Program areas at Housing Forward
Permanent supportive Housing - is an intervention that combines affordable Housing assistance with voluntary supportive services for individuals and families who have experienced homelessness and have a documented disability. In 2022, 206 households were stabilized in 179 scattered-site apartments with 90,441 nights of Housing. Program outcomes - 94% remained stably housed for one year; 74% increased income between entry and exit.
Interim Housing - the pads emergency shelter, a rotating congregate emergency shelter, closing during the covid pandemic. The agency moved to a 27 non-congregate, hotel-based model to keep clients safe from contracting covid-19. In 2022, the program provided 96 clients with 15,124 nights of shelter and 44,613 meals.
Rental assistance - the agency operates three federal and one state funded rental assistance programs. Rapid re-housing (federal) minimizes the trauma of homelessness by diverting individuals and families from emergency shelter and re-housing them as quickly as possible. Clients are assessed to determine amount of assistance every 3 months. Rental assistance is coupled with case management and wrap-around services to ensure long-term Housing stability. In 2022, 133 persons were stabilized with rental assistance and case management services. Housing Forward also operates the rental Housing support program (state) for individuals at or below 30% of area median income. In 2022, 75 individuals were assisted with rhsp.
Medical respite - provides short-term residential care for individuals recently discharged from a medical facility requiring recuperative care. Two programs - sojourner house (freestanding and independent living arrangements) and the rise center (hotel-based, 24/7 medical staffing) provide post-operative medical care, supportive services, case management in a supportive living environment for up to 24 clients. In 2022, 98 medical respite patients were assisted.
Employment readiness - the employment readiness program improves clients' employability and increases their income potential to achieve and maintain long-term Housing stability. Clients are provided with basic skills assessment, one-on-one coaching, job search strategies and job placement. Clients enrolled in employment readiness are eligible for participation in the agency's 8-week workforce cleaning crew that provides on-the-job training and transitional wages.
Emergency financial assistance/homeless prevention - the agency provides critical financial interventions to prevent households from imminent risk of eviction, loss of utilities, and to regain Housing quickly with security deposits and 1st month's rent.
Diversion and outreach: diversion and street outreach connect with individuals who are unsheltered or precariously housed. Flexible financial assistance provides creative solutions for helping some stay housed or to relocate with friends or family. A four-person street outreach team engage with persons who are living on the streets or other places not meant for human habitation to provide basic needs, assess for Housing and work with the coordinated entry system to connect them to a permanent Housing situation. In 2022, 290 individuals received services through street outreach and 129 individuals received services through diversion.