Moving Process

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There is nothing more important than a good, safe, secure home.Rosalynn Carter

Phases of Moving

Pre-tenancy Move-in On-going Tenancy

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Pre-Tenancy Phase

Includes all of the tasks and activities leading up to the actual move in.

Begins with housing application and ends when housing unit is selected and ready for move in.

Engagement, relationship building with emphasis on housing support needs and preferences.

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Pre-Tenancy Tasks

To perform pre-tenancy tasks, a person should develop a thorough knowledge of:

Housing Eligibility criteria for all possible optionsApplication requirements and processAvailable units

ServicesEligibility criteria for all possible options:

Benefits/entitlements; mainstream services; Medicaid services and waiver programs

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….

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Performing initial Housing Assessment

Determining eligibility for housing and services

Understanding the role and responsibilities of being a tenant

Completing the housing application

Assessing strengths, preferences, housing and tenant barriers

Planning for support and service needs

Housing search

Choosing a unit

Conducting Housing Assessment

Conducted in partnership with applicant, other service providers involved as appropriate, and significant others as requested. Housing-based assessments focus on:

Housing-specific knowledge, skills and resources needed to choose, attain and maintain housing

Tenant selection and housing retention barriers

Personal criteria for housing (people, place, activities and resources directly related to housing success and satisfaction)

Issues and needs related to disability, health condition and age (older adults) are considered in terms of possible impact on housing support needs 7

Tenant Screening Barriers

These barriers focus on housing and not a disability or health condition, and may cause an applicant to be ‘screened out’ or denied housing.

Landlords screen to reduce risks to loss of income, disruptions or property damage.

Income: does the person meet the income eligibility criteria?

Rental history: landlord references, history of evictions

Credit history

Criminal history 8

Move-in Phase Covers all tasks pertaining to move-in including the

actual move and initial settling in time.

Begins with lease signing and ends when person has settled in and adjusted to new home.

Many details to be arranged and attended to:

Lease signing

Payment of the security deposit

Arranging for actual move Utility hook up

Furniture and household set up

Supporting the person through the move and initial adjustment 9

Key Move-in Tasks

Update Housing Assessment to address the key tasks

Continue education on tenancy rights, responsibilities and lease requirements

Assistance with obtaining security deposits, securing furniture and other household items

Assistance to set up telephone and utilities

Coordinate Actual move

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On-going Tenancy Phase

The on-going tenancy phase describes the continual residency of an individual in housing. An individual must adhere to responsibilities such as paying rent, and getting along with the landlord and others, to remain there successfully. Ongoing tenancy tasks can be utilized to overcome housing retention barriers.

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Key On-going Tenancy Tasks

Updating assessment

Maintaining annual requirements for subsidized Housing

Skill building to promote competence and self sufficiency in managing apartment

Financial literacy, budgeting, paying rent and bills

Apartment upkeep

Household and personal safety

Good neighbor

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Housing Retention Barriers Barriers related to the applicant’s ability to understand and meet the

conditions of the lease

Clear expectations include payment of rent, upkeep of unit, following rules of the property

Indirect expectations include “fitting in” behaviors that contribute to being considered a good neighbor and tenant, respecting neighbors ‘quiet enjoyment’ of property, understanding landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities

Personal preferences include those aspects that contribute to satisfaction and enjoyment where one is living. When we don’t like where we live, we we may act in ways that reflect this and may jeopardize housing. 13

Housing Success

Housing success is achieved when an individual is able to enjoy their home while maintaining ongoing residency requirements. Success can also include personal satisfaction that the home provides. Satisfaction occurs when some or all of an individual’s personal criteria can be met.

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Examples of personal criteria can include:

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• People (neighbors, friends, staff, roommates if applicable)

• Place (location, # of bedrooms, amenities)

• Resources (subsidy, food stamps, transportation, child care, companion animal, supports, etc.)

• Recovery oriented goals and activities

• Personal enrichment goals and activities

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This PowerPoint presentation is created as part of the

Community Choice Partnership Money Follows the Person Demonstration Grant

awarded to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services