CHA HOST Program
The HOST (Housing Opportunity and Services Together) Program is an ambitious effort to test strategies which use housing as a platform for services to improve the life changes of vulnerable children, youth and adults. It's a two year pilot program being tested in two sites in the United States - Chicago and Portland, Oregon. In Chicago, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has put HOST into place in its Altgeld Gardens development (the largest CHA housing development in the city), and is partnering with UCAN as its lead service provider.
What is HOST?
HOST aims to address parents' key barriers to self-sufficiency (e.g. poor physical and mental health, addictions, low levels of literacy, lack of a high school diploma, and historically weak connection to the job force) while simultaneously integrating services and supports for children and youth. Intensive interaction between case managers and families serves as the centerpiece of HOST.
What is UCAN's role?
UCAN's strong experience with CHA residents through its FamilyWorks program makes UCAN the natural partner for the HOST program. UCAN will provide intensive case family management to 230 families, and will provide employment, clinical, health and financial literacy services for adults. UCAN will also partner with Project Match, another CHA provider, to develop and implement the youth component, which aims to provide school-age children and youth the opportunity to make concrete, measurable progress along one of two trajectories (enrichment and "off track").
What are HOST's goals? How is HOST being evaluated?
The HOST program two year pilot aims to identify strategies and services that help the families at greatest risk and offer the best potential for strengthening the community. Additional goals of the program are:
- To help answer critical questions about what works for what age groups
- To provide important insight into how local communities implement similar dual-generation models
- To inform policy supporting comprehensive place-based initiatives
The Urban Institute is working closely with all parties to evaluate the two year HOST pilot, looking at process, outcomes and cost.
For a downloadable brochure please click here.
