Rapid Rehousing: A Best Practice Intervention for Single Adults
LAURA WOODY, LICSW DIVISION DIRECTOR FRIENDSHIP PLACE P R E S E N T E D AT T H E 2 0 1 5 N AT I O N A L CONFERENCE ON ENDING HOMELESSNESS
Mr. Hines
Friendship Place History Started in 1991 as a community-based drop-in center for people
experiencing homelessness in Upper Northwest DC. Entirely volunteer run and supported by private donations Friendship Place Today:
Nearly 100 employees Serving Washington DC Metro Supported by local, national, and corporate grants, and private donations Annual Budget FY2015: $7.5 million and growing Served over 2,000 people in 2014 – the majority being single adults 472 volunteers contributing over 20,000 hours
Friendship Place Mission & Vision MISSION: Empower individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community.
VISION: A DC community and a nation in which every person has a place to call “home.”
2015 Point in Time Results 7,298 persons experiencing homelessness 3,821 individuals (adults not in families) 2,228 non chronic homeless, short term homeless individuals
Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement
Key Features of Coordinated Entry System Utilize VI-SPDAT
Over 430 staff in over 35 agencies trained to assess Universal release of information to enable all community partners to view info Biweekly case conferencing and monthly macro/systems issues meeting Live and virtual matching to housing resources To date more than 4,000 people screened, over 2,500 for RRH
Average of 123 housing placements per month since Jan 2015 Over 1600 housed since CE process began
Rapid Rehousing • Housing Identification • Recruit Landlords • Address Barriers • Move in and Rent assistance • Time limited assistance •
As limited as rent and deposit, up to a year for most DC programs
• Case Management • Crisis intervention • Lease negotiation and education • Reducing barriers to maintaining housing • Referrals and connection to ongoing resources
Friendship Place Rapid Rehousing Programs Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families Publically funded Rapid Rehousing Program for Veterans – individuals, couples, and families
Started November 2011 Funded through the Veteran’s Administration Serves DC and 8 surrounding counties
Direct Housing Privately funded Rapid Rehousing Program for individuals, couples, and families
Started in April 2013 Funded through privately raised funds Serves DC, MD, VA, and beyond
Home Now Publically funded Rapid Rehousing Program for individuals
Started June 2014 Funded through Department of Human Services Serves Washington DC
How do Participants come to us? SSFV receives the vast majority of participants
through CE Home Now receives about 99% through CE Direct Housing receives a small number through CE; majority through:
Referrals from other FP programs and supporters Direct referrals from outside service providers Walk ins to the Drop in Center/word of mouth
Program Structure Home Now
Direct Housing
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Project Coordinator
(Welcome Center Homeless Services) 1 Case Manager 2-3 other staff assist with housing location & case management
7 Case Managers Housing Specialist Shares information with DH Employment Specialist
Program Numbers (FY 2015) Home Now
Direct Housing
32 individuals actively
21 individuals actively
seeking housing (currently) 52 in housing and still in case management 29 placed and graduated successfully Average time from intake to housed: 63 days Average length of time in program: 230 days
seeking housing (currently) 6 in housing and still in case management 19 placed and graduated successfully Average time from intake to housed: 75 days Average length of time in program: 165 days
Demographics Active in Program (YTD: Oct-July)
Home Now
Direct Housing
Average Age – 47 Gender Males – 57 Females – 27 Ex Offender Status – 33 Mental Health Status – 55 Average VI-SPDAT score –
Average Age – 43 Gender Males – 18 Females – 7 Ex Offender Status – 6 Mental Health Status – 9 Average VI-SPDAT score –
7 Average Income
6 Average Income – $1385
$764/mo – housing seekers $840/mo – housed but in CM
Demographics of Successful Exits (YTD: Oct-July)
Home Now
Direct Housing
Average Age – 38 Gender
Average Age – 48 Gender
Males - 21 Females - 9
Ex Offender Status – 10 Mental Health Status – 15 Veteran – 0 (cannot serve Vets) Average VI-SPDAT score – 8 Average Income – $1068/mo Average Rent – $653 Average Assistance - $4,038
Males - 10 Females - 9
Ex Offender Status – 2 Mental Health Status – 9 Veteran - 1 Average VI-SPDAT score – 9 Average Income – $1082/mo Average Rent – $523 Average Assistance - $993
Lessons Learned Hiring a Rockstar Team
“Conservative” Marketing Virtual matching vs live
matching in CE meetings Screening In Variety on caseloads Low caseload size Discharge planning begins at intake
More Lessons Learned Roommate preferences form
Expedited check processing Strong employer relationships! Strong landlord relationships! Private market SRO’s Negotiating individual leases for 2+ bedroom units We work with resilient folks!
What We’ve Learned from Participants “I came to you in such a tough time in my life and you guys changed
it for the better!”
“It felt more personal! I could tell my case manager really wanted to
help me!”
“The program gave me peace of mind, helped me find my own place,
and helped me establish independence!”
“I finally have my own place! I don’t have to worry about my
belongings being stolen all the time!”
“I’m more comfortable psychologically. I’m not homeless, things are
looking up!”
“Friendship Place gave me the opportunity to move forward.”
Thank You // Questions?
[email protected] @friendshipplace
/friendshipplace friendshipplace.org
