Crosswalk Committees Promote Effective Coordination Between MHSA Housing Program Partners

“Crosswalk Committees” Promote Effective Coordination Between MHSA Housing Program Partners

In late 2010, The County of San Diego Mental Health Services Administration formed “Crosswalk Committees” to assist in planning for housing developments that have been awarded Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Housing Program funds in San Diego. The Crosswalk Committees include County Mental Health Services staff, housing developer, property manager, and Full Service Partnership (FSP) organizations for each development. The “Crosswalk” Committees, much like a pedestrian crosswalk, are intended to assist developers and service providers as they transition clients from their current living situations to permanent supportive housing.

The first development to complete rehab is 34th Street Apartments, which opened its doors to the first MHSA Housing Program tenant in December 2010. Cedar Gateway and 15th and Commercial are slated to open in late 2011. The table below provides detailed information on the inaugural projects.

The County of San Diego Mental Health Services Administration recognized the need for a high level of coordination between all involved parties in order to ensure effective program implementation. The Crosswalk Committees have been meeting regularly since fall 2010 to plan and discuss issues related to successful program outcomes for tenants and property owners. A number of important topics are addressed in the Crosswalk meetings:

Establishing regular, ongoing communication between FSPs, property management, and asset management teams; define roles and responsibilities; present training opportunities for supportive housing operators.
Tenant eligibility: review funding definitions for special needs and homeless status, clarify income/rent restrictions.
Initial Lease-up: tenant referrals and screening, how to handle background and credit checks, priority list procedures, creation of marketing materials.
Property management: creating a “Welcome Package” for new residents, House Rules, rent calculations, policies and procedures, furnishing for MHSA units, and developing reasonable accommodation procedures.
Supportive services planning and budgeting: supportive services budget; community building activities to engage MHSA clients.
Memorandum of Agreement between all parties.
Capitalized Operating Subsidies Reserve (COSR); establish processes to receive/account for COSR income and eligible expenses.

As the MHSA Housing developments break new ground in San Diego, the Crosswalk Committees forge stronger communication between service providers, developers, and property managers. The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) in San Diego, contracted by the County’s Mental Health Services Administration to provide technical expertise and consultation on MHSA housing development, has offered training and resources to help the Crosswalk Committees. In addition to providing technical assistance related to the effective management and operations of permanent supportive housing, CSH has also designed a Monthly Planning Matrix that outlines the deadlines for document submission prior to lease-up, future topics for discussion, and follow-up items.