About the "Housing First" Program for Homeless Families

2009/10 Housing First Annual Report

Created in 1988, Beyond Shelter's "Housing First" Program for Homeless Families is an innovative, cost-effective approach to ending and preventing family homelessness. Since its inception, the "housing first" methodology has helped thousands of homeless families - primarily single mothers with children - to rebuild their lives in permanent rental housing in residential neighborhoods located throughout Los Angeles County.

The "Housing First" Program was designed as the "next step" for homeless families in the emergency shelter system in L.A. County.  Homeless families are referred to Beyond Shelter by 70 "referring agencies.

• helps homeless families move as quickly as possible into permanent affordable rental housing in residential neighborhoods
  
  
• provides families with six months to one full year of individualized case management and social services support to enable them to attain improved social and economic well-being
  
  

From 1989-2008 the program helped over 4,500 homeless families, more than 12,000 adults and children, rebuild their lives in permanent housing.

Over the years, the "housing first" approach has become widely recognized as a model for ending family homelessness. The methodology has been adapted by other agencies throughout the country through Beyond Shelter's Institute for Research, Training and Technical Assistance and the National Alliance to End Homelessness' Housing First Network. Beyond Shelter's "Housing First" Program has also received numerous national and international awards.

The "housing first" methodology has been further enhanced through Beyond Shelter's design and implementation of a number of national demonstration projects. In 1999 Beyond Shelter's "Housing First" Program was one of 19 projects nationwide selected by the Pew Partnership to document and disseminate what works to build stronger communities as part of its "Wanted: Solutions for America" initiative. In 1998 the program was enhanced through one of five grants awarded in the Los Angeles area for the U.S. Department of Labor's 30-month Welfare-to-Work Demonstration Project, which helped 200 primarily single mothers move into the workforce.

Beyond Shelter's "Housing First" Program serves homeless families with dependent children at or below the federal poverty level throughout Los Angeles County.

• Families served consist primarily of single mothers with an average of three children each.
  
  
• Approximately 80% of participants are receiving welfare when they enroll in the program.
  
  
• Approximately 90% of the families served are people of color (African-American, Latino and Asian).
  
  
• Approximately 40% of participating families became homeless as a result of domestic violence.
  
  
• Approximately 20% have a history of substance abuse.
  
  
• Approximately 75% of families served would be considered multi-problem families with unstable living patterns.
  

Read personal accounts of "Housing First" clients' success stories.

Homeless families are referred to the "Housing First" Program through a network of over 70 agencies in Los Angeles County, or they walk in to one of Beyond Shelter's Homeless Access Centers at its headquarters or satellite locations in Downtown L.A., Pacoima, Long Beach or South Los Angeles. Once enrolled in "Housing First," a family works with a case manager to develop an individualized Family Action Plan, which identifies and outlines the steps they will take to gain social, emotional and economic stability.

All families must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the program:

• They consist of one or two adults with legal custody of one or more children under the age of 18.
  
  
• Adult family members have maintained their sobriety for at least six months.
  
  
• If an adult family member has experienced domestic violence, they have been separated from the batterer for at least four months and are participating in or have completed counseling upon arrival.
  

Once enrolled, homeless families are assigned a case manager, who conducts an in-depth assessment of their socioeconomic needs, identifying their personal strengths and weaknesses. Together, the family and case manager develop an individualized Family Action Plan, which provides the underlying structure for the delivery of supportive services. When the plan is acceptable to both the family and the case manager, a contract is signed and enrollment is complete.


STEP 2. Providing Housing Relocation Assistance

The case manager and family then meet with Beyond Shelter's Housing Resources staff to begin the process of relocation to permanent housing in a neighborhood of the client's choice. Beyond Shelter assists families with the process of relocation, helping participants overcome barriers to obtaining housing such as poor credit and eviction histories, unemployment and lack of move-in funds, and conducting lease and other negotiations with management companies and landlords.

Developing Housing Resources
Beyond Shelter has developed relationships with over 500 landlords and building managers, representing thousands of properties throughout L.A. County. Landlords are motivated to work with the program because of the advocacy and credibility provided by Beyond Shelter staff. Beyond Shelter offers low-income families assistance with move-in expenses through the Los Angeles Emergency Food and Shelter Rental Assistance Program. Many families are provided Section 8 housing subsidies through the Housing Authorities of the City and County of Los Angeles.


STEP 3. Providing Home-Based Case Management

After each family has relocated to permanent housing, the case manager provides individualized support for up to one full year as the family carries out their Family Action Plan. Once in their new housing, the formerly homeless family is introduced to their new neighborhood - its shopping, transportation and community agencies. Families are supported as they improve their coping skills and reorient to normal living patterns. They are provided assistance with homemaking, budget planning and money management. Case managers work in partnership with the family on issues such as education and literacy, career development, health, family dynamics and recreation. Progress is evaluated quarterly.