Housing & Stabilization Services

As part of the Supportive Housing Services program from Washington County, Open Door HousingWorks case managers help house individuals experiencing long-term houselessness, mental health and/or addiction concerns.

Housing and Stabilization Services encompasses four different programs as described below.

Housing Case Management Services

Our Housing Case Management team is dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they transition from homelessness to stable, permanent housing.

Our client-centered, trauma-informed approach ensures that every person feels respected, empowered, and supported throughout their journey.

Housing Liaison Services

The purpose of the Housing Liaison program is to fill a critical gap in services to households and individuals struggling with housing insecurity and/or homelessness who are already receiving services from partner service providers, defined as the department or agency where the Housing Liaison is embedded. While the immediate goal of this program is to help participants connect to housing services or permanent housing, this Housing Liaison program is designed to be a short-term intervention that works in partnership with the partner service provider to assist with housing resolutions for their participants. Housing Liaisons will serve as “Subject Matter Experts” to partner service provider to answer questions, offer information, and assist with navigating housing resources as well as provide direct assistance to participants when housing and/or financial assistance are available.

Shelter and Housing Liaison services establish supportive relationships and enhance the possibility that participants will access the necessary services and support that will help them move into and maintain permanent housing.

Rapid Re-Housing Services

The purpose of the Rapid Rehousing (RRH) program is to quickly resolve the housing crisis of eligible households and work with them to assist them in being able to manage their housing costs. Enrolled program participants are supported with case management services to find and secure housing, and temporary rent assistance to support monthly rent payments until households can afford rent payment independently or until other permanent housing can be secured, up to two years maximum. As such, the RRH program is designed to serve homeless households who will attain the ability to pay their rent independently and no longer require supportive services upon completion of the program.

RRH case managers use progressive assistance to help program participants rapidly resolve current barriers and/or obtain and retain permanent housing in either the private rental market or affordable housing market as available. Case management services may range from highly intensive individualized support as households transition from homelessness to permanent housing, to less intense support for activities related to maintaining housing and supportive services.

Continuum of Care (CoC)

The CoC Case Manager provides services and support to our most vulnerable population. CoC is a federally funded HUD program that previously went under the name of Shelter Plus Care.

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is HUD’s primary homeless assistance program that funds rental assistance, supportive services, and housing operations to help people experiencing homelessness obtain and maintain stable housing. CoC projects include Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for people with disabilities and Rapid Rehousing (RRH) for households needing shorter-term help. Tenants pay no more than 30% of their adjusted income toward rent, with CoC covering the remainder up to fair market rent. Case management duties include helping participants secure and stabilize housing, connecting them to needed services (healthcare, mental health, substance use, benefits, employment), developing individualized housing plans, and ensuring compliance with HUD requirements. Case managers use a Housing First, trauma-informed, and client-centered approach to promote long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.

Listening to Needs and Goals

With rising rents making housing stability increasingly challenging, navigating the path from homelessness to a secure living situation can be daunting. Our housing case managers are here to ensure that individuals—especially our older adult clients—do not have to face these challenges alone.

Housing case management focuses on meeting individuals where they are and collaborating with them to develop a plan that addresses their specific needs. Our primary goal is to facilitate a swift transition into housing while ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment throughout the process.