Presented by Katherine Gale

1. One Month or 18? Maximizing HPRP to End Homelessness National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness Oakland, CA February 11, 2011 Katharine Gale Consulting Berkeley, CA (510) 710-9176, kgaleconsulting@sbcglobal.net

2. How do we “right-size” HPRP assistance? As a flexible program, HPRP has no established caps on the amount of assistance, and assistance can be for between one and 18 months Challenge is providing the “right” amount of assistance – striving to provide the least amount needed for the least amount of time while focusing on housing stability 2

3. Principles for “right-sizing” assistance 1) Minimum amount needed Providing the minimum support that is needed to each household assisted means the program can help more households. Providing more than is essential denies this help to other households whose need is just as great. 3

4. Principles for “right-sizing” assistance (cont.) 2) For the shortest time possible It’s easy to increase assistance if necessary but the program can’t take money back that wasn’t needed. As long as the household has not already received 18 months of assistance they can be reassisted if need arises. 4

5. Principles for “right-sizing” assistance (cont.) 3) Risk is OK It is OK to take risk – serving a household without currently sufficient income but that is engaged in appropriate efforts to increase income and/or decrease costs is appropriate for this program 5

6. Principles for “right-sizing” assistance (cont.) 4) Stability is relative Not all aspects of a household’s life have to be improved to have successfully addressed the crisis. Before this crisis the household typically managed - allow for families’ innate resiliency, creativity and resourcefulness 6

7. What is housing “stability”? The goal of HPRP services is to help households with a housing crisis to achieve housing stability. Housing stability does not necessarily mean housing affordability. More than half of households in poverty spend over half their income for housing, yet fewer than 10% of all poor households become homeless over the course of a year. Once the crisis is addressed, most households will avoid future episodes of homelessness even if they have very high housing cost burdens. (NAEH Solution Brief 6/25/2010) 7

8. Housing Plan – The Key Assessing with the household what their options are Setting realistic goals for stability Partnership is key – you do your part and we do ours, clear expectations and support Let household know reassessment is coming and there is no guarantee of continuing support 8

9. Strategies to assist households (besides financial assistance) Agency/client may negotiate a payment plan with landlords for all or part of back rent or for deposits if moving In today’s rental market many landlords are anxious to keep the tenants they have had for a while – this may work much more often than you think and be enough to stop the crisis. Legal assistance may be appropriate 9

11. Work with household to get long-term benefits they qualify for (SSI, VA, unemployment)

12. Work with household to get earned income through employment programs10

13. Sizing the Assistance Offer one-time assistance to households that, after applying above cost cutting or supplementing strategies, have sufficient income to support ongoing rent* but need one-time support to cover rent or utility arrears and/or make a first month and security deposit payment on a new apartment. *rent does not have to be “affordable” to be supportable 11

14. Sizing the Assistance Offer short and medium-term assistance to households with currently inadequate income to cover rent but with prospects for increasing income through employment or benefits (or an ongoing subsidy) With substantial back rent issues or other debts such as medical debt that will continue to impact their budget for the short or medium term At three-month reassessment, end or adjust subsidy as appropriate depending on what has occurred; can go down or up if needed. 12

15. Other housing choices may be best option Household may need to share an apartment A client may need to decide that staying with family/friends is best current option Household may need to move to cheaper housing Remember: the alternative is homelessness and that is all we are trying to keep them from 13

16. More Information National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange www.hudhre.info Me  email: kgaleconsulting@sbcglobal.net 14