1. Keys to Housing Security
Connecticut’s Homeless Navigation Model
September 18, 2018

2. How we approach our work
The Connecticut homelessness response system is built on principles and practices that enable us to effectively end homelessness
We use a Housing First approach, which removes barriers to help homeless individuals obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible, without unnecessary prerequisites.
Our successes are built on the foundation of collaboration and cooperation among state agencies, over 200 programs, and other stakeholders committed to ending homelessness
We use data to track our progress, improve our practices, and maximize our efficiencies

3. CAN System Overview
A high-level diagram of the coordinated access process from entry to exit
Diverted from Homelessness
Rapid Exit/Self-Resolved
Household in Need of Assistance
Waitlist for Shelter
By-Name List
Rapid Re-Housing
CALL
2-1-1
CAN Assessment
Housing Placement Meetings in each CAN
Staying in Shelter
OUTREACH
Navigation
Begins
Permanent Supportive Housing
Outreach plays the critical role of ensuring those outdoors or unlikely to use the process are put on the By-Name List
Conduct VI-SPDAT when/if appropriate, which adds client to By-Name List

4. Identification and Entry
Clients in housing crisis should dial 2-1-1
2-1-1 operates every hour of every day, and as such clients can call at any time to schedule a coordinated entry assessment
2-1-1 typically receives over 5,000 housing-related calls per month. The average phone wait time is 4 minutes, though the wait may be longer during particularly busy times at the contact center (beginning of the month, end of the month, and early in the week)
Identification and Entry
2-1-1 is the primary coordinated entry point for all people in the state who are experiencing a housing crisis, including homelessness. We also have a comprehensive outreach network to identify people who are living outdoors and/or are unlikely to contact 2-1-1
In the past year, there were more than 93,000 housing related service requests to The top three were shelter (50,672), low-cost housing (11,534), and rent assistance (10,878).

5. Diversion from Homelessness
CAN staff are trained to explore client strengths to reconnect individuals to natural supports, negotiate with landlords, and identify solutions to resolve housing crisis
Diversion is any strategy that prevents homelessness by helping people to identify immediate alternate housing arrangements and, if necessary, connecting them with services and financial assistance to help them return to or maintain permanent housing.
Permanently back living with friends or family
Return to their own residence
Temporarily diverted as they seek new housing
Relocating permanently to safe place out of town
POSSIBLE DIVERSION OUTCOMES
According to the best available data, 30-35% of all people in housing crisis are diverted from homelessness each month statewide.

6. Continuum of Housing Services
Navigation & case management are funded across the service spectrum by multiple sources.
RRH / PSH Case Management
Shelter Case Management
211
Light Diversion
Navigation
State, CoC, Private, CDBG (Pending)
State (DOH)
& CoC
State (DOH & DMHAS), CoC, Private
State (DOH & DMHAS), CoC, Private

7. Funding Navigation – Public / Private Partnerships
Each CAN funds navigation services in a
variety of ways:
Public
State funding – Flexible & Contracted
CoC funding
CDBG Pending
Private
United Ways
Private fundraising
Melville Charitable Trust
Funding Navigation – Public / Private Partnerships

8. Role of the Navigator Assessment Diversion
Purpose: To assist participants move through the Coordinated Access Network and obtain housing. Navigators engage participants as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation
Assessment
Assess a household’s needs at the time of the presenting housing crisis.
Administer a common assessment tool (VI-SPDAT), as needed, and conduct intakes
at the designated CAN location as well as in the field.
Diversion
Attempt to divert household to natural resources through conflict resolution or
mediation.
Access targeted financial assistance to support shelter diversion.
Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of intervention and support strategies.
Develop initial housing plan
Over 10,000 individuals and more than 3,400 families attended a
CAN assessment in calendar year 2017

9. Role of the Navigator Establish Connections to Resources
Purpose: To assist participants move through the Coordinated Access Network and obtain housing. Navigators engage participants as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation
Establish Connections to Resources
Participate in daily phone calls with emergency shelters
Work collaboratively with outreach and shelter staff to ensure a smooth transition to services.
Assist the client in obtaining entitlements as needed.
Demonstrate ability to effectively access and utilize community resources.
Link and refer to appropriate services to obtain and maintain housing.
Demonstrate knowledge of legal system and individual housing civil rights, as well as
ability to advocate on behalf of individuals to ensure those rights are protected.
Knowledge of community resources for individuals, families, and specific populations
Data Management
Input client data into the statewide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
Use data management systems to communicate effectively with all CAN entities – 211,
State Government, shelters, outreach, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing

10. Next Steps for our navigation & homelessness response system
Increase long-term funding sustainability for navigation to expand upon capacity
Create learning collaborative for navigation staff
Create fluid case management across all levels of care
Expand staffing to support shared housing & landlord development
Improve coordination with other systems such as hospitals, corrections, mental health authorities, etc.
Global understanding of performance using available data

11. Questions
And answers.

12. Contact Information
Leigh Shields-Church LCSW
Coordinated Access Network Manager,
Connecticut Department of Housing
(860)