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Sunday, September 05, 2010 |
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 More Information Resources and Training Powerpoints
CSH has created a web-based tool for Chicago, the Housing Options Survey Tool (HOST), that is designed to streamline the process of connecting clients with the prevention, affordable and supportive housing options that can best meet their needs. CSH’s primary objectives in designing this tool were to: create a simple and efficient means for providing complete listings of permanent housing and prevention options for clients and case managers; and to develop mechanisms for ranking housing options to help case managers and clients identify and target their referrals and housing interventions more effectively. HOST utilizes basic information covered in most existing agency intake forms to generate a ranked list of housing categories that are appropriate given the particular characteristics of a client. Although the tool provides the housing categories in a ranked order, the tool will always include all options for which a client is eligible. Each housing category includes a link to contact information for specific housing programs in a given jurisdiction. HOST tracks every interaction with the survey and provides general, de-identified data such as household composition, disability type, housing status, and income. HOST also tracks which clients are eligible for which housing options - and who is being screened out by our provider criteria or general community barriers that we’ve created. HOST launched in Chicago in April 2009 and as of February 2010 more than 3,000 surveys have been completed. Chicago: As of the third quarter of 2009, the City of Chicago required that a HOST survey be completed for all clients entering an emergency shelter or interim housing staffed with case managers. Case managers are also required to refer clients to at least three options. HOST insures that each client is provided with a complete ranked list of all housing options for which he or she meets baseline eligibility criteria. Even options that do not appear to be the best fit for a particular client will still appear on the list. This process serves to increase equity across the homelessness system as well as provide quicker access to critically important information. Screening for HPRP was added in March 2010 and connection to real-time availability of permanent supportive housing units is expected by Spring 2010. |
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