HHS Seeks Nominations for Promising Service Linkage Models for Homeless Families

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is conducting a national study that examines local models that link human services with housing supports for homeless families.  The goal of the study is to identify interesting "promising models" and understand how these models link mainstream services with housing supports to prevent and end homelessness among families.  A "promising model" may have one or more of the following features:

• Collaborative: The model brings a true integration of human services and housing supports to offer a coordinated package of services to homeless families.
• Implementable: The model is relatively easy to implement and can be sustained over time.
• Scalable: The model can be applied in communities of different sizes and geographies, such as large urban cities, mid-sized cities in suburban locations, and small towns in rural communities.
• Measurable: The model is evidence-based and measures the outcomes associated with participating family members.
• Cost-effective: The model results in the efficient use of resources.

The types of human services and housing supports that are provided by the model are not predefined by HHS, but may include services funded through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.  For example, human services may include cash assistance, child care, employment services, or health care, and housing supports may include short-term rental assistance or a long-term housing voucher.

Self-Nomination Process: Communities can self-nominated as a promising model and be considered for inclusion in the study.  The study contractor, Abt Associates, may follow up with communities to understand their model and, based on this initial assessment and information from other sources, select 8 to 10 communities to feature in the study.  The selected sites will participate in in-depth discussions with the research team, focusing on the features of the model and the implementation process.  The discussions may be conducted by telephone as well as through in-person visits by members of the research team.  Key representatives from the sites will be asked to participate in these discussions.

To self-nominate, please contact the research team by sending an email to Emily_Holt@abtassoc.com.  In your email, please describe the features of the model that make it a promising model; the human services that are offered to participants; and the types of housing supports that are provided by the model.  Nominations must be submitted by December 14, 2010.