Families

Rapid re-housing with an avenue to access services will provide families with the stability necessary to achieve independence.

The solution to family homelessness is often rapid re-housing. Providing families immediate access to permanent housing often provides them with the stability necessary to achieve independence. Communities that have paved the road to reducing homelessness among families are continuing the effort to help families who become homeless to quickly return to housing while addressing an increasing demand for services during the recession.

The majority of families who experience homelessness are in shelter for a brief period of time and do not become homeless again. Episodes of family homelessness are typically caused by some unforeseen housing or financial crisis: a death in the family, a medical emergency, abuse in the family. Most families utilize the shelter system until the problem is resolved and are then able to move forward. A small portion of families require more intensive services and longer-term assistance.

Communities across the country have seen dramatic declines in family homelessness by committing political will and resources to the issue. Diverting funds and resources normally dedicated to the existing shelter system toward rapid re-housing and family services has been shown to reduce family homelessness.

Prevention policies can do even more to address family homelessness. Ending the vulnerability of families requires a comprehensive effort focused on the income and work support needs of very poor families and that addresses affordable housing.

Spotlight

Webinar | March 29, 2013
This webinar explores the partnership between the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Charitable Assistance to Community's Homeless, Inc. (CATCH) program that will expand rapid re-housing to homeless families in Idaho.
Solutions Brief | February 19, 2013
The resource provides an overview of how some communities are using TANF funds for short-term rent assistance and how TANF agencies can help improve the self-sufficiency of families.
Solutions Brief | February 19, 2013
This promising strategy profile examines a unique partnership between a homeless service provider and a state agency administering the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families  to help homeless Idaho families rapidly exit homelessness and re-stabilize in homes of their own.
Solutions Brief | January 11, 2013
This promising strategies profile examines how Utah Workforce Services and The Road Home are using resources from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program to provide an integrated employment and housing intervention for homeless families in Salt Lake City.
Solutions Brief | November 27, 2012
This solutions brief describes how one homeless service agency has partnered with the TANF agency in their community to reduce family homelessness. The Mercer County Board of Social Services (MCBOSS) and Mercer Alliance to End Homelessness (Mercer Alliance) are working together to expand rapid re-housing services and change how TANF resources are used. In a two year period, the number of families in shelter or transitional housing on any given day declined by 20 percent and the number of families residing in motels over the course of a month declined by 66 percent.
Solutions Brief | December 14, 2011
This brief is a concise how-to guide on how communities can begin or improve efforts to identify and effectively assist the households who are most likely to become homeless and serve them appropriately.
Community Snapshot | April 4, 2011
\| By focusing on permanent housing and creating a centralized intake system, the Fairfax-Falls Church community reduced family homelessness in their community.
Solutions Brief | July 27, 2010
This paper provides an overview of family homelessness in the United States. It examines the key strategies that communities are implementing to respond to increased family housing instability and homelessness. It also discusses the need for federal leadership.

Library Resources

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Toolkits | October 3, 2011
This tool may help determine which services a rapid re-housing eligible household needs. Communities would ideally use this tool only after prevention or diversion had been ruled out as options for a household and before or very shortly after admitting them to a shelter program if they have no place else to stay.
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Federal Policy Brief | February 28, 2011
\| As parts of the Affordable Care Act are phased in, state leaders are facing complex decisions on issues. This issues - as well as possible solutions - are discussed in this brief about applying the ACA to benefit at-risk and homelessness populations.
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Solutions Brief | September 28, 2010
| Minneapolis and Hennepin County, MN began implementing their Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, Heading Home Hennepin, in January 2007. Using a few replicable practices, the community has made significant progress.
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Federal Policy Brief | March 29, 2010
The TANF program is an important resource for homeless advocates and planners to be using to help homeless and low-income families. States use TANF resources for a host of supports for low-income families.
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Toolkits | July 29, 2009
The Alliance has published this guide to help organizations develop Rapid Re-Housing programs.
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Solutions Brief | July 13, 2009
This joint paper by the Alliance and Enterprise Community Partners demonstrates the importance of affordable housing in ending homelessness for families.