Moving Process

2 There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home. Rosalynn Carter

Phases of Moving Pre-tenancyMove-in On-going Tenancy 3

Pre-Tenancy Phase  Includes all of the tasks and activities leading up to the actual move in.  Begins with housing application and ends when housing unit is selected and ready for move in.  Engagement, relationship building with emphasis on housing support needs and preferences. 4

Pre-Tenancy Tasks To perform pre-tenancy tasks, a person should develop a thorough knowledge of:  Housing  Eligibility criteria for all possible options  Application requirements and process  Available units  Services  Eligibility criteria for all possible options: Benefits/entitlements; mainstream services; Medicaid services and waiver programs 5

…. 6 Performing initial Housing Assessment Determining eligibility for housing and services Understanding the role and responsibilities of being a tenant Completing the housing application Assessing strengths, preferences, housing and tenant barriers Planning for support and service needs Housing search Choosing a unit

Conducting Housing Assessment Conducted in partnership with applicant, other service providers involved as appropriate, and significant others as requested.  Housing-based assessments focus on:  Housing-specific knowledge, skills and resources needed to choose, attain and maintain housing  Tenant selection and housing retention barriers  Personal criteria for housing (people, place, activities and resources directly related to housing success and satisfaction)  Issues and needs related to disability, health condition and age (older adults) are considered in terms of possible impact on housing support needs 7

Tenant Screening Barriers  These barriers focus on housing and not a disability or health condition, and may cause an applicant to be ‘screened out’ or denied housing.  Landlords screen to reduce risks to loss of income, disruptions or property damage.  Income: does the person meet the income eligibility criteria?  Rental history: landlord references, history of evictions  Credit history  Criminal history 8

Move-in Phase  Covers all tasks pertaining to move-in including the actual move and initial settling in time.  Begins with lease signing and ends when person has settled in and adjusted to new home.  Many details to be arranged and attended to:  Lease signing  Payment of the security deposit  Arranging for actual move  Utility hook up  Furniture and household set up  Supporting the person through the move and initial adjustment 9

Key Move-in Tasks Update Housing Assessment to address the key tasks Continue education on tenancy rights, responsibilities and lease requirements Assistance with obtaining security deposits, securing furniture and other household items Assistance to set up telephone and utilities Coordinate Actual move 10

On-going Tenancy Phase The on-going tenancy phase describes the continual residency of an individual in housing. An individual must adhere to responsibilities such as paying rent, and getting along with the landlord and others, to remain there successfully. Ongoing tenancy tasks can be utilized to overcome housing retention barriers. 11

Key On-going Tenancy Tasks Updating assessment Maintaining annual requirements for subsidized Housing Skill building to promote competence and self sufficiency in managing apartment  Financial literacy, budgeting, paying rent and bills  Apartment upkeep  Household and personal safety  Good neighbor 12

Housing Retention Barriers  Barriers related to the applicant’s ability to understand and meet the conditions of the lease  Clear expectations include payment of rent, upkeep of unit, following rules of the property  Indirect expectations include “fitting in” behaviors that contribute to being considered a good neighbor and tenant, respecting neighbors ‘quiet enjoyment’ of property, understanding landlord- tenant rights and responsibilities  Personal preferences include those aspects that contribute to satisfaction and enjoyment where one is living. When we don’t like where we live, we we may act in ways that reflect this and may jeopardize housing. 13

Housing Success Housing success is achieved when an individual is able to enjoy their home while maintaining ongoing residency requirements. Success can also include personal satisfaction that the home provides. Satisfaction occurs when some or all of an individual’s personal criteria can be met. 14

Examples of personal criteria can include: 15 People (neighbors, friends, staff, roommates if applicable) Place (location, # of bedrooms, amenities) Resources (subsidy, food stamps, transportation, child care, companion animal, supports, etc.) Recovery oriented goals and activities Personal enrichment goals and activities

16 This PowerPoint presentation is created as part of the Community Choice Partnership Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant awarded to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services