RHCB Technical Assistance Offerings

HAC and NAEH will provide one-on-one technical assistance for homeless service providers in rural areas looking to increase their capacity and/or better serve the homeless population in their community. Assistance will be available through two avenues: a toll-free phone line as well as email.

Staff have extensive expertise in the five critical capacity building areas listed below.

• Leadership Development
  • Identifying and engaging board members of FBCOs covering large geographic areas
  • Providing regulatory and policy updates on relevant programs
• Organizational Development
  • Introductory and advanced financial management
  • Nonprofit incorporation
• Program Development
  • Developing data systems and planning
  • Developing permanent supportive housing
• Revenue Development
  • Accessing federal funding to support homeless programs
  • Leveraging multiple funding sources
• Community Engagement
  • Identifying potential community partners and encouraging systems change
  • Joining an existing or starting a Continuum of Care

Some organizations may require more specialized support and RHCB is prepared to offer assistance on topics including, but not limited to:

• Systems Change. Most people who become homeless are eligible for assistance from mainstream systems of care, and many are or recently have been active clients of one or more of these systems. Technical assistance in this area will focus on helping organizations access mainstream resources and coordination of stakeholders of key systems that serve the needs of homeless people, including the departments of mental health, corrections, and child welfare.
• Data Systems and Planning. The team will assist in developing methods to assess the size and needs of homeless populations, including point-in-time counts, implementation of Homeless Information Management Systems (HMIS), and developing and implementing plans to end homelessness.
• Rapid Re-housing Initiatives. Technical assistance will help develop rapid re-housing strategies that focus on minimizing time spent homeless. Strategies may include targeting prevention resources, identifying housing in the community, designing a subsidy program, and developing tools to assess client service and housing needs.
• Permanent Supportive Housing. Developing permanent supportive housing is a key strategy for serving chronically homeless people. Technical assistance will focus on planning, developing, financing, and sustaining permanent supportive housing unit.