Housing First

A Home for Everyone ConferenceJuly 16th and 17th, 2014

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.

West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc.

M I S S I ON

Serving 7 Wisconsin Counties

BarronChippewaDunnPepinPiercePolkSt. Croix

What services are provided?

Housing ◦ Apartment Rentals◦ Homeless Prevention◦ Homeownership◦ Weatherization◦ Energy Assistance

Food (Access & Resources) Transportation (JumpStart) Skills Enhancement Literacy

Housing Assistance

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

Housing counseling and financial assistance for homeless persons, renters, and homeowners

The Old Way vs. The New Way

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?

So Why Change?

Most vulnerable not being helpedContinued utilization of other

community resources (ER, CPS, Crisis line, Shelter)

Homeless numbers not decliningResearch based evidence for

Housing First model◦Better housing retention◦Lower rate of return to homelessness

What is Housing First?

Philosophy of providing housing◦Housing is a right, not a reward◦Housing provides stable environment

to address other issuesProgram Model

◦ Immediate focus on housing◦ Minimal barriers to obtaining housing◦ Targets the most vulnerable◦ Supportive services offered, not

required

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

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

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

So how do we make the

change?

Getting Everyone on BoardBoard 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

Impact on Case ManagersParadigm 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

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

Impact on ManagementClinical Supervision

◦ Manager◦ Contract with mental health professional

Weekly Staffings◦ Help clarify roles◦ Help staff recognize housing problems as

symptoms of the clinical issueAddress Morale Issues

◦ Reframing situations◦ Addressing compassion fatigue

Questions?

RESOURCESBack to Basics: What Exactly Is Housing First & Rapid Re-Housing?

(OrgCode Consulting)http://www.orgcode.com/2012/05/15/back-to-basics-what-exactly-is-housing-first-rapid-re-housing/The Applicability of Housing First Models to Homeless Persons with

Serious Mental Illness (HUD)http://www.huduser.org/portal/publications/hsgfirst.pdfVI SPDAT (100,000 Homes Campaign)http://100khomes.org/resources/the-vi-spdatAffordable and Supportive Housing Research (USICH)http://usich.gov/usich_resources/research_and_evaluation/affordable_and_supportive_housing_research/Pathways to Housinghttp://pathwaystohousing.org/

Contact InformationRobyn ThibadoAssociate DirectorWest CAPrthibado@wcap.org

Corin TubridyHomeless Prevention Programs ManagerWest CAPctubridy@wcap.org