Czech Govt Agency for Social Inclusion: Housing system in Litvínov a success

The Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion has issued the following press release:

The Czech Government Agency for Social Inclusion is presenting a new weekly series in which it highlights a successful social inclusion process being administered in the places where the Agency is active. In its second short video profile, the Agency has presented the case of the town of Litvínov and its graduated housing system.

At the start of October 2009, the town of Litvínov, in collaboration with the Agency and the CPI byty company (a leading owner of apartment complexes in the town) introduced a graduated housing system. This is a motivational system that makes it possible for low-income people at risk of social exclusion to acquire and maintain long-term housing.

The system involves three levels: Short-term emergency housing, housing in municipally-owned residential hotels, and housing in standard apartments (owned by CPI byty). Those interested do not request housing in just one level, but ask to be included into the program as a whole. A Commission for Graduated Housing then determines, on the basis of a ranking system, which kind of housing to offer those interested. Applicants proceed through the system by fulfilling all of their obligations (timely payment of rent, becoming debt-free), taking an active approach to work (being employed or actively seeking work) and pledging to cooperate with social services providers (field social workers, providers of employment and financial counseling, etc.).

During the first two years the system was in operation, second-level housing was offered to a total of 143 clients, 73 of whom accepted it, while housing in the third level (in rental apartments owned by CPI byty) was offered to 30 clients, 26 of whom accepted it. One-half of all clients have managed to maintain a long-term rental housing arrangement.

A short video about the program (in Czech only) can be seen at http://www.romea.cz/cz/zpravodajstvi/domaci/agentura-pro-socialni-zaclenovani-predstavuje-uspesne-postupy-system-prostupneho-bydleni-v-litvinove