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Rapid Rehousing A Local Perspective. What is Rapid Rehousing? Rapid return to h ousing as an alternative to longer shelter stays Part of the crisis response system—different from permanent supportive housing. Why?.
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Rapid Rehousing A Local Perspective
What is Rapid Rehousing? Rapid return to housing as an alternative to longer shelter stays Part of the crisis response system—different from permanent supportive housing
Why? • Makes better use of shelter capacity—serve more people with the same number of beds. • Frees up staff to help those with greatest need. • Prevents the start of the downward spiral that can begin with an experience of homelessness.
Our first pilot • 53 People Re-housed • 70% remained housed at one year follow-up • http://www.cceh.org/publications/detail/rapid-re-housing-at-scale-in-new-london-conn
New London Homeless Hospitality Center Goal: • DO RAPID REHOUSING AT SCALE • Facilitate rapid exit from shelter for every guest who: • Has income • SSI/ SSDI • Unemployment • Job—steady • Jobs--off the books • Family support • State Assistance • LMHA clients • ATR eligible • Finds employment • Has housing options (with family or friends)
A system that encourages rapid exit • Ability toimmediately identify, engage and track everyone eligible for rapid rehousing • Rapid Rehousing begins at Intake • Immediate capture of income--Housing savings accounts • Frequent reminders • All staff, all the time, focus on rapid rehousing • Deadlines—Guest shares responsibility for rehousing
Housing Location Support • Develop an inventory of every type of housing • Apartments • Boarding Houses • Shared Units • Renting rooms • Sober Houses • Public Housing • Subsidized Housing • Live In Work • Board and Care • Permanent Supportive Housing • Develop relationships with landlords • Skill at mediation—helping people return home
Staffing Approaches • 1. Outside provider • 2. Part Time NLHHC and SMHA staff • Issues • Problems coordinating • Staff not in when guests need service • Problems coordinating with landlords • Not enough capacity to handle demand • 3. Full Time NLHHC staff
Financial Assistance Rehouisngdoesn’t always require rentalassistance
Getting to scale, however, requires access to financial assistance NL Fund to End Homelessness $1,100 average Rehoused with Financial Assistance from NLHHC shelter only July 1, 2013-April 30, 2014 15% of total exits—still not at scale
Putting the RAPID in Rapid Rehousing New London Fund to End Homelessness • Subcontractors determine eligibility, find housing, secure documentation and authorize payment. • Peer Audits • On-line portal to submit rental assistance requests • Checks cut in 24-48 hours • On-line access to check payment status
Supporting Housing Retention • Close the shelter door • Linkages to community based services • Ability to serve as a representative payee
A system that encourages rapid exit Housing Location Support Financial Assistance Supporting Housing Retention