Housing is Healthcare Challenges, Barriers and Accomplishments in a Rural Area Shari Weiss, PhD, MPA, CASAC Community Housing Manager Catholic Charities of Cortland County

Social Determinants of Health “The range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health status” (Healthy People 2020) “Homelessness is a multifactorial and complex condition that has a significant impact on nearly every social determinant of health” (N. Shaffi, Policy & Practice, 2017).

Homeless statistics In 2015, 564,708 individuals experienced homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness) In NYS there were approximately 88,250 homeless individuals and families (OSC, 2016). In 2018 the NY-511 CoC reported 242 persons in 219 households were homeless in their six county region

Barriers to stable Housing Substance Use Mental Health Unemployment Incarceration Lack of Life Skills Lack of Resources

Challenges for Stable Housing Poor History (evictions, landlord/tenant issues) Unemployment Criminal Justice Issues Behavioral Health Issues Resources Budgeting and other Life Skills

Housing Models Community Residences Supportive Apartments Supported Housing-scattered site and static site (OMH, HUD, OASAS, MRT) Transitional Housing Independent Housing

Qualifying Conditions Community Residences-SPMI or Substance Use Disorder Supportive Apartments-SPMI or Substance Use Disorder Supported Housing-SPMI, HUD defined disability, Substance Use Disorder Transitional Housing-Homeless

Community Residences Community Residences provide stability for individuals coming from treatment or institutional settings 24/7 on-site staff Person-Centered Case Management High Level accountability Life Skills development Medication Management

Supportive Apartments Stable housing for individuals coming from Community Residences or institutional settings Independent units Person-Centered Case management On-call staff 24/7 Hands on life skills development Medication Monitoring

Supported Housing Stable Housing for individuals who also need case management Independent Units Case Management focused on Housing Some life skills development Referrals to Resources

Transitional Housing Temporary Housing for homeless individuals and families Brief person-centered case management Referrals to resources Assistance with benefits/entitlements, housing applications, housing searches, wraparound services, employment/vocational training No more than 60 days in duration Staff available during business hours

Independent Housing The Ultimate Goal of all housing programs

Catholic Charities of Cortland County Community Residences-OMH, OASAS Supportive Apartments-OMH, OASAS Supported Housing-OMH, HUD Transitional Housing- DSS Length of Stay in CR-3months-2 years. Length of Stay in Supportive Apartments 1-2 Years. Length of Stay in Supported Apartments 1 year-no limit. Length of Stay in Transitional- 7-60 days

People Served by CCOCC Community Residences -27 people a month Supportive Apartments -16 people a month Supported Housing -78 people a month Transitional Housing- 12 people a month All residents eventually hope to achieve Independent Living.

Accomplishments Stable housing for highest risk populations Wrap around services (care coordination) Medication compliance Less hospitalizations or ER usage Longer time between hospitalizations Treatment compliance Overall improved health

Questions?

Thank You! Shari Weiss, Ph.D., MPA, CASAC sweiss@ccocc.org Catholic Charities of Cortland County 33-35 Central Ave Cortland, NY 13045 www.cocc.org 607-756-5992