HCS TEAM SPOTLIGHT: HOUSING

Highlighting HCS’s Work: Housing

Each issue, we will highlight the work of one of our teams. This issue, we’re taking a look at our housing team, which supports ALTSA clients by supporting their housing needs.

One of our most basic needs is a safe, warm place to live. For many HCS clients, finding and maintaining housing can be a challenge, and an unstable living situation can lead to declining health and other negative outcomes. Fortunately, the HCS housing team works with HCS and Area Agency on Aging case managers, as well as through many community partners and contracts, to support clients in securing, transitioning to, and keeping a home.

“When people have the choice to live where they want to live their lives, that increases how they do health-wise and is transformative in a lot of ways,” said Samantha Tippery, Region 1 supportive housing specialist. “When people feel stable and supported and have shelter over their heads, they do better with their health all around.”

Sam is part of a small team of 10 headquarters housing staff who work around the state to support ALTSA clients who want to live independently. The team provides policy guidance and technical support to case managers and other ALTSA employees. For example, for clients transitioning from state hospitals or institutional settings, or from homelessness into stable housing, the housing team members can support clients with a variety of housing-focused supports and services.

Through supportive housing services, contractors provide assistance finding housing and mitigating housing issues by helping clients pay rent on time and budget appropriately for household needs. Clients may also receive assistance navigating relationships with neighbors and landlords.

“Our ALTSA clients have access to benefits through our state plan and waivers that help them find, keep and maintain independent housing,” said Jonnie Matson, Region 2 housing program manager. “Finding and keeping housing is a pretty big deal.”

HOUSING TEAM FAST FACTS

ALTSA CLIENTS WHO FOUND HOUSING: 643

Since 2012, the ALTSA housing team has helped 643 individuals with federal subsidies find housing. The number of federal subsidies available to us increases every year as partnerships grow.

ALTSA CLIENTS WHO RECEIVED SUBSIDIES: 255

Since 2012, 255 individuals have received ALTSA housing subsidies as they wait for federal subsidies.

ALTSA CLIENTS WHO RECEIVED EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: 476

Since 2014, 476 individuals have received emergency rental assistance.

The housing team stays focused on client choice. Supportive housing clients may choose where to live and have few barriers to receiving housing supports. They are not required to abstain from drug or alcohol use, but providers can offer harm reduction and other methods for substance use disorder treatment. If a client enters a hospital or institution, they continue to receive housing and transition support.

The efforts of this team have not gone unnoticed: they are often invited to present at statewide housing conferences that focus on ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing resources. The legislature also recognized the importance of the team’s work and allocated money for a new capital development position. The person who holds this position will work with affordable housing builders and developers to develop more permanent, affordable housing options for ALTSA clients. “ When people feel stable and supported and have shelter over their heads, they do better with their health all around.

– Samantha Tippery

The ALTSA housing team currently administers Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers in partnership with several public housing authorities across the state and partners with Washington State Department of Commerce in referring eligible DSHS clients to the 811 project-based voucher program. ALTSA has also worked to create its own housing voucher to assist clients who are currently in institutional settings transition into independent housing with in-home long-term services and supports.

In the spirit of supporting client choice, the team encourages other ALTSA employees to reach out on behalf of clients.

“Some case managers aren’t aware of all the resources we have,” Sam said. “For whatever housing question or inquiry they have, they can reach out to us. If we don’t have the answer, we can research it for them and help them find answers.”

FINDING HOME: One Client’s Housing Story

HCS client Roland wanted to transition from his skilled nursing facility into independent housing, but needed support due to his history of homelessness, mobility issues and a traumatic brain injury. Through the Supportive Housing program, Roland was able to find affordable housing and receive ongoing support to maintain housing stability. Roland works actively with his Supportive Housing provider to reduce his alcohol consumption, reconnect with his family and become more involved in his local community. Keeping a consistent schedule also helps Roland feel more stable.

“He is getting out into the community more often to visit his family as well as to become more familiar with the local bus system so he can get around,” his provider said. Roland spends more time with his son, gets out of his home more frequently to practice his faith and keeps his apartment in good shape.