Progressively Engaging Progressive Engagement National Conference on Ending Homelessness Washington, DC Katharine Gale July 18, 2017

Session Overview What is Progressive Engagement (and what is it not) How does it work in different communities? Questions for panelists Discussion with YOU

Panelists Katharine Gale, Katharine Gale Consulting and Focus Strategies Elaine DeColigny, EveryOne Home, Alameda County, CA Kristy Greenwalt, District of Columbia Matthew Minkevitch, The Road Home, Salt Lake UT Vivian Wan, Abode Services, Northern CA

What is Progressive Engagement? Approach to helping households end their homeless as rapidly as possible, despite barriers, using the least financial and support resources needed to be successful with each household Also known as Progressive Assistance

What is Progressive Engagement Initial offer is a “light-touch” or basic package More supports are offered to those households who struggle to stabilize and cannot maintain housing without assistance Approach is flexible and individualized Design is informed by what we know about patterns of crisis, change over time, and how people with low-incomes live

What Progressive Engagement is Not Not a pre-determined program length or amount for everyone (“One Size Fits All”) Not a periodic step down (progressive disengagement) Not determined time or amounts from outset based on assessment score “He’s a 10 so he gets 12 months”

Why Progressive Engagement? It’s Housing First Assessment at time of crisis doesn’t predict future well for many More responsive to individual situations Is based in reality of how crises resolve It lets us serve more people!

Compatible with Coordinated Entry and Assessment? Yes, can be used together… BUT, requires some resources are available for people after they try rapid rehousing (need a “backstop) Assessment at time of crisis doesn’t predict future well for many Use your deep resources at the beginning only when evidence is strong and sustained

COORDINATED ENTRY / TRIAGE AND DIVERSION 200 800 20% 20% 1,000 COORDINATED ENTRY / TRIAGE AND DIVERSION 200 800 20% 20% 10% SHELTER /ASSESS/ SELF RESOLUTION 200 520 25% 20% RAPID REHOUSING – BASIC 260 50% 26% 260 RRH – LONGER/ MORE SUPPORT SUPPORTIVE HSG 130 50% 13% 130 14.5% 80 / 65 = 145 50% PERMANENT HSG ASSISTANCE 50% 65 6.5% AFFORDABLE HSG/HCV

Coordinated Intake and RRH in Cuyahoga County, OH 1. ASSESSMENT: Can the family be diverted? If not, fill out HMIS data points, Housing Barrier Form as a DESCRIPTIVE tool, not a PRESCRIPTIVE tool. 2. Families Shelter *All families referred for RRH within 7 days * RRH provider assigns a Housing Locator within 3 days of referral *Goal is to find housing within 30 days; inspect housing and move out … 45 days 3. RRH: Security Deposit & 4 Months rent; RRH Case Management (ESG Funded) * Bi weekly CM meetings to track stability; assess need for ongoing assistance or alternative housing plan 2016 = 414 Households 4. Additional subsidy – 8 months rent; more intensive CM (CoC funded) * Biweekly meetings to track stability; assess need for PH, PSH, other options… 2016 = 72 Households (17% of all RRH) 5. PH, PSH - Targeted resources for highest barrier families. 2016 = 12 Households (17% of above; 3% of all RRH) Coordinated Entry- one front door for singles, families, youth Enables by name lists of families, youth, veterans chronic homeless Specific protocols for sub populations (Veterans, youth , DV,) Try to find alternative safe options for households; if none, shelter provided There are 4 family shelters – space for between 85 – 95 families depending on size Shelter case managers meet with RRH housing locators weekly to track progress of families in finding housing Challenge in finding housing that passes inspection on the first appt./larger families/young families.

Rapid Re-Housing Progressive Engagement (Sacramento, CA) RRH Stats Majority <6 months 2% > 9 months Average: $6,500 phh Coordinated Entry & VI-SPDAT 0-3 months Consumer Referred to RRH Orientation Provider Extension 3-6 months 6-9 months Opts Out Opts In Regardless of VI-SPDAT Score 9+ months Assessment Provider determines level of interaction Heavy vs. Light Housed Program Exit Bridge Housing Administrator Extension Literally homeless at program entry. Re-assessed every three months, and if household income is 30% of Area Median Income or higher, the household is exited from the program.

Resource Model from The Road Home, UT REFERRAL DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE SHORT TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE TBRA TRH TRANS HOUSING COC LEASING SHELTER PLUS CARE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING 200 families 300 families 75 families (typically, a subset of 300 families served) 40% 60% 25 % of assisted; 15% of all  No Financial Support ESG, TANF City TBRA, County TBRA, WVCTBRA Sandy Duplex, Sandy Condo, Sandy House, 5100 West, Highwood, Wenco, Riverside Scattered County SPC City SPC Sponsor Based SPC, PBS8, Project Based SPC Assistance with applications and movement to S8, PH, Mod Rehab, other subsidy through local housing authorities, move out on their own Includes deposit, prorated rent and first month’s rent Includes deposit, prorated and first month’s rent. Ongoing subsidy approved for 3 months. Rental assistance from County TBRA, WVC TBRA, City TBRA Traditional Transitional housing managed by The Road Home. Unit is Master Leased by TRH. Tenant signs Occupancy Agreement Scattered Site Apartments, Tenant Signs Lease with PM Frontier Apartments, Permanent Disabled Apartments, Palmer Court. Permanent housing for people with disabilities. No CM Includes light case management geared toward employment and stabilization in housing. Includes customized supportive services geared toward self-sufficiency in housing. Tailored supportive services geared toward barrier elimination and obtaining stable housing. Intensive customized supportive services geared toward self-sufficiency in housing.

Questions for our Panelists What is attractive to you/your community about this approach? Have you started? If so, what did it take to get where you are now? If not started, what are you planning to do? What concerns do you have or have others in your community expressed? What is the most important thing you think we need to learn as a field to do this well?

For more information National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org United States Interagency Council on Homelessness www.usich.gov Focus Strategies www.focusstrategies.net Contact us: katharine@focusstrategies.net