Transcript Social Workgroup October 10, 2013 • Housing needs to be flexible and accessible • Affordable housing stock for consumers is insufficient • Consumers want.

Social Workgroup
October 10, 2013
• Housing needs to be flexible and accessible
• Affordable housing stock for consumers is
insufficient
• Consumers want to move from a structured
provider setting to housing of their choice
• Homeownership is not for everyone
•
Lack of affordable housing stock in many areas of MD
•
Olmstead decision – State’s continued commitment to support individual’s in the least
restrictive environment
•
Judicial system insist people be in structured supervised housing
•
Forensic histories and federal restrictions
•
Credit histories
•
Poverty – SSI Maximum benefit $710/month
•
Arrearages in utility
•
Restrictions due to funding requirements
•
Loss of Medicaid as a person moves out of RRP
•
Access to services due to transportation barriers
“[N]o qualified individual with a disability
shall, by reason of such disability, be
excluded from participation in or be denied
the benefits of the services, programs, or
activities of a public entity, or be subjected
to discrimination by any such entity.” 42
U.S.C. 12132 (1990).
Title I – access to employment
 Title II – access to public entities and the
services, programs, and activities they deliver
 Title III – access to public accommodations
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 Title
II requires states to provide services
“in the most integrated setting
appropriate to the needs of qualified
individuals with disabilities.” 28 C.F.R. §
35.130(d) (2010)
 Most
integrated setting is one “that
enables individuals with disabilities to
interact with non-disabled persons to the
fullest extent possible.” 28 C.F.R. Pt. 35,
App. A (2010).
 Located
in mainstream society
 Offers access to community activities and
opportunities at times, frequencies, and with
people of an individual’s choosing
 Affords individuals choice in daily life activities
 Provides individuals with disabilities the
opportunity to interact with non-disabled people
to the fullest extent possible
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Residential Rehabilitation programs (RRP) – 40 providers
throughout the state with a total of 2500 beds that served
4,020 individuals in 2012 with serious mental illness/cooccurring disorders (some are specialized).
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Supported Housing – Currently over 8 providers have
developed, own, or lease units to support consumers in
moving to their own independent housing from RRP or other
housing with Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) services
provided either on/off site if requested by the consumer.
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Crisis Beds used to divert individuals from hospital and
emergency rooms.
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Local County programs flexible housing vouchers (Main
Street).
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Continuum of Care Programs (Shelter Plus Care)
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Alcohol Tax Rental Subsidies.
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Since 2002, collaboration with the Maryland Association of
Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (MAHRA), the
member organization of Public Housing Authorities (PHAs)
resulted in ongoing cross-training efforts and chair of
Special Needs Advisory committee.
Publication in 2003/2001 of a Housing and Disability
Services Resource Guide (DHMH/MHA website).
Convened a Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD)
Statewide Housing Task Force to assist PHAs to apply for
Non-elderly disabled vouchers (2009-10) – disability
partnerships resulted in 260 Category 1 and 112 Category 2
vouchers in MD.
Creation of the “Affordable Rental Housing Opportunities
for Persons with Disabilities” in 2011 - $1 million grant
from the Weinberg Foundation to develop apartments for
persons with disabilities at 15-30%AMI – partner with MHA,
DHCD, DHMH, MDOD.

Olmstead initiatives to transition community ready
consumers from the hospital
 Since 2009, MHA conducts a group representing
providers, CSAs and state hospitals to reduce the
length of time an RRP vacancy remains open,
develop a manual to detail the process for provider
in-reaching, reduce barriers to referrals, problem
solve around getting benefits/paperwork
completed.
 Olmstead Policy Academy – September 2013
 SOAR Training conducted with case managers to
assist consumers in accessing federal and state
benefits for disability, health insurance and other
services.
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Several housing programs available under the HUD Continuum
of Care Programs- (Shelter Plus Care Housing and Supportive
Housing Program).
Since 1995, MHA has used Shelter Plus Care to provide rental
and some utility assistance to individuals who are homeless
and have a serious mental illness with criminal justice
backgrounds
MHA receives $4.8 million annually to fund 317 units. Over
1,000 Shelter Plus Care funded units statewide
Two type of models used by MHA
- Sponsor-based model – nonprofit agency lease the unit and
sublease with a consumer
- Tenant-based model – lease is in the consumer’s name
Continuum of Care Program (continued)
• Housing is matched with supportive services
• 90% of the participants maintain permanent housing
• 85% of the participants have some source of income
• Grant funds are accessed through 16 local Continuum of Care
Planning Groups (Special Populations)
• HEARTH Act has expanded the definitions of homelessness
which has made more people eligible for program
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The CSAs agreed to develop housing and services for consumers
the state hospitals identified. Services were then contracted
with community providers. The services were regional in order
for patients to be served by providers that they chose and best
met their needs.
Baltimore Mental Health Systems (BMHS)contracted with People
Encouraging People (PEP) to expand the Baltimore County
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team to serve 35
additional individuals at Spring Grove and to include additional
flexible supports and housing costs.
In addition to PEP, BMHS contracted with Mosaic to convert the
Mobile Treatment Team to an ACT model. Once the team has met
ACT standards they will provide housing to 10 individuals.
Mosaic Residential Rehabilitation Program (RRP) developed 6 new
RRP beds for individuals in their current program and converted 6
residential crisis beds in Mount Airy and Weinberg House to
intensive 24 hour 7 day a week, to include nursing support.

Keypoint in Baltimore City upgraded three of its RRP beds from
General to Intensive to serve 3 individuals from Spring Grove.

Anne Arundel County CSA contracted with Prologue to develop 2
new RRP beds and upgrade one RRP bed to intensive for a total of
3 RRP intensive beds with additional support for 3 individuals at
Spring Grove.
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Arundel Lodge developed 6 new RRP services for individuals with
mental health and mild intellectual disabilities.
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The CSA also contracted for startup funds for 6 new RRP beds at
Guide and Vesta in Prince Georges County. These resources have
been targeted for individuals at Springfield.
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Harford County CSA contracted with Alliance’s ACT program to
serve 4 individuals at Spring Grove. The ACT team received funds
for additional peer support and housing for the 4 individuals.
Implementation began in 2011 with funding from
the Real Choice Systems Change Grant from the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
 Partners include DHMH, DHCD, MDOD, MCDD,
Centers for Independent Living (CILS), consumer
organizations and housing developers.
 Implementation and maintenance of an internetbased affordable housing registry through DHCD
and MDOD at www.mdhousingsearch.org
 Applied for HUD 811 PRA Demonstration Project
in 2012 and waiting on awards to be announced
by HUD in 2013
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Tenant training
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Where do they want to live? (near family, friends,
activities)
How much will it cost? (budget, start up costs)
Roommate, sharing (pros and cons)
Review possible places to look for housing
Complete application for voucher/public housing –
find out about RAP, Mainstream Voucher program,
preferences for persons with disabilities, veteran
programs (MD’s Commitment to Veterans/VASH)
Transportation, shopping, employment, church,
social
Review issues that have triggered problems in the
past (MH, SA, Lack of privacy, people moving in,
hoarding, other)
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www.mdhousingsearch.org or 1-877-428-8844
Are you on the list of contacts with access?
HUD Announcement about Vouchers specific to persons
with disabilities)
HUD 811 – PRAC Pilot will increase the availability of rental
assistance in tax credit units and other properties (Frank
Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act HR 1675) –
NOFA came out in spring 2013 (voucher tied to the
property and not the person)
Ongoing coordination with DHCD on the use of tax credits
to developers to integrate in general occupancy
development – Weinberg Foundation – recently increased
another $1 million in December 2012
Join forces – create a 501(C)3 to apply for funding through
MD-DHCD (Department of Housing & Community
Development) – several examples in MD – transitional
housing, rural development
Marian Bland, Director, Office of Special Needs Populations, Mental Hygiene Administration
Email: [email protected]
Russell Springham, Case Management and Housing Coordinator, Mental Hygiene Administration
Email: [email protected]
John Brennan, Chief of Staff/Dir. of Housing Policy and Programs, Maryland Department of Disabilities
Email: [email protected]