UK to spend 2 weeks learning abroad about a homeless topic. Run by National Alliance to End Homelessness in the U.S. and Homeless Link in the UK. To apply: check the National Alliance to End Homelessness website - https://endhomelessness.org - in November!

Why the Transatlantic Practice Exchange? “The Exchange … will make you better at what you do. Experiencing people and programs first-hand in a different country gives a new perspective on the work which can lead to questioning taken-for-granted ways of doing things and creative solutions to long standing problems.   Also … getting out of the day-to-day mechanics of the work, and experiencing new things with the same population in a different culture and environment is invigorating which carries over when you get back to your home country and job.” - Kendra Lutes, Exchange Participant

Keep in Touch! Contact Chris at chris.hancock@crisis.org.uk Follow Crisis Housing on Twitter @Crisishousing Join the Crisis Housing mailing list - housing@crisis.org.uk Sign up for the Crisis Housing Resource Center - www.crisis.org.uk Contact Nicole at nbramstedt@urbanpathways.org Visit UP at http://www.urbanpathways.org/ Follow UP on Twitter @urbanpathwaysny