1. A housing first program operated by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore
Home Connections
A housing first program operated by St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore
Kathleen Spain, Director
Beans & Bread Center

2. St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore
Mission
To help people who are suffering from the effects of poverty meet their basic human needs and achieve a better future for themselves and their family.
Operates 15 programs throughout Baltimore City and County

3. Beans & Bread Center
Beans & Bread- comprehensive day resource center (1977)
Frederick Ozanam House- transitional housing program for 20 men (1998)
Home Connections- scattered site housing first program for 28 people (2006)

4. Home Connections: Staffing structure
Director,
Beans & Bread
.33 FTE
~ 6 : 1 ratio
Director
Beans & Bread Center
Director
Beans & Bread Center
Director
Beans & Bread Center
Director
Beans & Bread Center
Meal Program
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Beans & Bread/ FOH
Resource
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Home Connections
Meal Program
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Beans & Bread/ FOH
Resource
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Home Connections
Meal Program
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Beans & Bread/ FOH
Resource
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Home Connections
Meal Program
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Beans & Bread/ FOH
Resource
Coordinator
Assistant Director
Home Connections
B & B
Case Manager II
FOH Case
Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
HC Case
Manager II
Meal Program
Assistants (2)
B & B
Case Manager II
FOH Case
Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
HC Case
Manager II
Meal Program
Assistants (2)
B & B
Case Manager II
FOH Case
Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
HC Case
Manager II
Meal Program
Assistants (2)
B & B
Case Manager II
FOH Case
Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
HC Case
Manager II
Meal Program
Assistants (2)
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident
Advisor
Case Manager I
Security/
Maintenance (2)
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident
Advisor
Case Manager I
Security/
Maintenance (2)
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident
Advisor
Case Manager I
Security/
Maintenance (2)
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident
Advisor
Case Manager I
Security/
Maintenance (2)
Receptionist
FOH Resident
Assistant
Client Advocate
NCBA Workers (2)
Receptionist
FOH Resident
Assistant
Client Advocate
NCBA Workers (2)
Receptionist
FOH Resident
Assistant
Client Advocate
NCBA Workers (2)
Receptionist
FOH Resident
Assistant
Client Advocate
NCBA Workers (2)
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate

5. Home Connections: Program structure
Landlord
Standard lease agreement
Rental Agreement Contract
Participant
Program
Participant Agreement

6. Home Connections: Program component
Participant Agreement
Allow staff into unit at least once/week
No long-term guests/drug trafficking
Agency as rep payee
Partnerships
Community mental health center
Substance abuse treatment
Socialization
Monthly meetings
Free events

7. Home Connections: Participant recruitment
Intake
Screen for eligibility (chronically homeless)
Check for documentation
Enrollment
Discuss program expectations
Set-up client chart
Assessment
In-depth needs assessment
Tour apartments

8. Home Connections: Program goals
Obtain and remain in permanent housing
90% of participant who successfully complete an intake and needs assessment will move into permanent housing within 30 days from completion of assessment
90% of participants who successfully obtain housing will remain in permanent housing after 12 months
Increase skills and income
50% of participants who are placed in permanent housing will increase their skills and/or income either through enrollment in an education or vocational training program, employment or securing mainstream benefits

9. Home Connections: Program goals- cont’d
Achieve greater self-determination
50% of participants with a history of substance abuse will enter a community-based recovery program such as Narcotics Anonymous within six months of placement
50% of participants with a history of mental health issues will resume treatment within six months of placement
50% of participants who are unemployed will commit to a regular community service position within six months of placement

10. Home Connections: Client Demographics

11. Home Connections: Client demographics

12. Home Connections: Client demographics

13. Home Connections: Client demographics
Income Type

14. Home Connections: Client demographics
Education

15. Home Connections: Client demographics
Health Insurance

16. Home Connections: Residential component
Landlord recruitment
4 landlords, 9 different zip codes
Rental Assistance Payments (RAP) Contract
Utilities
6 units include utilities
Addressing back debt, rising expenses
Furnishings
Hotel furniture liquidator
“Extreme Makeover” donation flier

17. Home Connections: Financial component
Program funding
HUD (67%), CFAP (27%), Private (7%)
Client assistance
Slush fund
Client contributions
Budgeting
Personalizing apartment

18. Home Connections: Program highlights
7 clients participate in relapse prevention services
6 participants are receiving mental health services
5 are volunteering on a regular basis
All 28 reside in original unit
Only 2 continue to use ER as primary care provider
All 12 who entered without income now have something

19. Home Connections: Lessons learned
Staff
Boundary issues
Safety
Participants
Extended guests
“Client choice”
Apartments
On-going repairs
Neighborhood activity
Telephones

20. Home Connections: Commonly used resources
Internet
Corporation for Supportive Housing
Local housing authority
NAEH
Housing first list serve
Annual conference

21. Home Connections: Contact information
Kathleen Spain, Director
Beans & Bread Center
402 S. Bond Street
Baltimore, MD