What is Homelessness Prevention?
Targeted homelessness prevention provides rapid, flexible financial assistance to those most at risk of homelessness to ensure they are able to remain stably housed. A risk assessment tool is used to determine those most likely to fall into homelessness so they can be prioritized for support.
What Prevention Assistance is Used for?
Flexible funds may be used in multiple ways to support housing stability, including some of the below examples.
Rent Payment
Utility
Bills
Car
Repair
Child
Care
Basic Needs
Support
Legal
Services
Employment
Support
10 Essential Components of Targeted Prevention
The essential components below, validated through the Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System, are the foundation for an effective, targeted homelessness prevention model. Implementing them increases the likelihood of replicating the positive outcomes seen in the randomized controlled trial.
Flexible Cash Assistance
Fast to Act
“Whatever it Takes” Approach
“No wrong door”
to Get Help
Supportive Services to Complement Financial Assistance
Targeted Prevention for Those with the Greatest Need
Commitment to Tracking Data in HMIS
Participation in Rigorous Program Evaluation
Community-wide Stakeholder Engagement
Contribution to Collective Learning