On May 22, 2008 KnowledgePlex hosted a web-based conference on Rapid Re-housing. The second of a two part series on new housing strategies for the homeless focused on rapid re-housing programs in the communities of Hennepin County Minnesota and Chicago Illinois. Panelist for this chat spoke to the impact rapid re-housing has had on the shelter system and the success they have seen in shorter lengths of stay in shelter and long term stability in housing.
Click here to view the PowerPoint for the Hennepin County Rapid Exit Program. For the Housing Opportunities for Women – Chicago’s Plan to End Homelessness program click here.
Rapid re-housing programs are gaining increased recognition as their ability to minimize shelter stay for minimal costs become apparent. With a focus on helping families return to housing and their communities more quickly, rapid re-housing programs reduce the strain on the shelter system and increase the success and stability of families as they live independently.
Marge Wherely of Hennepin County, Minnesota shed some light on the structure of their Rapid Exit program. In Hennepin County, 72% of families entering the shelter are aided through the Rapid Exit program and 95% of those families remain stably housed.
Families entering the shelter are immediately assessed to determine the level of housing barriers and placed into categories of low, moderate and high barriers to housing. Families with moderate to low barriers are referred to the Rapid Exit Program while families with more severe housing barriers are referred to other supportive housing programs that might be more suitable for their needs. Rapid Exit counselors begin to locate housing for the families based on their knowledge and relationship with local landlords. Families are connected to local non-profits for their service needs.
The average family will receive assistance, both financial and service oriented, for 3 to 6 months. A heavy emphasis is placed on connecting families with mainstream resources so as to transition and maintain support upon the termination of services from the rapid exit team. The average family receives $2,500 over a 3 – 6 month period for housing start-up costs. Families are actively involved in the development of their service plan and work with rapid exit counselors to determine the form of their financial assistance whether it be a one-time lump sum payment or a shallow subsidy over the course of a few months.
The success of Hennepin County’s Rapid Exit Program is due, in large part, to the collaboration between the County, Shelters and Non-profit service providers. At the County level, a re-organization of the way in which homeless service dollars are spent has enabled Hennepin County to guarantee start-up costs for housing to any homeless family that has located housing. In addition, a strong relationship with private landlords helps the program move families quickly into permanent housing reducing the average length of stay in shelter to 30 day.
Britt Shawver of Housing Opportunities for Women located in Chicago, Illinois highlighted the transformation currently taking place in Chicago. As a city that had an over abundance of 2-year transitional programs with very low success rates and a large percentage of clients entering and exiting the programs in 6 – 8 months, it became clear that a change in approach was necessary in order to see progress in the movement to end homelessness. After careful evaluation of the data, Chicago has switched to a Housing First approach in the homeless housing and service system. With an express goal of creating permanent housing opportunities for homeless individuals and families, Chicago is in the process of eliminating its shelter and transitional housing beds and replacing these with interim and permanent housing.
The adoption of a Housing First philosophy required a shift in thinking at all levels from the mayor’s office to the non-profit social workers. Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW), a former transitional housing program, was able to make this shift by realizing that transitional housing programs in Chicago were part of the problem in the homeless system. Individuals and families cycled in and out of various programs without ever gaining stability or the support necessary to ensure their success in housing. At HOW, once the decision to switch to permanent housing was made, a reorganization of the agency, its vision and goals, its regulations, strategies and approach was necessary. From the top down, all staff of HOW bought into the Housing First Philosophy and invested in the success of this strategy for the organization.
A program that include 100% project based, agency supported transitional housing became an 80% scattered site, permanent housing program. This success of this dramatic change in direction was due in large part to the support from the top down as well as the training and re-training of staff and their involvement in the planning process for the reorganization. Staff were re-trained to work with clients through home based case management. Staff learned creative engagement strategies as housing was no longer based on compliance with treatment plans. A shift in focus took place as case managers learned to work from a harm reduction model and focused on tenancy behaviors and dealing with issues directly related to maintaining housing. Working from the premise that homelessness is a housing issue and housing is a right, not a reward, HOW has been able to transform the services it provides to homeless families and successfully place families into stable permanent housing quickly.
To view the power point presentations from the Knowledgeplex chat on Rapid Re-housing for homeless families, click on the links below:
Hennepin County Rapid Exit Program
Housing Opportunities for Women – Chicago’s Plan to End Homelessness.
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