1. John R. Kasich, Governor Tracy J. Plouck, Director Alisia Clark, OhioMHAS Jonathan Baker, OhioMHAS 1

2. 2 Recovery Housing Lessons Learned Prepare to understand State systems and state requirements.  Grassroots systems integrating with State rules and regulations  Partner and Funder Roles Operations Planning  Understand what it takes to operate a recovery home  All of the Above: Housing and Recovery supports  Whose paying the rent? Think about Sustainability  Resource Planning: Develop a resource plan that includes diversified funding opportunities when possible. The operations support grans require a 3 year commitment to sustainability.  Budgets: Understanding the importance of developing a housing and program budget that identifies indirect and direct costs.

3. 3 Recovery Housing Lessons Learned Consider the Liability Factors  Understanding the laws of the land: The funders may not necessarily be the experts on Housing Safety Standards, Tenant Landlord Law, Labor Law, Fair Housing, Employment etc.. Understanding the importance of developing collaborative partnerships and relationships  Partnerships and relationship development can be useful when dealing with NIMBY concerns.  The state is only one partner.  Intentional Educational Opportunities Leaping without Looking  Understand as much as you can about recovery housing before you dive in.  Scope Creeping: Does Recovery Housing truly fit within your organizational structure?

4. 4 When it comes to maintaining sobriety, a destructive living environment can derail recovery for even the most highly-motivated individual. Recovery housing provides a safe, supportive environment where a person in recovery can adjust to sobriety, rebuild shattered relationships, obtain employment and seek permanent housing. The OhioMHAS Recovery Housing Initiative has resulted in a capacity expansion of over 900 individual beds, and will reach 1,000 in the next fiscal year.

5. 5

6. 6 Lessons Learned on Capital Projects Prepare to follow State requirements when you receive state funds.  Bond funds are different than other state support you might see.  Competitive bidding, licensed and insured contractors, accounting of costs, Controlling Board approval.  Rules aren’t waived, but we can work with you to meet them.

7. 7 This has been our first foray into funding recovery housing capital projects.  You are likely an expert in the SUD treatment and recovery world, not a housing developer.  We are not construction experts. Bring onto the project some professional construction experience.  Architect, builder, engineer, or someone else who has the time and experience to protect your interests. This can be a volunteer. Zoning and Building Code.  Know your building code officials and work with them. They are your friends and will help you get the project done right.  Consult an Architect/Engineer even if you don’t hire them to plan your project.

8. 8 Closing thoughts Is housing who you are and what your organization does? Be realistic about your capacity to run a capital project and what it will cost to do it right. Have a rock solid plan on operational funding.  For capital funds you are making a 30 year commitment to operate.  We are in the midst of 42 recovery housing capital projects with 14 more on the wings. The best house is worthless without operating funds. Pick up the phone and call when you have a question or concern.

9. 9 Alisia Clark, Housing Policy and Resource Administrator Alisia.Clark@mha.ohio.gov 614-644-8428 Roma Barickman, Housing Manager Roma.Barickman@mha.ohio.gov Jonathan Baker, Capital Project Manager Jonathan.Baker@mha.ohio.gov 614-752-9306