2.5 Rapid Re-Housing for Unaccompanied Youth: An Effective Housing Solution Speaker: Tiana Brown Rapid re-housing has proven effective at ending homelessness among families and individuals. With the increase in the number of these programs, some have expanded to also serve youth with a rapid re-housing model. This workshop will describe the components of the model, and the necessary adaptations to make this model work for unaccompanied homeless youth.</p>

1. Youth Counts: A Rapid
Re-Housing Program
Tiana Brown, MSW, LISW-S
Rural Housing Coordinator
The Salvation Army in Greater Columbus
Columbus, OH
NAEH National Conference- Los Angeles, CA
February 9, 2012

2. Youth Counts
• Rapid Re-Housing Program operating
in rural community outside Columbus
Metropolitan area in Central Ohio.
• Rapid Re-Housing: Evidenced Based
• Program Progression
• Program Components and Activities
• Outcomes
• Lessons Learned

3. RRH: Evidenced Based…
Rapid Re-Housing is best practice
because it works:
• Most families can enter/exit homelessness quickly
• Mostly economic reasons
• Shallow subsidies can protect against
homelessness
• Overall reduction in costs
• Long-term shelter stays are destabilizing to families
• Families have different barriers/need different
interventions
• Triage and target resources to match family’s needs

4. Evidenced Based Cont’d…
• The Salvation Army in Greater
Columbus has been administering
Rapid Re-Housing since 1998.
• Model expanded to four counties
• Serve a total of 555 households each
year

5. Program Progression…
• Prior to 2009 • Late 2009
• Funded to serve • Approached by
families only Delaware County
• Typically Children’s Services
encountered a based on family
handful of system successes to
unaccompanied house youth
youth in rural emancipating out of
communities custody
• Need to house youth
quickly and efficiently

6. Program Components…
• Crisis Intervention & Short Term Stabilization
• Screening, Intake, and Needs Assessment
• Provision of Housing Resources
• Landlord Advocacy
• Provision of Case Management Services
– Long Term financial assistance
– Referral and Linkage
– Goal Development and Monitoring
– Life Skill Development

7. Program Components Cont’d…
• Emancipating youth age 18-22
• Days to house: 14 days or less
• Scattered Site; Individual Leases
• 6-9 Months of Rental/Utility Assistance
– Stair step diminishing assistance model*
• 100% rent: 6 months; 7th- 75%; 8th- 50%; 9th- 25%
• 100% utility for 2 months
• Goal Development around housing
maintenance, self determination, and
increased skills and/or income

8. Outcomes…
YEAR 1: 2010
• Projected to serve 5 youth
• Served 8 in first 6 months
• Served 9 total
• Increased funding through support from
local United Way
• 8 out of 9 youth obtained and maintained
housing for 6 months or more
• 100% of youth achieved 75% or greater or
case plan goals

9. What We Found…
• More expensive than families
• Roommates vs. singles
• Challenges of school enrollment
• Age
• Life Skills
• Roller Coaster of successes and failures
• Word of mouth expanded target
population

10. Outcomes…
YEAR 2: 2011
• Served 13 youth
• Increased funding through Homeless
Assistance Grant funds- Ohio
Department of Development
• 11 out of 13 youth obtained and
maintained housing for 6 months or
more- 85%
• 100% of youth achieved 75% or greater
or case plan goals

11. Current Program…
• 20 youth age 18-22 served per year
• 4-7 months of rental assistance*
• Up to 12 months of case management
• 5 Module Life skill curriculum
• Budget of Approx. $150K yearly
• 2 case managers, 1 case aide= 2 FTE

12. Contact Information…
Tiana Brown, MSW, LISW-S
The Salvation Army
340 Lake St
Delaware, OH 43015
740-363-9487 ext 233
Tiana.brown@use.salvationarmy.org