Spotlight

#9 Rapid Entry to Housing Program

For this spotlight, we discuss the Rapid Entry to Housing program set up in Quebec in response to the increase in homelessness in the Montreal region during the pandemic. Autistic and Neurodivergent people experiencing housing precarity need appropriate support to maintain their autonomy. This program offered individual support to improve housing stability.

Context

The housing crisis has put a lot of pressure on the availability of accessible and affordable housing in rural and urban areas.

Opportunity

This program provided funding to four community organizations to support people experiencing homelessness. The 6-12 month individual support aimed to help people maintain autonomy and independence.

The Neuroinclusive Lens

Support workers offered a wide range of services supporting economic, psychosocial, and physical and mental health. For example, they made regular visits, offered referrals to community services, and worked with financial institutions as needed.

The organizations involved maintain a database of social and affordable housing. They worked directly with landlords and negotiated agreements with them, offering $700 a month, which removes the administrative procedures for someone who needs to find housing.

This program was an example of wrap-around services. It demonstrates how a program can take into account the various needs related to finding, integrating and maintaining housing, while offering support tailored to a person’s individual needs.