2. Finding Clients Permanent Accommodation by Carlos Vialard Gordon Ajak Zakim Tokhy Zeljko Dragicevic February 20, 2007

3. 1- Housing Search Techniques  Housing orientation delivery  Agency expectations contract  Clients’ involvement in housing search  Viewing housing option

4. 2- Housing Search Techniques  Housing disputes management  Finding sublets  Referral letter

5. 3-Housing Search Techniques  Understand the structure of major housing providers  Articulate the benefits in partnership  Stress agency capacity and available support for GAR’s

6. 4-Housing Search Techniques  Utilize any housing referral by family member, friends, JAS or a co-signer  Monitor superintendent movement between property rentals companies

7. 5-Housing Search Techniques  Solicit referrals from superintendents, realtors and property managers  Utilize other GAR’s housing records

8. 6- Challenges  Insufficient rental allowances  Large families and singles  Location and client’s expectation  Racism / Discrimination

9. Low income Family Size Housing allowance Accommodation Cost in K-W Area Single$417 1 Room $450 - $500 Couple$6381Bedroom $600 - &700 Couple + Child $734 2 Bedroom $800 - $1200 Couple + 2 children $734 3 Bedroom $950-1500 Couple + 3 children $783 = = Couple + 4 or more children $808 = =

10. 7- Challenges  Low vacancy rate  Agency’s approach to client responsibility  Unofficial orientation received in the community  Guarantors requirement

11. 8- Challenges  Lack of credit history and urban life skills  Language barrier  Direct payment requirement  Lack of procedures in place to deterred those who skip out  Landlords living outside the city

12. 9- Solutions  Non profit housing and budgeting orientation  Dividing large families into two apartments  Sending singles to Welcome Home

13. 10- Solutions  Create socializing opportunities between landlords and GAR’s  Securing bus tickets from other programs  Media

14. 11- Solutions  Uniformed approach by all staff for all clients  Discussing realities with all the parties involved  Volunteer and student support

15. 12- Solutions  Creating and promoting more housing units by involving developers  Letter of introduction

16. 13- Solutions  Cement the existing and development of new contacts  Educate superintendents about GARs’ needs  Landlords and Life Skills trainers input in orientation materials  Coordinated case management approach to housing

17. 14- Solutions  Follow-up with housing issues beyond RAP entitlement/ one year  Follow-up orientation and emergency cases orientation  Coordinated home visits  Flexible temporary accommodation stay

18. 15- Recommendations  Housing budget needs to be set to provide appropriate housing options for all family compositions. Recent increases are welcome but adjustments are needed, particularly for larger families, and perhaps, singles

19. 16- Recommendations  Advocate for increase construction of more 4-5 bedroom units  Construction and/or rehabilitation of existing derelict buildings to provide low rental and subsidized units

20. 17- Recommendations  Consider full rent payment directly from CIC to landlords  More resources for housing activities/ interpretation needs  Consider transitional housing option  Practice flexible rental allowances