Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa Rapid Re-Housing Program (RHP) Presented by Jennielynn Holmes & Tanya Wulff

Overview – What will be covered today? What does the program aim to accomplish? What are the eligibility requirements? What is the Triage Tool and how will it be used? What is the referral Process? Who is NOT appropriate to refer? What kind of resources can be offered? What are the benefits to our community? Q & A

What does RRH aim to accomplish? Provide assistance and resources to homeless families to reduce their time in homelessness and to quickly obtain housing again Reduce the number of days eligible families are housed in the shelter system Provide support, resources and assistance to help retain housing, once it is obtained Create successful, working partnerships with other community entities, including other charitable organizations as well as private landlords and property managers

What are the eligibility requirements? The family must include at least one adult and one minor child Be a current “resident” of Sonoma County Homeless at the time of intake (must be living in an emergency shelter, place not meant for habitation or a hotel/motel with voucher that was provided by a government agency or other non profit provider CCRRH program staff must be able to reasonably determine the potential client has the potential to retain or increase income equal to 200% of FMR within one years time Potential clients may face no more than two significant barriers to obtain permanent housing. These include; housing history, income stability, credit problems, substance abuse/addiction; criminal activity Assess as level one or two based on the Triage Tool

What is the Triage Tool and how will it be used? Provided by the National Alliance on Homelessness; it is specifically designed for use in RRH programs Based on a Support Assessment Tool, designed by CC, potential clients will be placed in one of four levels Level 1 components include no significant barriers except financial such as, very low income, insufficient emergency reserves Level 2 components include; some financial barriers; no serious mental illness or dependency; lack of awareness regarding tenant rights; may have been homeless once before Level 3-4 have increasingly difficult barriers to overcome in order to successfully obtain and retain housing. Levels 3 & 4, are therefore, not eligible for this program

What is the referral Process? By referencing the Triage Tool, as well as completing the Coordinated Intake Screening Tool, Intake Coordinators, providers and outreach workers can make an initial determination of the appropriateness of their clients. Eventually this process will be automated in ETO Have potential clients call Tanya Wulff, Supportive Housing Coordinator for Catholic Charities at Ext. 203 for further assessment Once a client is identified and the provider believes they may be a good match for RRH, please notify Tanya Wulff of your referral. Eventually, this process will also be automated in ETO

Who is NOT appropriate to refer? Any family who is not considered homeless under this program’s definition Any family currently living in transitional housing programs Any family on a fixed and/or limited income Any individual who is “staying busy” to support his/her recovery and/or anyone who is newly in recovery ie: six months or less Any individual who has a chronic, untreated and/or unmedicated mental health issues Any individual who has been homeless multiple times over their lifetime Any family who has significant and/or multiple barriers to overcome before housing can be retained

What kind of resources can be offered? Short and/or medium-term rental assistance Utility deposits Moving cost assistance Outreach and Engagement Targeted case management Individual housing plans Housing search and placement Legal referrals Credit repair Mediation services

What kind of activities are not eligible for RRH funds? Consumer debts such as credit cards, medical or dental bills Car repairs or other transportation or travel costs Food, clothing or grooming, pet care, entertainment Cash assistance of any kind Work or education related materials, certifications, licenses or general training classes Home furnishings, construction or rehabilitation Discharge planning programs from institutions such as hospitals, jails or prisons

What are the benefits to our community? Provides assistance to homeless families to reduce time in homelessness an obtain housing Provides critical services which will help to achieve long-term stability and decrease future homelessness Reduces amount of families being housed in shelters thus using less of the scarce shelter resources Stimulates rental market through increased fair market rentals

Questions & Answers Please call Tanya Wulff, Supportive Housing Coordinator at Catholic Charities at Ext. 203 for further clarification, referrals or if you have any questions