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Shifting GearsShifting GearsOptions for Transitional HousingOptions for Transitional Housing

Kay Moshier McDivittLancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness150 North Queen Street, Suite 610Lancaster, PA 17603717-735-8485kmcdivitt@co.lancaster.pa.us

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Lancaster County Journey 2004: United Way partnered with ICH to

conduct community impact study on “Housing and Homelessness”

2005: United Way issues the “Community Impact Report on Housing and Homelessness in Lancaster”

• Established the framework for the 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness

• System Shift with a “housing first/rapid rehousing” philosophy

2008: “Heading Home Plan” (10 year plan) released

2009: Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness Established

PREVIOUS MODELPREVIOUS MODEL

Service system that manages & shelters those experiencing

homelessness

NEW APPROACH

System of:PreventionDiversionRapid re-housingPermanent Housing

Lancaster County Coalition to End Homelessness Vision: To reorient the service system from one that shelters and manages homelessness to a housing first course of action that ends chronic and all types of homelessness through prevention, diversion and rapid rehousing.

A New ApproachA New ApproachThe System Shift for Lancaster County

Shifting Gears – Options for Transitional HousingShifting Gears – Options for Transitional Housing

Lancaster Co. PA’s JourneyLancaster Co. PA’s Journey

• Defining the Emergency and Transitional Shelter System: “Through coordinated and integrated services with standard measures of success and best practices for all providers of transitional housing, Lancaster County will reduce the length of stay the individuals and families spend in transitional housing and increase the number of individuals and families rapidly moved to permanent housing.”

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Shifting Gears – Options for Transitional HousingShifting Gears – Options for Transitional Housing

Lancaster Co. PA’s JourneyLancaster Co. PA’s Journey

System Wide Benchmark Established 2009 to reduce the length of stay70% of all households in Transitional Housing will move to a permanent housing placement in less than 6 monthsTH providers involved in establishing the benchmark

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Lancaster County ExperienceLancaster County Experience(where our journey took us)(where our journey took us)

Shortened Length of Stay to Permanent HousingShortened Length of Stay to Permanent Housing

– 2005• 54 Room Long Term Transitional Housing Program with

mandated minimum of 6 months intensive program services

• Length of stay up to 2 years with 35% “graduation” rate– Current

• Transitioned to a “rapid exit” model – Average length of stay from 12+ months to 105 days

• Length of stay not program or participation driven• Determined by individual housing plan to find permanent

housing, not by program “requirements” • Developed service partnerships to provide the supportive

services and housing stabilization services• Less dependence on the program

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Strategic Planning ProcessStrategic Planning Process(but don’t take too long)

• Identifies possible options• Model type, target populations, staffing configurations,

partnerships, merging • Identifies issues to be considered

• barriers and solutions, staff, board and funding concerns, population served, new outcome measurements

• Identifies questions you want answered• Feasibility, community buy-in, where we get the

housing• Identifies a final recommendation and an

implementation plan• How to “roll out” the conversion

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Shifting GearsShifting Gears Strategic Planning ProcessStrategic Planning Process

The vision drives the process–Set clear steps and goals–Evaluate your current program

• Analyze your research and data• Final Goal: Identify the model/blueprint for

your rapid exit approach

Evaluate the program:Evaluate the program:What we foundWhat we found

• “Program” requirements created barriers

• Many households exited for non participation with mandatory services

• Trying to be “all” to “all issues”• Creating a “cycle of dependency”

– Folks asking to come back even after program completion to access services

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Create the VisionCreate the Vision

The result we want is:

Successful move to a permanent solution in the shortest amount of time with

households connected to resources and services that can support them outside

the facility

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Shifting GearsShifting Gears“Rethinking and Redefining”

• Switch from a “housing readiness” approach to “rapid exit” approach

• Shift from “what you need to do to stay here successfully” to “what you need to leave here quickly and successfully”

• Role of staff shifts to focus on immediate housing plan to engage participants in finding housing and wrap around services for permanent housing

• Redefining of “who we are” and “how we do business”-a paradigm shift

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Shifting GearsShifting Gears Create the conversion modelCreate the conversion model

1. Incorporate the “Rapid Exit Approach” into your mission statement

2. Proposed organizational structure3. Develop a program flow chart4. Identify staffing and training needs5. Identify the community partnerships,

collaborations and resources needed6. Proposed budget/funding adjustments7. Develop a clear communication plan

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Rethinking Your Program Rethinking Your Program Implementation And Evaluation PlanImplementation And Evaluation Plan

1. Identify clear targets for implementation 2. Plan and schedule necessary training3. Meet with identified service providers MOU’s identify role and responsibility of each

providers4. Develop a plan to shift organizational culture5. Develop clear communication plan 6. Set outcome targets with quarterly reviews,

adjust program accordingly (# housed, shorten length of stay, # retaining housing)

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Shifting GearsShifting GearsStaff PreparationStaff Preparation

• Reframe “change” as a move to “new opportunities” • Focus on “moving folks to housing more quickly”• Have a small “forum” for staff

– Bring peers in from other organizations that have transitioned to a Rapid Exit approach

– Allow opportunities for open dialogue

• Map out the Rapid Exit strategy and how it will work in your program (process mapping)

• Deliver the message that this is the direction your organization going

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Shifting GearsShifting GearsConsumer shiftConsumer shift

Key ConceptsGive a sense of urgency when clients walk in

the door Focus on moving out instead of moving inOffer training/groups that directly correlate to

obtaining and maintaining housingSet firm boundaries and make them clear up

frontGive them realistic housing options

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Shifting GearsShifting Gears Partnerships-Key ElementsPartnerships-Key Elements

• Identify the housing stabilization services to leverage– types of services currently provided in the program

(budgeting, parenting, mental health, d&a, employment skills, life skills,) that can be “wrapped around”

• Where will we get the housing– Who has experience in housing procurement– Landlord engagement– Faith community

• Collaborate with other “rapid exit” proponents in the community

• Less dependence on the program

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Lancaster ExperienceIt Works!

• Redefined length of stay, immediate focus on permanent housing plan

• Service provision is through external sources rather than internal staff

• Redefined staff role to housing locators, supportive service coordinators, housing stabilizers

• Outcomes and indicators focus on moving to permanent affordable housing

• Established community partnerships• Development of landlord partnerships

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Where our shift took usWhere our shift took us2010 Results2010 Results

72% of households in the Transitional Living Center moved to permanent leased housing in an average of 105 days

94% maintained permanent housing for six months

82% for a year

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Shifting GearsShifting GearsProviders PonderingProviders Pondering

Are only persons who have no safe, appropriate, alternative housing option being admitted to our shelter/program ?

Do residents stay homeless for shorter periods of time by quickly moving to permanent housing?

Are residents being successfully connected to community-based supports to help them maintain their permanent housing?

Are repeat occurrences of homelessness for residents avoided or declining?

Shifting GearsShifting GearsWhat is your vision?What is your vision?

Reduce the average length of stay (start with 10% reduction)

Re-think the supportive services providedPrevention AssistanceHousing stabilization services for re-housing or

prevention

Shift the role of staffHousing Locators/Housing Stabilizers Supportive Service Coordinators

Use of facilitiesPermanent housing model?Transition in place models

HEARTH AlignmentHEARTH AlignmentNext StepsNext Steps

1. Who are the change agents in you will connect with as you make this transition to a rapid rehousing approach?

• In your organization? • On your board? • In the business and/or funding community? • In the provider community?

2. What funding sources are likely to be at risk in your transition? What other funding streams can you tap into?

3. What are 2 critical things that will need to change (that are in your control) to make this shift?

• One “stop-doing” item• One “start-doing” item

4. What is one activity or asset that your organization currently does/has that can be leveraged in this transition?

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Final Thoughts

• Re-defining the role of your transitional housing program requires a culture that embraces change

• No housing plan is the same• Clear vision and goals are imperative• Community involvement is key to success• Prepare a communication plan• Evaluate and adjust• Be prepared for challenges: Change can be slow• Build on successes: celebrate small victories• Remember, “its not the letting go that hurts, it’s the

holding on”.

Thank You

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