The data suggests that individuals undergoing substance use treatment may face challenges in securing stable housing, primarily due to issues related to affordability, availability, and accessibility of affordable housing within the county. Successfully navigating the housing system requires a certain level of housing literacy. Factors such as volatile housing markets and unfavorable locations also compound housing issues. Zoning laws and ordinances play a significant role in perpetuating barriers to affordable housing. Waukesha County, known for its high living costs, is influenced by a trend where high-income earners seek more favorable environments, often supported by zoning laws that inadvertently contribute to the displacement of lower-wage earners from less desirable areas.

Contributing Factors:

• Affordability (below 30% of income)
• Availability: Number of vacancies, healthy housing market
• Accessibility: Criminal record, eviction record, tenant rights, bus route
• Housing literacy

Restricting Factors:

• High cost: Volatile housing market
• Location: Not on a bus route, low opportunity areas
• Availability
• Zoning laws

Root Cause: Zoning laws that favor higher income earners

When considering partnerships, the action team kept things as broad as possible. Not all potential partners end up being a vetted resource and partner for the CHIP process, but it still is worthwhile to consider a wide-range of options. Below is a list of potential partners that may have a link to substance use, housing, housing options during and/or after treatment. 

Potential Partners List:

1. 16th Street Community Health Centers
2. Addiction Resource Council
3. Aging and Disabilities Resource Center
4. Alano Club
5. Al-Anon
6. AA
7. American Lung Assocation
8. Ascension
9. Aspen Center
10. Aurora Health Care
11. Bethany Christian Services
12. Bethesda Park
13. Bridges Library System
14. Carroll University
15. Case workers
16. CDC
17. Community Care
18. Community Medical Services
19. Crosswalk Church
20. Denoon Recovery
21. Elevate
22. Elmbrook Church library
23. Emergency services
24. Evangelical & Reformed United Church of Christ
25. Family Promise of Western Waukesha County
26. First Baptist Church
27. First Congregational Church
28. First United Methodist Church
29. Friendships Unlimited
30. Froedert Community Memorial Hospital
31. Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
32. Hebron Housing Services
33. Hope Center
34. Impact 2-1-1
35. Interagency Programs for the Intoxicated Driver Committee
36. James Place
37. Justice system
38. Lake Area Alano Club
39. Law enforcement
40. Lutheran Social Services/ Aspen Center
41. Medical Examiner's Office
42. Mental Health America
43. Mental Health America of WI NAMI
44. Meta House
45. Minooka Park
46. Moorewood Park
47. NAMI SE WI
48. NA
49. Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital
50. Phopenix Recovery
51. ProHealth Care Behavioral Health
52. ProHealth Care Rehabilitation Center
53. Public Health
54. Representative Adam Neylon
55. Representative Scott Allen
56. Rogers Memorial Hospital
57. Salvation Army
58. School Districts
59. Senator Chris Kapenga
60. SMART Recovery
61. Silver Haze Smoke Shop
62. Spring City Corner Clubhouse
63. St. Joseph's Catholic Church
64. St. Luke's Lutheran Church
65. St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church
66. St. Matthias Episcopal Church
67. Statewide Poison Center
68. Substance Use Advisory Committee
69. The Women's Center
70. Todd Wehr Memorial Library
71. Trinity Lutheran Church
72. Trinity Presbyterian Church
73. VA Medical Center
74. Vivent Health
75. Voices for Recovery
76. Waukesha Church of Christ
77. Waukesha City Church
78. Waukesha Comprehensive Treatment Center
79. Waukesha County Health & Human Services
80. Waukesha Memorial Hospital
81. Waukesha Public Library
82. Waukesha Springs Park
83. WC Public Health Center
84. WCTC Library
85. WHARP
86. WI DHS
87. Wisconsin Department of Community Corrections
88. Wisconsin Family Ties
89. Wisconsin Peer Support Certification
90. Wisconsin Society of Addiction Medicine
91. Wisconsin Community Services
92. WisHope Recovery

What Works is a collaborative brainstorming process where the action team explores and generates strategies to effectively tackle challenges related to housing instability and its impact on individuals dealing with substance use.

While the action team cannot undertake every identified strategy, community partners may find this list helpful as a collaborative resource to address safe housing for people using or in recovery from substances in Waukesha County. 

Evidence-Based Strategies:

• Diverse Residences Availability: Ensure the availability of residences at various price points to accommodate the diverse financial needs of individuals in substance use treatment.
• Baseline Assessment through Asset Mapping: Conduct a baseline assessment of affordable housing through asset mapping to identify existing resources and gaps.
• Utilize Homeless Information Management System (Clarity): Access reports and data from the Homeless Information Management System (Clarity) state reporting to inform housing strategies.
• Housing Navigators: Implement housing navigators to guide individuals through the housing process and connect them with suitable options.
• Coordinated Response Teams: Establish coordinated response teams to facilitate collaborative efforts in addressing housing challenges for individuals in substance use treatment.
• Mixed Income Housing: Promote the development of mixed-income housing to create inclusive and supportive communities.
• Analysis of Fair Market Rent Rates: Analyze fair market rent rates using Waukesha zip codes to understand local affordability dynamics.

Innovative and Creative Strategies:

• Lobbying for Ordinance Changes: Advocate for changes in local ordinances to create a more supportive environment for individuals in substance use treatment.
• Support for Tenant and Drug User Rights Groups: Provide support to tenant rights groups and drug user rights groups, fostering advocacy and empowerment.

Low-Cost/No-Cost Strategies:

• Assistance in Accessing Housing Resources: Offer assistance to individuals in accessing housing resources, ensuring they are aware of available options.
• Guidance through the Housing Process: Walk individuals through the housing process, offering practical guidance and support.
• Engagement with Lived Experience Impact Stories: Incorporate lived experience impact stories to raise awareness and garner community support.

Data Development & Research Agenda: 

• Survey on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Housing Challenges: Conduct a survey among individuals at the intersection of mental health, substance use, and housing challenges, utilizing the PRAPARE survey.
• Research on Criminal History Impact on Renting: Investigate how criminal history influences the ability to rent using a simulator. Examine zoning and planning laws and their enforcement, focusing on Waukesha County specifics
• Beter Housing data: Partner with hospitals and incorporate housing questions into their basic screening instrument

Substance Use End Result 2: Waukesha County residents who use opioids have access to stable housing.

Selecting an effective strategy involves a meticulous evaluation based on four key criteria:

• Leverage, which assesses the potential impact on progress
• Feasibility, ensuring practicality and achievability
• Specificity, detailing budget and timeline considerations
• Values, ensuring alignment with the values of both the community and the organization

This comprehensive approach ensures that the chosen strategies have a meaningful impact, are feasible to implement, align with established values, and are supported by a clear budget and timeline.

Substance Use Team Selected Strategies:

Data Source: The data for the percentage of people who are in treatment and have a stable place to live was pulled from internal County Program Participation System (PPS).