KEY TAKEAWAYS
POINT SOURCE YOUTH PRESENTS:
YOUTH RAPID RE-HOUSING DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Erin Whelan, Senior Division Director for Housing and Homeless Services, LifeWorks Ely SepĂşlveda GarcĂa, Youth CES Coordinator, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Graham Thomas, Program Director, Larkin Street Youth Services
The goal of many communities is to end youth homelessness, and that goal is not changing because of COVID-19. The ways in which we reach that goal may have changed, but rapid rehousing (RRH) continues to be a strong intervention for housing youth quickly and keeping them stable throughout the pandemic. Now that we know more about COVID-19 and how it affects youth experiencing homelessness, we can leverage waivers and additional funding to be supportive, innovative, and youth-centered in our service delivery of RRH.
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We are seeing a cultural shift from folks caring only about money, to caring more about the human aspects of our interactions. Landlords are lowering rent and wanting to help folks in their communities. HUD and other funders are removing restrictions in order to house folks quickly. Systems are working together to address the crisis. Collaboration, support, and mutual aid are saving our youth and our communities.
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Q+A
What are some best practices for engaging landlords and strong connection building? Rapid re-housing has changed quite drastically with the market changing. There are more opportunities we might not normally have had as far as landlords being more open to leasing to youth since rent being paid is guaranteed. Developers are looking for partners to guarantee rent. This allows a conversation to talk about what we offer and opportunities for youth. Being able to guarantee rent is big. How is RRH continuing to support youth during COVID-19? What is important to note is that providers have continued to work with existing clients and enroll new ones to get into housing. Right now, they have switched to a tele-case management model, virtual check-ins, and providing education around COVID-19.
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Q + A (CONTINUED) How are you dealing with housing inspections & move-in assistance during COVID-19? Housing inspections are still important and landlords are only dealing with ER maintenance issues currently. Many things on the HQS list aren’t emergencies, so we are working on how to address these issues when the waivers expire. Right now we are using video streaming and pictures to make sure it meets HQS and critical needs are addressed quickly. Virtual chats with clients and having them walking through the unit and keep it on file to address with landlords later is also a great tactic. Be creative as possible and know that it changes weekly. For youth, this is oftentimes their first time signing a lease. Some of the excitement is also anxiety and stress with COVID-19, walking in there alone for move in can be scary, and that will look different for each youth. Make sure you are providing phone to youth so you can connect on move in and case management. What are providers doing to ensure that youth are connected to employment opportunities in a time when finding a job is so difficult? Work with youth on their skills and make a match with essential jobs that are available. We’re telling youth that just because this is happening doesn’t mean jobs aren’t out there. Work your networks, keep sending out your resume. Many pieces of employment engagement are still there during COVID, it’s about being creative with what you have. We are helping youth with more of their rent payments, more of a subsidy. Landlords are happy and youth aren’t as stressed, so they have more brain space to think about job markets.
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THE ISOLATION IS SO REAL FOR OUR YOUTH. YOUTH OFTEN THINK, 'NO ONE UNDERSTANDS ME.' NOW THEY HAVE PHYSICAL DISTANCING. BEFORE COVID19, WE ALWAYS HAD COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH, NOW WE JUST BRING THEM ONLINE. WE’RE ALWAYS ENGAGING WITH OUR YOUTH, 'LET'S DO A ZOOM CALL, LET'S GET ONLINE, LET'S TEXT. -GRAHAM THOMAS ACTIONS TO TAKE NOW 1. Research financial support available in your community. Research extending RRH length of stay waivers, additional rental assistance available, as well as funding for intersecting needs such as employment, transportation, and access to food. 2. Educate youth about COVID-19 and use a harm reduction model. Ensure youth know the best ways to reduce transmission of the virus and work to reduce anxiety around our current reality. 3. Utilize these new opportunities to create more affordable housing stock. Many landlords will be interested in helping folks in their community and in guaranteed rent and support for young people.
Learn more at pointsourceyouth.org/covid19resources
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RAPID RE-HOUSING HAS CHANGED QUITE DRASTICALLY WITH THE MARKET CHANGING. THERE ARE MORE OPPORTUNITIES WE MIGHT NOT NORMALLY HAVE HAD AS FAR AS LANDLORDS BEING MORE OPEN TO LEASING TO YOUTH SINCE RENT BEING PAID IS GUARANTEED. -ERIN WHEELAN
RESOURCES & LINKS Federal Programs that Support Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Changes to HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Policies that Affect Service Providers Changes to HUD CoC Policies that affect Rapid Re-housing programs HUD Policies Impacting HOPWA Programs Point Source Youth: Rapid Re-housing COVID-19 Landlord Engagement Homeless System Response
Landlord Engagement | United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Rapid Re-Housing Tips for High Cost, Low Vacancy Communities United Way: RRH Changes to Coordinated Entry Prioritization to Support and Respond to COVID-19 Rapid Re-Housing | United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) CARES Act Eligibility and Recommended Uses for States and Local Jurisdictions
Learn more at pointsourceyouth.org/covid19resources