Program areas at Caritas of Austin
The best single source plus (bss+) collaborative consists of 12 agencies, and provides individuals and families in austin/travis county with comprehensive housing stability resources, including case management. For example, the bbs+ program pays debt and provides rent, mortgage payments, utility assistance and many other housing supports for households experiencing homelessness (rapid rehousing) and clients who are experiencing a threat to their housing (homelessness prevention). Participating agencies include: any baby can, Caritas of Austin (lead fiscal agent), catholic charities of central Texas, family eldercare, foundation for the homeless, front steps, goodwill of central Texas, lifeworks, meals on wheels, safe alliance, the salvation army and vivient health. From june-september 2020, 11 of the 12 bss+ partners administered an additional program, relief in state of emergency (rise). This program provided direct financial assistance to austin/travis county residents impacted by covid-19 who were ineligible to receive cares act assistance.
The supportive services for veteran families (ssvf) program works to rapidly rehouse veteran households experiencing literal homelessness and stabilize veteran households that are at imminent risk of homelessness in the greater Austin area. Caritas ssvf provides critical time intervention case management with an emphasis on trauma informed care. Clients begin case management immediately under a housing first (hf), rapid rehousing (rrh) model. Veteran specialists create individualized plans for each household that prescribe the following services, after initial assessment: property management engagement and negotiation, housing location, employment and vocational support, financial assistance and planning, access to health and mental health services, and referral for legal assistance.
The supportive housing program is an evidence-based, proven solution to ending homelessness for those who have experienced chronic homelessness. This intervention combines affordable housing assistance with intensive case management and is designed to build independent living and promote general well-being. The program provides 133 units of housing to individuals, many of whom have not had a place to call home for many years. The population served are those who are considered to have the highest vulnerability in the community - as per a community-wide, standarized initial coordinated assessment - and who often have co-occuring physical and mental health disorders.
In addition to bss+, supportive housing & ssvf - we also have a rapid rehousing & integrated services, that include a housing stability department (including a youth housing stability sub-department), education and employment services and refugee cash assistance program (as well as ssvf).