Transcript HOUSING ACCESS FOR WASHTENAW COUNTY (HAWC)

HOUSING ACCESS FOR
WASHTENAW COUNTY (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?

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?
Is HAWC 100% effective?
Do we strive daily to become
100% effective?
Absolutely not and here’s why?
Definitely and here’s how?
•
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
•
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?

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?

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


We receive1000 calls monthly and
may not get them all answered
timely
Involve those that have
experienced it if we want to serve
the community the best way
possible

We can’t do it alone

Data is critical
IMMEDIATE RESPONSES

Get it done

Educate agencies and advocates
“Promoting positive and
responsible feedback”

Transparency

Data, data and more data
COMMUNITY HOUSING PRIORITIZATION
(CHP)

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

Acquire accurate assessment of the need (including acuity)
WHO IS INVOLVED?
•
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?

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?

1.
Places homeless individuals and families directly into housing which
decreases shelter needs.

2.
A transparent system that allows all available housing openings to be put
on a list for placement.

3.

4.
Expedites shelter discharge.
More effectively places people into the most appropriate housing.
SERVICE PRIORITIZATION DECISION
ASSISTANCE TOOL: SPDAT (VI)

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?

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
[email protected]

Aubrey Patino
Director of Tenant Programs, Avalon Housing, Inc.
Clinical Coordinator, CSSW
(734) 663-5858 ext. 224
[email protected]