From Finding Shelter to Finding HomeTRANSITIONING YOUTH TO PERMANENT HOUSING

Let us introduce ourselves…

Laura Foster, LCSW

Director of Transitional Housing Programs

Overseeing THP+ Foster Care, THPP, THP, & THP+

10 years of Transitional Housing Experience

Working with Bill Wilson Center for Over 8 Years

Let us introduce ourselves… Ashley Rarick

THP/THP+ Program Manager

Over 5 Years Experience in THP+

Providing Direct Service to THP+ Youth

Certified Domestic Violence Counselor

Agenda• Overview of Bill Wilson Center and Services Provided• Review of Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing• Identifying Challenges to Permanent Housing • Reviewing Stages of Obtaining Housing• Example Scenarios of Applied Strategies

Bill Wilson Center Opened in 1973 THP+ Provider since 2007

◦ Utilizing 3 different models; scattered site, host homes, and college dormitories

THP+FC Provider◦ Respite◦ TAY Inn◦ Mental Health◦ Drop-in Center

Getting out of Survival Mode

The Housing First Model means finding a place to live is the highest priority. Everything else follows

from permanent, stable housing.

“If I don’t know where I’m sleeping tonight, nothing else matters.”

Framing the Issue Foster youth often come to our program with 10 or more

placements while in care.

Having to pack up and move becomes a way of life and significantly disrupts one’s ability to pursue long term

educational or vocational goals.

Our greatest aim and success is to have a youth transition in place. The program ends but their home remains the same.

So How Do We Get There?

Barriers to Housing

1. Landlords are reluctant to rent to someone in a program.

2. Little or no rental history, poor credit, criminal background, or unemployment are often factors for participants entering the program.

3. Santa Clara County faces an ever skyrocketing cost of living. The rental market is both expensive and competitive. There simply isn’t enough affordable housing available for the population.

“Cozy Room for Rent”Craigslist posted an actual room rental ad for $500 a month. Highlighted as ideal for someone working graveyard shifts as there were no windows.Kitchen use wasn’t allowed.

Why is this room rental infamous at our offices?

Because it was a large walk in closet.

Trauma Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing

Evidenced Based Practices fully incorporated into the agency

Setting youth up for success in their housing search◦ Good Frame of mind◦ Ensuring their basic needs are met◦ “Did you have breakfast yet? “◦ “How has your day been going so far?”◦ “That last appointment was pretty stressful, how about

we take a little break and grab a snack?”

Room Rentals as Potential Triggers

◦Feeling like the landlord only wants the money◦ Recognizing fair housing laws are easily

forgotten by individual home owners renting rooms.

◦ Avoiding room rentals with minimal or no kitchen use allowed

◦ Finding the right fit

Stages of Change◦Overview of Motivational Interviewing◦Recognize where the youth is at◦Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, Maintenance, Relapse

◦Work with them at their stage, not where we want them to be

Preparation Assess ability to afford housing

◦ Creating detailed budgets◦ Look to increase income through employment and

financial aid

Rental Resume◦ Design a portfolio to show potential landlords

Apply to affordable housing waitlists

Affordable Housing There are several different types of affordable housing that can be a good fit◦ Tax Credit Properties◦ Fixed Below Market Rate Rental Housing◦ Income Based Rental Housing◦ Single Room Occupancy Units (SRO)

Affordable Housing Youth are encouraged to get on waitlists at the earliest opportunity.

Pre Case Management◦ Clients start completing applications before they start

their program time◦ THP+ FC participants are encouraged to start completing

applications once they are 18 years of age.

Dressed for SuccessoClients are taught to treat potential housing interviews in the same way they approach a job interviewoIf clients do not have appropriate clothes to wear, case managers take clients shopping and purchase clothes which serve a dual purpose; job interview and housing interview attire.oCase managers themselves dress professionally when visiting potential housing appointments.

Rental Resume Example (123) 456-7899

janedoe@gmail.com

J ane Doe Rental Resume

Objective

Profile

Seeking a non-smoking quiet one bedroom or spacious studio in the south bay area.

With an impeccable rental and work history, along with the backing of a valuable rental assistance program for young people, I am an ideal tenant. (If appropriate, include additional positives such as income, years in a stable job, and fico score)

Rental History

Personal References

March 2013- Present Friendly Street San J ose, CA Seeking a larger space for myself and my infant son. REFERENCE: Former Landlord (408) 123-4567

May 2012 – December 2012 San Jose, California Sunny Street Apartments San J ose, CA All Rental Payments On-Time. Left Apartment In Full Accordance with Month to Month Lease. REFERENCE: Former Landlord (408) 123-4567

July 2011 - May 2012 Room Rental at 12 Sunny Lane San J ose, CA All Rental Payments On-Time. Room in Perfect Condition at Move – Out. Left Rental in Full Accordance with Month to Month Lease. Amazing Person (408) 278-2508 Former Boss (408) 469-5714 Santa Claus (408) 287-2290

Sample Budget:  Budgeted Amount

(Stipend):Allowance *Other source of

Income

School/Work Supplies 

     

Incidentals (Laundry, Starbucks) 

     

Food      

Transportation(Gas, Bus pass)

     

Household Items (cleaning supplies, detergent, etc.)

     

Recreation 

     

Clothes 

     

Personal Necessities 

     

Bills (cell phone, car, etc.):

______________________

______________________

______________________

     

Savings Deposit 

     

 Total Amount Used:

 $___________

   

Intensive Case Management

Case Managers make housing searches their highest priority◦ Meet with clients as often as possible.◦ Case Managers make their schedules flexible to allow for evening and

weekend appointments

Mock Housing Interviews◦ Coaching clients on how to explain the program

Support in speaking with potential landlords

Flexibility in subsidy amounts

For higher need clients, doing housing search homework ahead of time, paving the way for potential openings to cut down on client’s experience of rejection

It’s All About How You Spin It

What sounds better?

“Hi there, I’m a former foster youth looking for housing. I’ve been homeless these past couple months but now I have a program that will pay my rent, you just have to sign a w-9 and a rental agreement and by the way I have a service dog for PTSD. Is that okay?”

OR…..

It’s All About How You Spin It

Wait to explain the program until the client has been to an appointment, mentioned their strengths as evidenced by their rental portfolio, and ensured the room is a good fit for their needs, and THEN..

“I’m working with a program that awards me rental support while I’m working and going to school so I can save money.”

Case Manager can add that participants have to interview for this exclusive program and references are checked before they are allowed into the program.

Where to Look for HousingC

raigslist

Local Community Newspapers

Facebook and Other Social Media Sites

Local College Campuses Information Boards

“For Rent” Signs

Parenting Participants Case managers help connect clients with children to subsidized childcare so they are free to look at numerous appointments without the kids present.

When phoning potential room rentals, case managers often leave out that the participant has children until they are meeting in person at the appointment.

◦ We have found that many landlords find it easier to say no to someone over the phone rather than in person. Once they have met the youth, they are more likely to want to work with them.

Cultivating Relationships

Case Managers establish relationships with landlords in the community◦ Check in monthly to see how things are going◦ Readily available for consult should difficulties arise

These relationships help to create housing opportunities Transitioning youth from one housing placement to another

◦ Room rentals are seen as the first step towards permanent housing with their own studio or apartment as the goal.

Landlords Are My New Best Friend.

“Why should I take a chance on your client?”

◦ Landlords can readily reach case managers should issues arise.

◦ A landlord’s job is made easier when tenants are given rent checks promptly and before the 1st.

◦ Real relationships provide real reassurance.

“Whenever there is an issue, I know I can call Joey and he will fix whatever the problem might be. “

Building Long-Standing Partnerships

Seize Every Opportunity to Make a Lasting Partnership◦ Outreach when picking up applications◦ Explain the vision of the agency◦ Landlords have an opportunity to become part of

something worthwhile that they can feel good about◦ When a vacancy comes available, the landlord’s first call is

to the case manager

Advocacy Case Managers look for housing on their own

◦ Helps to screen out places that are inappropriate◦ Reduces rejection or feelings of hopelessness youth can

feel

Pave the way to facilitate a smooth appointment between the youth and potential landlord

Agency advocates with the county to increase funding

Scenario # 1 John came into THP+ with no job, is currently couch surfing, and has an ongoing court case for a DUI. He has significant mental health issues and a low-frustration tolerance. He has numerous tattoos, some of which are visible on his face. His only income currently is coming from his program subsidy.

What steps would you take to house John?

Scenario # 2 Susan is staying with her boyfriend’s mom, sleeping on the couch. She has an eviction on her record from when she was very young. Susan is working part-time and plans to go to school. She is very self conscious about her teeth as past meth use has left her with many missing teeth.

She went to one room rental appointment on her own before the program started and the landlord wouldn’t even let her look at the room. He told her it was taken but she saw it reposted on craigslist the very next day.

How would you approach housing Susan?

Scenario # 3 Natasha has three children. She doesn’t work or go to school but is currently receiving cash aid as her only source of income. She has been getting on waitlists for subsidized housing but has over a year to go on most of those lists. She is anxious to be apart from her children and yet to look at a room rental with all three kids proves difficult. With her parenting subsidy, she can only afford room rentals at this time.

What steps would you take to house Natasha?

In Summary…Complete Subsidized Housing Waitlists at the Earliest

Opportunity

Look EVERYWHERE for Housing Opportunities

Utilize Evidence Based Best Practices

Intensive Case Management & Advocacy

Walk Into Every Housing Appointment Prepared and Ready to “Dazzle”

Develop and Maintain Partnerships with Housing Companies & Landlords

Stay in Touch!Laura Foster

lfoster@bwcmail.org(408) 289-5834

Ashley Rarickararick@bwcmail.org

(408) 278-2508

www.billwilsoncenter.org