CALWORKS HOUSING SUPPORT PROGRAM

Presentation to California Department of Social ServicesApril 7, 2015

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

• Background• Program Design elements• Data monitoring• Progress

BACKGROUND

County of San Diego˗ Southernmost major metropolitan area in CA

˗ 4,261 square miles

Pacific Coast from Mexico to Orange County and inland to Imperial County along Mexico border

˗ 3.1 million residents

47% white, 33% Hispanic, 4.43% Black, 11.32% Pacific Islander, 3.84% Other

Largest refugee resettlement site in California

˗ 18 incorporated cities

BACKGROUND

˗ Public Community Action Agency˗ Direct Services through Contracts˗ Resides in County’s Health & Human Services Agency

Building Better Health

Living Safely

Thriving

Areas of Influence Definition Top 10 Indicators

Enjoying good health and expecting to live a full life

1. Life Expectancy2. Quality of Life

Learning throughout the lifespan

3. Knowledge

Having enough resources for a quality life

4. Unemployment Rate5. Income

Living in a clean and safe neighborhood

6. Security7. Physical Environment8. Built Environment

Helping each other to live well

9. Vulnerable Population10. Community Involvement

SAN DIEGO DESIGN TEAM

Led by Eligibility Operations (CalWORKs Team)

˗ Housing and Community Development˗ Community Action Partnership

CAP Partners

˗ HHSA Homeless Services Coordinator˗ Behavioral Health Services

Data Analysis Review of HUD Model

Local Best Practices

Program Design

DATA ANALYSIS

San Diego County August 2014

Average Rent $1,309

CalWORKs Grant for Family of 3 $670

CalWORKs cases reporting

homelessness3,655*

RAPID REHOUSING MODEL

Permanent Housing

Adaptability

Tailored Services

Assessment

LOCAL LESSONS LEARNED

What Worked Tailored Case Plan Financial Counseling &

Credit Repair Stepped Down

Financial Subsidy

What Was Missing Countywide Standard

Assessment Funding for Intensive

Case Management Bridge Housing

Component

SAN DIEGO PROGRAM DESIGN

Intensive Case Management

• Assessment of housing barriers using VI-SPDAT for families• Development of Housing Plan• Financial literacy/coaching • Help resolving legal issues • Referrals to resources as needed

Housing Navigation• Landlord recruitment and retention• Help finding and securing permanent housing for clients

Financial Assistance

• Bridge housing• Move-in costs (deposits, moving expenses, utility)• Rental subsidy (originally maximum 70% of rent – adjusted to

100% with goal of stepping down over duration of program)

Vulnerability Index & Family Service Prioritization Decision

Assistance Tool

SAN DIEGO PROGRAM DESIGN

Intensive Case Management

• Assessment of housing barriers using VI-SPDAT for families• Development of Housing Plan• Financial literacy/coaching • Help resolving legal issues • Referrals to resources as needed

Housing Navigation• Landlord recruitment and retention• Help finding and securing permanent housing for clients

Financial Assistance

• Bridge housing• Move-in costs (deposits, moving expenses, utility)• Rental subsidy (originally maximum 70% of rent – adjusted to

100% with goal of stepping down over duration of program)

DATA TRACKING & EVALUATION

• Requests/Referrals• Caseload Movement• Financial Assistance• Housing Services

Data collection requirements from CDSS

(HSP 14 & HMIS)

• VI-SPDAT Family Score• Best practices/lessons learned• Success stories

Additional data requested monthly (HMIS & Invoices)

PROJECT RAMP UP

Amendment to existing CAP Family Self-Sufficiency Contract with Home Start

Development of Program Policies and Procedures based on SOW

Hiring of Staff Program operational January 2015

REFERRAL PROCESS Referrals from community

partner agencies, including:˗ HHSA (Family Resource

Centers)˗ Welfare to Work Providers˗ Homeless Shelters

Cortez Hill Rescue Mission

˗ Other Home Start Programs Maternity Shelter Financial Opportunity Center

SCREENING PROCESS

• Review of Basic Eligibility

• Phone

Screening

• Group Session• Program Overview

Orientation• In person with case

worker• Mutual agreement

to move forward

One on One Interview

COLLABORATIVE SUPPORT

Family

Housing Navigator

Case Manager

CURRENT DATA 321 Referrals 12 orientations 31 active cases

˗ 9 placements in permanent housing˗ 2 families on waiting list for subsidized

housing˗ 9 families provided bridge housing

SUCCESS STORY

CONTACT: MAGGIE LUJAN, PROGRAM DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP619-338-2799