Home Connections

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Home Connections

• A housing first program operated by St. Vincent
  de Paul of Baltimore

Kathleen Spain, Director Beans Bread Center
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St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore

• Mission
• To help people who are suffering from the effects
  of poverty meet their basic human needs and
  achieve a better future for themselves and their
  family.
• Operates 15 programs throughout Baltimore City
  and County

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Beans Bread Center

• Beans Bread- comprehensive day resource center
  (1977)
• Frederick Ozanam House- transitional housing
  program for 20 men (1998)
• Home Connections- scattered site housing first
  program for 28 people (2006)

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Home ConnectionsStaffing structure
Director, Beans Bread .33 FTE
6 1 ratio
Director Beans Bread Center
Director Beans Bread Center
Director Beans Bread Center
Director Beans Bread Center
Assistant Director Beans Bread/ FOH
Meal Program Coordinator
Resource Coordinator
Assistant Director Home Connections
Assistant Director Beans Bread/ FOH
Meal Program Coordinator
Resource Coordinator
Assistant Director Home Connections
Assistant Director Beans Bread/ FOH
Meal Program Coordinator
Resource Coordinator
Assistant Director Home Connections
Assistant Director Beans Bread/ FOH
Meal Program Coordinator
Resource Coordinator
Assistant Director Home Connections
B B Case Manager II
FOH Case Manager II
HC Case Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
Meal Program Assistants (2)
B B Case Manager II
FOH Case Manager II
HC Case Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
Meal Program Assistants (2)
B B Case Manager II
FOH Case Manager II
HC Case Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
Meal Program Assistants (2)
B B Case Manager II
FOH Case Manager II
HC Case Manager II
Volunteer MD Coordinator
Meal Program Assistants (2)
Case Manager I
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident Advisor
Security/ Maintenance (2)
Case Manager I
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident Advisor
Security/ Maintenance (2)
Case Manager I
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident Advisor
Security/ Maintenance (2)
Case Manager I
Intake Specialist
FOH Resident Advisor
Security/ Maintenance (2)
Client Advocate
Receptionist
FOH Resident Assistant
NCBA Workers (2)
Client Advocate
Receptionist
FOH Resident Assistant
NCBA Workers (2)
Client Advocate
Receptionist
FOH Resident Assistant
NCBA Workers (2)
Client Advocate
Receptionist
FOH Resident Assistant
NCBA Workers (2)
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
Peer Advocate
Interns
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Home ConnectionsProgram structure
Landlord
Standard lease agreement
Rental Agreement Contract
Participant
Program
Participant Agreement
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Home ConnectionsProgram component

• Participant Agreement
• Allow staff into unit at least once/week
• No long-term guests/drug trafficking
• Agency as rep payee
• Partnerships
• Community mental health center
• Substance abuse treatment
• Socialization
• Monthly meetings
• Free events

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Home ConnectionsParticipant recruitment

• Intake
• Screen for eligibility (chronically homeless)
• Check for documentation
• Enrollment
• Discuss program expectations
• Set-up client chart
• Assessment
• In-depth needs assessment
• Tour apartments

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Home ConnectionsProgram goals

• Obtain and remain in permanent housing
• 90 of participant who successfully complete an
  intake and needs assessment will move into
  permanent housing within 30 days from completion
  of assessment
• 90 of participants who successfully obtain
  housing will remain in permanent housing after 12
  months
• Increase skills and income
• 50 of participants who are placed in permanent
  housing will increase their skills and/or income
  either through enrollment in an education or
  vocational training program, employment or
  securing mainstream benefits

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Home ConnectionsProgram goals- contd

• Achieve greater self-determination
• 50 of participants with a history of substance
  abuse will enter a community-based recovery
  program such as Narcotics Anonymous within six
  months of placement
• 50 of participants with a history of mental
  health issues will resume treatment within six
  months of placement
• 50 of participants who are unemployed will
  commit to a regular community service position
  within six months of placement

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Home ConnectionsClient Demographics
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Home Connections Client demographics
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Home ConnectionsClient demographics
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Home ConnectionsClient demographics
Income Type
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Home Connections Client demographics
Education
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Home ConnectionsClient demographics
Health Insurance
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Home ConnectionsResidential component

• Landlord recruitment
• 4 landlords, 9 different zip codes
• Rental Assistance Payments (RAP) Contract
• Utilities
• 6 units include utilities
• Addressing back debt, rising expenses
• Furnishings
• Hotel furniture liquidator
• Extreme Makeover donation flier

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Home ConnectionsFinancial component

• Program funding
• HUD (67), CFAP (27), Private (7)
• Client assistance
• Slush fund
• Client contributions
• Budgeting
• Personalizing apartment

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Home ConnectionsProgram highlights

• 7 clients participate in relapse prevention
  services
• 6 participants are receiving mental health
  services
• 5 are volunteering on a regular basis

• All 28 reside in original unit
• Only 2 continue to use ER as primary care
  provider
• All 12 who entered without income now have
  something

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Home ConnectionsLessons learned

• Staff
• Boundary issues
• Safety
• Participants
• Extended guests
• Client choice
• Apartments
• On-going repairs
• Neighborhood activity
• Telephones

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Home ConnectionsCommonly used resources

• Internet
• Corporation for Supportive Housing
• Local housing authority
• NAEH
• Housing first list serve
• Annual conference

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Home ConnectionsContact information

• Kathleen Spain, Director
• Beans Bread Center
• 402 S. Bond Street
• Baltimore, MD 21231
• 410-732-1892
• kspain_at_vincentbaltimore.org