Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) - PowerPoint Presentation

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Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)Webinar Series

Housing First & SSVFMarch 15, 2012

Audio can be accessed through the following conference line:

Conference Line: 1-866-266-3378

Passcode

: 8224620015Slide2

Presenters

John Kuhn, Acting National SSVF DirectorMelany Mondello, Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)

Tom Albanese,

Abt Associates

Patti Holland, Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)

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Webinar FormatWebinar will last approximately 2 hours

Participants’ phone connections are automatically “muted” due to the high number of callers

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SSVF Hot Topics

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Submitting Questions During the Webinar

We will be accepting and answering some questions today through the Private Chat feature of the webinar software.

Questions can also be submitted via email at

SSVF@va.gov

and they will be answered after the webinar is concluded.Questions posed to SSVF@va.gov will be either answered individually or through the SSVF Frequently Asked Question and Answer resource.

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Step 1:

Click on the

Private tab

of the Chat box in the lower left corner of your screen.

Step 2:

Double-Click on the

Leaders & Assistants

text to open a new tab.Slide7

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Step 3:

A new tab will open after you Double-Click on the

Leaders & Assistants

name.

Step 4: Type your question into the box on the bottom of your screen and hit Enter for the question to be sent.

Step 5:

Your question is now submitted and may be presented to the speakers if time allows.Slide8

ObjectivesTo review Housing First principles and approaches

To understand ways in which Housing First strategies can be applied in SSVF programs to optimize resources and performance8Slide9

The Big

(Federal) Picture

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HEARTH Act: CoC Performance Indicators

Length of time homelessRecidivism (subsequent return to homelessness)

Access/coverage (thoroughness in reaching persons who are homeless)

Overall reduction in number of persons who experience homelessness

Job and income growth for persons who are homelessReduction in first time homelessOther accomplishments related to reducing homelessness

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SSVF Relevance to CoC Performance

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Housing First: Principles & Practice

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Housing First Principles

Homelessness = housing problemHousing = a right Everyone is ‘housing ready’; programs must be ‘client ready’Consumer choice – services and housing

Permanent housing with one-time, transitional or ongoing services

Goal

: immediate return to housing, link to resourcesFocus first on housing, then contributing issues13Slide14

Housing First ModelsPrevention

OutreachEmergency ShelterRapid Re-Housing (including “Transition-in-Place”)often what TH programs doTransitional Housing

Permanent

Supportive Housing

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Questions?

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Housing First & SSVF16Slide17

Housing First (and SSVF) Challenge:

Provide the

right resources

to the

right people at the right point in time for the right amount of time.

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Housing First in Practice: Targeting

Finding veterans who are imminently at-risk of literal homelessness or are currently homeless…

Prevention:

Greater certainty: identify at or near front-door of systemEstablish priority referral process for persons diverted from shelterUse ‘but for’ criteria – material conditions & circumstancesLack other safe, appropriate housing optionsLack other resources or support systems to secure permanent housing

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Housing First in Practice: Targeting

Targeted Prevention

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Housing First in Practice: Targeting

Rapid Re-Housing: Target within homeless system – partnerships with outreach, shelters, Safe Havens, HCHV, etc.Systematic screening

Seek to ‘screen in’ or otherwise refer to more appropriate assistance to end homelessness

Veteran families who otherwise will remain in shelter or on street ‘but for’ SSVF assistance

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Housing First in Practice: Targeting

Other promising practices:Develop and train on standardized referral formConduct “in-reach”Identify liaisons in other public agencies

Develop and distribute program materials

Considerations

:Is program ‘ready’ for clients?For prevention, how do client characteristics compare with shelter client characteristics?21Slide22

Housing First in Practice: From Crisis Response to Housing Stability

Crisis Focus = No Housing (homeless) or Imminent LossTwo Step Process:

Step

One: Crisis

intervention and resolutionStep Two: Housing stabilization

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Housing First in Practice: Crisis Response

Step One: Crisis intervention and resolution

Crisis

assessment

Triage & immediate housing planGoal: Identify and address immediate housing need

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Housing First in Practice: Crisis Response

Crisis AssessmentFocus: Persons experiencing a housing crisis

Immediate needs may or may not be met

What

are we trying to figure out?Immediate & short-term housing needs and SSVF intervention to assure needs are metBasic characteristics necessary to know who’s being assisted and immediate needs24Slide25

Housing First in Practice: Crisis Response

Crisis Assessment

Tool

should be staff/consumer friendly

Scripted for consistency (science), but also serves as conversation guide (art)Provides essential information to predict/prepare client for what will/should happen next

Staff training

and supervision

Specify training content

Require/specify training/orientation period

Require/specify observation period as training component

Ongoing supervision involving review of completed assessments, problem solving and remedial training as indicated

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Housing First in Practice: Crisis Response

Triage & Immediate Housing PlanAny safe, immediate housing options besides emergency shelter? YES: then need essential

info for immediate next steps

NO: then need

essential info for shelter referral or admissionPlan for tonight and near-term: “predict & prepare”26Slide27

Questions?

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Housing First in Practice: Setting up Successful Tenancy

Housing based assessmentLandlord and subsidy rules and expectationsKnowledge of all possible resources and positives and negatives of eachTenant and Landlord Rights and ResponsibilitiesStructures and support to allocate and access resources

Matching support and allocation to individual household’s needs

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Housing First in Practice: Housing Stabilization

Step Two: Housing stabilization

Short-Term

Housing stability

assessmentHousing stability plan (‘reasonable’)Flexible SSVF servicesGoal: Identify and implement plan to maintain current housing or obtain new housing

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Housing First in Practice:Housing Stabilization

Housing Stability Assessment Focus

: Persons

experiencing a housing

crisis whose immediate housing needs are metWhat are we trying to figure out?Prevention: whether can be stabilized in current housing or needs relocation assistanceAdditional characteristics and relevant background info (housing, health, AOD, education, etc.)Barriers impacting ability to obtain/maintain housing

Tenant screening barriers (if need to obtain housing)Retention barriers

Least

amount of intervention needed to resolve

prevent return

to

crisis

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Housing First in Practice:Housing Stabilization

Housing Stability Assessment Includes:An exploration of the current housing situation A discussion of the household’s preferences

Identification of household’s barriers to maintaining their current or new housing

The household’s skills, resources and resilience to overcome barriers

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Housing First in Practice:Housing Stabilization

Housing Screening/Retention Barriers:Income and housing affordabilityCriminal justice historyCredit history

Behavioral health issues

Housing history

Previous evictionPrevious non-renewal of leaseLandlord references32Slide33

Housing First in Practice:Housing Stabilization

Housing Stability Plan‘Reasonable’ plan

to maintain housing in near-term and, if necessary, obtain new housing

Tied to overcoming identified barriers

Identifies what the program will provide (i.e. “just enough”) to address/resolve barriersServices/support from other community resources that can help overcome barriers33Slide34

Housing First in Practice: Housing Stabilization

Step Two: Housing Stabilization

Long-Term

Progressive plan

to increase stability and prevent future crisesHow to respond (‘predict & prepare’), where to turn for helpService referral/linkage

Goal: Identify

long-term, progressive

housing stability plan and assure linkage to community-based supports

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Questions?

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Case Study

Kenny is a 42 year old Veteran who called your program after hearing about it from a friend. Kenny separated from active duty in 2008 after serving for 6 years. He was honorably discharged. He married about 1 year before entering the service, and had two children.He had difficulty adjusting after discharge.

He has skills as a mechanic, and has had a few jobs. He lost one job because the shop closed, and another because he began drinking more heavily and was fired.

In late 2009, his wife left him, moved with their children approximately 2 hours away, because he was not able to provide for the family and his drinking became intolerable for her. After this, his drinking escalated on and off, and he had trouble holding a job for longer than 3 months. Most of these jobs were as attendants at gas stations.

.

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Case Study, continued

Kenny never pursued VA benefits or services since he blamed the army for the breakup of his marriage.He has participated in AA off and on. When working, Kenny usually rented rooms in boarding home type settings or small efficiency units. On a few occasions he would sleep on the couch of an acquaintance he’d meet through AA meetings, bars or jobs.

This past year he began attending a local church on a more regular basis, and made some acquaintances.

This church is an active participate in the local Interfaith Hospitality Network, which provides emergency shelter for homeless families. Because of this, church volunteers have many positive connections with local landlords and employers.

With the referral from a church member, Kenny started working at a local Oil and Lube Auto shop approx. 7 months ago.

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Case Study, continuedHe also rented a room in the house of a church member.

He did well during this time, did not drink and attended AA meetings off and on. He also began having phone contact with his ex-wife and children.However, this person made it clear to Kenny at the beginning that he would be selling the house within 6 months, and retiring to Florida.

Kenny did nothing to find a place of his own, choosing to ignore this pending change. When asked, he would just say he was ‘working on it’.

Kenny began to drink more as potential buyers for the house appeared. Three weeks ago, he was fired from his job for absenteeism. Kenny did not share this with anyone.

His boss made it clear that he was sorry to have to take this action, and hinted that if Kenny could ‘clean up his act’ he would consider rehiring him.

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Case Study, continuedOne week ago, Kenny lost his housing as was expected when the sale of the house closed. He had no money saved.

Because Kenny began to drink more as the time drew close when his friend would be moving, other members of the church were reluctant to let Kenny stay with them.With no other option at this time, Kenny is currently spending nights at the local shelter.

Kenny is afraid he will wind up “homeless forever”. He mentions during his initial appointment that he thought he would soon be able to contact his ex-wife and see his children, but is now despondent that in his current situation, he won’t do that.

Feeling he was out of options, he has come to the SSVF program seeking assistance.

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Polling QuestionsIf Kenny arrived at your SSVF program, after the initial screening that determined he met the criteria, would you?

Continue the intake and assessment process with intent to enroll him

Refer him to other services such as alcohol treatment and transitional housing, and let him know once he completes those programs he can come back if he stills needs assistance

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Polling QuestionIf you enroll Kenny, how might you approach the initial Housing Stability Plan?

Secure housing and refer to substance abuse treatment; address employment after treatmentSecure housing, obtain work, and refer to substance abuse treatment

Secure housing, obtain work, discuss substance use and impact on housing and plan on how to address

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Polling QuestionYou were successful in assisting Kenny to rent a small affordable efficiency unit and obtain a job at a local Auto Body shop. His TFA for rent is ending with this current month, and you have worked out a budget with him to cover his rent going forward. While many supports would be beneficial (including all those listed below), select one resource you think would be most helpful for Kenny as SSVF services come to an end.

Connection to VA healthcare services

Substance abuse and mental health treatment

Peer or self help support

To get back together with his ex-wife 42Slide43

Questions?

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Housing First in Practice:Planning and Crisis Preparation

What has interfered with successful tenancy in the past?Not just with individuals and households, but with all aspectsWith the individualWith landlordsWith housing subsidy resources

With housing settings

With neighborhoods

With systems44Slide45

Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Past and current history and connection with housing?What factored into current situation?Who and where do they go for help?What are their problem solving strategies?What are their unique signs of possible trouble?

Behavior patterns that impacted housing related to:

Medical, mental health and substance use

Cognitive abilities and limitationsMaking and managing income and finances45Slide46

Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Housing is often the primary motivator for behavior change. Stay focused on short and long term housing goal while addressing problematic behaviors. Especially when there is a basis for a reasonable housing stability planUse harm reduction and motivational interviewing and enhancement strategies as foundation.

Harm reduction recognizes that some people always have and always will engage in behaviors which carry risks

Acknowledges these behaviors will occur yet recognizes the value in reduction of harm, no matter how imperfect

People can, and do make rational decisions about serious life issues while still usingDenial not actually denial. Product of shame, punitive sanctions and often conscious46Slide47

Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Motivational interviewing is an effective approach that helps people resolve ambivalence and resistance to change and that facilitates behavior change.While initially developed with substance abusers, applies to any behavior changeIntervention needs to match stage of change. Programs often geared only towards action.

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Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Use principles of motivational interviewing within a housing contextExpress empathyAcceptance facilitates change; skillful reflective listeningDevelop discrepancyAwareness of consequences is important. Acknowledge and plan

Discrepancy between present behavior and important goals will motivate change

Help individual make argument for change

Avoid argumentation48Slide49

Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Roll with resistanceDo not oppose or argue for changeReframe resistance to create new momentumNew perspectives are invited but not imposedSupport self-efficacy

Belief in the possibility of change is an important motivator

There is hope in the range of alternative approaches available

The individual is responsible for choosing and carrying out personal change 49Slide50

Housing First in Practice:Working with Tenants

Arrange self-help and peer support services early onVeteran Service Organizations, Twelve-Step programs geared towards Veterans, local Vet to Vet initiatives, National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

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Addressing Financial and Poor Rental History BarriersCredit repair services and activities

Financial Literacy training“Scrubbing” the household budgetIdentify all essential and non-essential expensesNegotiate to reduce or eliminate expenses that are non-essentialKnow the community and offer as many options for no/low cost services, sources of recreation, etc as possible

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Addressing Financial and Poor Rental History BarriersProvide character and advocacy letters on Veteran’s behalf

Use certified Tenant Education Programs if in your community (tenant curriculum approved by local landlord association)52Slide53

Housing First in Practice:Working with Landlords

Know the rental market in immediate and surrounding community – range by location, unit size, affordability, subsidy (including privately owned)Know your Public Housing Authority (PHA) and if set asides for homeless population existsResearch how your state or local jurisdiction uses HOME funds

Can be used for tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA); local jurisdictions have flexibility over how to use. Most do not use in this way.

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Housing First in Practice:Working with Landlords

Know what landlord wants:Rented unitsRentMaintain the propertyMinimal complaints from tenants

View landlords as a customer

Market SSVF program as a way to meet landlord’s needs and goals

Address and mitigate real and perceived risksNon payment of rent, property damage, disturbing the ‘quiet enjoyment’ of other tenants 54Slide55

Housing First in Practice:Working with Landlords

Offer landlord incentivesNegotiate options if issues ariseTimeframe to change tenant’s behavior, preventing eviction if staff avoidableTargeted use of Master leasing as time limited option until tenancy is stabilized (co-signing is a more risky, time limited option)

Alternative: rental assistance agreement, other three-party agreements (landlord, tenant, program)

Third party notification (e.g., program cc’d on past due rent notices)

Payee servicesIncreased security depositsNegotiate rent reductions55Slide56

Housing First in Practice:Working with Landlords

Market SSVF program benefitsIndividualized and available case management before and after moveServices that facilitate good tenancyServices provided in Veteran household’s home

Offer access to landlord via phone number, etc should a problem arise. Respond immediately!

SSVF staff as indirect resource for other tenants in property

Security deposits and portion of rent paid on behalf on VeteranCultivate relationships with landlords, property managers, developersRecognition Networking events (luncheons, etc)56Slide57

Housing First in Practice:Housing AND Increased Income First

Maximize all possible benefits – Make no assumptions about eligibilityBecome an expert on possible benefits the Veteran household may be eligible for including: all possible VA benefits such as Disability Pension, Disability Compensation, GI bill benefits (Montgomery or Post 9/11 bill with associated housing allowance), SSDI/SSI, General Assistance where applicable, etc

Focus on employment and income growth

Be knowledgeable about, establish relationships with, and access all available VA, DOL, and Dept of Education vocational rehabilitation programs and services

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Addressing Financial and Poor Rental History BarriersBuild and use relationships with business community and donors to

create work experience and opportunityBecome a member of local business associationsPartner with non-profit housing developers and providers for jobs in property management, maintenance and construction

Example: Project HOME and PECO, Philadelphia, PA: Paid internship program for homeless Veterans leading to competitive employment

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Address Personal Barriers While Securing Housing

Employ harm and use reduction strategies to minimize substance abuse related barriers before, during and after securing housingDo not wait until person is abstinent – housing is often the motivator for behavior change Arrange for rent to be paid if participant needs to access inpatient acute care services

Arrange self-help and peer support services early on

Veteran Service Organizations, Twelve-Step programs geared towards Veterans, local Vet to Vet initiatives, National Call Center for Homeless Veterans

Partner with landlord or property manager during times the Veteran may isolate or disengage from contact59Slide60

Housing First:Tips

Train staff on other CoC/community resources and programs to ensure best “fit” for participant

Be clear about what SSVF can do & what it cannot do – with staff and participants

Maximize SSVF: design flexible program services that can vary in type/level/duration based on need

Periodically revisit program design Incorporate eligibility recertification (required every 3 months) and other milestones in case plan

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Housing First:Tips

If unsure and/or if there are not other resources to refer applicants with greater needs: better to err on side of ‘screening in’ vs. ‘screening out’Train staff on other community-based and mainstream resources to ensure needs are met post-SSVF

Use assessment to identify system gaps

Staff training and supervision

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Questions?

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SSVF New Tool:Policies & Procedures Template

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Additional Questions?SSVF Program Office

Phone:1-877-737-0111Email:

ssvf@va.gov

Website

: www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ssvf.asp65Slide66

THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS WEBINAR!

The PowerPoint will be posted on VA’s SSVF Website: www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp

Next month’s national call:

April 19, 2012

2:00pm – 4:00pm66