Rapid Re-Housing

Rapid Re-Housing is a relatively recent innovation in social policy that is an intervention designed to help those who are homeless. While Housing First uses many of the same philosophies as Rapid Re-Housing, the main distinction is that Housing First is geared towards chronically homeless persons with high needs (severe acuity), whereas Rapid Re-Housing is geared towards episodically homeless persons with moderate needs (moderate acuity).^[1]

General Principles

Similar to Housing First, Rapid Re-Housing is concerned with helping persons who are homeless move quickly into housing, thus minimizing the time they spend being homeless. Traditional homeless services have typically required homeless persons to move into transitional housing, wherein they participate in a program designed to make them "ready for housing" (such as participate in a 12 step program). Once they have completed the transitional housing program, they are assisted in moving into permanent housing. In some jurisdictions, these programs take place in homeless shelters, not transitional housing.

Rapid Re-Housing is based on evidence that indicates that individuals and families have better outcomes if they spend more time in permanent housing.^[2] Thus, Rapid Re-Housing concentrates on assisting homeless persons move into permanent housing before any programs are delivered.

Differences Between Housing First and Rapid Re-Housing

Rapid Re-Housing is a similar program as Housing First but has several important distinctions. It is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Housing First Lite." Main differences include:

Rapid Re-Housing is always time-limited (usually 3–6 months of supports), whereas Housing First is usually longer (12–18 months) and can be indefinite
Rapid Re-Housing is for persons with mid-range acuity, whereas Housing First is for those with high acuity
Rapid Re-Housing is always delivered through scattered site apartments, whereas Housing First can be delivered through scattered site apartments or congregate living
Housing First is delivered through Assertive community treatment or Intensive Case Management, whereas Rapid Re-Housing uses neither approach^[3]

Levels of Supports

There are five different levels of supports available in a Rapid Re-Housing Intervention.^[4]

Level of Assistance	Assistance Provided	Barriers to Obtaining Housing	Barriers to Sustaining Housing
Level 1	Housing start-up financial assistance; assistance apartment hunting; time-limited rent supplements; check-in after move-in	No criminal history; established local rental history; good credit history with some late payments	Very low income; no savings
Level 2	Housing start-up financial assistance; in-depth assistance apartment hunting including bus or taxi vouchers; time-limited rent supplements; weekly check-ins after move-in for two months; services up to 6 months; 6-month availability if the landlord has problems with the tenant	Minor criminal history such as DUIs; limited rental history; 1-2 explainable evictions; history of late payments	Very low income; no savings; inconsistent employment; poor budgeting skills; depression or anxiety; may have been homeless once before; may have difficulty with personal maintenance/hygiene
Level 3	Housing start-up financial assistance; in-depth assistance apartment hunting including bus or taxi vouchers and including staff accompanying client to meet with landlord; time-limited rent supplements; weekly check-ins after move-in for two months; unannounced drop-in visits; services up to 9 months; 9-month availability if the landlord has problems with the tenant; program may pay for repairs or damages	Some criminal history but no drugs or serious crimes; up to 3 evictions; history of late payments; possible court judgments for debt and/or closed accounts	Very low income; no savings; periods of unemployment; poor budgeting skills; mental health or substance use problems that affect tenancy; may have been homeless more than once before; may have difficulty maintaining apartment; may be domestic violence present
Level 4	Housing start-up financial assistance; in-depth assistance apartment hunting including bus or taxi vouchers and including staff accompanying client to meet with landlord; time-limited rent supplements; weekly check-ins after move-in for two months; unannounced drop-in visits; services up to 12 months; 12-month availability if the landlord has problems with the tenant; program may pay for repairs or damages; monthly check-ins with landlord; program may pay for additional damage deposit prior to move-in	Criminal history may include drugs or crimes against person or property; up to 5 evictions; poor credit history; possible court judgments for debt and/or closed accounts	Extremely low income; no savings; no bank account; periods of unemployment; poor budgeting skills; mental health or substance use problems that affect tenancy; may have been homeless more than once for extended periods of time; may have difficulty maintaining apartment; may be domestic violence present
Level 5	Likely requires experienced staff, consider client for Housing First	Extensive criminal history; multiple evictions; damage to past apartments; complaints from neighbors; multiple court judgments for debt; unpaid debts to landlords; closed accounts	Unable to maintain tenancy; out-of control behavior; active and serious mental health or substance dependency problems; may have been chronically homeless

References

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