Intake: The initial point of contact includes prioritizing households based on the severity of their housing crisis and targets the most appropriate response. The intent is to discern primary need and the urgency of the need.

• All households will be screened either by phone or in person
• Households with immediate safety issues will be re-directed appropriately (Domestic Violence or 911)
• Intakes are required to determine primary issues
• If the intake concludes there is not an immediate housing need (but other needs are present), households will be referred to the appropriate resource to address the need (e.g. food assistance through DHHS, mental health through CMH, etc.), and a housing plan is not necessary.
• If the intake concludes there is an immediate housing need, households will proceed to a full housing assessment or be scheduled for a housing assessment within two business days if possible.
• Sharing of participant information – an executed sharing QSOBAA is required to allow sharing within HMIS between agencies.

Housing Plan: A housing plan must be completed for all individuals that receive a housing assessment and are determined eligible for services. (If the household does not meet program eligibility, e.g. over income, a housing plan does not need to be done). The Housing Plan is intended to be a guide for both the household and the service agencies. Housing Plans must be framed to include:

• A focus on obtaining or maintaining housing;
• Defined goals, outcomes and timelines, as well as documentation of frequency of meetings for follow-up;
• An identification of needed community resources; and
• Referrals to mainstream services as needed.