2.2 implementing the hearth act: preparing for the new emergency solutions grant

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

Transition 2009•Began with reallocation of 10% of the ESG funds to re-housing, followed by 20%, followed by 40%

•Created Housing Assessment & Resource Agencies (HARA) – HARA’s focus on shelter diversion

•HARA Definition– A physical location with consolidated services in a community for homeless individuals/families. The center is the one recognized central point of entry/intake and assessment to ease the process of applying for resources. A HARA often has consolidated human services, housing assistance and other related services. The HARA employs a Housing Resource Specialist(s).

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

• Housing Resource Specialist – knows the local rental housing stock and its turnover rate, area landlords, and the condition of their property.

• Housing Plan – created by the Housing Resource Specialist the Housing Plan is a guide for both the household and the service agencies.

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

HARA Housing Resources

•Tenant Based Rental Assistance•Homeless Preference of Vouchers•Time Limited Assistance Program (FIP)•ESG – short-term leasing•Supportive Housing Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program•Project Based Vouchers

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Supportive HousingBuilding Opportunity

Coming Home

Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

Fast Forward to 2011-2012 ESG

• 40% of funds targeted to prevention services – which include:

• Housing case management• Short-term rental assistance (up to three

months)

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

• Quarterly Progress Reports submitted to MSHDA

• Grantees taught Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

• Funding will be based upon outcomes• $20,000 – will be given to a CoC that has

made the most improvement based on the outcomes matrix. (Bonus dollars)

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

Lessons learned from HPRP – Rapid Re-housing

•6.5% who received HPRP were subsequently sheltered. •That means that 93.5% (94% rounded) were able to sustain housing with moderate (usually rental) assistance.

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

Lessons learned from HPRP•We found that those who re-entered shelter had characteristics that resemble criteria we use for PSH - namely they were disproportionately disabled for both singles and families.

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Preparing for the new ESGPreparing for the new ESG

HPRP Lessons Learned•On the Prevention side we also were able to demonstrate that we likely targeted the "right" consumers - that is, the ones that "but" for this aid would be homeless. •Our prevention consumers looked very much like our homeless consumers in terms of demographics and risk factors. •This resulted from a combination income limits and using the risk factors in the selection process.

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