Rapid Re-Housing Program
The Rapid Re-Housing Program is an instrumental part of the overall Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness in the Greater Houston area.. Rapid Re-Housing seeks to assist individuals sleeping on the streets to exit homelessness. It is established and funded as an emergency housing program.
The program seeks to coordinate housing and intensive case management services in order to stabilize homeless individuals, identify barriers to long-term housing, set in motion the resources necessary to mitigate these barriers, and provide supportive services which will lead to the individual’s ability to secure and maintain long-term housing.
Potential clients are identified through a variety of community partners that represent a wide range of non-profit providers, public entities and concerned community members. The potential client expresses a desire to leave the street and makes a commitment to accept the structure of the program. After program referral and acceptance, the client is placed in a housing facility (rent is paid with funds secured by the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris Co.). The designated case manager conducts an initial needs assessment, completes a plan of service and provides information, referral and supportive services based on the individual’s needs. Rapid Re-Housing staff monitors progress for the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris Co.
1. Barriers to permanent housing are reduced. Based upon the initial assessment and service plan, the client is either referred to or directly provided with necessary services to reduce their barriers to permanent housing. These services may include some or all of the following: mental, behavioral and physical health care, job training and employment assistance, assistance with filing for government programs such as those provided by the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, and Health and Human Services, as well as familiarization with available local services.
2. At the end of 90 days, the client has: 1) moved to transitional or permanent housing with some capacity to pay rent, 2) moved permanently with family or friends, or 3) entered into another program that will further the stabilization process.
3. The Coalition will continue to use HMIS, phone and face-to-face interviews and other methods to track clients over time in an effort to determine long term program outcomes.
