Overview of the HUD-VASH Program and the Housing First Model

1. Overview of the HUD-VASH Program and the Housing First Model

2. The HUD-VASH Program is a collaborative partnership between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veterans Affairs with the goal of providing permanent supported housing to homeless Veterans. Housing Choice vouchers provided by HUD permits affordable supported permanent housing for homeless Veterans and their families. Homeless Veterans must meet HUD-VASH criteria and be willing to actively participate in their program of recovery from homelessness with a case manager, who delivers supportive, housing focused services.

3. Population Served • The chronically homeless Veteran and their families. • Veterans with complex behavioral health or medical conditions. • Veterans with little experience or continued success with managing or maintaining independent housing. • HUD-VASH cannot work with Veterans required to register as lifetime sex offenders.

4. HEARTH ACT • Veterans who are living in a place not meant for human habitation, in emergency shelters, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. • Veterans who are losing their primary nighttime residence, which may include a motel or hotel or a doubled up situation, within 14 days and lack resources or support networks to remain in housing. • Veterans with children who are unstably housed and likely to continue in that state. This is a new category of homelessness, and it applies to families with children who have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 91 or more days, have had three or more moves in the last 90 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed because of disability or multiple barriers to employment. • Veterans who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

5. HUD-VASH Eligibility

6. Total Voucher Allocation by Year • 2008 – 35 vouchers in Albuquerque • 2009 - 35 vouchers in Albuquerque • 2010 - 25 vouchers in Gallup • 2010 – 35 vouchers in Santa Fe • 2010 -50 vouchers in Albuquerque • 2011 – 25 vouchers in Albuquerque • 2012 – 25 vouchers in Albuquerque • 2013 – 110 vouchers (Albuquerque, Farmington, Durango, Valencia County)

7. 2013 VASH Vouchers • Albuquerque HA– NM001 35 vouchers – 20 - Albuquerque 15 – NW Metro CBOC (Rio Rancho) • Bernalillo County HA – NM057 30 vouchers - Albuquerque, Unincorporated Bernalillo County and Rio Rancho • San Juan County HA – NM066 15 vouchers - Farmington area • El Camino Rael HA – NM077 15 vouchers - Belen and Los Lunas • Durango HA 15 vouchers - to be determined

8. Why Housing First? • It ends homelessness. • Housing First eliminates the need for costly shelter care and transitional and short-term treatment services aimed at preparing veterans to be “housing ready or housing worthy.” • Studies demonstrate that Housing First reduces ER visits, unscheduled mental health and medical hospitalization. • Decreases the frequency and duration of homelessness.

9. Why Housing First ? – continued • Housing First is an approach that centers on providing homeless people with housing quickly and then providing services as needed. • What differentiates a Housing First approach from other strategies is that there is an immediate and primary focus on helping individuals and families quickly access and sustain permanent housing. • This approach is consistent with what most people experiencing homelessness want and seek help to achieve.

10. HUD-VASH Case Management • Case management is a mandatory requirement for a minimum of one year; after one year Social Worker and Veteran reassess need for continued case management. • Every Veteran enrolled in the HUD-VASH program is assigned to an Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker who provides case management. • Housing needs and treatment goals are identified. • Monthly home visits are mandatory. • Rent and utilities are monitored by the case manager. • Other housing related issues/concerns are monitored.

11. The Voucher/Housing Process • Veteran and case manager work with the PHA (public housing authority) to obtain a Housing Choice Voucher. • Veteran and case manager identify voucher friendly properties. • Veteran completes apartment application and provides for any application/damage deposit fees. • Once application is approved, case manager assists Veteran with completion of documentation for PHA (Request for Tenancy) and insures documentation is returned to PHA so that an inspection by the PHA can be scheduled. • Once apartment passes PHA inspection, the lease is signed and Veteran can move into housing.

12. Terminations

13. Successful Terminations • Veterans may be successfully terminated from the HUD-VASH Program and can keep their Housing Choice Voucher after participating in the program for a minimum of one year, and upon meeting the goals of their treatment plan. HUD-VASH case manager must agree with case management termination. • Termination also occurs upon Veteran becoming “over income” to participate in the Housing Choice Program. • Veterans may “port” their voucher to another HUD-VASH program only if there is a case management slot open in the city that Veteran wishes to port to.

14. Albuquerque Performance • As of September 1, 2013 there are 210 formerly homeless Veterans and their families that are now housed via the Albuquerque HUD-VASH Program.

15. Questions/Discussion Barbara H. Nolan, MSW, LISW HUD-VASH Program Coordinator 1501 San Pedro SE Albuquerque, NM 87108 505-265-1711 x-2902 – office 505-414-0208 – cell 505-256-2819 – fax barbara.nolan@va.gov