Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP), Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), Rapid Re-Housing (RRH), and Diversion

Project Description

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local public systems implemented a variety of public health strategies to mitigate further exposure and slow the spread of the virus. Due to underlying health conditions and a lack of access to facilities, individuals experiencing homelessness have a higher susceptibility and are at greater risk of experiencing severe symptoms. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), special, strategic endeavors are required to protect people experiencing homelessness. Given the urgency of the COVID-19 crisis and the imminent threat to the public health and safety of the homeless population, the urgency for a coordinated and large-scale homeless housing initiative was needed to help prevent the spread of infection amongst this highly susceptible population. The Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP) was designed with the goal of scaling permanent and long- lasting approaches and interventions that have demonstrated success in reducing homeless populations. It also aims to reduce the amount of time that an individual experiences homelessness, increase permanent housing options, and decrease encampments. CCHP provides a strategy that not only responds to the crisis of the pandemic but also strategically utilizes federal funding to reduce homelessness and further save lives. CCHP does this in several ways:

  • Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is an intervention combining affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people and other homeless individuals with high barriers. Services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment, and employment services.
  • Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) provides short-term rental assistance and services for up to 12 months. The goals are to help those experiencing homelessness obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, and stay housed. Assistance is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, or sobriety) with the resources and services provided tailored to the needs of the individual.
  • Diversion includes housing-focused problem solving, mediation, and conflict resolution conversations paired with limited financial assistance offered to persons seeking emergency shelter or residing in emergency shelters.
  • Essential Client Support Services are specialized programs assisting people experiencing homelessness. This includes a range of services provided to assist and support individuals in developing skills to gain access to needed medical and behavioral health, housing, employment, and social, educational, and other essential human services.
  • Navigation includes the process of assisting individuals from the point of the housing referral until the date of move-in to housing. Navigators provide housing search and placement to all program participants.

PRIMARY PARTNERSHIPS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The Coalition for the Homeless publicly shares the progress of CCHP on its website and at monthly meetings of the Steering Committee of The Way Home Continuum of Care, which are open to the public. People who might be eligible to receive benefits through the program might find out about it in several ways including: Households in need may initiate a request for services in person through any of the 13 designated Assessment Hubs throughout the CoC, through a call center, 211, email, and/or through community outreach teams. The designated Coordinated Access Outreach Teams are responsible for reaching individuals/families who are least likely to seek assistance. These teams are trained to go into encampments and other hard-to-reach areas to engage individuals that refuse to go into a physical building.

TARGET IMPACT

Primary metrics to be tracked include:

  • Number of participants housed
  • Number of participants exited
  • Number of participants enrolled in Income Supports
  • Number of participants enrolled in Domestic Violence Services
  • Number of participants enrolled in Behavioral Health Services
  • Number of Apartment/Leasing fees provided

WEBSITE LINK

USE OF EVIDENCE & PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

Research suggests rapid re-housing and permanent supportive housing are more likely than other interventions to reduce the rate at which individuals return to homelessness after previously exiting. Additionally, research suggests the provision of housing is an effective intervention for homeless individuals, including those with co-occurring mental illness and/or substance abuse. The provision of housing reduces substance use, increases abstinence, and reduces medical services utilization.

A condition for funding from Harris County includes participation in an independent evaluation of CCHP’s implementation and outcomes and a commitment from service provider agencies to engage with the evaluation partner identified by Harris County. The goal of the evaluation is to better understand how effective and equitable the CCHP program is at supporting people who experience homelessness in achieving housing stability. Results will be used to identify impactful solutions and improved to ensure the homeless population’s needs are being addressed across the County.

PHOTOS