Collaboration: It Doesn’t Happen Overnight, But You Can Start Tomorrow!
Kelly Cutchin, Simonson Management Services Amy Murphy, Murphy Consulting San Diego, CA: December 11, 2012
What do these animals have in common?
Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca
Koala Phascolarctos cinereus
Be more like a lion.
African lion
Goals
• Enable the comprehensive, strategic coordination of resources for energy, health, and safety in low-income homes.
• Ensure energy efficient and healthy indoor environments by facilitating the establishment of strong, effective
partnerships between Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and providers of Healthy Homes services.
Healthy Housing Opportunities During Weatherization Work – Key Findings
• Deferral rates average 10-15% nationwide with some cities having rates exceeding 50%.
• Challenges exist to accessing other sources of federal funding for structural repairs.
• DOE allows some flexibility in setting funding allowances for health and safety.
Characteristics of Successful Healthy Homes Programs
• Planning
• Community Involvement • Clinic/Medical Connections • Leadership
• Partnerships & Coalitions • Policy Development
• Recognition of what each partner does well • Respect for each partner’s need for autonomy
• Willingness to share resource for the benefit of all
Characteristics of Successful Partnerships
• Trust, openness and mutual concern • Patience, flexibility and adaptability
Mainstreaming Strategies Potential Partnerships
• Fire Departments • Code Enforcement
• Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Programs • Public Health Programs & Services
• Housing Rehabilitation Programs • Public Housing
• Sustainable & Green Housing Initiatives • Academic Partnerships
• Pro Bono Legal Work
• Health Plan/HMO Reimbursement • Donations of Supplies
Case Study: The Opportunity Council Bellingham Washington
• Utilize infrastructure & technical expertise of Wx • Public-private sector partnerships
• Focus on indoor environmental conditions & children with asthma (home and childcare)
• Family education, behavior change (action plan) & supplies • 25% of DOE funds for health and safety or $1,625 per home
• Funding sources include HUD HH Grant, LIHEAP, CDBG, state energy & home repair funds & private donations (+$2,000 per home)
• Partner services provided by Head Start, King County Health Department, and asthma clinics
Case Study: The Opportunity Council Bellingham Washington
• Process to ensure that families most in need are prioritized
• Centralized intake & efficient referral system
• Common understanding across participating programs • Evaluation plan
Case Study: Baltimore Housing and Community Development
• Challenge: 50% of applications rejected due to structural defects
• Developed Whole House Assessment Triage Team • Coordinated housing rehabilitation includes:
– City bond to fund roof repair
– Fund for seniors to fix roofs and plumbing
– State energy administration funds for furnace repair
– Partnership with Rebuilding Together to fix steps, railings and grab bars
Case Study: Weatherization & Home Rehab Southern New Hampshire Services
• WAP averages $500 per home for health and safety with a $650 cap
• Leveraged funds:
– Utilities: 40% of the average $6,500 per home – LIHEAP: Heating system repairs and replacement
– HUD HOME Rehabilitation: $30-$40,000 per home (12 homes per year)
– HUD LHC : Up to $13,500 per home – Community housing repair funds
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
• Replace service system silos with collaboration – Break the link between health and housing
• Build on current activities
– Transform stand-alone program with a comprehensive strategy for healthy homes
• Streamline the process
– Reduce inefficiencies & duplication – Reduce number of contractors
– Address barriers to intergovernmental coordination • Create a sustainable coordinated program
Green & Healthy Homes Initiative The ABC’s
• Align
– Shared eligibility criteria & determination – Common referrals
– Data sharing agreements
– Integrated & comprehensive assessment • Braid
– Identify existing resources
– Leverage new funds & partnerships – Identify areas of flexibility
• Coordinate – Funding
– Interventions – Partners
GHHI Braiding the Funding - Buffalo
Source Amount Measures Covered
Affordable Housing Corporation
$21,600 Roof, siding, windows,
insulation (60%) NY Homes & Community
Renewal
$9,400 Roof, siding, windows,
insulation (40%)
CFGB/Energy Efficiency $4,750 Heater Replacement
NYSERDA $250 Energy Audit
GHHI Lessons Learned - Buffalo
• Learn from other communities • Invest in relationships
• Seek expert advice
• Address every obstacle
• Focus on outcomes and families
Sample Timeline: New Mexico Finance Authority
Dec. ’11 – For next 6 months,
Oct. ’11 Sign conducted
bi-contracts with weekly calls Feb. ’12
June ’11 Cold key with key PUBLIC
call to apply August ‘11 stakeholders stakeholders. MEETING
July ’11 Sept. Nov. ’11 Jan. ‘12 March ’12
Assess Verified HA/Lung
risk/housing statewide data Assoc.
opportunities; distribution into Partnership –
ID key communities Smoke-free
stakeholders; housing submit grant app. Dec ’12 Referral network established, assessors
April ’12 PUBLIC June ’12 PUBLIC Aug. ’12 PUBLIC trained, Begin
MEETING MEETING MEETING Oct. Pilot.
May July ’12 Strategic Sept. ’12 Nov ‘12
Plan Implementation
One-Touch: Creating Healthy and Energy Efficient Housing
Implementation in Four Phases 1. Conduct Inventory
Community Engagement 2. Develop Common Tools
Service Integration 3. Conduct Pilots
Implementation
4. Expand, Enhance & Sustain Continuous Improvement
Phase 1 - Inventory Local Programs & Potential Partners
1. Identify Local Programs 2. Assess Partner Interest 3. Convene Kick Off Meeting
Phase 2 - Develop Common Assessment and Referral Tools
1. Develop Healthy Homes & Energy Checkup Tool 2. Develop Referral Strategy and Options
3. Address Confidentiality
Phase 3 - Pilot Test & Refine Tools
1. Test Tool & Referral System 2. Evaluate, Learn and Refine
Phase 4 - Expand, Enhance and Sustain
1. Expand Partnerships
2. Seek Funding for Innovations 3. Strengthen Policy
Working session
• Brainstorm issues you encounter in homes. • Brainstorm potential resources/partners.
• Imagine what successful collaboration will look like. • List obstacles to collaboration.
• Consider strategies to overcome those obstacles. • Commit to 3 activities in the next 3 months.
Summary
• Diversifying funding sources increases survivability and range of services you can provide.
• Collaboration requires trust, patience, respect,
recognition, and willingness to share resources. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt.
• Building partnerships takes time. Set incremental milestones to chart progress towards end goal.