(HAWC)
FACILITATOR
Tenetia M. Pulliam, MSW
Coordinator for Housing Access for Washtenaw County

What is Housing Access for Washtenaw
County?
A Coordinated Access System for individuals and families that are at risk of becoming homeless or experiencing homelessness giving them a centralized process for appropriate and timely access to housing, shelter and other housing resources needed.

Why is HAWC important to the housing community?
The client needs in a crisis are most important!
HAWC eliminates the process of individuals and families contacting every shelter and housing provider in the community for services and resources.
HAWC serves as a filter for housing needs and opportunities in Washtenaw
County, not as the sole provider allowing efficient use of housing resources in the community which allow us to serve more individuals and families

What is the HAWC process?
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Clients call HAWC at (734) 961-1999
The client participates in a screening to determine what their housing needs are, the appropriate services available, and what services they are eligible for
The client may be given an assessment based on the results of the screening which determines the most appropriate referral for the client
The client is placed into housing or shelter, diverted to a housing option, and/or given financial resources to obtain or sustain housing

IS HAWC 100% EFFECTIVE?
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Is HAWC 100% effective?
Absolutely not and here’s why?
Agencies, advocates, etc., have to at least give it a try
Not let one or two experiences determine that the process doesn’t work
Things change! Funding, policies, etc., so we must change
It’s a process, so we will continue to learn
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Do we strive daily to become
100% effective?
Definitely and here’s how?
Value the client first and their needs
We welcome feedback and take it seriously
Continue to be transparent
Consider best practices
Collaborate and partner

What is HAWC doing now to address the needs of the housing community?
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Creating a system that focuses on prioritization by facilitating the Community
Housing Prioritization Committee which focuses on appropriateness and need instead of first come, first serve
Increases resources; Education, Staffing/Capacity, Funding Flexibility and
Partnership
Involving clients in the decision making process of the system
Putting all available housing resources in one pot in the community (CHP)
Utilizing one common tool as a community (VI SPDAT)

How do we know HAWC works?
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New funding streams
More providers participating
Decrease in the number of clients returning for financial assistance
Increase in the number of clients sustaining their housing situation after one time assistance
Other agencies in various counties and states requesting information on the stability of HAWC

Where does HAWC go from here?
LESSONS LEARNED
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We receive1000 calls monthly and may not get them all answered timely
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Involve those that have experienced it if we want to serve the community the best way possible
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We can’t do it alone
Data is critical
IMMEDIATE RESPONSES
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Get it done
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Educate agencies and advocates
“Promoting positive and responsible feedback”
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Transparency
Data, data and more data

COMMUNITY HOUSING PRIORITIZATION
(CHP)
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FACILITATOR: Aubrey Patino
Director of Tenant Programs, Avalon Housing
Clinical Coordinator (FUSE/HSS), CSSW

WHAT IS COMMUNITY HOUSING
PRIORITIZATION?
 Overarching goal is to ensure that individuals and families with the most severe needs within the community are prioritized into housing resources
(RRH/PSH)
 “First Come/First Serve” or “Most Likely to Succeed” will NOT end chronic homelessness
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Acquire accurate assessment of the need (including acuity)

WHO IS INVOLVED?
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Shelter Association of Washtenaw County/Delonis Center
Washtenaw Housing Alliance
Office of Community and Economic Development
Housing Access for Washtenaw County
Avalon Housing
Alpha House-IHN
The Salvation Army
Ozone House
SafeHouse
Michigan Ability Partners
SOS Community Services
CSTS
Port
Power Inc.
Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE CHP
COMMITTEE?
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Increased multi-agency communication
Coordinated community response
Cross agency collaboration
Coordinated assessment, inter related reliability of assessment tool
Shared mission/goals amongst providers
Cross training
Community assessment of need across sectors, populations more evident

HOW DOES PRIORITIZATION IMPROVE
ACCESS TO HOUSING?
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Places homeless individuals and families directly into housing which decreases shelter needs.
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A transparent system that allows all available housing openings to be put on a list for placement.
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Expedites shelter discharge.
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More effectively places people into the most appropriate housing.

SERVICE PRIORITIZATION DECISION
ASSISTANCE TOOL: SPDAT (VI)
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Ian Dejong and Michigan
Common tool utilized in the housing community
Gives us the ability to target the appropriate level of resources to those who need it
We have a training team in the community to expand resources

HOW DOES THE PRIORITIZATION SYSTEM
WORK?
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HAWC
AGENCIES (CASE MANAGERS)
PROVIDERS
THE COMMUNITY

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

CONTACT INFORMATION
 Tenetia Pulliam, MSW
Coordinator for Housing Access for Washtenaw County
(734) 548-6091 tenetia_pulliam@usc.salvationarmy.org
 Aubrey Patino
Director of Tenant Programs, Avalon Housing, Inc.
Clinical Coordinator, CSSW
(734) 663-5858 ext. 224 apatino@avalonhousing.org