Running head: COMMUNITY COALITION

Community Coalition for Affordable Housing Critical Analysis

Yolanda Alexander
Wilmington University

COMMUNITY COALITION

Community Coalition for Affordable Housing Critical Analysis

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), more
than 124,000, or one fifth, of the 610,000 homeless individuals in the United States suffers from
a severe mental illness (Jervis, 2014). These figures are based on the results of a once a year
survey conducted nationwide called the Point-In-Time (PIT) Survey (Jervis, 2014).
Homelessness has been a growing issue over the past 30 years; however, more recent studies are
showing that an increased number of those living in shelters and on the streets suffer from one or
more mental disorders and live without seeking professional treatment. The lack of instability in
housing causes these individuals to turn to self-medication (ie. drugs and alcohol), instead of
seeking professional help. The U.S. government has taken two approaches to try to resolve this
issue. The first approach is called Housing First, which is defined by putting homeless
individuals into homes, then providing treatment for their ailments (Jervis, 2014). The second
approach is Permanent-Supportive housing, which couples housing with counseling and
access to medications (Jervis, 2014). Community Coalition for Affordable Housing, Inc.
(CCAH), is considered a Permanent-Supportive housing program in Cecil County Maryland,
looking to assist in decreasing the number individuals living on the streets of Cecil County. The
next few paragraphs will provide a critical analysis of CCAH, including their more about the
organization, program management, current strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities for
improvement.
About CCAH
Community Coalition for Affordable Housing (CCAH) is an organization whose mission
is to provide long-term housing to homeless individuals and/or families in Cecil County
Maryland. CCAH owns a total of four houses and a two story apartment building. Currently,

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there is enough housing space to provide housing for 20 individuals. One of the houses is paid in
full and only one of the houses was built from the ground up. All of the homes are located
within walking distance of doctors offices, medical facilities, lawyers offices, and food kitchens
(DiVirgilio, personal communication, 2015). The ultimate goal of CCAH is to provide stable
housing that is affordable, encourage independence and self-sufficiency within a community
setting, provide the support needed to end the cycle of homelessness, and provide an enhanced
quality of life to these individuals (Community Coalition for Affordable Housing, 2015).
Current Clients
CCAH currently provides housing for 14 individuals, including 13 adults and one child
(Allen, personal communication, February 26, 2015). Thirteen of the 14 adults have mental
disorders and six of them also have additional health issues including physical disabilities (Allen,
personal communication, February 26, 2015). In order to receive housing through CCAH, the
individual applying for housing must have a medically documented mental disability. Rooming
is selected by the Board of Directors by determining who would make a best fit to live together
based on medical conditions, background checks, and other personality factors (Allen, personal
communication, February 26, 2015).
CCAH Management
CCAH is currently operated by the Executive Director and the Client Service Manager
(CSM) who manages the day-to-day activities. The Executive Director is the one who handles
escalated issues pertaining to tenants and maintenance orders for the homes. She also reviews
the applications and meets with the clients to negotiate the best terms for them. There four key
criteria that are reviewed for the selection process: application review, mental health disability,
criminal background check, and the appropriateness of fit. The CSM takes calls concerning rent

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payments, information requests, and manages other non-urgent issues that may arise. She also
updates and maintains the client files to ensure that client information is kept update to date and
confidential. If a tenant becomes non-compliant with regulations in place or defaults on rent
payment the Executive Director normally works with the client; however, if there is a persistent
issue that begins to affect other tenants a decision can and will be made to evict the client.
Current Strengths
CCAH is a great program; however, there is still opportunity for growth and
improvement. One of the greatest strengths of CCAH is that the Executive Director is also the
Primary Consultant of Faith Based Nonprofit Resource Center, which provides consultation
services to nonprofit organizations within the community through educational seminars on
building a healthy board, financial management, and funding resources (DiVirgilio, personal
communication, 2015). She is connected to many nonprofit organizations in the community that
provide services to homeless individuals. One example is the Paris Foundation, who provides
warm meals for homeless and low income individuals daily. She works with several food
pantries and is very well known and respected in the community. She has more than 20 years of
experience in the nonprofit sector. Should any of her clients need assistance in a particular area
she may be familiar with other organizations that may be able to provide the service needed.
Opportunities for Improvement
It is uncertain to what extent the Executive Director gets involved in the other needs of
the clients. There needs to be more clearly defined and kept protocols or procedures concerning
the medical status of clients. After speaking with Kate Allen, the CSM, (Allen, personal
communication, February 26, 2015) she was unable to provide information about how frequently
the medical records of the clients are updated. In conversation with Debbie DiVirgilio

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(DiVirgilio, personal communication, 2015), she mentioned that if there is a reason to believe a
client has relapsed or is having an episode connected to his or her mental disorder, she will
contact the therapist to check in on the client mental state. These conversations should be
tracked somehow. One of the qualifications to enter the program is that there must be a medical
diagnosis of a mental disorder; therefore, this information should be updated at least once a year.
Funding
Currently some of the funding comes from government grants. The clients do not live in
these homes free of charge. They are required to pay rent every month as this is part of teaching
them to become self-sufficient. However, the amount of rent he/she pays is based on his/her
income. Some of the clients receive Social Security Income (SSI), others receive disability. In
any case, the funds that the tenants pay as well as what is received from grants is used to pay for
the mortgage and the upkeep of the houses the clients are living in. In an effort to receive
continued funding for the program CCHA should partner with organizations such as Christmas in
April, who assist with rehabilitating homes for elderly and low-income individuals (Christmas In
April, n.d.). Perhaps do a yearly fundraising event to help raise funding to offset the cost of
maintenance on the houses.
Qualities in Employees & Interns
The population that CCAH services is a very delicate and vulnerable community.
Anyone who works with this community must have a true desire to see individuals succeed in
reaching their full potential. Employees and Interns should understand the importance of
confidentiality and not be judgmental when meeting and speaking with clients. Most people
today are one paycheck away from becoming homeless as well. These individuals must establish

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a trusting relationship with clients and the Executive Director to ensure that the best service is
being provided to the clients.
CCAH Overall
Overall, CCAH is a great program doing great things in Cecil County. Perhaps with
more funding they would be able to purchase more homes to acquire more clients. This would
assist in decreasing the number of homeless individuals on the streets of Cecil County. The fact
that the houses are so close to town and clients are within walking distance of doctors offices,
markets, medical centers, and legal advice is a great benefit to clients. Perhaps some closer
collaborations with other organizations within the community could help with stabilizing clients
even more. As with any nonprofit organization, the key factor in making the program more
successful would be if they had more funding disposable to pay off the mortgage on the homes or
even purchase more homes.

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References

Allen, K. (February 26, 2015). Interview by Y. I. Alexander.

Christmas in April. (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from http://www.christmasinaprilcecilcounty.org/
Community coalition for affordable housing. (2015). Retrieved from http://coalitionhousing.org/
DiVirgilio, D. (2015). Interviews by Y. I. Alexander.
Jervis, R. (2014, August 27). Mental disorders keep thousands of homeless on streets.USA
Today. Retrieved from http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/27/mentalhealth-homeless-series/14255283/