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Vulnerability Assessment for Chronically Homeless Individuals presented by Bill Hobson Annual Conference National Alliance to End Homelessness July 28-30, 2008 – Washington D.C. www.desc.org. Overview of DESC supportive housing licensed mental health services
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Vulnerability Assessmentfor Chronically Homeless Individuals presented by Bill Hobson Annual ConferenceNational Alliance to End HomelessnessJuly 28-30, 2008 – Washington D.C. www.desc.org
Overview of DESC • supportive housing • licensed mental health services • licensed chemical dependency services • emergency shelter • high level of integration across programs www.desc.org
Kerner-Scott House experience (1997) Tenant Selection Process • severe and persistent mental disorders • not connected to anyone • too disorganized to self-advocate • most at risk of living on the streets • based selection on key informant observation www.desc.org
DESC emergency shelter experience(1979-2003) How to allocate limited beds in high-demand environment? • first come, first serve [1979-1984] • random selection (the “fish bowl”) [1984-1994] • diagnosis [1994-2003] • scores on Vulnerability Assessment Tool [2003-present] www.desc.org
Common methods of tenant selectionfor permanent supportive housing • Wait lists with rule-out criteria • criminal hx, rental hx, behavioral issues • Housing readiness • sobriety, psychiatric stabilization, payeeships www.desc.org
High utilization (continued) • frequent use of hospital, jail, other institutions • “Million Dollar Murray” (2006) • DESC's 1811 Eastlake • Political power in using this method • Flaws • diminishing return • ignores vulnerability www.desc.org
DESC Vulnerability Assessment Tool • developed in 2003 to allocate limited shelter beds • began using as primary method for housing selection in 2005 • have done 6,582 assessments since 2003 • focuses on • vulnerability induced by behavioral health issues • who is at greatest risk if left on the streets • limited research shows high correlation with institutional use www.desc.org