As a needs-based activity, any household receiving STRMU assistance is by definition precariously housed. Therefore,
the provision of case management and the development of long-term housing stability plans are essential elements of STRMU assistance.
There should never be a case in which STRMU assistance is provided in the absence of good needs assessment and future-oriented
case planning. STRMU assistance can best be judged a success when assisted households anticipate not needing
this type of emergency assistance in the future. Grantees and sponsors should have standards of assessment and case planning
laid out in policies and procedures. Grantees should consider developing standard assessment and planning tools for use
by all project sponsors, in order to ensure that standards of care are consistently applied. For monitoring,
review sponsor policies and procedures, in order to determine whether or not they spell out standards for client needs assessment and case planning.
Review client files to make sure that housing needs - including a client's barriers to housing stability - were thoroughly
assessed and that comprehensive housing stability plans were developed, with a focus on long-term stability.
Verify that these plans include links to other resources that might be necessary, including HOPWA or other long-term
housing assistance, employment assistance, health care and health insurance, and disability income.