Prevention and
Diversion
Backed Into A Corner: How prevention
and diversion methods help end
homelessness when community
resources cannot.
Prevention and Diversion
Love Overwhelming
• Emergency shelter
• Urban Rest Stop
• Outreach and Engagement
• Permanent Supportive Housing
• Cowlitz County’s Coordinated Entry
and Assessment
• Homelessness Prevention and
Diversion “Life Skills”
Prevention and Diversion
• No Coordinated Entry and no
Prevention/Diversion
• Coordinated Entry but no
Prevention/Diversion
• Coordinated Entry with
Prevention/Diversion
• Getting other agencies on board
• Triaging the flood of requests
• Shelters full, rapid rehousing funds
depleted, rental assistance non-existent
• Housing retention as homelessness
prevention/diversion
Prevention and Diversion
Prevention/Diversion Strategies
• Housing Crisis Level 1 – a serious
event has occurred that could
end in homelessness
Prevention and Diversion
• Examples of events that cause a Housing Crisis Level 1:
• Loss of job
• Medical leave from work
• Laid off
• Family crisis
• Decrease in income
• Seizure or garnishment of assets
• Problems with landlord
• Severe overcrowding
• Incarceration or criminal charges
• Physical or mental health problems
• Violence or abuse occurring in the household
• Alcohol or substance abuse issues
• Other
Prevention and Diversion
• Information needed for proper diversion/prevention
methods:
• Description of the situation/circumstances
• Income sources
• Monthly housing costs
• Household demographics
• Landlord/Rental agency information
• Tenancy information (“Where did you stay last night?”)
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Duration at current dwelling
Type of lease or living arrangement
Type of dwelling (hotel, rental, mobile home, etc.)
Late payment policy
Consistency of timely rent or mortgage payments
Relationship with landlord
Nature of last communication with landlord
Rental arrears, if any
• Employment status/information
• Location of current residence (city or county)
• Current community resources being utilized
Prevention and Diversion
Prevention/Diversion Methods
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Housing Crisis Level 1 (Prevention):
Gather necessary information
Provide crisis resolution
Educate service recipient about tenant rights/responsibilities
Explain timeline and process of eviction
Establish communication with landlord
Refer to proper programs or resources
• Rental assistance
• Financial classes/coaching
• Community resources that reduce living costs
• Essential needs (food, clothing, transportation, etc.)
• Health services and/or treatment
• Employment or job training/education
• Sources of income
• Benefits or suspending luxuries to help offset income (“free
up cash”)
• Legal aid/assistance
• Other
Prevention and Diversion
• Attempt to “buy time” for problem solving
• Empower service recipient to find alternative
solutions
• Create a housing stability plan, rental repayment
plan, etc.
• Advocate if necessary
• Create a plan for Housing Crisis Level 2
Prevention and Diversion
• Housing Crisis Level 2 – a serious
event has occurred that could
end in homelessness AND a
notice has been given by the
landlord/owner of the property
Prevention and Diversion
• Examples of events that cause a Housing Crisis
Level 2:
• Any of Housing Crisis Level 1 examples AND
• 3 day notice to pay or vacate
• 3 day notice for waste or nuisance
• 10 day notice to comply or vacate
• 20 day notice to terminate residency (“nocause”)
• Summons and Complaint
• Unlawful Detainer/Lawsuit
• Foreclosure
• Housing has been condemned
Prevention and Diversion
• Information needed for proper
diversion/prevention methods:
• All of Housing Crisis Level 1
information AND
• Clarification of notice type and
specifications
• Date notice was given
• Legal services utilized, if any
Prevention and Diversion
Prevention/Diversion Methods
• Housing Crisis Level 2 (Prevention):
• Utilize prevention methods for Housing
Crisis Level 1 as possible solutions
• Evaluate eligibility for programs,
resources, benefits, income sources, etc.
that require a notice from the
landlord/owner of the property
• Create a plan for Housing Crisis Level 3,
including diversion
Prevention and Diversion
• Housing Crisis Level 3– a serious
event has occurred that is
expected to end in homelessness
within 14 days (imminent risk of
homelessness)
Prevention and Diversion
• Examples of events that cause a Housing
Crisis Level 3
• Any of Housing Crisis Level 1 and 2
examples AND
• Court ordered eviction (irreversible)
• Final foreclosure notice
• Release from jail, imprisonment, or
inpatient facility
• Exit date from shelter or housing
program
• Any other definite or final notice to
vacate within 14 days
Prevention and Diversion
• Information needed for proper
diversion methods (prevention
not applicable):
• All of Housing Crisis Level 1 and
2 information AND
• Exact date of release or exit
into homelessness
Prevention and Diversion
Diversion Methods:
• Utilize prevention methods above as possible
solutions
• Explore temporary housing solutions
• Emergency shelter
• Family/friends
• Conflict mediation
• Advocacy (include ways to contribute to
family/friends’ living costs, maintenance,
and/or repairs)
• Written agreement
• Housing program
• Other
Prevention and Diversion
• Explore permanent housing solutions
• Fair market housing
• Refer to resources for housing search and application
assistance
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Rental unit openings
Sympathetic landlords
Landlord approach etiquette
First steps/starting point for locating housing
• Create landlord portfolio
• References
• Explanation of barriers
• Plan for prevention of future evictions
• Programs or services
• Income generating sources/benefits
• Support system
Prevention and Diversion
• Permanent supportive housing
• Other
• Prepare for homelessness survival if needed
• Storage of possessions
• Alternative care of children or pets
• Access to supplies and survival resources
• Plan location of “campsite”
• Discuss safety and security measures
• Plan for engagement into services for the
homeless
Prevention and Diversion
Eviction Information:
• If no lease (month to month), either party may
give a 20 day “no cause notice at any time
• All notices must be served in person OR posted
and mailed
• Rent may be due at various times and there may
be a grace period and/or late fees involved
• Eviction usually takes from 2 weeks to over 1
month, depending on court dates and landlord
follow-through
Prevention and Diversion
• Landlords must give a notice for storage of
possessions after evicting a tenant
• The time it takes the sheriff to remove tenants
after a decision against them in court is 5-10 days
• “Hotels” and other similar types of housing have
different rules and are not usually bound by
landlord-tenant laws
• Mobile home parks and other “spaces for rent”
follow different eviction processes than “normal”
rentals
• Individuals “couch surfing” may not have any
rights to remain and may have the police call on
them or may be served an Unlawful Detainer
(lawsuit)
Prevention and Diversion
Success Stories
Prevention and Diversion
Tips to Get started