HousingWorks, Inc.
20 Min Tour with Q&A after
Why It’s Needed/ How It Works Quick Tour Online Discuss Possible Levels of Participation
*********************** Guiding Principles Miscellaneous Slides
PROBLEMS – AI/Consolidated Plan/InterviewsThree Sectors of the Housing Works and all Share the Same Problems
Providers/Managers
• Data Entry
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Management Clients move/change
• Reporting Work
• Staff Disabilities
• Staff Work Load (C.L. increases in weak or strong economies
Oversight/Planning
• Data Entry
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Reporting Clients move/change
• Reporting Collection
• Staff Disabilities
• Staff Work Load (C.L. increases in weak or strong economies
Applicants and Advocates
• Data Entry = 100 apps
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Management Postage/Mailing/Calendar
• Adv. Reporting Work
• App./Adv. Disabilities
• Advocates/Client Load (C.L. increases in weak or strong economies
Maloney
Peabody
Housing Advocates
Non-Profit HousersSHARELoan,
Caritas, ASAPs, Church Groups, AHC, MDDHH
Oversight AgenciesHUD, DHCD, MHFA (other departments
DTA
Regional Housing Authorities
ApplicantsAll Categories
Including Disabled and Non-Computer
Literate
Local Housing Authorities
FundersMHFAHUD
Small Landlord
Assns
CHAPA
NAHRO
Winn
100 otherFor-Profit
Management Companies
NEAHMA Assn
DHCD
MLRI/Legal
Services
MCH
Private Landlords75,000 units of
housing
Winn
Cornu
State St
Comm Builders
LEGEND:BLUE = Applicant and Housing Advocate GroupsRED= Housing ProvidersGREEN= Oversight and Funding Groups
RESULT:
NETWORKS THAT CAN’T BE NETWORKEDComplexity of Helping Systems Becomes the Primary Barrier
Providers/Managers
• Data Entry
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Management Clients move/change
• Reporting Work
• Staff Disabilities
Oversight/Planning
• Data Entry
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Reporting Clients move/change
• Reporting Collection
• Staff Disabilities
Applicants and Advocates
• Data Entry = 100 apps
• Steep Learning Curve
• Waitlist Management Postage/Mailing/Calendar
• Adv. Reporting Work
• App./Adv. Disabilities
• Advocates/Client Load (C.L. increases in weak economies, as staff reduces further; it also increases in strong economies as rents exceed income.)
Tribalized Applications List Maintains itself automatically
Automated Reporting A side effect of better service provision
HousingWorks Eliminates Problems by Inserting a New Service at these PointsTurns Networks into an Ecosystem
Contact HousingWorks
617-599-0242
www.HousingWorks.net
The Housing World Viewed as an Ecosystem (Internet-Based)
Housing Advocates
Non-Profit HousersSHARELoan, Caritas,
etc
Oversight AgenciesHUD, MHFADTA, DHCD,
NAHRO, AHC, CHAPA
Regional Housing Authorities
ApplicantsIncluding Disabled and Non-Computer Literate
Local Housing Authorities
Management Companies
FundersMHFAHUD
Small Landlords
HousingWorks.net
HOW IT WORKS
Housing Providers
. . . spend 20 minutes a year online to describe their inventory (or call us and we’ll fill it out for you) . . .
Income Limits Page
How It Works
Housing Searchers
. . . complete an online profile for each applicant (similar to filling out a housing application). Includes 3000 points of entry . . .
How the It Works
Advocates/Clients/Staff
. . . use the applicant profile to search and screen all possible options for eligibility (cf. with current print directories) . . .
Benefits Demo with Pictures and Handouts
(Direct and Indirect Benefits)
. . . brings up the appropriate applications, filled out automatically. This allows disabled applicants and disabled advocates to fully participate in the system . . . (cf with handwritten version)
Indirect Benefits to Providers
Direct Benefits to Applicants
sent
Indirect Benefits to Applicants
Direct Benefits to Providers
• Eliminate 90% of Data Entry – No Systems Change
• Most Mailings
• Waitlist Maintenance, and
• Most Data Collection and Reporting
ALL WAITLISTS1.Eliminate 90% data entry = time, money, and chances for error
1 BR WAITLIST
1. Waitlist Sorts Automatically
2. Address kept current
3. No meaningless offers sent
4. Unit offers automatic, outcomes can be recorded and reported automatically
1 3
2 4
Subject: HousingWorks Notice: Change in Case Status
The following applicant has a change to the status of their application with: Demo Housing Provider .
Applicant Name: John D. La Bella
Date of Birth: 05/20/1959
The client's new case status is: closed
The reason given for the change is: client has moved into housing with us.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
As lead advocate for this client, it is YOUR responsibility to verify the status change by calling the program at the number listed below, to notify the client, and to update the clients other applications.
Demo Housing Provider
Phone: 617-599-0242
Email Generated to Advocate, if any
Advocate/Realtor/504 Coordinator responds by removing from other waitlists (includes signed permission)
Quick Tour Online
Provider: 1 (in Suffolk) 02115
Client: Ato Zede 987987987
1. Go to Provider Screen – Print application in hand only
2. Show How to Handle if not already in system, two ways: Staff Assisted, and Walk-in screen
3. Show Applications List – Better than Centralizing
Possible Levels of Participation
Free Features – May wish to only use these Update Inventory Provide Application Get email updates to your waitlist (“remove”)
Small Annual Fee for advanced features
Free Features – Level 11. No Systems Change
2. 20 Minutes on the Site – ONE TIME
3. Only return to Site to Open/Close Waitlist (or call HousingWorks)
4. Provide Us Copies of Applications
What is saved? Phone Calls, A.D.A. Costs, Waitlist Maintenance; Postage
Level 1 - Free – Details
Describe Your Inventory
Put Your Applications Online
Open and close waitlists by logging onto our site and checking a box (or by making a phone call) (see link in left column)
Accept email updates from applicants, then just make changes to your current waitlist software
Use Buttons 1 + link s in left column
For-Fee Features – Level 2 – no systems change unless profit
1. Keep own waitlist software but eliminate 90% of data entry, ADA costs eliminated, and automate reporting, force housing history into client’s record – no systems change but less work – plus, increased service provision.
2. Use our Waitlist System if you don’t like your current version – a little systems change but still less work (greater savings) and automate reporting, force housing history into client’s record.
3. Cost: Estimated: 250 units = $500.00 480 units = $960.00
Level 2 – Annual Fee $1-2 P/U
Create applications for walk-ins – update all other waitlists with correct address;
Use our Applicants List with/instead of your Current Waitlist System;
Make unit offers off our site, and record / report all waitlist outcomes automatically;
Insert your housing history into an applicant’s profile when they move in (helps other HAs)
Run your lotteries off our site (saves 9/10 of the time and money)
Handle Walk-in clients automatically
BENEFITS (CATEGORIZED)
APPLICATION PROCESS
WAITLIST PERIOD
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
PUBLIC POLICY AND PLANNING• On subsequent pages, asterisk indicates a feature we would need to work
with your IT rep and perhaps your software manufacturer to make function.
• END OF SHOW – misc slides or Q/A