1. Housing is Healthcare
Challenges, Barriers and Accomplishments in a Rural Area
Shari Weiss, PhD, MPA, CASAC
Community Housing Manager
Catholic Charities of Cortland County

2. Social Determinants of Health
“The range of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors that influence health status” (Healthy People 2020)
“Homelessness is a multifactorial and complex condition that has a significant impact on nearly every social determinant of health” (N. Shaffi, Policy & Practice, 2017).

3. Homeless statistics
In 2015, 564,708 individuals experienced homelessness (National Alliance to End Homelessness)
In NYS there were approximately 88,250 homeless individuals and families (OSC, 2016).
In 2018 the NY-511 CoC reported 242 persons in 219 households were homeless in their six county region

4. Barriers to stable Housing
Substance Use
Mental Health
Unemployment
Incarceration
Lack of Life Skills
Lack of Resources

5. Challenges for Stable Housing
Poor History (evictions, landlord/tenant issues)
Unemployment
Criminal Justice Issues
Behavioral Health Issues
Resources
Budgeting and other Life Skills

6. Housing Models Community Residences Supportive Apartments
Supported Housing-scattered site and static site (OMH, HUD, OASAS, MRT)
Transitional Housing
Independent Housing

7. Qualifying Conditions
Community Residences-SPMI or Substance Use Disorder
Supportive Apartments-SPMI or Substance Use Disorder
Supported Housing-SPMI, HUD defined disability, Substance Use Disorder
Transitional Housing-Homeless

8. Community Residences
Community Residences provide stability for individuals coming from treatment or institutional settings
24/7 on-site staff
Person-Centered Case Management
High Level accountability
Life Skills development
Medication Management

9. Supportive Apartments
Stable housing for individuals coming from Community Residences or institutional settings
Independent units
Person-Centered Case management
On-call staff 24/7
Hands on life skills development
Medication Monitoring

10. Supported Housing
Stable Housing for individuals who also need case management
Independent Units
Case Management focused on Housing
Some life skills development
Referrals to Resources

11. Transitional Housing
Temporary Housing for homeless individuals and families
Brief person-centered case management
Referrals to resources
Assistance with benefits/entitlements, housing applications, housing searches, wraparound services, employment/vocational training
No more than 60 days in duration
Staff available during business hours

12. Independent Housing
The Ultimate Goal of all housing programs

13. Catholic Charities of Cortland County
Community Residences-OMH, OASAS
Supportive Apartments-OMH, OASAS
Supported Housing-OMH, HUD
Transitional Housing- DSS
Length of Stay in CR-3months-2 years. Length of Stay in Supportive Apartments 1-2 Years. Length of Stay in Supported Apartments 1 year-no limit. Length of Stay in Transitional days

14. People Served by CCOCC Community Residences -27 people a month
Supportive Apartments -16 people a month
Supported Housing -78 people a month
Transitional Housing- 12 people a month
All residents eventually hope to achieve Independent Living.

15. Accomplishments Stable housing for highest risk populations
Wrap around services (care coordination)
Medication compliance
Less hospitalizations or ER usage
Longer time between hospitalizations
Treatment compliance
Overall improved health

16. Questions?

17. Thank You!
Shari Weiss, Ph.D., MPA, CASAC Catholic Charities of Cortland County Central Ave Cortland, NY