John LaBella, founder and Vice-President of Research and Development at HousingWorks, spoke at the March CRC Info Session.
HousingWorks is a comprehensive housing database listing many kinds of non-market level housing, both permanent and transitional. Mr. LaBella created HousingWorks in the late 1990s, to address the lack of a centralized housing search network that was preventing people from obtaining affordable housing. The HousingWorks model aims to reduce or eliminate barriers to locating subsidized, affordable and special needs housing by creating what Mr. LaBella call an “ecosystem.” Within this “ecosystem,” housing authorities, advocates, state and federal agencies, and for-profit management companies work together. One key benefit is using technology to ensure waiting lists are accurate and current – this reduces the time housing units remain vacant during a turnover.
Given the complexities of subsidized housing and because the process of applying is time-consuming and usually takes months to years to resolve, the CRC recommends referring patients to a housing advocate when feasible. Advocates may be found in IRis under keyword “Housing/Advocacy”, or on the HousingWorks website- instructions are below. For those who have an ongoing relationship with clients and feel it is clinically indicated to manage or at least start the housing-search process, HousingWorks is a great resource.
Anyone can use the database to search for housing. HousingWorks provides two types of accounts for advocates: free and subscription/paid accounts. Either account allows an advocate to enter client data using the One Stop Shopping Form and search for open waiting lists, eliminating the need to call each housing authority and property. Both accounts also allow an advocate to see if the client has applied to waiting lists with any other advocates by entering the client’s social security number. This eliminates duplication of work and double-listing, as well as allowing an advocate to update information on applications sent by other advocates.
The benefit of a paid account is the ability to download pre-filled applications, greatly reducing the time it takes to apply. The data entered on the One-Stop form is pulled onto the appropriate housing application, which can then be completed with minimal extra work. The CRC has a paid account, which can be used by anyone in the department. Mr. LaBella recommended each individual use a free account to search and keep track of their clients, but use the CRC account when ready to generate applications. Contact Bobbie Ross for more information about accessing our paid subscription account.
After signing up for an account, HousingWorks provides hands-on trainings each Wednesday. The trainings are interactive and are done over the internet while participating in a conference call. Participants get training at their own desk! Although Mr. LaBella recommends taking the training before beginning a search for housing, anyone can search by going to www.housingworks.net or www.housingworks.com. Click on “Enter HousingWorks”. The following screen will appear. Clients can click choose to look for housing or a housing advocate. Staff should click on the “Registered Housing Advocate” link.
Other features of the HousingWorks program include:
Contact the CRC (x6-8182) or HousingWorks (617-504-0577) for more information. The application for a HousingWorks account may be found at http://www.housingworks.net/static/subform.pdf.
03/06