Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness Conference “Housing Virginia’s Most Vulnerable” Monday, September 22, 2014 Richmond, VA Jacky Casumbal Community Case Manager, Cornerstones

AGENDA  What do Rapid Re-Housing clients look like?  What does the affordable housing market look like?  These clients are not the best fit for Rapid Re-Housing  Making it work  Measuring progress  Challenges  Successes

WHAT DO RAPID RE-HOUSING CLIENTS LOOK LIKE?  Medical issues  Mental health diagnosis or symptoms  History of evictions  History of homelessness  Bad credit  Criminal background  Little or no community and familial supports

WHAT DOES THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET LOOK LIKE?  Housing Choice Vouchers are not being issued  Waitlists for project based vouchers are closed  No more transitional housing  Rent and cost of living are increasing while wages remain stagnant

THESE CLIENTS ARE NOT THE BEST FIT FOR RRH  Can exit homelessness with little assistance  Recovering from addiction  Chronically homeless  Need more long term financial support and more intensive supportive services

MAKING IT WORK  Be strategic  Be creative and flexible  Employment resources  Emphasis on client relationship  Collaboration

MEASURING PROGRESS  Reduced homelessness recidivism  Completed goals on Service Plan  Increased motivation  Increased income and employment  Increased savings  Increased community and familial supports  Decreased expenses  Decreased debt

CHALLENGES  Managing clients’ expectations  Getting landlords on board  Availability of financial assistance  Resistance to new housing approach  Extra time to strategize, collaborate and communicate

SUCCESSES  Example 1: Client getting trained as a medical assistant; planning on relocating to more affordable area  Example 2: Elderly, HIV+ client moved out of shelter in 45 days