Rapid Re-Housing Works

Rapid Re-Housing Logo.

Rapid Re-Housing is a solution to homelessness designed to help individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the unique needs of the household.

VIDEO: What is Rapid Re-Housing?

There are three core components to Rapid Re-Housing. While a program must make all three available, it is not required that a single entity provide all three services or that a household utilize them all.

CORE COMPONENT #1: Housing Identification

Housing Identification Infographic. 1, Build relationships with landlords to have access to as many housing units as possible. 2, Find and secure housing as quickly as possible after a person or family becomes homeless. 3, Limit the time a family or individual spends homeless. Move people into housing within 30 days or less.

The goal of housing identification is to find housing for people quickly. This can be a challenging task, especially in high-cost, low-vacancy markets. Programs should recruit landlords continuously, even before you have people who need housing. The more partnerships you create now, the greater the opportunity you will have later to rapidly house those that need it.

Your Rapid Re-Housing program should designate housing identification staff members who can find and recruit landlords willing to rent to those served by your program.

And finally, match participants to appropriate housing. This is housing that is decent, safe, will be affordable after assistance ends. One critical aspect of this step is choice: make sure the individual or household has a choice in their housing.

CORE COMPONENT #2: Rent and Move-In Assistance

Rent and Move-in Assistance Infographic. Pay for security deposits, move-in expenses, and/or rent and utilities. The Length of assistance varies but is often 4 to 6 months.

The goal of rent and move-in assistance is to help with the costs associated with getting into housing. The amount and duration of this assistance varies, but at a minimum, it should be enough to help people secure a place to live.This assistance shouldn’t be a standard “package” but flexible in order to meet unique needs. This is particularly important when financial circumstances or housing costs change.

CORE COMPONENT #3: Case Management

Case Management infographic. Connect families and individuals to services and supports in the community. Help resolve issues that may threaten housing stability, including conflicts with landlords. Child Care, Income/Benefits, Education, Health Care, Employment.

The goal of Rapid Re-Housing case management is to help stabilize people once housed, by connecting them to services and supports if needed. It should focus on helping people navigate barriers that may stand in the way of securing and maintaining housing, and should also strive to build a support system by connecting them with people and programs in the community.

Rapid Re-Housing assistance should end and the case closed when the individual or family is no longer facing the threat of homelessness, but case management may continue if appropriate or requested.

Models of case management for Rapid Re-Housing include Critical Time Intervention (CTI). CTI and Rapid Re-Housing are complimentary interventions and CTI is well-suited as a case management model in support of Rapid Re-Housing with individuals and families experiencing homelessness. CTI for Rapid Re-Housing is a time limited evidence-based practice that mobilizes support for vulnerable households during periods of transition.

Housed people are not homeless. Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) ends homelessness for families and individuals. 1, Find landlords & apartments. Help people quickly find housing within one month or less. 2, Help pay for housing. Help people pay for housing short term; longer-term help an option. 3, Connect to Jobs & Services. Help access services so people can stay in housing. -- The Core components of Rapid Re-Housing help people find housing fast, help pay for housing, and connect to jobs and services.

Must Have Resources

Looking to integrate Rapid Re-Housing into your system or measure the success of your current program? Check out our newest resources that are a must-have for any system.

WEBINAR: Rapid Re-Housing Benchmarks and Standards

Are you looking for additional guidance on how to incorporate the new guidelines or a good, simple breakdown of what they mean? If so, this webinar is for you.

Benchmarks & Standards: Performance Evaluation and Improvement Toolkit The Core Components: A Building Owner's Toolkit Rapid Re-Housing Toolkit

The impact of homelessness is real and for children, significant. Listen to one family talk about how rapid re-housing has improved their unity and vision of the future.

VIDEO: Rapid Re-Housing Can End Homelessness

VIDEO: Rapid Re-Housing Provides the Foundation

Rapid Re-Housing Courses at the Center for Learning
Are you interested in developing your knowledge around Rapid Re-Housing to better serve your community?

Looking for something else? Check out the Alliance’s Center for Learning page to see what other courses are available.