1. Working With Your Public Housing Authority The Lancaster County Pennsylvania Experience

2. Our Community County of 450,000 City of Lancaster: 60,000 person situated in the middle of Lancaster County Very diversified population (from very rural Mennonite/Amish communities to a large concentration of Latino’s in the city)

3. Lancaster County, PA: Two Housing Authorities Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities –861 Tenant Based Section 8 Vouchers As of January 2006, 714 households on waiting list for voucher Lancaster City Housing Authority –806 Tenant Based Section 8 Vouchers As of January 2006, 508 households on waiting list –566 units of Public Housing 969 on waiting list

4. Local PHA Partnerships Both PHA’s historically have jointly worked together with the social service community –Joint contract between both authorities and Tabor Community Services since 2000 to provide Family Self Sufficiency Program –Joint contract with Tabor Community Services since 2003 to provide the Section 8 Homeownership Voucher Program –These successful relationships were used to build on for larger homeless network

5. Partnering with the Lancaster Interagency Council on Homelessness Homeless Preference with both PHA’s Shelter Plus Care: Lancaster City Housing Authority Project Based Section 8 for Supportive Housing Projects

6. Partnering with the Lancaster ICH Homeless Preference Authorities can establish local preferences as part of their administrative plan ICH identified key persons for a joint discussion –Both PHA Executive Directors –Section 8 Program Coordinators –Continuum of Care Chair –Tabor Community Services Staff (already established a trust relationship)

7. Homeless Preference State your case: –How will it help the community –How you will work together Be realistic about what is doable –What is the current overall availability Be aware of their concerns and issues and prepared with viable solutions –Who will take what responsibility Build on existing partnerships/programs –Gives credibility and trust that it can work Invite them to be part of the larger organization (ICH) –Staff are aware of the larger homeless system

8. A Successful Preference since June 2001 20% of all available voucher from both authorities given to homeless persons Referrals must come from pre-approved organizations Referring organization accepts responsibility to verify homeless eligibility and keep referral information current Required one year of follow-up services from referring organization

9. Initial concerns that were addressed Concern: how is this fair to those who are on a waiting list? –Solution: Cap of 20% Concern: will this be unmanageable –Solution: Set clear guidelines and eligibility Concern: who do we go to with problems? –Solution: Establish who is the point person Concern: will this mean more work when we are overworked already? –Solution: Referring agencies are responsible to screen for eligibility Concern: what if this doesn’t work? –Solution: Regular evaluation/ Good Communication

10. Partnering with the Lancaster ICH Shelter Plus Care 20 Slots available through the City Administered by the PHA Referrals must come from pre-approved agencies who qualify for eligibility Referring Agency is responsible to ensure provision of supportive services Continuum of Care Subcommittee of ICH assists in monitoring the supportive services Meet regularly with PHA to ensure ongoing communication and program continuation

11. Partnering with the Lancaster ICH Project Based Section 8 Local continuum has 4 Permanent SHP projects Both PHA’s are providing Project Based Section 8 for the SHP Units –22 County SRO units covered –16 City units (8 SRO, 5 2BR, 3 1BR) under development

12. Lessons Learned Start with reasonable partnerships Build on existing relationships Focus on the success of the first partnership to build trust, then continue to build programs/partnerships Service Partners need to take primary responsibility to continue projects Good communication is key Regular review and evaluation on a pre-planned schedule

13. Final Thoughts Find the win/wins Look for common goals Build good relationships Communicate, communicate, communicate

14. Happy Partnering!! Kay Moshier McDivitt Director of Housing Counseling Tabor Community Services, Inc. 308 East King Street, PO Box 1676 Lancaster, PA 17608- 1676 kmmcdivitt@tabornet.org 717-397-5182, ext 120