1. A Home for Everyone Conference
Housing First
A Home for Everyone Conference
July 16th and 17th, 2014

2. West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc.
M I S S I ON
To take action against poverty by developing the social and economic assets of low-income families and their communities and by working to create a more just and sustainable society.

3. Serving 7 Wisconsin Counties
Barron
Chippewa
Dunn
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
St. Croix

4. What services are provided?
Housing
Apartment Rentals
Homeless Prevention
Homeownership
Weatherization
Energy Assistance
Food (Access & Resources)
Transportation (JumpStart)
Skills Enhancement
Literacy

5. Housing Assistance
Housing counseling and financial assistance for homeless persons, renters, and homeowners
Homeless Prevention Program
Tenant Based Rental Assistance
Rapid Re-Housing
Transitional Housing
Permanent Supportive Housing
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Dunn, Pierce, and St. Croix Counties
Homebuyer Education and Assistance
Foreclosure Intervention Counseling and Assistance

6. The Old Way vs. The New Way

7. Are you “ready” for housing?
Are you compliant with shelter staff?
Are you employable?
Do you have a serious mental illness or substance use disorder?
Do you have a history of violent criminal charges?
Do we think you have a high chance of success?

8. So Why Change? Most vulnerable not being helped
Continued utilization of other community resources (ER, CPS, Crisis line, Shelter)
Homeless numbers not declining
Research based evidence for Housing First model
Better housing retention
Lower rate of return to homelessness

9. What is Housing First? Philosophy of providing housing Program Model
Housing is a right, not a reward
Housing provides stable environment to address other issues
Program Model
Immediate focus on housing
Minimal barriers to obtaining housing
Targets the most vulnerable
Supportive services offered, not required

10. Housing First Model in Practice
Program Entry
VI-SPDAT to prioritize most vulnerable
Participant understanding of program model
Finding housing
Working with landlords
In-home case management
Be up front about participant barriers

11. Housing First Model in Practice
Program Participation
Supportive services offered, but not required
PSH v. RRH v. TH
Regular home visits are an expectation
Harm reduction approach
Program moves with the client if an eviction occurs
Program termination is rare

12. Housing First Model in Practice
Case Management
Initial focus: overcoming housing barriers and finding safe, appropriate housing
Once housed: focus on long term goals, support to maintain housing, and connection to community resources
Goals are developed by the participant, NOT case manager

13. So how do we make the change?

15. Getting Everyone on Board
Board of Directors
What is their role in your agency?
Program Staff
A paradigm shift in program philosophy and service provision
Local CoC members
This changes how referrals will be made
Landlords
Developing new and deeper relationships

16. Impact on Case Managers
Paradigm Shift
Housing Stability v. Rules
Harm Reduction v. Abstinence
New role as Team Leader
Coordinating participant, therapists, sponsors, psychiatrists, family, and many more supports
Morale may be affected
Feeling unskilled/unprepared
Ethical dilemmas

17. Financial Impact of Change
Planning for supportive services
High barriers, low community connection
Plan for moving costs
Security deposits, cleaning, damages
Training costs for staff
Mental health interventions, crisis intervention, Motivational Interviewing, trauma-informed services, Wellness Recovery Action Plans, harm reduction

18. Impact on Management Clinical Supervision Weekly Staffings
Manager
Contract with mental health professional
Weekly Staffings
Help clarify roles
Help staff recognize housing problems as symptoms of the clinical issue
Address Morale Issues
Reframing situations
Addressing compassion fatigue

19. Questions?

20. RESOURCES
Back to Basics: What Exactly Is Housing First & Rapid Re-Housing? (OrgCode Consulting) rapid-re-housing/ The Applicability of Housing First Models to Homeless Persons with Serious Mental Illness (HUD) VI SPDAT (100,000 Homes Campaign) Affordable and Supportive Housing Research (USICH) ve_housing_research/ Pathways to Housing

21. Contact Information
Robyn Thibado
Associate Director
West CAP
Corin Tubridy
Homeless Prevention Programs Manager