MyPlace Rapid Rehousing Program: Innovation in Housing Alaskans

Abstract

The initial plan for this investigation was to explore and describe the outcomes and impacts on the individuals and the community served by the MyPlace rapid re-housing program spanning from December 1, 2018 through April 30, 2021, which included the period of program funding from the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (AMHTA). A plan was developed to obtain existing pre and post HMIS data, interview stakeholders, collect emergency community service data, and to survey/interview a representative sample of program participants post completion of the program. Unfortunately, it was discovered that HMIS data was only collected at program entry and not exit. Additionally, despite months of recruitment efforts, former program participants did not respond in high numbers to requests to complete a post program survey, interview, or expressly consent to the collection of emergency service data. These challenges necessitated a revisioning of the project based on available data. The revised plan included modifications to both the project’s goals and the scope of the review. As revised, the project detailed in this report sought to 1) document the development and implementation of the program; 2) describe the participants of the program and their needs, housing outcomes, and any identifiable program and/or HMIS data that would show changes during program participation; and 3) describe the role, views, and experiences of program staff, community partners, and participating landlords. The methodology employed and results are described in the content of this report.