THE DUPAGE HOMELESS CONTINUUM PLAN APPROACH (Cont.)

This plan adopts a "Housing First" approach. "Housing First" is an approach based on two principles⁶:

1. The best way to end homelessness is to help people move into permanent housing as quickly as possible.
2. Once in housing, formerly homeless people may require some level of services to help them stabilize, link them to long-term supports, and prevent a recurrence.

"Housing First" is a philosophy where short-term housing (also called "interim housing") is provided for the minimum time needed to access permanent housing. "Interim housing" can include shelters and transitional housing programs that provide short-term residences with comprehensive needs assessment, community linkages, and permanent housing placement.

The "Housing First" approach is recognized as not necessarily appropriate for all persons experiencing homelessness. Some persons may require longer stays in transitional housing such as homeless youth, those experiencing domestic violence, and those who need mental health or substance abuse treatment recovery services. There is the population of chronically homeless who will require permanent supportive housing. However, the "Housing First" approach is based upon the belief that for the majority of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, transitional housing is not indicated. Transitional Housing should be used purposively based on individual needs ⁷.

"Permanent housing" has two core requirements - choice regarding the location and type of housing, and no predetermined limit on the length of time the household may live there. The type of permanent housing unit will vary according to the needs of the person or household. It may include individual apartment units, shared housing, single family homes, a single room occupancy building, or a safe haven. The type of permanent housing for each person/household may change over time, but it is their choice.

Instead of building homeless services around programs or facilities, the DuPage Plan to End Homelessness builds services around permanent housing. Instead of bringing homeless persons to a "housing ready state" before finding permanent housing, it proposes to adopt a strategy of "housing first" and providing whatever temporary or ongoing support services are necessary to maintain that permanent housing. We are willing to embrace the challenge of system changes necessary to end homelessness and prevent future homelessness in our county.

Housing-First Model

VISION AND BELIEFS

• Prevention is important and a high priority and necessary to keep people housed.
• Get persons into housing as quickly as possible. Partnerships are necessary to ensure that there is a plan for permanent housing.
• The goal of permanency in housing is worthwhile. Take a "Housing First" approach with the goal of permanency.
• All homeless programs must ensure that there is a plan for permanent housing and that partnerships have been established to achieve this goal.
• Different housing models are needed for different subpopulations.An outreach effort is needed to bring in the unsheltered homeless.
• The computerized Client Management Information System is an essential component for planning and ensuring accurate data.
• Develop an adequate number of permanent supportive housing units for homeless persons with disabilities.
• Build the capacity of affordable rental housing units and rent subsidies for market rate housing.
• "Housing First" challenges us to change our services where appropriate recognizing that it is not a "one size fits all" philosophy. Ensure services support a "Housing First" approach.

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