Robin Meyer, BA NAEH Conference July 18th 2017 2.07 Rent and Move-In Assistance: Best Practices from The Alliance’s Rapid-Rehousing Program Standards Robin Meyer, BA NAEH Conference July 18th 2017

Serving youth since 1978 in Bellingham, WA. 800-1000 youth annually through our continuum of programs. Bellingham is small town by comparison: 85,000 Whatcom and Skagit Counties (215,000/123,600), both considered rural communities. 80 miles north of Seattle

10 years of Rapid Rehousing; things change. Average length of assistance is 8 months. Individualized payment plans, incremental increase. Multiple funding sources for rental assistance.

Assumptions to work from: Many paths to success. People are interested and able to end their episode of homelessness with the appropriate supports. The person closest in to the “problem” will have the best insight to how to resolve it. There are ways to standardize while remaining flexible.

Individualized Payment Plans: Considerations Financial resources Non-cash resources Goals & desired timeline to independence Additional financial obligations Long term sustainability

Individualized Payment Plans: Guidelines Partnership in the progress. Truly individualized. Incremental increases. Engagement is everyone’s responsibility. Partnership: egalitarianism, equipping staff

Individualized Payment Plans: Tools Rent Calculator Payment Plan Stability Plan   Monthly rent amount: _______________ Client’s contribution Requested Subsidy Other (specify: S+C, Sec.8, tribe, church, family, etc.) ______________ Grant/ Program 1: ___________ Grant/ Program 2: Month 1: Month 2: Month 3: Total

Visualize Individualization: It’s possible. Many paths to success. People are interested and able to end their episode of homelessness with the appropriate supports. The person closest in to the “problem” will have the best insight to how to resolve it. Standardization & flexibility

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