What is RLPTI?

The Rebuilding Lives Pact Team Initiative (RLPTI) is a three-year project designed as a part of a federal strategy to abolish chronic homelessness in our nation. It is funded by a grant from the Collaborative Initiative to End Homelessness. The collaborative is made up of the following federal partners: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Health Resources and Services Administration. The RLPTI program was created as a result of the Rebuilding Lives plan that was implemented in 1999. The Rebuilding Lives plan calls for a community-wide approach that would replace a patchwork system of emergency shelters with coordinated, targeted, cost-effective ways of providing shelter and services to meet short-term and long-term needs. Based on this plan, short-term needs of homeless men and women will be met through an improved safety net of emergency shelter and long term needs will be met through the development of 800 units of supportive housing.

How many people will be served by RLPTI?

The program plans to serve 156 individuals (including 47 Veterans) over the three-year period and develop 108 supportive housing units. CMHA will make 28 of the 108 units available in years two and three. Studies show that supportive housing works to end long-term homelessness. Even the hardest to reach people, long-term individuals who are living outside, will move into and thrive in supportive housing.

Who are the RLPTI Partners?

RLPTI is designed to incorporate a multi-agency partnership including: Community Shelter Board, Community Housing Network, Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc., Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, Southeast, Inc., and Chalmers P. Wylie VA Outpatient Clinic. RLPTI partners will provide a multi-disciplinary team of primary health care, mental health and substance abuse treatment, benefits linkage, and housing professionals that will utilize evidenced based practices to deliver services to clients in their homes and the community.

Who is served by RLPTI?

RLPTI targets chronically homeless men and women with a severe and persistent mental illness, and who may have co-occurring substance abuse problems and/or physical illnesses or disabilities. Those who have high continuous services needs are targeted. Only single adults (not accompanied by children) are eligible per the federal funding requirements.

Chronic homelessness is defined as continuously homeless for a year or more or having had at least four episodes of chronic homelessness in the last 3 years.

Severe and persistent mental illness includes significant impairments as demonstrated by at least one of the following conditions:

Inability to consistently perform the range of practical daily living tasks for basic adult functioning in the community (e.g. maintaining personal hygiene, meeting nutritional needs, caring for business affairs, obtaining medical, legal and housing services; recognizing and avoiding common dangers or hazards to self and possessions) or persistent or recurrent failure to perform daily tasks except with significant support or assistance from others such as friends, family or relatives.
Inability to be consistently employed at a self-sustaining level or inability to consistently carry out homemaker roles (e.g. household meal preparation, washing clothes, budgeting, or childcare tasks and responsibilities.)
Inability to maintain a safe living situation (e.g. repeated evictions or loss of housing).

The client must also have one or more of these indicators of continuous high service needs (i.e. greater than eight hours of service per month):

High use of acute psychiatric hospitals (e.g. two or more admissions per year) or psychiatric emergency services.
Intractable (i.e. persistent or very recurrent) severe major symptoms (e.g. affective, psychotic or suicidal).
Co-existing substance abuse use disorder of significant duration (e.g. greater than six months)
High risk or a recent history of criminal justice involvement (e.g. arrest and incarceration)
Inability to participate in traditional office-based service.

How do I make a referral to the RLPTI?

Community referrals will be accepted by the RLPTI team by any organization that provides outreach, engagement and linkage into shelters and other environments that assist homeless persons; shelter staff; and Netcare. Referral sources may contact the team via phone or other avenues. Other examples of potential referral sources include: Take It To The Streets, the Outreach Cluster (Southeast, Inc., VA, Healthcare for the Homeless, the Open Shelter and Community Housing Network), Maryhaven Engagement Center, and behavioral health care and physical health care agencies.

To make a referral, contact Bernard Williams, LISW, Team Leader, Southeast, Inc. at (614) 225-0985, ext. 1247.

How long does it take to process a referral?

§ The process begins with an initial screening by RLPTI staff to determine if the prospective participant meets the basic criteria. This screening can usually occur within a few days of referral and be conducted at the location of the prospective participant (i.e. the shelter, soup kitchen, encampment, etc.)

§ The second step is a clinical assessment by members of the team. It may take several weeks to schedule this assessment since RLPTI is only able to conduct three (3) assessments each week. RLPTI staff can provide transportation to the assessment.

§ Once the clinical assessment is completed and the RLPTI team determines the participant meets the criteria, immediate referral for supportive housing can generally occur.

§ Prospective participants who are awaiting the clinical assessment will be linked to services, treatment, and shelter as requested.

What type of services and housing will be provided?

The RLPTI model combines four best practices that have been successful at serving persons with serious mental illness who have experienced chronic homelessness:

· Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) model,

· (Integrated Dual Disordered Treatment) IDDT model

· Maryland SSI Outreach Project, and

· Pathways to Housing program model.

These models emphasize “meeting the individual where they are at” and do not require program compliance as a condition of housing or service delivery. All participants are encouraged to set their own goals and timetable for achievement.

The RLPTI team of skilled professionals can provide:

· primary health care,

· mental health and substance abuse treatment,

· expedited benefits linkage,

· vocational and employment services,

· life skills development,

· supportive housing, and

· peer support.

The services are coordinated to assure that the comprehensive and holistic needs of participants are met. All services will be provided at no-cost or on a sliding scale basis to participants. No one will be turned away due to lack of income.

What are the apartments like?

Apartments are minimally furnished efficiency and one-bedroom units, with bathrooms and kitchens. Units are located within apartment complexes on or near major bus routes at various locations throughout Columbus and Franklin County. Handicap accessible units are available.

An on-site resident manager is available to assist with tenant needs and coordinate property management. Laundry facilities are available.

Tenants will sign leases and agree to follow the common sense building rules. Periodic apartment inspections will occur.

All units are subsidized through the program’s federal funding. Tenants without income will be eligible to receive full subsidy for security deposit, rent and utilities.

Are there sobriety requirements?

The IDDT model does not require sobriety. However, all tenants are encouraged to abstain from alcohol. Illegal drug use is strictly prohibited at the apartments. Program services will assist participants reduce harmful behaviors and support life changes.

Once RLPTI has reached full occupancy (80 units for Year 1 and 108 Units for Year 2) a waiting list will be created for future openings.

Will a criminal history make prospective tenants ineligible?

Generally, criminal histories are reviewed during the assessment process. Convictions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Arrests that did not lead to conviction are not considered.

What is the progress to date?

RLPTI program implementation is underway. The RLPTI Team is currently enrolling clients and individuals are moving into their new homes. The RLPTI Team expects more individuals to be enrolled on a constant basis. The RLPTI team is being housed at the offices of Southeast, Inc. and they have completed training in the two major evidenced based practice areas of the Program of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) and Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment models. The opening of 80 RLPTI units this year will bring us to the completion of 457 units out of the 800-unit Rebuilding Lives goal.

Funded by: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

RLPTI Partners: Community Housing Network, Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, Inc., Community Research Partners, Community Shelter Board, Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, Southeast, Inc. Chalmers P. Wylie VA Outpatient Clinic.

CSB Sponsors: The City of Columbus, Franklin County, and United Way of Central Ohio