SSPSH Success Amid COVID
could there be a bigger challenge than starting a new permanent supportive housing program as a global pandemic is declared?
Well, yes. How about placing and supporting clients with histories of addiction and homelessness into market housing as a city goes into lockdown?
That was the challenge the new Scattered Site Permanent Supportive Housing Program took on a year ago. SSPSH had an innovative mission: to provide ongoing case management and 24-hour intensive supports to 60 individuals in market housing across Edmonton—individuals with a history of experiencing homelessness and complex life circumstances. Five residents were coming with the staff from Christopher’s Place, a GSS residential site that was closing, but the rest would be new clients.
Almost a year into the program, SSPSH reports showed a steady increase in clients joining and staying with the program despite all the COVID constraints. It was time to check in with Nicole Webber, the Program Manager, on how the new program had done so well in the most challenging of times.
Nicole says they now have 40 active clients and 8 in the intake process putting them close to the 60-client target. She focused on two power factors behind the program’s growth and stability: ongoing housing support and a talented, responsive team.
Understandably, for individuals with a history of homelessness, stable housing is key. As SSPSH got started, the GSS Housing First team was instrumental because SSPSH didn’t have any Housing Outreach Workers (HOWs). For the first four months the focus was on placing people from Dwayne’s Home and Christopher’s Place, two residential sites that were closing. After that, intakes shifted to referrals from Homeward Trust of individuals who were already housed and somewhat stable.
But the team found that housing issues could still come up. Because re-housing could take multiple steps, eviction could lead back to homelessness. Fortunately, more funding meant two HOWs could be added to SSPSH. The HOWs liaise between the landlord and participants, do monthly housing assessments the funder requires, and help expedite maintenance issues. They also educate participants on landlord situations and build relationship with clients so there is ongoing contact with a housing support resource.
Another power factor is a dedicated, responsive team that can fit services to the intensity of a client’s needs. Some clients do well with a weekly visit, but others may need multiple visits during a week. This flexibility means ‘just in time’ personal contact is there when clients need it most. Another valuable staff resource is the after-hours Mobile Support Team. Ideally, a two-person team is in place evenings and weekends to handle the growing number of phone calls and there is always an on-call person for backup.
Learning from the challenges during start up, Nicole has carefully added to the team. Initially, SSPSH started with 16 staff—the Manager, 6 Case Managers, 8 MST members, and a Program Support staff. Over the year, a Case Manager, 2 HOWs, and a Team Lead have joined the team with Occupational and Recreation Therapists pending. Nicole easily summed up the role of staff in the SSPSH success: “The team is amazing. They are rocking it!”
Nicole remembers there was some pessimism as SSPSH started. Could clients with higher level needs make it in market housing? Especially clients coming from a ‘last stop’ residential program like Christopher’s Place—clients who had exhausted all other community supports. But those clients may be the biggest sign of success for Nicole: “…there were some bumps in the road for sure, but four of the five clients who transferred from Christopher’s Place are still in the program and successfully housed.” Great job, SSPSH!