Step One: Call 211

For people experiencing a housing crisis, the coordinated entry system provides a single point of entry through the 211 Call Center to access emergency housing resources. Calling 211 first ensures that individual needs are assessed to determine appropriate referrals for prevention, diversion and/or street outreach.

Step Two: Prevention, Diversion and/or Street Outreach

Prevention

• Prevention provides housing relocation and stabilization services to prevent an individual or family from entering the emergency shelter system.

Diversion

• Diversion is a strategy that prevents homelessness for people seeking shelter by helping them identify immediate alternate housing arrangements and, if necessary, by connecting them with services and financial assistance to help them return to permanent housing. Problem solving conversations are held by providers in all phases of the coordinated entry system.

Street Outreach

• Street Outreach conducts Homeless Verification for people living in places not meant for human habitation, shelter, transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. Outreach maintains the “be on the lookout” list and needs are assessed to determine appropriate referrals for diversion, shelter, permanent housing and/or housing stability services.

Step Three: Emergency Shelters, Housing Location Services, Permanent Housing Resources and/or Housing Stability Services

Emergency Shelters and Housing Location Services

• Shelters provide people experiencing homelessness with a temporary place to stay where they can work towards permanent housing. Services include assessment of needs, case management, referrals, Housing Location Services, and permanent housing resources.

• Housing Location Services helps connect households with available housing and occurs with all providers.

Permanent Housing Resources

• Permanent housing is defined as community-based housing without a designated length of stay.

• Permanent Supportive Housing is targeted to individuals and families with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. It provides long term rental assistance and supportive services.

• Rapid Rehousing is intended to assist households move into permanent housing as quickly as possible with limited assistance.

Housing Stability Services

• Housing Stability Services provides ongoing support to stabilize housing and occurs with all providers.