AIDS ACTION COMMITTEE Housing Search Associate Co-op Position July December 2017 By: LUCINDA YOUNG, ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES & POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR
AAC MISSION To stop the epidemic and related health inequities by eliminating new infections, maximizing healthier outcomes for those infected and at risk, and tackling the root causes of HIV/AIDS Source: Aids Action Committee
Learning Outcome #1 Throughout my co-op I hope to understand: the services provided throughout the agency, the challenges and successes of being a part of a non-profit (as well as how it runs) and the impact and outreach of the agency on the community Source: Aids Action Committee
AAC Programs and Services Housing Search and Advocacy Residential Programs RAP (Rental Assistance Programs) Legal Services Transcend Youth on Fire Needle Exchange and prevention Boomerangs Source: Aids Action Committee
Agency challenges and Successes The services in which AAC can provide are almost entirely dependent on funding from Department of Public Health Funding cuts this year meant that direct client services (case management, client advocacy, the wellness center) were cut as well as the Behavioral Health team This has resulted with some major restructuring of the agency A large number of staff and clients have been impacted This is the nature of non-profits sometimes they are not stable The importance of resilience and positivity
Housing Search Associate Position
My Job Responsibilities Qualified Housing Search Entity for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Money Follows the Person Waiver Program Searched for properties and listings, mailed out blank applications, received them back completed, and submitted them to property. Log everything in the tracking log Called landlords and property managers to do property outreach and discuss unit availability as well as check on a clients waitlist status Helped run Housing Search Group out of AAC Updated the application carts for HSG and other agencies/ programs Covered the Needle Exchange when needed Filled in at the front desk when needed Organized and distributed the Phinney s Friends (pet food) orders Entered all efforts into the ETO Database
Previous Course Work I have taken Growth and decline of cities and suburbs as well as Gender, Sexuality and the Law at Northeastern I was interested in applying to the position largely because I took these classes, and also because of the experience at my last co-op at Transition House (domestic violence shelter) They also helped me to be effective as I had some background housing knowledge
MFP WAIVER PROGRAM
Qualified Housing Search Entity for the MRC MFP-CL Waiver Program What is a Housing Search Entity? A Housing Search Entity (HSE) is an organization that has been qualified by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission as being knowledgeable about housing resources within their region
Housing Search Entity (HSE) STEPS Communicate constantly with consumer, TA and Case Manager Initial Assessment Post intake steps Follow up letter Mail out blank applications to TA Receive completed applications back from TA Submit to property Call to check on waitlist status When housing becomes available: arrange viewing + visit Log everything into the ETO database
Learning Outcome #2 GOAL Throughout my co-op I hope to learn useful housing terms, acronyms, organizations and policies so that I can be better at my job and gain a comprehensive knowledge base. I aim to become more confident with this as my co-op journey goes along and incorporate this knowledge into my work as much as I can OUTCOME I learnt considerably more than I thought Communicated with so many different providers and organizations Thought housing would be super dry but I discovered I really enjoy it Did have some frustrations along the way though but I was able approach these positivity
Learning Outcome #3 Throughout my co-op I hope to become confident in performing the initial assessment for new enrollees. Have clear communication skills and always assist where needed. Be thorough and consistent with following up with clients as well as communicating with other providers, landlords and HA's. Remember to track and log everything as I go. RESULT I have now done 15 Initial Assessments which has been awesome and a highly valuable experience for me Performing Initial Assessments is my favorite part of my position I think I have really improved along the way Learnt highly valuable communication skills Travelled to many different locations and nursing facilities
Learning Outcome #4 During my co-op, I hope to learn how to effectively search for housing as well as the application process. I aim to become competent and confident with this process as well as with helping clients fill out applications during housing search group RESULT Success story: A woman in Housing Search Group I assisted from the beginning has now been successfully housed. She received an AHVP voucher, which enabled her to find and obtain a more expensive unit in a lovely location
Learning Outcome #5 By the end of my co-op I will hope to have gained a thorough and in depth understanding about housing advocacy and what it means to be a housing search entity for MRC. I hope to continually learn more about the process and how to best serve clients based upon their needs. I aim to step outside of my comfort zone and challenge myself. RESULT Definitely challenged myself and put myself in situations where I was not comfortable at first e.g. I have a client in a very tough situation and attended highly important meeting about this with the client s mother, case manager, MRC investigator and the social worker at the facility I understand the position and my role very well Continued to learn new things along the way was never bored I learnt that I am good at communicating with clients and providers
Challenges and how I dealt with them Agency changes Other providers Staying on top of caseload post it notes are literally my best friend Confidence and being sure of myself Being frustrated with how slow the housing process is One of my clients just signed a lease on Friday
INEQUALITY In what ways did your co-op experience help you to better understand the nature, organization or manifestation of social inequality (ability, age, citizenship/nationality, gender, political, race, religion, sexuality, etc.) in society or in social organizations? Discrimination. I didn t really understand the extent of discrimination that HIV positive people face on a day-to-day basis Inequality between transgender people and people of color African Americans make up 6% of the MA population but account for 30% living with HIV, Hispanics/ Latinos make up 10% of the MA population but account for 25% of those living with HIV Impacted my work because I was frustrated to hear stories and then motivated to help
SOCIAL POLICY POLICY: In what ways did your co-op experience help you to better understand a) public policy formation and/or b) how public policy impacts the everyday work of an organization? Government funding Housing policy in MA Housing crisis in MA World Aids Day at the State House
Housing Crisis in Massachusetts The low rate of housing production has not kept pace with population growth and needs Soaring rents that have outpaced wages As a result, there is a shortage of suitable and affordable units for young workers, growing families, people with disabilities and the increasing senior population
The Housing Crisis in Massachusetts
Massachusetts home prices have increased at the fastest rate in the nation, and metropolitan Boston rent prices rank among the highest in the country In order to address the challenges facing Massachusetts, the Housing Choice Initiative will deliver more than $10 million in incentives, grant funding and technical assistance per year, and enable Massachusetts to realize a new goal of creating 135,000 new housing units by 2025. Source: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-new-housing-choice-initiative
Our growing economy demands a robust and diverse supply of housing to support the Commonwealth s continued growth and success, said Governor Charlie Baker. This initiative will maximize collaboration between state agencies, support innovation and data-driven policies, and provide municipalities with the user-friendly tools needed to create more housing where it s needed. We look forward to working with the legislature and partnering with cities and towns to deliver much needed housing to regions across Massachusetts, while respecting our longstanding home rule tradition.
Sustainable Development The Baker-Polito Administration announced $1,296,219 in grant funding for 37 projects through the new Planning Assistance Grant Program. Funded through spending authorized in the Environmental Bond Bill, the Planning Assistance Grant Program is part of an effort to encourage municipalities to implement land use regulations that are consistent with the Baker-Polito Administration s land conservation and development objectives including reduction of land, energy, and natural resource consumption, provision of sufficient and diverse housing, and mitigation of and preparation for climate change. Source: https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-announces-new-housing-choice-initiative
A Final Note Overall my experience has been challenging valuable I have gained extensive knowledge and learnt some very important things about myself I would definitely recommend this coop to others