Equation | (# families placed in transitional housing) x (% of these renters who obtain their apartment solely because of this program) x (# length of transitional housing stay) x ($ value of an efficiency apartment) |
Explanation | This metric estimates the impact of transitional housing on avoided rental costs for homeless or housing unstable individuals. Transitional housing can be described as a home that assists people in transitioning from homelessness, substance abuse addiction, abuse in the home, or other types of poor living environments to stable housing. This metric measures only the value of the housing provided. Other benefits from reduced substance abuse or homelessness are estimated using other metrics. Number of individuals placed in transitional housing: Reported by program Percent of these adults who avoid homelessness due to the program: [0.52], for programs serving individuals at imminent risk of homelessness (e.g. individuals coming from shelters, or with eviction notices and no feasible housing alternative), we assume a 100% rate of effectiveness. To this number, we subtract the percentage of homeless individuals in the Twin Cities metropolitan area who are on a waiting list for any public housing, Section 8 housing, or some other type of housing that offers financial assistance as a counterfactual [48%] (Wilder Research, 2016). Number of transitional housing stays: [# Months], estimated using data from program participants $ value of an efficiency apartment: [$1,161], average monthly rent for apartments in the Twin C metropolitan area (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2017). Use program data whenever available. Note: discount to present value if length of stay is more than 3 years. |
References | U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2017). Comprehensive housing market analysis. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota-Wisconsin. Retrieved from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/pdf/MinneapolisMN-comp-17.pdf. Wilder Research. (2016). 2015 homeless adults and children: Minnesota statewide survey data. Retrieved from http://mnhomeless.org/minnesota-homeless-study/detailed-data-interviews/2015/HennepinCountyMN_Adult2015_Tables51-67.pdf |