SSVF Homelessness Prevention

The New Screening Tool and Screening Process:

Grantee Decisions and Actions

Homelessness Prevention Screening Stage 1: VA Eligibility

• Condition 1: Veteran status • Condition 2: Very low income status (50% AMI)

Requirements for determining and documenting Veteran Status and Very Low-Income Status have not changed.

Indicate on Eligibility Screening Disposition Documentation Form (aka “Screener”).

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Eligibility Condition I. Veteran Status

Eligible? ___ YES ___NO VA Eligibility Requirements: Served in the active military, naval, air service, National Guard, or Merchant Marines Other than dishonorable discharge

Eligibility Condition 2. Very Low Income Status

Eligible? ___ YES ___NO

VA Eligibility Requirement: Gross annual household income less than 50% Area Median Income for household size (grantee

may set lower income threshold) Household size (all adults/children): _______

50% of Area Median Income for Household Size: $_______________________

Total Annual Gross Income from All Sources: $__________________________

Homelessness Prevention Screening Stage 1: VA Eligibility (cont.)

• Condition 3: Imminently at-risk of homelessness:

1. Imminent loss of current housing… AND…

2. No other residence… AND…

3. No resources or support networks immediately available to prevent them from becoming homeless… AND…

Homelessness Prevention Screening Stage 1: VA Eligibility (cont.)

At least one of the following:• 2 or more moves due to economic reasons during the past 60 days • Living in the home of another due to economic reasons• Has been notified in writing that right to occupy current housing or

living situation will be terminated within 21 days• Lives in a hotel/motel not funded by a government or charitable

organization• Is exiting an institution without a stable housing plan• Lives in housing that has characteristics associated with

instability/risk of homelessness as identified in VA-approved Grantee Screening Criteria and Targeting Threshold Plan

Indicate on Eligibility Screening Disposition Documentation Form (aka “Screener”).

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Eligibility Condition 3. Imminently At-Risk of Literal Homelessness

Eligible? ___ YES ___NO

VA Eligibility Requirements: Imminent loss of current primary nighttime residence (housing an individual or family owns, rents,

or lives in with or without paying rent; housing shared with others; and rooms in hotels or motels paid for by the individual or family); AND

No other residence; AND No resources or support networks, e.g., family, friends, faith-based or other social networks,

immediately available to prevent them from becoming literally homeless; AND At least one of the following:

Has moved because of economic reasons two or more times during the 60 days immediately preceding the application for homelessness prevention assistance;

Is living in the home of another because of economic hardship; Has been notified in writing that their right to occupy their current housing or living situation

will be terminated within 21 days after the date of application for assistance; Lives in a hotel or motel and the cost of the hotel or motel stay is not paid by charitable

organizations or by Federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals;

Is exiting a publicly funded institution, or system of care (such as a health-care facility, a mental health facility, or correctional institution) without a stable housing plan; OR

Otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness, as identified in the SSVF grantee’s VA approved Grantee Screening Criteria and Targeting Threshold Plan. VA approved housing situation(s):

Other Proposed Program Eligibility Conditions

Other Program Eligibility Conditions

Eligible? ___ YES ___NO___ Not Applicable

Additional Grantee Eligibility Requirements (must be VA approved)

Homelessness PreventionScreening Stage 2: Targeting

• Points/weights have been assigned for 14 risk factors that have been shown, through research, to increase the likelihood of homelessness

• Grantee can propose to VA additional risk factors they want to score

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Targeting Criteria

Circle all that apply Targeting Criteria

3 Has moved because of economic factors two or more times in the past 60 days

3 Living in a hotel or motel not paid for by charitable organizations or by Federal, State, or local government programs

3 Living with friends or family, on a temporary basis

3 Being discharged from an institution and reintegrating into the community without a stable housing plan

3 History of homelessness as an adult, prior to any homeless episode occurring in the past 60 days

3 Households annual gross income is less than 30% of local Area Median Income for household size

3 Housing loss within 14 days

3 At least one dependent child under age 6

2 At least one dependent child age 6 – 17

2 Veteran returning from Iraq or Afghanistan

2 Applied for shelter or spent at least one night during the prior 60 days literally homeless (shelter, place not meant for human habitation, transitional housing for homeless persons)

2 Sudden and significant loss of income, including employment and/or cash benefits

2 Housing loss within 21 days

1 Rental and/or utility arrears

  Total Points (sum of VA targeting criteria circled points above)

  Additional Target Factors/Scoring Established by Grantee (must be VA approved)

  Total Points (sum of VA/Grantee points above)

How the total score affects eligibility

• Grantee proposes to VA the minimum score (number of points) an applicant must have to be eligible to receive prevention assistance from their SSVF program. – The higher the threshold score, the higher the risk

(and the more likely the household would become literally homeless if not assisted)

– A higher threshold score will reduce the number of eligible applicants; a lower threshold score will increase the number.

How does it all fit together?

VA Eligibility factors and the Targeting (risk) score will become the basis for determining whether or not an applicant receives prevention assistance from your program assistance.

Next steps:

• Review your data/experience re populations. Are there important groups you would be screening out unless you add additional criteria? Or would those population(s) be eligible using the current Screener—without modifications?

• Review your data/projections on request volume. The threshold score can reduce the number of applicants who will qualify for your program. How much reduction do you want?

• Fill out and submit the Grantee Screening Criteria and Targeting Threshold Plan form. Timeline:

November 9th: Grantee plan (additional criteria and threshold score) submitted to VA Regional Coordinators

November 27th: VA Regional Coordinators notify grantees of approved plans or need for revision

New Grantee Site Visits to Mentor Programs

• Suggestions for maximizing the value of your visit

Site Visit: New Grantee Responsibilities

• Don’t just listen and take notes: think about what you are hearing.

• Notice how the mentor’s program fits with VA SSVF philosophy and requirements:

1. How do the program’s policies and procedures implement philosophy and requirements?

2. How are staff trained and supervised to carry out the P&P, philosophy, etc.?

3. How does the program measure the extent to which they are effectively implementing the program—to enable improvements in performance and quality?

“Reflections Tool”

• New grantees can use this tool to help design questions for their site visit.

• Mentors can use this tool to include discussion around the kinds of topics included in the tool.

• New grantees can use the tool to take notes they can take back to their program to further discuss implementation.

• The tool and any notes will not be submitted to VA or to TA providers.