The development of new programs should be based on an assessment of client need, analysis of the reach of existing housing and services in the community, and information on "best practices" in program design. Funding sources must be identified and implementation issues, ranging from architectural design to the development of operating procedures, must be addressed. HomeBase assists agencies and communities in all these areas, organizing client focus groups, facilitating planning meetings, providing background research and advice on program design and operation, facilitating interagency collaboration and the development of interagency memoranda of understanding, and organizing staff trainings. Our recent work has strongly focused on the following issues:
Development Of Discharge Planning Protocols to prevent homelessness for people leaving the criminal justice system, hospitals, and the foster care system.
Meeting The Needs Of People Who Are Chronically Homeless through implementation of targeted outreach programs, enumeration to better understand the level of need, and planning to develop targeted programs to meet their special needs. This population is one of the hardest-to serve, having been homeless for extended periods of time and typically suffering from mental illness, chronic health problems, and/or drug or alcohol addictions.
Development Of The Full Continuum Of Housing, focusing especially on permanent and permanent supportive housing, but also including emergency shelter, safe havens, transitional housing, and special youth housing. This work includes assisting with project concept design, fund development, legal analysis, and community acceptance strategies.
Design Of Key Service Programs, including child care programs in shelters and transitional housing programs, benefits advocacy programs to facilitate access to SSI, Medicaid and other programs, and youth services.
