PSH Eligibility
This category of homelessness involves a person literally living on the streets, in a car, or another place not meant for human habitation.
Literal Homelessness
This document is needed to demonstrate a participant's disability for CHA purposes when releasing a voucher.
CHA VOD or qualifying SSI/SSDI documentation
This service is required monthly and includes checking in with the participant in their home.
Monthly home visit
This system is used to document participant and program information and must be kept accurate and up to date.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
When staff have a question or concern regarding a participant, this person should be their first point of contact for client-related issues.
The Program Supervisor
A participant must have experienced this type of homelessness within the 12 months prior to referral to meet the program's PSH eligibility requirements.
Literal Homelessness / Unsheltered Background
After receiving a voucher, the participant enters this phase where they search for a unit that meets program and CHA requirements.
Unit search / housing search
These should be completed within 24-48 hours to document participant contacts, services, and significant updates.
Case Note & Service Transactions
Case notes should generally be completed within this timeframe after a service/contact.
24 - 48 hours
True or False: Supervisors will only review case notes when there is a problem with a participant.
False. Documentation and case management oversight will be reviewed routinely.
True or False: Literal homelessness by itself is the basis for PSH eligibility.
False
Before a participant can move into a unit, CHA must complete this process to determine whether the unit meets required standards.
Rent Determination / Inspection
True or False: Mental health services and Career Coaching are mandatory services for every PSH participant.
False. They are voluntary supportive services.
True or False: If you remember the details of a participant interaction, documentation can wait until the end of the month.
False
A Family Coach says they completed a home visit but there is no case note documenting it. What should be addressed?
The missing documentation, timeliness, accuracy, and whether the home visit actually occurred.
Name two qualifying HUD categories that can establish eligibility for the program.
Category 1 — Literal Homelessness; Category 4 — Fleeing Domestic Violence
A participant has located an apartment, but the lease has not yet been approved/executed. Can staff assume the participant is ready to move in?
No. Staff must ensure the required CHA approval and lease processes are completed.
A Housing Case Manager is preparing for a participant’s monthly home visit. During the visit, the participant reports a new issue with their unit that could potentially affect their housing stability. What should the Housing Case Manager do next?
Assess the concern, provide or coordinate appropriate support, document the issue and actions taken in the case note, and notify the appropriate supervisor or housing partner when escalation or additional intervention is needed.
A staff member discovers that a participant's Housing Move-In Date is missing from HMIS. What should happen?
The record should be reviewed and corrected promptly, with any related documentation verified.
A participant reports a serious concern about their housing unit. What should the Family Coach do, and when should the supervisor become involved?
Address the concern promptly, document it, assess whether there is a lease/program/housing issue, coordinate with the appropriate parties, and escalate to supervision when needed.
A participant was referred to PSH but has only experienced homelessness through an RRH program and has not experienced qualifying unsheltered homelessness within the required timeframe. Is the participant eligible for PSH? Explain why or why not.
No. RRH participation or another housing intervention does not replace the requirement for qualifying PSH eligibility, including the required unsheltered homelessness history.
A participant's inspection passes, but the lease has not been fully approved. What should staff verify before treating the unit as ready for move-in?
Confirm inspection/approval status, rent/lease requirements, HAP/RTA-related requirements, lease execution, and any remaining CHA or landlord requirements.
A participant is housed but is experiencing difficulty maintaining their housing, has missed several appointments, and has stopped responding to their Housing Case Manager. What are three actions the Housing Case Manager should take before considering program exit?
Document all outreach attempts, assess and address barriers to engagement/housing stability, and consult in supervision while following program policies and required outreach procedures.
Why is accurate HMIS documentation especially important in a PSH program? Name at least three reasons.
Compliance, reporting, funding requirements, program monitoring, accurate participant records, outcome tracking, data quality, and demonstrating program performance.
How many total staff are budgeted for in the current PSH budget?
14 -- (Senior Supervisor, Supervisor, 2 DIS, 2 MHP, 2 CC, & 6 FCs)