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CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) Seminar Rapid Re-housing Overview September 24, 2014

This seminar provides an overview of the CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) and the Rapid Re-housing approach. Presenters will discuss the population in Alameda County, the homeless situation, and the key components of Rapid Re-housing.

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CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) Seminar Rapid Re-housing Overview September 24, 2014

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  1. CalWORKs Housing Support Program (HSP) Seminar Rapid Re-housing Overview September 24, 2014 Presenters  Riley Wilkerson, Alameda County Housing & Community Development Department Vivian Wan, Abode Services

  2. Alameda County Overview • Population: 1.5 million (831 sq. mi.) • 14 cities, several unincorporated communities • Urban, suburban, rural communities • Largest cities — Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont • High cost area — Avg. Rent $2,000 (up 12% from 2013)

  3. Alameda County Homeless • Point in Time Count - 4,264 • Half of homeless population is unsheltered • 32% are families (56% in 2003) • 26% have mental illness

  4. Before Rapid Re-housing • All rental subsidies=deep subsidies (30% tenant income) • Permanent housing--subsidies provided for indefinite period • Transitional housing (including TBRA)--24 month program

  5. Rapid Re-housing—Key Components • Move directly from homelessness to housing • Focus is housing—assessing/overcoming barriers • Focus on increasing income or long term subsidy • Flexible funding—minimal amount of assistance needed • Flexible term—three months to two years

  6. Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP)—2009-2012 • ARRA Program • All jurisdictions served (direct/State funded) • Priority Home Partnership • Housing Resource Centers • $10 million total funding • 3,000 households assisted • Worked with SSA to coordinate funding

  7. Rapid Re-housing in Alameda County Post HPRP • Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) • 40% must be dedicated to rapid re-housing/prevention • Activities patterned after HPRP • Not all jurisdictions covered • Approximately 200 households served annually

  8. Rapid Re-housing in Alameda County Post HPRP • Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) • Funded by Veteran’s Administration • Supportive services and rental subsidies to low and very-low income veterans and families • Projected to serve 700 households with current grant

  9. Rapid Re-housing in Alameda County Post HPRP • Family Housing Reunification Project • Funded by Title IV Waiver funding • Supportive services and rental subsidies to families reunifying with children • Projected to serve 100 households with current grant

  10. Program Spotlight—Linkages • Predates HPRP • Originally HUD funded as Tenant Based Transitional Housing • 80% permanent housing placement/retention rate • 45-60 households served annually • Major changes due to convert to Rapid Re-housing • 12 month target • Graduated rents • 80-120 households served annually

  11. Basics of Housing Case Mgmt • Assessments based on housing need • Not a full bio-psycho-social assessment • Key housing barrier questions • Utility debt • Involvement with the Criminal Justice System • Income & desire to • History of homelessness • Services are voluntary… being a good tenant is Not.

  12. How to Make Subsidy Decisions • Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility • 3 month assessments (at minimum) • Multiple layers of approval, preferably across agencies • Pushing perceptions of “stability” • Households will continue to struggle, AND most will not re-enter the system

  13. Reassessments • Family must supply income documentation. • Households with sufficient income to pay rent graduate. • Subsidy Extended if… • Specific plan to increase income • Recent DV, “new” mental health barrier, other issues that can be mitigated. • Family can always “return” if in crisis.

  14. Landlord Engagement- 2 clients • Landlord relationships … a balancing act!

  15. Tensions… • All concerns & “violations” through a HOUSING lens • Example- a tenant is smoking “something” in his unit…Neighbors are complaining. • “Mission” of agency/ sector

  16. Issues/Challenges • Flexibility of program = Infinite variety of program designs • Need for strong policy and procedures • Target Population (families, income level, none?) • Term—two year minimum

  17. CalWORKS Housing Support Program • CalWORKS homeless families • Major Components: • Housing Identification • Rent and Moving Assistance • Case Management and Services

  18. Resources: National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/rapidrehousing1 HUD Rapid Re-housing Brief https://www.onecpd.info/resources/documents/Rapid-Re-Housing-Brief.pdf CWDA CalWORKS Housing Support http://cwda.org/tools/calworks.php

  19. Questions?

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