HOUSING FIRST Broward County, FL Broward FL-601 Continuum of Care Board October 2014 Pre-HEARTH History System of managing homelessness- not ending homelessness Focus on providing services first High threshold.
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HOUSING FIRST
Broward County, FL Broward FL-601 Continuum of Care Board October 2014
Pre-HEARTH History
System of managing homelessness- not ending homelessness Focus on providing services first High threshold for housing entry: clinical prerequisites; evidence of sobriety Result in increased depression among parents and children, an increase in poor academic performance, and an increased chance of family separation
Traditional Approach
Shelter Placement Homeless Transitional Permanent Housing
HUD’s View-PRIORITY
CoC Application Prioritization of chronic homelessness Housing offered without preconditions Rapid placement (and stabilization) in Permanent Housing Rapid Re-housing
Present – Post HEARTH Act
Changes required for successful Housing First Model Changes in approach Changes in funding Changes in implementation Changes in mindset
Transitional Permanent Housing Shelter Placement Homeless
Housing First Approach
What is Housing First?
A simple approach that calls for immediate action
An approach that emphasizes stable, permanent housing as a primary strategy for ending homelessness An approach to ending homelessness that centers on providing people experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible- and THEN providing services as needed
What is Housing First?
(cont’d)
Critical Elements
Focus on helping individuals and families access and sustain permanent rental housing as quickly as possible without time limit restraints, i.e. having to wait a mandatory 60 days before being placed; Variety of services delivered primarily, following a household placement, to promote housing stability and individual well-being; Services are time limited or long-term depending on individual need; and Housing is NOT contingent upon compliance with services-instead participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and are provided with the services and supports that are necessary to help them do so successfully.
Assessment and Targeting In-depth assessment to determine feasibility Permanent Housing Some programs provide minimal financial assistance Some programs rely solely on apartments in the private rental market Some programs hold the lease while Client in program Low, Moderate or High Intensity Supportive Services Varying levels of intensity is dictated by the needs of the individuals/families; help with stabilization Outcome Measures How rapidly re-housed?
Are individuals and families remaining housed?
Do individuals and families re-enter shelter?
Average length of stay in homelessness of the target population Assesses whether there is a reduction in the length of homeless episodes overall
What does Housing First entail?
Housing First Efficacy
Proven method of ending all types of homelessness and is the most effective approach to ending chronic homelessness Core strategy for ending homelessness in “Opening Doors: the Federal
Strategic Plan to End Homelessness”
Widely adopted by national and community-based organizations as a best practice for solving homelessness
End Result
Higher housing retention rates Lower return to homelessness Significant reductions in the use of crisis service and institutions Maintain family unit
Housing First Fidelity
Are applicants required to have income prior to admission?
Are applicants required to be “clean and sober” or “treatment compliant” prior to admission?
Are tenants able to be evicted for not following through on their services and/or treatment plan?
IF ANY ANSWER IS “YES” TO ANY OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, THE PROGRAM IS NOT HOUSING FIRST
Questions
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