Rapid Rehousing A Local Perspective

What is Rapid Rehousing? Rapid return to housing as an alternative to longer shelter stays Part of the crisis response system—different from permanent supportive housing

Why? Makes better use of shelter capacity—serve more people with the same number of beds. Frees up staff to help those with greatest need. Prevents the start of the downward spiral that can begin with an experience of homelessness.

53 People Re-housed 70% remained housed at one year follow-up Our first pilot

New London Homeless Hospitality Center Goal: DO RAPID REHOUSING AT SCALE Facilitate rapid exit from shelter for every guest who: Has income SSI/ SSDI Unemployment Job—steady Jobs--off the books Family support State Assistance LMHA clients ATR eligible Finds employment Has housing options (with family or friends)

Ability to immediately identify, engage and track everyone eligible for rapid rehousing Rapid Rehousing begins at Intake Immediate capture of income--Housing savings accounts Frequent reminders All staff, all the time, focus on rapid rehousing Deadlines—Guest shares responsibility for rehousing A system that encourages rapid exit

Develop an inventory of every type of housing Apartments Boarding Houses Shared Units Renting rooms Sober Houses Public Housing Subsidized Housing Live In Work Board and Care Permanent Supportive Housing Develop relationships with landlords Skill at mediation—helping people return home Housing Location Support

Staffing Approaches 1. Outside provider 2. Part Time NLHHC and SMHA staff Issues Problems coordinating Staff not in when guests need service Problems coordinating with landlords Not enough capacity to handle demand 3. Full Time NLHHC staff

Rehouisng doesn’t always require rental assistance Financial Assistance

Getting to scale, however, requires access to financial assistance NL Fund to End Homelessness$1,100 average Rehoused with Financial Assistance from NLHHC shelter only July 1, 2013-April 30, % of total exits—still not at scale

Putting the RAPID in Rapid Rehousing New London Fund to End Homelessness Subcontractors determine eligibility, find housing, secure documentation and authorize payment. Peer Audits On-line portal to submit rental assistance requests Checks cut in hours On-line access to check payment status

Close the shelter door Linkages to community based services Ability to serve as a representative payee Supporting Housing Retention

A system that encourages rapid exit Housing Location Support Financial Assistance Supporting Housing Retention