Salisbury rolls out "Housing First Plus," proposing eviction-debt matching and expanded supportive housing

Housing and Community Development Director Mir Boda outlined a redesign of the city's Housing First program, presenting a three-tier "Housing First Plus" model that staff say will emphasize rapid rehousing, eviction-debt relief and permanent supportive housing for people with high-acuity needs.

"Housing First is a model that prioritizes immediate access to housing without preconditions," Boda told the council, defining high-acuity clients as individuals with severe mental-health or chronic health conditions and frequent emergency-service use. Boda said tier one (the time-limited Ann Street Village model) focuses on stabilization and transition; tier two provides housing assistance for security deposits and first month's rent; tier three is permanent supportive housing with wraparound services.

Boda gave program figures: 46 people have participated in the transitional program to date; seven participants are currently in permanent supportive housing. Staff proposed a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000 per participant, to address eviction-related debt and pair that payment with legal-aid help to pursue expungement or satisfied-judgment notations so past eviction records do not block future rentals.

On costs, Boda said staffing and fringe benefits total about $182,000; annual operating costs for Ann Street Village are approximately $36,700; the city is seeking to appropriate $25,000 for tier-two housing assistance to help roughly 10 people with move-in expenses; and maintaining current permanent supportive-housing participants runs about $60,000. Boda estimated the program's operating budget at roughly $314,000 per year and offered per-person figures presented to council (tier one about $7,500 per person; tier two about $2,500; tier three about $15,000).

Council members pressed on accessibility and landlord cooperation. One council member pointed out ramp-slope constraints, saying "it's an inch per foot" when discussing grade requirements for temporary ramps; staff said Chesapeake Housing has previously built ramps for detached properties and that internal modifications at apartment complexes will depend on landlord agreement.

Boda and Homeless Services Manager Christine Chestnut described partnerships with the county health department and local providers for case management and behavioral-health support. Staff said they recently hired a new case manager for Ann Street Village to strengthen continuity of services and that interns are helpful but limited by semester-length placements.

Council members praised staff for service delivery and tours of Ann Street Village; staff emphasized the program is at capacity and that residents are engaging in case management and work as part of program expectations. The council did not take a final vote on program funding but staff requested appropriation and direction to continue implementing the Housing First Plus design.