Housing First A Home for Everyone Conference July

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

West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc. M I S S I O N 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.

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

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

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

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 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

What is Housing First? �Philosophy of providing housing ◦ 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 ◦

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

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

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 Management �Clinical Supervision ◦ 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

Questions?

RESOURCES Back to Basics: What Exactly Is Housing First & Rapid Re-Housing? (Org. Code 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. pdf VI SPDAT (100, 000 Homes Campaign) http: //100 khomes. org/resources/the-vi-spdat Affordable and Supportive Housing Research (USICH) http: //usich. gov/usich_resources/research_and_evaluation/affordable_and_ supportive_housing_research/ Pathways to Housing http: //pathwaystohousing. org/

Contact Information Robyn Thibado Associate Director West CAP rthibado@wcap. org Corin Tubridy Homeless Prevention Programs Manager West CAP ctubridy@wcap. org