Unfortunately, that’s often where housing instability begins.
If your clients are securing housing but losing it a few months later, the issue may not be your commitment or effort. The problem may be that housing support is being treated as one activity instead of three distinct phases that work together.
Within California’s CalAIM framework, successful housing outcomes depend on what we call the Housing Trio: Housing Navigation, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy & Sustaining Services.
When these three Community Supports work together, they create a pathway not only to housing placement but to long-term housing stability.
WANT TO WATCH TAMARA BREAK IT DOWN IN A QUICK VIDEO? CLICK BELOW!
Understanding the Housing Trio
1. Housing Navigation: Finding the Right Housing
Housing Navigation is the starting point of the journey.
This service focuses on helping members locate and secure housing opportunities. Activities may include:
- Conducting tenant screenings
- Searching for available units
- Assisting with housing applications
- Gathering required documentation
- Advocating with landlords and property managers
- Coordinating housing-related resources
Effective navigation goes far beyond browsing rental listings. It requires relationship building, problem-solving, and persistent advocacy to help members overcome barriers to housing access.
2. Housing Deposits: Removing Financial Barriers
Even when a member finds an available unit, financial obstacles often prevent them from moving in.
Housing Deposits serve as the financial bridge that helps members secure housing by covering one-time move-in expenses such as:
- Security deposits
- Utility activation fees
- Essential household furnishings when medically necessary
- Other approved move-in costs
For many individuals experiencing housing instability, these upfront expenses can be the difference between obtaining housing and remaining unhoused.
Housing Deposits provide the critical financial support needed to unlock housing opportunities.
3. Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services: Keeping People Housed
Securing housing is only the beginning.
The real measure of success is whether a member remains housed months and years after move-in.
Housing Tenancy and Sustaining Services focus on retention and stability after housing placement. These services may include:
- Identifying behaviors that could jeopardize housing
- Coaching members on tenant responsibilities
- Building positive landlord relationships
- Conflict resolution and dispute mediation
- Developing strategies to prevent eviction
- Ongoing support to maintain housing stability
This phase is often where the greatest long-term impact occurs. Without tenancy support, many members face challenges that can quickly lead to housing loss.
Why Separating These Services Matters
One of the most common mistakes organizations make is blending all three services together.
While they are interconnected, each Community Support has its own objectives, documentation requirements, and billable activities.
When organizations fail to distinguish between Navigation, Deposits, and Sustaining Services, they risk:
- Missing reimbursement opportunities
Creating documentation gaps - Delivering inconsistent levels of support
- Overloading staff with conflicting responsibilities
- Reducing long-term housing retention outcomes
Understanding the unique purpose of each service allows organizations to maximize both member outcomes and program effectiveness.
At TRUE, we guide mission-driven organizations through every step of the grant process.
Subscribe to get the latest resources and expert guidance to secure the funding your mission deserves!
Two Ways to Strengthen Your Housing Trio Strategy
1. Segment Staff Responsibilities
Whenever possible, avoid asking one staff member to be the housing navigator, financial coordinator, and tenancy coach all at once.
Each role requires different skills and expertise.
Specialized responsibilities can improve service quality, reduce staff burnout, and create clearer accountability throughout the housing continuum.
2. Document Every Transition
Housing support should not feel like separate programs operating independently.
As members move from Navigation to Deposits to Tenancy Services, ensure their Housing Support Plan clearly reflects each transition.
Strong documentation creates continuity of care, supports compliance requirements, and helps teams provide coordinated services across the entire housing journey.
Building Stability, Not Just Placements
The ultimate goal of housing support is not simply helping someone sign a lease.
It is helping them remain successfully housed.
When organizations recognize the distinct role of Housing Navigation, Housing Deposits, and Housing Tenancy & Sustaining Services, they move beyond temporary placements and begin creating lasting housing stability.
The most successful CalAIM providers understand that housing is not a single intervention. It is a coordinated continuum of support designed to help members find housing, secure housing, and keep housing.
That’s the power of the Housing Trio.