Rapid Rehousing Programs

Omaha Metro Area The Omaha-Council Bluffs CoC includes Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties Population: 408,958 or 895,151 in the Metro Area Median Household Income: $57,593 Median house value: $143,200 Median gross rent: $813 Rental vacancy rate: 7.66%

Homelessness in Omaha In a single day in Omaha (1/24/17) 1,389 individuals were homeless (1,166 households) Living Situations 972 – shelter 360 – transitional housing 57 - streets Household Type 1,137 single individuals 352 persons in families (134 families) 0 minor youth only – 100 youth (age 18-24)

Heartland Family Service Programs Multi-service human service agency Operates 50 programs 3 Focus areas: Child & Family, Counseling & Prevention and Housing & Financial Stability Housing Programs Homelessness Prevention Street Outreach/ PATH Rapid Rehousing Permanent Supportive Housing Domestic Violence Shelter

Rapid Rehousing Programs Heartland Housing Opportunities/ Expansion Serves Douglas, Sarpy, Pottawattamie Counties 1.25 Program Coordinator, 8 Case Manager, 2 Housing Advocate 176-200 units, Serves 576+ individuals annually Heartland Housing Passages Serves Douglas and Sarpy Counties Youth ages 18-24 (some dedicated to former wards) .5 Coordinator, 2 Case Manager, .5 Housing Advocate 40-44 units, Serves 174 individuals annually Pottawattamie County Homeless Link Serves Pottawattamie County, Iowa 45-50 units, Serves 468 individuals annually

Rapid Rehousing – Progressive Engagement Heartland Housing Connections Serves Douglas, Sarpy, Pottawattamie Counties Program Coordinator, 6 Case Manager, 1 Housing Advocate 102 units (caseload size of 17 households) 34 Dedicated family units 17 Dedicated youth units 51 Dedicated units for chronic individuals

Program Philosophy Housing First Low Demand - monthly case management services are mandatory Trauma Informed Care Client-Centered Approach to Service Delivery Minimum Assistance Necessary - length of stay is based on need (up to 12 months)

Eligibility and Prioritization Eligibility: Category 1 (Literally homeless) OR Category 4 (Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Violence) - VI-SPDAT score determines placement in traditional RRH or Progressive Engagement RRH Prioritization: RRH prioritizes subpopulations in the following order. 1. Veteran w/ Children 2. Non-Veteran w/ Children 3. Veteran w/o Children 4. All others w/o Children * Within each subpopulation, households are organized based on length of homeless, then VI score.

Assistance Determinations Approvals on a month-to-month basis, unless circumstances clearly outline a need for multiple months (not approved for more than three months at a time). Maximum length of rental assistance provided is 12 months. Extensions beyond 12 months are available on a case-by-case basis (not to exceed 18 months total). Participant’s portion of housing costs (rent & utilities) is equal to 30% of their gross monthly income.

Supportive Services Assessment/Intake with Case Manager Meeting: review program, assessment, homeless status, HMIS Info Approved by supervisor Housing Search Identify needs and create housing plan Schedule showings and provide transportation Complete inspection Move-in Ongoing Care Meetings 2x per month (monthly minimum) Recertification quarterly Discharge Aftercare

Our Housing Search Team Staffing: .75 Program Coordinator, 4 Housing Advocates, 1 Landlord Recruitment Specialist, 1 Housing Inspector Each client is assigned a Housing Advocate following intake/approval Initial Meeting – develop a plan, budget, preferences Weekly contact/meetings until housed Weekly case reviews with supervisor Weekly coordination meeting with team Review changes in inventory, landlords, engagement efforts needed, gaps in housing inventory, etc.

Case Management While Housing Searching: goals/services limited to barriers to locating housing At Move-in: attend lease signing, ensure utilities connected, referrals for furniture, schedule meetings After Move-in: Develop/update plan to sustain housing Connections to eligible benefits/resources Address any barriers to housing retention Meeting Frequency: 2x/mo for traditional RRH (more or less depending on client need), weekly for connections (less as stabilized)

Transitioning from RRH & Progressive Engagement Discharge planning beings at program entry! Progressive Engagement Begin planning for alternatives at six months, including subsidized housing applications Assess for PSH eligibility and refer at nine months If nothing in the months prior to timing out… get creative, plan for the possibility of moving Aftercare planning at exit Monthly check in recommended Case Management available for1-6 months after exit

Results Average LOS – 3-6 months (including search) 3.5 – PCHL (serves more families) 6.7 – Passages (youth) 5.4 – Opportunities (all populations) Total Program Cost/Household = $2,491 $1,967/household & $714/person (PCHL) $2,810/household & $1,506/person (Passages) $2,696/Household & $1,226/person (Opportunities) Average Financial Assistance/Household = $1,304 $1,018 (PCHL) $1,444 (Passages) $1,451(Opportunities)

Program Outcomes Housing Stability (retain/exit to PH) 77% (PCHL), 70% (Passages), 72% (Opportunities) Total Income (remain/increase income) 29% (PCHL), 40% (Passages), 33% (Opportunities) Earned Income (remain/increase) 24% (PCHL), 30% (Passages), 23% (Opportunities) Days until Housing Placement: 37-46 days Avoid Recidivism (no ES/OT entries 1 year post exit) 82% PCHL, 84% HHP, 84% HHO *9/16 - 8/17