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HUD’s Continuum of Care grants fund
three distinct programs: the Support
ive Housing Program (SHP), Shel-
ter Plus Care (S+C), and Single
Room Occupancy Mod Rehab (SRO). This issue of Homeless Network News describes the transitional housing component of the Continuum of Care, which is a part of the Supportive Housing Program.
The Supportive Housing Program has five components or five approaches to helping homeless people achieve independence: Transitional Housing, Permanent Housing for Persons with Disabilities, Supportive Services Only, Safe Havens, and Innovative Supportive Housing.
Transitional Housing is one approach to helping homeless people achieve independence. It is a type of supportive housing used to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing. Basically, it is housing in which homeless persons live for up to 24 months and receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently. The supportive services may be provided by the organization managing the housing or coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies. Transitional housing can be provided in one structure or several structures, at one site or in multiple structures at scattered sites.
Supportive Housing Program funds can be used to provide new transitional housing or expand already existing transitional housing. Eligible activities include:
- Acquisition
- Rehabilitation
- New Construction
- Leasing
- Supportive Services
- Operations
- Administration
Limitation of Stay
Homeless individuals and families may reside in transitional housing for up to 24 months. However, if permanent housing for the individual or family has not been located or if the individual or family requires additional time to prepare for independent living, they remain for a period longer than 24 months. Assistance may be discontinued for a transitional housing project if more than half of the homeless persons remain in the project longer than 24 months.
Access to supportive services
Transitional housing participants receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently. Though the services need not be in the same structure, they should be in close proximity to facilitate accessing the services. When services are needed that are not in close proximity, the sponsor should help the persons access the services, such as by providing transportation.
Movement from Transitional
to Permanent Housing
Housing placement assistance must be part of any transitional housing program. Transitional housing residents may need assistance with all the tasks and stress involved in locating, obtaining, moving into, and maintaining the housing. Discrimination in the housing market may make the situation more difficult. Without third-party intervention, some graduates may resort to renting substandard or inappropriate housing or relapse into homelessness.
A comprehensive approach to locating housing includes preparing and training clients in searching for, securing, and maintaining their own housing, developing relationships with local producers and managers of housing to which graduates could move, and helping clients establish a savings plan so they can afford to move in.
In many instances, assistance also entails direct contact and negotiation of rental terms in tandem with graduates and money to help pay move-in costs. However, keep in mind that the most successful graduates of transitional housing are those who have taken the lead in deciding where they will live permanently.
The following are four key principles of Supportive Housing:
AFFORDABILITY — The primary purpose of supportive housing is to increase the availability of housing to low income people.
SAFETY AND COMFORT — Tenants should feel comfortable and safe in their homes, and providers should pay particular attention to safety issues. People who have been homeless have frequently been victims of or exposed to violence. Weaker tenants can become prey and the targets of intimidation and exploitation.
SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ACCESSIBLE, FLEXIBLE AND TARGET RESIDENTIAL
STABILITY — Ideally, supportive services are reflective of the tenants’ needs and goals. Service programs also require adjustment as the needs and interests of the individual tenants and the larger residential community evolve and change. By design, support services are intended to help ensure stability and to maximize each tenant’s ability to live independently. At a minimum, support services must be easily accessible and available to tenants. Evaluating if services are effective and useful should occur on a regular basis.
EMPOWERMENT AND INDEPENDENCE — Supportive housing is intended for people
who, at a minimum, can live independently with some assistance. The role of the supportive housing staff is to provide assistance and help the tenant increase his or her level of independence.
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