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Program Description

  Housing Initiative Program

The Housing Initiative Program is a Housing First permanent supportive housing program serving individuals and families with disabilities. Program participants are quickly connected to permanent scattered site units without any preconditions and offered intensive wraparound support services. The rental assistance is provided by the Department of Health and Human Services staff and services are offered via contracts with non-profit partners. This program also acts as the lead entity for the 1115 Medicaid Waiver Assistance in Community Integration Services through the State Department of Health.

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Program Contacts

Contact Christine Hong of the HHS - Services to End and Prevent Homelessness at 240.777.1179 or Deborah Lambert of the Office of Management and Budget at 240.777.2794 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

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Program Performance Measures

Program Performance MeasuresActual FY22Actual FY23Estimated FY24Target FY25Target FY26
Housing Initiative Program: Number of clients served 19239369639831000
Housing Initiative Program: Days from housing program assignment (to accepted) to housed 21231032209060
Percent of households who retain permanent housing after 12 months 374%71%73%77%80%
Percent decrease in acuity score, measuring the severity of presenting issues impacting housing stability 427%27%31%29%33%
1  Program capacity is gradually increasing with additional Housing Initiative Program subsidies.
2  FY23 performance improved due to the continued efforts of the Housing Initiative Program staff to house clients and ensure that clients have all the necessary documentation prior to searching for housing units. The program anticipates in coming fiscal years increased rents and more restrictive rental application requirements will contribute to a growing wait in transition from assignment to housed. SEPH programs are working to strengthen landlord relationships, recruit new landlords, and ensure the housing locator team is equipped with the necessary trainings to house clients.
3  Performance decreased alongside landlords' more restrictive policies around lease violations. Clients need a more intensive supportive survey to remain housed. Rents also increased more than expected due to inflation, with amounts above county's allowable rent payment standards. As a result, the Housing Initiative Program had to relocate some clients.
4  The program had a minor expansion in the beginning of FY23 that will have a positive effect on acuity, but anticipates it will take approximately a year to see its effects. Due to the expansion, HIP providers hired more direct service staff. The program also hired a social worker who will conduct regular assessment training to ensure all case managers are equipped to complete timely and accurate assessments.
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Program Budget Changes

FY25 Approved ChangesExpendituresFTEs
FY24 Approved21187262.00
Multi-program adjustments, including negotiated compensation changes, employee benefit changes, changes due to staff turnover, reorganizations, and other budget changes affecting multiple programs.2404893.00
FY25 Approved23592155.00