The Coordinated Entry Committee of the PA-509 Eastern Pennsylvania Continuum of Care (CoC) is inviting Coordinated Entry Specialists, Housing Case Managers, Program Participants, and other CoC members to share ideas about the Housing Assessment Tool (HAT) through this brief survey. Your answers will remain confidential.
On November 13, 2024, the HAT replaced the VI-SPDAT to prioritize households for scarce supportive housing services and subsidies in a way that is fair, trauma-informed, and grounded in the root causes of homelessness in the communities within the CoC’s geographic area.
Families and individuals experiencing literal homelessness (HUD Category 1) or fleeing domestic violence (HUD Category 4) in the Eastern PA CoC receive a HAT score as part of their Coordinated Entry enrollment based on twelve questions determined by the CoC to be the highest priority indicators of need. These questions include the following:
1. Is the household experiencing chronic homelessness?
2. Is the household living outside or in a place not meant for human habitation?
3. Is the household fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence or human trafficking?
4. Does any household member have a disabling condition?
5. Is any household member pregnant?
6. Is any household member a veteran?
7. Is the Head of Household aged 24 or younger?
8. Has your current living situation made it difficult for any school-aged children in your household to attend and do well in school?
9. Is your current experience of homelessness the result in whole or in part due to discrimination?
10. Is your current experience of homelessness the result in whole or in part due to criminal background or justice system involvement?
11. Have you been evicted from a housing unit (rental or home ownership) in the past seven (7) years?
12. Since becoming homeless, has anyone in your household been engaged in dangerous or illegal activities?