Housing Case Management to Support Households Exiting Homelessness

The City New Haven Department of Community Resilience, Office of Housing and Homeless Services (OHHS) requests proposals from qualified organizations to provide housing case management for households exiting homelessness to permanent housing units. This organization will utilize a Housing First Approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness with a housing choice voucher or rapid rehousing funds. This project is not expected to support permanent supportive housing projects. The goal of this organization is to provide a platform in which individuals and families can pursue personal goals and improve their quality of life. This approach is based on the belief that people basic needs must be met prior to seeking a job or substance use treatment. In addition, client choice is valued in housing selection to ensure positive housing placement and housing sustainability. Through this housing case management agreement, the organization will develop a platform to reduce barriers to access housing units, build capacity in participants, and promote housing sustainability. This program will provide case management support for individuals and families experiencing chronic or episodic homelessness, provide connections to needed services, assistance finding housing, financial education, tenant education, life skills, access to health education, and behavioral care. This will be achieved through individual /group sessions and home visits.

Housing First is a philosophy that values flexibility, individualized supports, client choice, and autonomy. Housing First is a proven, effective approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness. This prioritization can serve as a platform from which people can continue to grow and thrive in their communities.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness recommends the following three core components and practices: housing identification, move-in assistance, and case management and services to resolve the household's housing crisis.

The key to the person-centered, housing first approach is to utilize a problem-solving conversation to assist in identifying and accessing a variety of permanent housing options from the moment participants are enrolled in the program. The staff play a significant role in working with program participants to develop an individualized housing identification plan that is reflective of a person-centered approach.

Effective housing case management includes three phases: obtaining and moving into permanent housing; supporting stabilization in housing; and ensuring that the connections and resources are in place for participants to successfully stay housed.

PROPOSED PROGRAM STAFF CORE RESPONSIBILITIES: (Organizations may propose alternative staff roles/responsibilities, but they may not supplant existing positions.)

Program Coordinator (In-Kind)

• Oversees the implementation & operation of the case management program
• Collaborates with Coordinated Access Network and key community stakeholders to implement innovative housing strategies.
• Develop and implement programs that utilize the Housing First Model
• Conduct Program evaluations and prepare program reports

Housing Specialist (1 FTE)

• Experienced curating new landlords and communicating within landlord networks.
• Understands landlord perspectives and can effectively market the program to negotiate with landlords.
• Has dedicated time and resources for identifying housing and recruiting landlords with no other competing job priorities.
• Helps ease the challenges of finding landlords in tight housing markets
• Allows the case manager to focus on supporting the program participant in obtaining & sustaining housing.

Case Manager (minimum of 2 FTEs)

• Provide housing navigation & matching assistance to participants (i.e. security deposits/ housing subsidies)

• Assist participant landlord interviews (i.e., coach participants on how to respond to potential questions about Tenant Screening Barriers); accompany participant to interviews when possible or needed.
• NEGOTIATE the lease terms with the landlord to accept a person/household with particularly high Tenant Screening Barriers, such as a criminal history with arson or a sex offense.
• Secure rent and provide moving assistance (i.e., security deposits, move-in expenses, rent, utilities, arrears).
• Assist with setting housing sustainability goals, define pathways to reach them, and identify steps to achieve them.
• Create individualized and flexible assistance, progressive engagement strategies to issues that may have contributed to their experience(s) of homelessness and/or issues that could contribute to their return (i.e., behavioral health).
• Coordinate employment assistance, financial literacy and tenancy groups.
• Conduct progressive home visits.
• Connect participants to community and mainstream services and supports to build community and achieve long-term housing stability.
• Maintain record of all activities and engagements.
• Successfully exit households from the program in as short a time as necessary.