This document discusses assessment, targeting, and prioritization strategies for allocating limited housing resources for homeless populations. It begins by outlining factors that should be considered in assessing individual and family needs, such as demographics, income, health history and barriers to housing. It then discusses tools for prioritizing based on vulnerability and risk of long-term homelessness. Targeting strategies aim to effectively allocate resources based on needs and goals like reducing shelter stays and street homelessness. The document provides examples of coordinated assessment systems and data-driven approaches from different communities. It emphasizes the importance of coordination across systems, using evidence-based practices, and continually evaluating outcomes to improve local homelessness strategies.

1. Assessment, Targeting, and Prioritization: Making the Distinction NAEH July 12, 2010

3. Goals and Outcomes

4. Populations

5. Assessment and tools

6. Prioritization

7. Targeting

8. Innovations and Trends

10. Questions 4

12. Income

13. Debts and Expenses

14. Education and Employment

15. Legal Issues

16. Housing History

17. Family Status

18. Health History

21. Hospitalized for psychiatric issues

22. Been in detox for substance abuse issues

23. History of Homelessness

24. History of Foster Care

25. Age

26. Gender

27. Race

28. Lower educational attainment

29. Limited work history

32. Financial Literacy / ability to meet obligations of rent and utilities

33. Debts

34. Ability to maintain apartment

35. Disabling Condition(s) negatively affect housing stability

36. Unmet basic needs

37. Ability to get along with neighbors/landlords

38. Support systems and being able to access help

39. Legal Issues

41. Community Resources Housing Stabilization / CTI Teams ACT / ICM Model Teams Community Based Case Management teams Treatment Resources Support Resources Support to increase income Benefits Employment Education Financial Resources (e.g. HPRP)

43. Reductions in Number of Families/Individuals homeless

44. Reduction in Length of stay in Shelters

45. Reductions in Street Homeless

46. Focus on Needs and Resources

48. http://www.commonground.org/?page_id=789

49. DC Housing First Initiative

50. SF Direct Access to Housing: focused on high users of Public Health systems

51. http://www.sfdph.org/dph/files/reports/StudiesData/Homeless/HomelessSvcsRpt1022004AppendC.pdf

52. HUD Chronic Homeless Initiative: focused on long term homeless adults

53. Community may determine priorities based on list from HMIS data

54. HUD VASH: focused on Homeless Veterans with priority for CH

55. Reflects 5 year plan to end homelessness based in research

56. Data based

58. Targeting is a process Assessment / application process, eligibility determination, prioritization, housing/program referral process Engage community and stakeholders in developing vision, goals, process tools and outcomes E.g. Funders, Public Agencies, Consumers, Providers Evaluate through measurement of outcomes E.g. reduction of shelter stays, reduction in street/shelter census, recidivism Targeting must accommodate consumer preferences Look at system to support the goals

60. Phased process: collects data on Income, Debts, Housing and Homelessness History, Legal, Family, Employment and Education, Disabling Conditions, Support, Resources

61. Process

62. Conducted by professional case manager

63. Initial Triage: homeless status, diversion options, immediate needs related to medical, behavioral health or DV

64. Within 14 days housing opportunities assessment is done, within 30 full assessment

65. Triage/Placement

66. Based on the score and resource availability applicants will be housed in RTF, acute care, rapid re-housing, housing subsidy, programmatic shelter, TH, or PSH

67. Other resources:

68. http://www.chicagohousingoptions.org

70. Housing Stability, Transitional to Permanent, Employment

71. Reduce census, recidivism and length of time homeless

72. Performance Based Contracting in NYC shelter and outreach

73. Targets established for placements (also track census and length of stay)

74. Agencies receive a certain guaranteed part of budgets, bonuses above 100% of budget are paid for exceeding the targets

75. Reorganized outreach contracts to eliminate duplication, create better accountability and ensure coverage

76. Using Evidence Based Practices

77. Montgomery County PA, Pine Street Inn and Project HOME in process of implementing elements of CTI

78. CTI is an Evidence Based Practice that is time limited and focused on housing stability and connection to mainstream systems and support

81. Demographics and needs of homeless families and single adults require different responses

82. Assistance to increase income or access rent subsidies is usually necessary especially in high cost areas

83. Coordination between the Homeless system, mainstream affordable housing, benefit systems, hospitals, behavioral health, foster care, parole and corrections is necessary but easier said than done