Rapid Re-Housing Models and Practices:
Progressive Engagement and
Related Approaches
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Conference on Ending Homelessness
Katharine Gale
May 21, 2014
FocusStrategies.net
Core components of Rapid Re-Housing
Housing Identification
Recruit landlords to provide housing opportunities for individuals
and families experiencing homelessness.
Rent and Move-In Assistance (Financial)
Provide assistance to cover move-in costs, deposits, and the
rental and/or utility assistance (typically six months or less)
necessary to allow individuals and families to move immediately
out of homelessness and to stabilize in permanent housing.
From NAEH in collaboration with, and endorsed by, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH),
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
FocusStrategies.net
Core components of Rapid Re-Housing
Services to help secure housing:
Help individuals and households:
• Identify and select from permanent housing options based on unique needs,
preferences, and financial resources.
• Address issues that may impede access to housing (e.g. credit history,
arrears, and legal issues).
• Negotiate manageable and appropriate lease agreements with landlords.
Services to help maintain housing:
• Appropriate and time-limited services and supports to stabilize quickly in
permanent housing.
• Monitor housing stability
• Be available to resolve crises, at a minimum during the time rapid re-housing
assistance is provided.
FocusStrategies.net
Core components of Rapid Re-Housing
Connections to community-based services
Provide or assist with connections to resources that improve safety and
well-being and help achieve long-term goals, as needed, e.g. benefits,
employment and community-based services.
Manner of delivery
•Ensure that services are client-directed, respectful of individuals’
right to self-determination, and voluntary.
•Unless basic, program-related case management is required by
statute or regulation, participation in services should not be required
to receive rapid re-housing assistance
From NAEH in collaboration with, and endorsed by, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH),
the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
FocusStrategies.net
How do we define success?
Households that have no housing get housed,
and do not return to homelessness in a defined
time period
• Don’t expect 100% ...
• But so far better than everything else we
do, except permanent subsidies (i.e.
shelter, transitional, services only, even
some PSH)
FocusStrategies.net
How can it work??
> 95% of people in poverty are housed at a point
in time – how do they do it?
• Very low income families typically rentburdened. Most pay > 30% and many pay >
50% of income for housing but remain housed.
• Our families typically have incomes at 10-15%
of median - not going to live in median cost
housing
FocusStrategies.net
Rapid re-housing's potential is great
Based on typical costs, we can successfully
rehouse five times as many people with rapid
rehousing as with transitional housing, with
equal or better outcomes
FocusStrategies.net
Design questions: how much is
enough?
• Programs of varying length and depth have
had similar success rates
• Longer stays look good, especially for income
changes, but shorter stays look good too,
especially on housing stability
• Shorter stays let us help more households
with the same amount of resources
FocusStrategies.net
What about assessment?
• Assessment is critical: need knowledge of client’s
relevant history, current plans and desires
• Understand housing barriers to assist, not to refuse
assistance
• Develop realistic approach to finding landlords and
housing situations
• Ability to link clients to supports in the community
But:
• Assessment up front may not be a good way to size the
financial assistance or length of time services are
offered
Example: Let’s all go on a job hunt…
FocusStrategies.net
Progressive Engagement
Lightest touch possible first, leaving open
potential for more
- or “you can always add more, but you
can’t take it away”
FocusStrategies.net
19
Progressive Engagement approach
Independently Housed
Point of
Entry
RRH 1
$
RRH 2
$$
*[Graphic from National Alliance to End Homelessness]
PSH $$$$
RRH 3
$$$
A change in philosophy and culture
• Take as the goal ending the housing crisis
• Idea of doing the least necessary
• Believing people can make it without us, but
being there if they cannot
• Getting rewarded by seeing people leave, and
helping more
FocusStrategies.net
How do you structure it??
• Use different resources in tandem, based on
their requirements and strengths, for different
levels or phases of assistance
Example:
TANF
$
ESG
$$
HOME TBRA
$$$
• Use one resource with regular reassessments and
adjustments
Example: ESG alone, SSVF, local Child Welfare dollars
Resource Model from The Road Home
REFERRAL
DEPOSIT
ASSISTANCE
SHORT TERM
RENTAL
ASSISTANCE
200 families
TRH TRANS
HOUSING
300 families
No Financial
Support
ESG, TANF
Assistance with
applications and
movement to S8,
PH, Mod Rehab,
Includes deposit,
other subsidy
prorated rent and
through local
first month’s rent
housing authorities,
move out on their
own
No CM
TBRA
No CM
Sandy Duplex,
City TBRA, County Sandy Condo,
TBRA,
Sandy House, 5100
WVCTBRA
West, Highwood,
Wenco, Riverside
Includes deposit,
Traditional
prorated and first Rental assistance
Transitional
month’s rent.
from County
housing managed
Ongoing subsidy
TBRA, WVC
by The Road
approved for 3 TBRA, City TBRA
Home.
months.
COC LEASING
SHELTER
PLUS CARE
PERMANENT
SUPPORTIVE
HOUSING
75 families (typically, a subset of 300 families served)
Scattered
Unit is Master
Leased by TRH.
Tenant signs
Occupancy
Agreement
County SPC
City SPC
Sponsor Based
SPC, PBS8, Project
Based SPC
Frontier
Apartments,
Scattered Site
Permanent Disabled
Apartments, Tenant
Apartments, Palmer
Signs Lease with
Court. Permanent
PM
housing for people
with disabilities.
Includes
Tailored supportive
Intensive
Intensive
Intensive
Includes light case
customized
services geared
customized
customized
customized
management geared
supportive services
toward barrier
supportive services supportive services supportive services
toward employment
geared toward self- elimination and geared toward self- geared toward self- geared toward selfand stabilization in
sufficiency in
obtaining stable
sufficiency in
sufficiency in
sufficiency in
housing.
housing.
housing.
housing.
housing.
housing.
How do you structure it??
What do you need to know?
•
•
•
•
•
Funding Available/Budget
Rules of the funding – what can it pay for and for whom
The population you will serve and their housing barriers
Trends for lengths of stay and exits
Community partners
o If we’re not going to provide the service, who can?
Projecting the overall program size – knowing how to budget and staff
?
How do you structure it??
Total Subsidy amount available:
Average Household Assistance Amount:
Average Number of Months Assisted
MONTH
MONTHLY TOTAL
SPENT TO DATE
MONTHLY CASE LOAD
CUM. SERVED
$250,000
$3,881
6.0
1
$13,550
$13,550
11
11
2
$17,750
$31,300
19
22
3
$20,850
$52,150
28
33
4
$23,535
$75,685
35
44
5
$23,185
$98,870
36
50
6
7
$22,885 $22,000
$121,755 $143,755
35
35
55
61
8
$19,700
$163,455
35
65
TOTAL REMAINING
Percent remaining
$236,450
94.6%
$218,700
87.5%
$197,850
79.1%
$174,315
69.7%
$151,130
60.5%
$128,245 $106,245
51.3%
42.5%
$86,545
34.6%
Household Months of
Number
Assistance
00001
1
00002
6
00003
12
00004
3
00005
10
00006
12
00007
3
00008
9
1
$1,100.00
$1,000.00
$500.00
$3,000.00
$800.00
$450.00
$1,200.00
$2,500.00
2
X
$500.00
$500.00
$600.00
$800.00
$450.00
$450.00
$600.00
3
X
$500.00
$500.00
$300.00
$600.00
$400.00
$450.00
$600.00
4
X
$500.00
$500.00
X
$600.00
$400.00
X
$600.00
5
X
$300.00
$500.00
X
$600.00
$400.00
X
$600.00
6
X
$300.00
$500.00
X
$500.00
$400.00
X
$500.00
7
X
X
$500.00
X
$500.00
$400.00
X
$500.00
8
X
X
$500.00
X
$500.00
$400.00
X
$500.00
The Road Home: January 1 2013 –
119 Families in Shelter
Checking the assumptions
Road Home Projected Annual – 500 families
No Financial
Assistance
Rapid Rehousing Assistance
PSH
200
300
75 (of the 300)
40%
60%
25% of RRH and
15% of total
Actual Cohort – 119 Families
No Financial
Assistance
Light RRH ( </= Deeper RRH
5 months)
(Interim)
60
50%
PSH
59
18
25
16
30% of RRH
42% of RRH
27% of RRH
and 13% of total
Using data to adjust
• Unacceptable losses or rates of return?
Resize, assist longer, check-in more, develop new
partnerships
• Everybody sticks? Trying giving less support
• Some succeed and some don't?
What factors can we look at: e.g. family size, income
source, histories of homelessness, the staff person or
staffing?
FocusStrategies.net
Closing thoughts
• We should be at least as concerned of failing by
inaction as we are of failing by our actions.
• We have the data now to monitor progress as we go;
if something's not working we can change it, but if
we never try, we’ll never know.
• Always keep the next household that needs help in
mind.
FocusStrategies.net
For more information
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
www.endhomelessness.org
• United States Interagency Council on
Homelessness www.usich.gov
• Focus Strategies www.focusstrategies.net
• Contact us: katharine@focusstrategies.net
FocusStrategies.net
PROGRESSIVE ENGAGEMENT…
HOW IT WORKS ON THE GROUND?
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
Conference on Ending Homelessness
May 21, 2014
Vivian Wan, MSW
Associate Director
 How much… how long... for whom?
Design & Implementation
Mechanics of Creativity…what tools do you need?
Letting go sooner
end homelessness for
people
ABODE SERVICES = HOUSING FIRST
• Started as a “shelter provider”
• Adopted Housing First in 2005
• 30 Housing Programs- 940 HH/ night
• Employees 15 Housing Specialists & 4 Housing Managers
• Housing “Soup to Nuts”
• First time homelessness – outreach, shelter, diversion, Rapid Rehousing
• Episodic- outreach, shelter, diversion, prevention, RRH, transition in place
• Chronic- outreach, shelter, long-term supportive housing, RRH as bridge
BYPASSING SHELTER= BETTER OUTCOMES
• Outcomes of Winter Relief Program
-Permanent Housing <30%,
-Length of Stay > 9 months
• Compared to success of RRH- 82-92%
• Putting $$ behind outcomes- funders
• Creatively moving money around
-Kick off with HPRP, replace with
HOME, ESG, General Fund, Probation,
Child Welfare, and yes… even HUD
CoC!!
WHO?
“BUT THIS FAMILY NEEDS MORE…”
ONE REAL ASSESSMENT QUESTION!!!
Does this family have a desire and ability to increase
their household income to pay for housing through….
$$$ benefits acquisition
$$$ earned income
$$$ changing household comp
OR….
In geography?
BEYOND ASSESSMENT
Very BASIC
Assessment
Ongoing
eligibility/
graduation
assessments
Housing
Stability
FLEXIBILITY
Community
/ Informal
Support
Financial
Assistance?
Service
Coordination
TOOLS- REFERRAL
Date: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __
Referral Agency: ____________________________________________
Referring Person’s Name (Case Manager): _________________________________________________________
Your Phone Number: __ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ ext _____
Fax Number: __ __ __ - __ __ __ - __ __ __ __
Applicant’s Full Name: ________________________________________________________________
Date of First Contact with Agency: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __
Best method to contact Applicant (if phone, please provide number):
 Phone
______________________________________________________________
 Email
______________________________________________________________
 Other
______________________________________________________________
How many people are currently present in the household you are seeking services for?
Adults: ___________
Children: ___________
Brief Description of Applicant Situation/Needs:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
Qualifications

Literally homeless as per HUD’s definition

At least one child in the household

Total Gross Household Income (i.e. pre-tax income) of less than 50% Area Median Income

$32,200 for a single person

$46,000 for a family of 4
Application Checklist – every application will need to include the following items with this referral form:
Homeless Status Verification
Income and Asset Verification
Current Driver’s License or CA I.D. Card for all adults
Copy of Social Security Card for all adults
Complete “your program” Application Form
Complete HMIS Intake and (for HMIS-participating agencies) a complete ROI Packet
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at XXXX or email me at xxxxxx@abodeservices.org
THE APPLICATION- 1 PAGE
ARE THEY ELIGIBLE?
“YOUR PROGRAM” RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM APPLICATION
The “Your Program” is (description of program- 1 or 2 lines). It is designed to provide short-term housing
assistance and case management/housing stabilization services to “your target population”.
NOTE: All information must be complete and accurate for consideration
Completing this application does not guarantee housing assistance
Application Date: __ __ / __ __ / __ __ __ __
Applicant Number: __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Applicant Head of Household Name: ________________________________________________
L INKAGES BACKGROUND & CONDITIONS
Have you ever applied to the Housing/Jobs Linkages Program before?

Yes

No
If yes, did you enter the program at that time?

Yes

No
If you are to be assisted, are you willing to participate in case management services?

Yes

No
If you are to be assisted, are you willing to create and follow a Housing and Services Plan?

Yes

No
Do you need reasonable accommodation for a disability?

Yes

No
If yes, please attach Reasonable Accommodation Request.
Is there anything else you feel is important that should be added to your application?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT AFFIRMATION
I hereby affirm the enclosed information is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that if I have provi ded any false
information this may disqualify me for participation in the Housing/Jobs Linkages Program. I have read, or have had read to m e, and
understand the Federal Privacy Act Statement attached to this application.
I understand that the housing assistance offered by the Housing/Jobs Linkages Program is temporary and time limited. I further
understand that if I am enrolled, the Program will provide me with assistance according to the rules and regulations of the program and
based on my progress in the program.
I understand that the Housing/Jobs Linkages Program may need to contact individuals and/or agencies to verify the above infor mation. I
further understand that my signature below serves as a time-limited consent to share information herein with any individuals and/or
agencies within the Housing/Jobs Linkages Program for purposes of eligibility determination and case management only.
This form has been completed, and read by or to me, prior to signature. The consent is subject to revocation by me at any time and, if
not earlier revoked, it shall terminate on exit from the program.
Head of Household Signature: _________________________________________________________
Complete and attach an Intake Form.
If your agency participates in HMIS, complete a ROI packet.
Date: ______________
HOW MUCH….HOW LONG?
 Designed for singles, families, veterans, first time
homeless, and episodic homeless.
 Those who have some desire & ability to increase
income.
 Flexibility is key!!
•
•
•
•
Phase 1 – 0-3 Months – 40% of adjusted income
Phase 2 – 3-6 Months – 30% of rent
Phase 3 – 6-9 Months – 50% of rent
Phase 4 – 9-12 Months -70% of rent
• 3 month reassessments
• Funding set-aside for “prevention”
• Say yes, we can do that…
HOW IT WORKS….
Example 1: Household enters program with $600/month (adjusted).
Rent for unit is $1,000
Tenant
Contribution
Phase 1:
Months 1-3
40% of adjusted
income
Phase 2:
Months 4-6
30% of contract
rent
Phase 3:
Months 7-9
50% of contract
rent
Phase 4:
Months 10-12
70% of contract
rent
$240
$300
$500
$700
Example 2: Household enters program with $1,100/month (adjusted).
Rent
. for unit is $925.
Tenant Contribution
Phase 1:
Months 1-3
40% of adjusted
income
$440
30% of contract
rent
Phase 2:
Months 4-6
50% of contract
rent
Phase 3:
Months 7-9
70% of contract
rent
$278*
$463
$648
Skip this phase
TOOLS TO HELP CASE MANAGERS
HOW MUCH WILL I PAY TOWARD RENT?
Rent Contribution Calculation Tool
Ph
70 ase
% 4:
of
Re
nt
Ph
50 ase
% 3:
of
Re
nt
Income or
Rent amount
Ph
30 ase
% 2:
of
Re
nt
Ph
a
40 se 1
%
of :
AG
I
This spreadsheet is designed to help program staff estimate what participant households may pay
in rent as they progress through the Linkages program. Actual tenant contributions are
calculated at the time of housing selection, and may differ from this estimate based on
allowances, adjustments, and any changes in income.
$100.00
$
40.00
$
30.00
$
50.00
$
70.00
$200.00
$
80.00
$
60.00
$
100.00
$
140.00
$300.00
$
120.00
$
90.00
$
150.00
$
210.00
$400.00
$
160.00
$
120.00
$
200.00
$
280.00
$500.00
$
200.00
$
150.00
$
250.00
$
350.00
$600.00
$
240.00
$
180.00
$
300.00
$
420.00
$700.00
$
280.00
$
210.00
$
350.00
$
490.00
WHY IT WORKS?
• Ending Homelessness- Not poverty
• 95% of people living in poverty are not homeless
• People who have a home fight to keep it
• Expect high rent “burdens”- as high as 85%
• People can “return” if they need help
• Helps staff and participants
• Uses Time and Resources wisely
• Traditionally we spend time on those who often need the
least help
• Can DOUBLE or even TRIPLE numbers served- most will
achieve housing stability
• Less than 5% returns to homelessness
INNOVATION
Support
“different”
housing options“Say Yes”
Programs
that support
moves
Housing ENDS
Homelessness
Take
chances-fail- learn
Programs
that give
2nd, 3rd, and
4th chances
Value
Outcomes
– not
perfection
PROGRESSIVE ENGAGEMENTWORK ON THE GROUND
If you would like more information, you can contact:
Vivian Wan, Associate Director
(510) 657-7409 x 212
vwan@abodeservices.org