Overcoming Homelessness — Action Checklist

① Immediate Safety & Basic Needs FIRST

A person can't work on anything else if they're not safe, fed, and have somewhere to be. Handle this today.

Shelter — where are they sleeping tonight?

Connected to emergency shelter bed tonight On a shelter waitlist — name/position noted below Has a tent / safe outdoor spot Staying with someone temporarily

Shelter name / waitlist info / location:

Food & water

Connected to meal site / food pantry Has water access

Safety

Asked about immediate safety concerns (violence, threats, health crisis) Safety plan in place if needed

Safety notes:

Day needs

Shower access arranged Clean clothes / hygiene supplies given Phone / charging access arranged

② Vital Documents FOUNDATION

No ID = no housing, no benefits, no job, no medical care. This unlocks everything below.

State ID — has it or in progress (see Vital Docs checklist) Social Security card — has it or in progress Birth certificate — has it or in progress

What's missing? Status:

Use the Vital Documents Checklist for the full step-by-step on each document.

③ Income & Benefits

Money coming in — from benefits, work, or both — is what makes housing sustainable.

Benefits

SNAP / food benefits — applied or receiving OHP / health insurance — enrolled SSI/SSDI — assessed for eligibility SSI/SSDI — application in progress (see SSI Worksheet) TANF / GA / Veterans benefits — checked

Benefit status / case numbers:

Employment

Currently employed (even day labor / gig work) Wants to work — referred to employment program Not able to work right now (health/disability)

Work notes:

④ Health — Physical, Mental & Recovery

Untreated health problems are one of the biggest reasons people can't stay housed. Connect to care early.

Physical health

Has a primary care doctor or clinic Urgent health issues addressed Medications — has what they need

Mental health

Screened for mental health needs Connected to mental health provider Crisis plan in place (if needed) — crisis line number given

Substance use

Asked about substance use (no judgment) Wants treatment — referred to detox / treatment program Harm reduction supplies / info given

Health notes / referrals made:

⑤ Housing — The Goal GOAL

Everything above leads here. Housing first: get them housed, then keep working on the rest.

Coordinated access / housing assessment

Completed housing assessment (VI-SPDAT or local tool) Entered in coordinated access / housing queue

Assessment score / queue position:

Housing options pursued

Emergency shelter (short-term) Transitional housing application submitted Rapid rehousing — referred / enrolled Permanent supportive housing — on waitlist Housing voucher (Section 8 / VASH) — applied Private rental — helping with search / deposit

Housing status / next step:

Barriers to address

Criminal background — discussed, plan in place Eviction history — discussed, plan in place Bad credit / debt — discussed, plan in place No rental history — discussed, plan in place

Barrier notes:

⑥ Support Network & Stability

People stay housed when they're connected — to a case manager, a community, and a plan.

Assigned ongoing case manager (name below) Connected to peer support / community group Family / friends identified as support (if any) Housing stability plan created (what keeps them housed) Follow-up appointment scheduled

Case manager name / contact:

Next follow-up date:

✓ Action Summary

Top 3 priorities for this person right now:

What did we accomplish today?

What's the very next step, and who's doing it?

HMIS notes entered? (date):