An article published in Cityscape by Marybeth Shinn and others, “Mismatch between Homeless Families and the Homelessness Service System,” finds that homeless families were less likely to be eligible for and use transitional housing than they were for short-term or long-term rental assistance. Of these three types of assistance, homeless families had the highest rate of eligibility for and use of long-term rental subsidies. On the other hand, homeless families faced three significant barriers to accessing transitional housing assistance: basic eligibility criteria, availability of appropriately sized units, and locations away from families’ networks. An expansion of long-term housing subsidies and deeper targeting to families with greater needs could end much of family homelessness, compared to short-term rental assistance which creates uncertainty and anxiety for families, or service-intensive programs with eligibility criteria that may exclude families.
The authors examined data from the Family Options Study (see Memo, 10/31/16), which screened 2,490 homeless families in emergency shelters in 12 communities for eligibility for the three types of assistance: transitional housing, short-term rental assistance, or long-term rental subsidy. Families were then randomly assigned to one of the available types of assistance.
Seventy-one percent of homeless families passed initial eligibility screening for transitional housing when it was available in their communities. The size of available units, family composition, and minimum income or employment requirements were the most common barriers to eligibility. Of those randomly offered a spot in transitional housing, only 46% passed an additional screening, accepted the offer of assistance, and moved in. Ninety-one percent of homeless families passed initial eligibility screening for short-term rental assistance when it was available in their communities. Of those randomly offered short-term rental assistance, 51% accepted the offer and moved into an apartment. Ninety-six percent of homeless families passed initial eligibility screening for long-term rental subsidy when it was available in their communities. Criminal background checks, poor credit histories, and lack of ties to the local community prior to entering shelter were the most common barriers to eligibility. Of the families randomly offered a long-term rental subsidy, 73% accepted the offer and moved into an apartment.
“Mismatch between Homeless Families and the Homelessness Service System” is available at: https://bit.ly/2GtHc9D