Over the last couple of months, an abundance of useful homelessness resources have become available. These are our recommended reads for funders.
Over the last couple of months, an abundance of useful homelessness resources have become available. These toolkits and briefs cover topics such as connections between Medicaid and permanent supportive housing, recommendations for applying HUD-VASH effectively, and employment models for people experiencing homelessness. Below, we have summarized and provided links to five resources we consider “recommended reads” for funders.
ASPE Study of Permanent Supportive Housing and Medicaid for Chronically Homeless
In February, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) published a report on the potential usefulness of Medicaid for housing and providing services to chronically homeless people under the Affordable Care Act. The report was broken down into four issue papers on promising practices linking health, mental health, and substance abuse services to housing assistance. Issue paper topics:
Using HUD-VASH to End Veteran Homelessness
In March, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) released this toolkit to help communities maximize the effectiveness of The Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) resources. Access the toolkit for guidance about targeting assistance to vulnerable veterans and veterans experiencing chronic homelessness; streamlining the housing placement process; providing case management with supportive services; and fostering collaboration between public housing agencies, VA medical centers, and service providers.
Coordinated Assessment Toolkit
Establishing coordinated intake processes and implementing uniform assessment tools ensure that families receive proper care in a timely manner. The National Alliance to End Homelessness compiled this four-part coordinated assessment toolkit to encourage more efficient homeless assistance systems.
The toolkit is broken down into four sections:
- Planning and Assessment
- Data and Implementation
- Evaluation
- Community Examples and Materials
Homelessness & Domestic Violence Toolkit
Homelessness prevention for domestic abuse survivors and their children requires additional considerations beyond the rapid re-housing model. Financial assistance, case management, and legal assistance can prevent survivors from experiencing homelessness, and open up shelters to individuals and families in emergency situations. This toolkit provides strategies to prevent homelessness based on lessons learned from providers.
Working to End Homelessness Best Practice Series
The National Transitional Jobs Network, with support from the Butler Family Foundation, formed the Working to End Homelessness Initiative in 2011 to promote employment solutions to homelessness. Drawing from its community of practice, NTNJ put together a best practice series for providers, program staff, and policymakers to aid homeless individuals in finding gainful employment.
Papers in the series: