Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness Conference“Housing Virginia’s Most Vulnerable”

Monday, September 22, 2014Richmond, VA

Jacky CasumbalCommunity Case Manager, Cornerstones

jacky.casumbal@cornerstonesva.org

Using Rapid Re-Housing to Serve the Most

Vulnerable

AGENDA

What do Rapid Re-Housing clients look like?

What does the affordable housing market look like?

These clients are not the best fit for Rapid Re-Housing

Making it work

Measuring progress

Challenges

Successes

WHAT DO RAPID RE-HOUSING CLIENTS LOOK LIKE?

Medical issues

Mental health diagnosis or symptoms

History of evictions

History of homelessness

Bad credit

Criminal background

Little or no community and familial supports

WHAT DOES THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKET LOOK LIKE?

Housing Choice Vouchers are not being issued

Waitlists for project based vouchers are closed

No more transitional housing

Rent and cost of living are increasing while wages remain

stagnant

THESE CLIENTS ARE NOT THE BEST FIT FOR RRH

Can exit homelessness with little assistance

Recovering from addiction

Chronically homeless

Need more long term financial support and more intensive

supportive services

MAKING IT WORK

Be strategic

Be creative and flexible

Employment resources

Emphasis on client relationship

Collaboration

MEASURING PROGRESS

Reduced homelessness recidivism

Completed goals on Service Plan

Increased motivation

Increased income and employment

Increased savings

Increased community and familial supports

Decreased expenses

Decreased debt

CHALLENGES

Managing clients’ expectations

Getting landlords on board

Availability of financial assistance

Resistance to new housing approach

Extra time to strategize, collaborate and communicate

SUCCESSES

Example 1: Client getting trained as a medical assistant;

planning on relocating to more affordable area

Example 2: Elderly, HIV+ client moved out of shelter in 45

days