Where the Two Can Meet: Merging Transitional Housing with Rapid Re-Housing

1. Where the Two Can Meet: Merging Transitional Housing with Rapid Re-Housing Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness October 21, 2010

2. Utah/Salt Lake County Overview • Utah Population 2.7 million (1 million in SL County) • 2010 Homeless PIT for Utah is 3,372. Salt Lake County is 2,280 • FMR for a 2 bedroom in SL County is $836 • Salt Lake Vacancy Rate for January 2010 is 8.6%

4. History of Housing Program Capacity • 2000 – Transitional Housing 26 units. Started Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA Program) with $300,000. Placed 22 households in scattered site housing. • 2005 – Managed 3 TBRA Programs w $500,000.00. Also accessed S+C, TH, small PSH program, etc. Served 90 households/year. • WE NEEDED MORE OPTIONS! % of families coming to shelter doubled in five years.

5. Change in Service Delivery • Historically Emergency Shelter stays for families averaged 3 months • We had limited options to help families with rent and services in housing • Many families waited in shelter until their name came up for public housing, Sec. 8

6. Here is How it Works: • Pre Rapid Re-Housing, Families in shelter were slated for very limited TBRA, S+C, Transitional Housing or PSH options. • Post Rapid Re-Housing, Every family in shelter more than 7 days is assessed (95% approved) for Rapid Re-Housing. • Families who return to Shelter are then slated for TH, TBRA, S+C or PSH options. • Of 365 families placed since October 1, 2009, 14 returned to Shelter by October 1, 2010.

7. Housing Placement Opportunities for Families

8. Comparisons

9. Staffing and Funding Rapid Re-Housing • A core RRH Team was created, including a Program Coordinator, Landlord Negotiator, Data Specialist and 3 case managers. • Current Case Management staff shifted gears to be all Rapid Re-Housing focused with every family in Shelter. • Accounting staff, Administrative staff and other support staff have shifted gears to be Rapid Re-Housing focused. • TANF and HPRP funds. Approx. $4.8 million for 30 months

10. Supportive Services are Different • Case Managers follow RRH families into housing. • Focus is on obtaining income with a HUGE push toward employment. Close partnership with UT Dept of Workforce Services (Utah’s TANF and employment agency) • Case plans are strictly housing stability geared. • RRH is Case Management LIGHT! Less frequent contact, family knows they can call if they are in trouble.

11. Outcomes of RRH • 55% (208 out of 393) have exited the RRH program. • 14 families (<1%) returned to Shelter. • Of the 14 families who have returned, 6 have been re-housed in TH, S+C, TBRA settings. An additional 6 are slated. 2 have documentation issues. • Of all families served, $4065 is the average expenditure

12. RRH and TH – What’s the Same? • All families in shelter get housing assessment after 7 days • All families on fast track into housing • Families sign leases in both • Families get help with rent as well as supportive services

13. RRH and TH – What’s the Difference? • RRH less intensive case management • RRH private landlords • TH more forgiving landlords • TH is place based, RRH is client based • TH rent is subsidized up to 2 years, RRH rent is subsidized for 3 months, then re-evaluated

14. RRH = TH = TBRA • With slight changes, Transitional Housing and traditional TBRA programs can be operated as Rapid Re-housing • The best outcome is to move families out of Emergency Shelter as quickly as possible • Create more housing options, not more emergency shelter

15. Michelle C. Flynn The Road Home 210 South Rio Grande Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801-819-7320 mflynn@theroadhome.org www.theroadhome.org