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) a.40% must be dedicated to rapid re-housing/prevention b.Activities patterned after HPRP c.Not all jurisdictions covered d.Approximately 200 households served annually

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

9. Rapid Re-housing in Alameda County Post HPRP Family Housing Reunification Project a.Funded by Title IV Waiver funding b.Supportive services and rental subsidies to families reunifying with children c.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 a.12 month target b.Graduated rents c.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 a.Utility debt b.Involvement with the Criminal Justice System c.Income & desire to d.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… a.Specific plan to increase income b.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: a.Housing Identification b.Rent and Moving Assistance c.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?