HOUSING FIRST Broward County, FL Broward FL-601 Continuum of Care Board October 2014

Pre-HEARTH History  System of managing homelessness- not ending homelessness  Focus on providing services first  High threshold for housing entry: clinical prerequisites; evidence of sobriety  Result in increased depression among parents and children, an increase in poor academic performance, and an increased chance of family separation

Traditional Approach Shelter Placement Transitional Permanent Housing Homeless

HUD’s View-PRIORITY  CoC Application  Prioritization of chronic homelessness  Housing offered without preconditions  Rapid placement (and stabilization) in Permanent Housing- Rapid Re-housing

Present – Post HEARTH Act  Changes required for successful Housing First Model  Changes in approach  Changes in funding  Changes in implementation  Changes in mindset

Housing First Approach Shelter Placement Transitional Permanent Housing Homeless

What is Housing First?  A simple approach that calls for immediate action

What is Housing First? (cont’d)  An approach that emphasizes stable, permanent housing as a primary strategy for ending homelessness  An approach to ending homelessness that centers on providing people experiencing homelessness with housing as quickly as possible- and THEN providing services as needed

Critical Elements  Focus on helping individuals and families access and sustain permanent rental housing as quickly as possible without time limit restraints, i.e. having to wait a mandatory 60 days before being placed;  Variety of services delivered primarily, following a household placement, to promote housing stability and individual well-being;  Services are time limited or long-term depending on individual need; and  Housing is NOT contingent upon compliance with services-instead participants must comply with a standard lease agreement and are provided with the services and supports that are necessary to help them do so successfully.

What does Housing First entail?  Assessment and Targeting  In-depth assessment to determine feasibility  Permanent Housing  Some programs provide minimal financial assistance  Some programs rely solely on apartments in the private rental market  Some programs hold the lease while Client in program  Low, Moderate or High Intensity Supportive Services  Varying levels of intensity is dictated by the needs of the individuals/families; help with stabilization  Outcome Measures  How rapidly re-housed?  Are individuals and families remaining housed?  Do individuals and families re-enter shelter?  Average length of stay in homelessness of the target population  Assesses whether there is a reduction in the length of homeless episodes overall

Housing First Efficacy  Proven method of ending all types of homelessness and is the most effective approach to ending chronic homelessness  Core strategy for ending homelessness in “Opening Doors: the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness”  Widely adopted by national and community-based organizations as a best practice for solving homelessness

End Result  Higher housing retention rates  Lower return to homelessness  Significant reductions in the use of crisis service and institutions  Maintain family unit

Housing First Fidelity  Are applicants required to have income prior to admission?  Are applicants required to be “clean and sober” or “treatment compliant” prior to admission?  Are tenants able to be evicted for not following through on their services and/or treatment plan? IF ANY ANSWER IS “YES” TO ANY OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, THE PROGRAM IS NOT HOUSING FIRST

Questions ?