Where the Two Can Meet: Merging Transitional Housing with Rapid Re-Housing Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness October 21, 2010

Oct. 21, Utah/Salt Lake County Overview Utah Population 2.7 million (1 million in SL County) 2010 Homeless PIT for Utah is 3,372. Salt Lake County is 2,280 FMR for a 2 bedroom in SL County is $836 Salt Lake Vacancy Rate for January 2010 is 8.6%

Oct. 21,

4 History of Housing Program Capacity 2000 – Transitional Housing 26 units. Started Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA Program) with $300,000. Placed 22 households in scattered site housing – Managed 3 TBRA Programs w $500, Also accessed S+C, TH, small PSH program, etc. Served 90 households/year. WE NEEDED MORE OPTIONS! % of families coming to shelter doubled in five years.

Oct. 21, Change in Service Delivery Historically Emergency Shelter stays for families averaged 3 months We had limited options to help families with rent and services in housing Many families waited in shelter until their name came up for public housing, Sec. 8

Oct. 21, Here is How it Works: Pre Rapid Re-Housing, Families in shelter were slated for very limited TBRA, S+C, Transitional Housing or PSH options. Post Rapid Re-Housing, Every family in shelter more than 7 days is assessed (95% approved) for Rapid Re-Housing. Families who return to Shelter are then slated for TH, TBRA, S+C or PSH options. Of 365 families placed since October 1, 2009, 14 returned to Shelter by October 1, 2010.

Oct. 21, Housing Placement Opportunities for Families ABCD First Time Homeless, Few Barriers Repeat stay in Shelter with barriers but can be overcome with help. Can maintain housing but needs help paying the rent. Multiple Stays, Multiple Barriers, Difficulty Stabilizing/Obtaining Income, Landlords are hesitant to rent to this group. Have returned from Rapid Re-Housing. Multiple Barriers, Long Term Shelter or Street Homelessness, Inability to stabilize without long term supportive services. Rapid Re-Housing TH, S+C, TBRA, etc. Includes intensive supportive services. Permanent Supportive Housing Programs with Intensive Supportive Services

Oct. 21, Comparisons Total Shelter Clients Total Shelter Nights120,602209,303285,793 # of Clients in TRH Housing # of Families Placed In TRH Housing # of Families Placed in Housing including RRH

Oct. 21, Staffing and Funding Rapid Re-Housing A core RRH Team was created, including a Program Coordinator, Landlord Negotiator, Data Specialist and 3 case managers. Current Case Management staff shifted gears to be all Rapid Re-Housing focused with every family in Shelter. Accounting staff, Administrative staff and other support staff have shifted gears to be Rapid Re-Housing focused. TANF and HPRP funds. Approx. $4.8 million for 30 months

Oct. 21, Supportive Services are Different Case Managers follow RRH families into housing. Focus is on obtaining income with a HUGE push toward employment. Close partnership with UT Dept of Workforce Services (Utah’s TANF and employment agency) Case plans are strictly housing stability geared. RRH is Case Management LIGHT! Less frequent contact, family knows they can call if they are in trouble.

Oct. 21, Outcomes of RRH 55% (208 out of 393) have exited the RRH program. 14 families (<1%) returned to Shelter. Of the 14 families who have returned, 6 have been re-housed in TH, S+C, TBRA settings. An additional 6 are slated. 2 have documentation issues. Of all families served, $4065 is the average expenditure

Oct. 21, RRH and TH – What’s the Same? All families in shelter get housing assessment after 7 days All families on fast track into housing Families sign leases in both Families get help with rent as well as supportive services

Oct. 21, RRH and TH – What’s the Difference? RRH less intensive case management RRH private landlords TH more forgiving landlords TH is place based, RRH is client based TH rent is subsidized up to 2 years, RRH rent is subsidized for 3 months, then re-evaluated

Oct. 21, RRH = TH = TBRA With slight changes, Transitional Housing and traditional TBRA programs can be operated as Rapid Re-housing The best outcome is to move families out of Emergency Shelter as quickly as possible Create more housing options, not more emergency shelter

Oct. 21, Michelle C. Flynn The Road Home 210 South Rio Grande Street Salt Lake City, Utah