Research Proves the Impact of Housing With Services

Study: The Public Benefits of Affordable Housing, July 2006

In a field test involving 56 rental properties in 34 cities serving clients over one year's time, CommonBond not only proved that their method of developing, managing, and providing services to low-income residents worked, but also is a cost-effective way to achieve public benefits. Key findings include:

GOAL: Welfare Reform
RESPONSE: Career Advantage Program
Farhia's Success Story > Welfare Independence

• 319 residents were successfully placed in jobs (50% were MFIP/refugee assistance recipients) through CommonBond’s Career Advantage Program in the past 5 years.
• 40% of Career Advantage Participants had a positive change in employment income and of those, wage increases outpaced non-participants by more than $2,000.

GOAL: Fostering Parental Responsibility and Family Stability
RESPONSE: Education and Intervention
Marjorie's Success Story > Child Welfare Case Resolved

• 18 children averted foster care placement and family stability was preserved with the help of Advantage Services staff through professional service planning that would have otherwise cost $392,400 in foster care and case management.

GOAL: Nurturing School Achievement in At-Risk Children
RESPONSE: Youth Enrichment Programs
Tsedenya's Success Story > Academic Achievement by At-Risk Youth

• OVER 90% of school-age children who participate in Study Buddies (one-on-one academic mentoring program) raised their reading skill by one grade level.
• 525 children participated in Homework Centers (drop-in homework help).

GOAL: Independent Living for People with Chronic Mental Health Issues
RESPONSE: Prevention And Intervention

• 25% of cases documented by CommonBond, were prevented from more serious mental health crisis through individual services and intervention by Advantage Services staff, saving $130,200 in inpatient hospitalization and crisis management services at a public hospital or institution.

GOAL: Preventing Homelessness
RESPONSE: Intervention and Education
John's Success Story > Homelessness Avoided

• 424 resident families averted imminent eviction in one year through individual services provided by Advantage Services and Property Management staff. An estimated 20% of these situations, or 85 families, would need a 30-day shelter stay costing $4,900 per family or $416,500.

GOAL: Long-Term Care Reform
RESPONSE: Individual Services and Intervention
Nettie's Success Story > Senior Independent Living

• 518 of the 1,700 seniors with low-incomes living in CommonBond housing are considered frail or “at risk” in relation to their health.
• $423,465 a month or $2,540,790 for six months, would be spent on their care if they were living in a publicly funded nursing facility instead of CommonBond’s housing.

For a full copy of the report, please email services@commonbond.org.

Media contact:
Deb Sakry Lande
Communications Manager
Phone: 651-291-1750
E-mail: lande@commonbond.org