Rapid Rehousing

A Local Perspective

What is Rapid Rehousing?

Rapid return to housing as an alternative

to longer shelter stays

Part of the crisis response system—different from permanent supportive

housing

Why?• Makes better use of shelter capacity—serve more

people with the same number of beds.

• Frees up staff to help those with greatest need.

• Prevents the start of the downward spiral that can begin with an experience of homelessness.

• 53 People Re-housed• 70% remained housed at one year follow-up

http://www.cceh.org/publications/detail/rapid-re-housing-at-scale-in-new-london-conn

Our first pilot

New London Homeless Hospitality Center Goal:

DO RAPID REHOUSING AT SCALE

Facilitate rapid exit from shelter for every guest who:

• Has incomeSSI/ SSDIUnemploymentJob—steadyJobs--off the booksFamily supportState AssistanceLMHA clientsATR eligible

• Finds employment

• Has housing options (with family or friends)

Ability to immediately identify, engage and track everyone eligible for rapid rehousing

• Rapid Rehousing begins at Intake

• Immediate capture of income--Housing savings accounts

• Frequent reminders

• All staff, all the time, focus on rapid

rehousing

• Deadlines—Guest shares responsibility for rehousing

A system that encourages rapid exit

Develop an inventory of every type of housing

• Apartments• Boarding Houses• Shared Units• Renting rooms• Sober Houses• Public Housing• Subsidized Housing• Live In Work• Board and Care• Permanent Supportive Housing

Develop relationships with landlords

Skill at mediation—helping people return home

Housing Location Support

Staffing Approaches

1. Outside provider

2. Part Time NLHHC and SMHA staff

Issues• Problems coordinating • Staff not in when guests need service• Problems coordinating with landlords• Not enough capacity to handle

demand

3. Full Time NLHHC staff

Rehouisng doesn’t always require rental assistance

Financial Assistance

Getting to scale, however, requires access to financial assistance

NL Fund to End Homelessness $1,100 average

Rehoused with Financial Assistance from NLHHC shelter only

July 1, 2013-April 30, 2014

15% of total exits—still not at scale

Putting the RAPID in Rapid Rehousing

New London Fund to End Homelessness

• Subcontractors determine eligibility, find housing, secure documentation and authorize payment.

• Peer Audits

• On-line portal to submit rental assistance requests

• Checks cut in 24-48 hours

• On-line access to check payment status

• Close the shelter door

• Linkages to community based services

• Ability to serve as a representative payee

Supporting Housing Retention

A system that encourages rapid exit

Housing Location Support

Financial Assistance

Supporting Housing Retention