Navigating Public Housing - July 2018

T/H

navigating public housing

A Newsletter for Public Housing Professionals

The Independence Issue Independent Living for Veterans Family Self-Sufficiency Independence in Health

issue 04 July 2018 www.NavigateHousingConsulting.com

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NAVIGATING PUBLIC HOUSING

What does "independence" mean to you?

The Fourth of July. Independence Day. July Fourth. Federal holiday since 1941.

July always kicks off with a celebration in America. You'll have to go back 242 years to trace its origin. Back to the American Revolution. History.com explains it like this: "On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.. July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence."

Many of us have barbecues planned. Perhaps you will see a fireworks show in celebration of the United States' Independence Day. With that in mind, this month's issue looks at ways we as housing providers can foster independence among our residents. It could be financial independence. It could be the ability to live independently day to day.

How is your PHA helping residents be more independent? Let us know.

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Helping our Heroes Independence for Veterans

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Some American Veterans can no longer work due to service-connected disabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Independent Living services, specific to each veteran's needs. The agency calls this the "Individualized Independent Living Plan;" however, this plan cannot last any longer than 24 months. It could last longer if the Veteran meets the criteria for an extension.

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The VA also offers Independent Living services to veterans "who are pursuing employment goals.. to support the achievement of their vocational objective.

Services may include: Evaluation and counseling services to help determine independent living needs and identify goals Coordination of consultations with specialists such as physicians, physical and/or occupational therapists, and rehabilitation engineers Information about and referral to resources which may provide health care services, specialized technology and equipment, community living support, disability support and family counseling Information and assistance with exploring eligibility for VA home modification benefits including the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grant Ongoing case support to help individuals achieve the independent living goals included in the Individualized Independent Living Plan

Helping our Heroes

A number of American Veterans can no longer work due to service-connected disabilities. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers Independent Living services, specific to each veteran's needs. The agency calls this the "Individualized Independent Living Plan;" however, this plan cannot last any longer than 24 months. It could last longer if the Veteran meets the criteria for an extension.

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Assisted Living Choices for Veterans According to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), there are more than 835,000 Americans who reside in assisted living facilities. Many of these residents are Veterans. Those who were injured in the line of duty may be unable to live independently.

If they are disabled, they need help with daily activities.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) explains what kind of assistance is available on its website. The services may not qualify as "independent" living; however, the VA can help with day-to-day living, making it more manageable.

While the VA will not pay their rent, the agency “may pay for some of the extra services the Veteran may need in an Assisted Living Facility.” For example, the VA can arrange for a nurse to visit and give extra care, in addition to what many Assisted Living facilities already provide (e.g. bathing, dressing, meals, etc.).

As far as eligibility, the VA bases that on clinical need and availability.

“One of the common challenges that were

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voiced was finding proper care options for veterans who are living with disabilities,” says Julie Constance with AssistedLiving.org. The organization is working to raise more awareness about the options and benefits available to Veterans. AssistedLiving.org says the VA “offers increased pensions to pay for assisted living care.” A Veteran can either “obtain an assisted living benefit from the VA or apply for residency in a veteran’s home."

Assisted Living benefits from the VA include:

Aid & Attendance and Household Veteran-Directed Home and CommunityBased Services There are also Veterans Homes & Assisted Living Facilities, such as the following.

Community Living Centers Armed Forces Retirement Home State Veterans Home You can read more about the Assisted Living benefits and eligibility requirements for Veterans by clicking this link. Please share the information with a veteran in need of help.

"one of the common challenges that were voiced was finding proper care options for veterans who are living with disabilities."

-Julie Constance Did you know...

July is...

National Baked Bean Month National Grilling Month National Hot Dog Month National Ice Cream Month National Picnic Month

Happy 4th of July!

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Independence in Finance

Self Sufficiency "..a renewed sense of confidence that the household can become self-sufficient"

BY JUDY TICE, CORPORATE TRAINER Would your agency like the opportunity to

Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) work in

explore options for helping your residents to

collaboration with a Program Coordinating

become self-sufficient and build an escrow

Committee (PCC) to secure commitments of

savings account at the same time?The

public and private resources for the

unemployment rate may be on the decline,

operation of the FSS program, to develop

but a combination of low wages and steep

the PHA’s FSS Action Plan (the FSS policy

rent leaves many families struggling to keep

framework), and to implement the program.

a roof over their heads. Family SelfSufficiency(FSS) aims to solve this problem

PHAs and Indian tribes are eligible to apply

by both connecting families to helpful

for funds each year, once Congress

resources and incentivizing them to achieve

appropriates funding for the FSS program

their potential.

through Annual Appropriation Acts to pay the salaries of FSS program coordinators.

Self Sufficiency means having the ability to

HUD allocates these funds through a Notice

provide your own needs without any regular

of Funding Availability (NOFA), which is

assistance from others or public assistance

posted on HUD’s website and on Grants.gov.

from any state or federal programs (i.e. food stamps, Power, LIEAP). It also means a renewed sense of confidence that the household can become self-sufficient.

How Does Family Self-Sufficiency Promote Financial Independence?

managers offer encouragement and access

Family Self-Sufficiency doesn't merely offer

way. These resources empower clients, who

aid to struggling families; the program

begin to view themselves as active players in

encourages them to work towards a

improving their families' long-term

goal. The head of household must attend an

economic outcomes.

to much-needed resources every step of the

orientation. Once deciding to join the FSS Program a Contract with a 5-year limitation

Clearly, the FSS approach works. HUD

must be signed. This Contract provides the

reports that over 36,000 households

terms of the program and a plan of action is

graduated from FSS programs between

developed to help the participant achieve

2007 and 2016. Graduates' incomes

the goals they have outlined to become self-

increased from an average of $14,706 when

sufficient. Continued participation is based

they entered FSS to $26,586 upon program

upon consistent progress towards the goals

completion.

the household has set. The participant/family can change the goals based upon the continued positive path the participant/family set for becoming selfsufficient.

An significant benefit is the opportunity to build an escrow savings account while participating in the program. As earned household income increases, the escrow account increases. Upon successful completion of the program, which means the family has met all goals, the participant receives the full amount of their escrow, including interest. The monies obtained from your escrow account could be used for a down payment on a home or for the purchase of a small business.

Families view the program's interestearning escrow accounts as an incentive to improve their economic outcomes. Of course, they don't have to go it alone; caseÂ

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Quick Case Study Alisa Bibbs: A Family Self-Sufficiency Success Story FSS boasts success stories from families living across the nation. Alisa Bibbs, for example, took advantage of FSS through a community action agency in Erie County. At the time she completed her FSS contract, she was an unemployed single mom, moving from one family member's home to the next.

She desperately wanted to invest in a home of her own.

With help from FSS and her case manager, Bibbs completed a job training program, developed her resume, and attended budgeting classes. These efforts helped her find work and save money for her escrow account. During her time with FSS, she saved an impressive $18,000, which she used to buy a house.

Bibbs' story is far from unusual; HUD reports that up to 40 percent of FSS families leave public housing within a year of graduation — and 15 percent become homeowners.

The future is bright for the many hardworking individuals enrolled in FSS. We're passionate about using this opportunity to foster financial independence. Contact us today to learn how we can help you start or run an FSS program.

Credit: Greater Erie Community Action Committee

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5 Steps to Creating a Healthier Community Independence in Health someone to drive it, someone to assemble and activate the right roster of influencers, experts and activists. Progressive leaders concerned about community sustainability and resident health, such as city council members or those in influential positions within the community, make good candidates to spearhead the plan.

Enlist partners

Credit: Healthy West Chicago

"..change the way the next generation thinks about nutrition and exercise.."

-Mayor Ruben Pineda, West Chicago

To improve nutrition and increase physical activity in the City of West Chicago, Mayor Pineda reached out to community leaders in local government, education, health care, social services, faith-based entities, businesses and non-profits to initiate partnerships and secure funding to create the Healthy West Chicago Action Plan, a multi-year guide for promoting better health in the community.

Engage other community members

(Family Features) Obesity, with corresponding ailments such as heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes, is a well-chronicled public health issue and has many communities looking for ways to positively impact their residents.

What can prove to have an enduring impact on improving community health is a broad coalition of stakeholders coming together to create a culture of

wellness. For example, the City of West Chicago, with its Healthy West Chicago initiative, is a case study in how to galvanize a community toward collective better health. With these modifiable tips from Mayor Ruben Pineda, other communities can work to improve the health and quality of life for residents.

It is important to build awareness of your initiative and get buy-in from residents through consistent communication. One of the most important demographic segments to engage is children. Kids are open to change and are developing lifelong habits. They are also extremely influential with their parents, siblings and friends.

Have a champion Every major civic initiative needs

"The key to a sustainable, healthy

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future is to change the way the next generation thinks about nutrition and exercise," Mayor Pineda said. "This makes the public school system critical to driving the behavioral changes that contribute to positive outcomes."

Measure and adjust Once your community's health initiative is in action, assess it annually against the overarching plan and add, eliminate or improve components to continue the momentum toward a healthy community for generations to come.

Keep it fresh A successful community-wide health initiative needs to continuously build on its momentum by adding new programs and participants. For example, Healthy West Chicago conducts sponsored activities such as free healthy cooking classes for students, a "Rethink Your Drink" campaign to educate community members about the harmful effects of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages, weekly community walks with the mayor and a community garden initiative, which promotes organic suburban agriculture and benefits both the environment and local families. In addition, providing ongoing updates about programs and offering online tools, such as activity trackers and interactive walking route maps, are ways to build interest and retain participants.

For more information about how to implement a health and wellness program in your city, contact Mayor Pineda's office at (630) 2932200 extension 135, or visit healthywestchicago.com.

Credit: The GardenWorks Project

"What can prove to have an enduring impact on improving community health is a broad coalition of stakeholders coming together to create a culture of "

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