What Is Needed for a Successful Hoarding Connection Start-up?
A Hoarding Connection needs the following for a successful start-up:
- An agency sponsor that will support the Connection's efforts.
- An identified point person for each organization.
- Representatives from a variety of organizations that play a part in addressing the hoarding problem.
(Housing inspectors are important members of a hoarding connection because each locality's housing codes and the way the housing inspector interprets them which will determine the community's response.) - Minimal operating procedures, determined by the Connection. At the very least, how confidentiality is managed should be addressed.
- An updated list of community resources which can help in a hoarding situation. Cuyahoga Hoarding Connection members identified clean-up services and financial assistance as the most needed items.
- Identified initial tasks for the operational stage. The Cuyahogo County Hoarding Connection identified community education and assisting new hoarding teams as its two primary tasks.
- At the close of the start-up period (about 6 months), survey members to determine whether the Hoarding Connection is meeting the members' needs. A short survey that addresses key points is sufficient. The information received will be well worth the effort.