Program Matters: What about people who aren't chronically homeless?

Jeannine Short, Sr. Director of Programs and Operations

 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) categorizes homelessness as either 1) chronic—defined as unaccompanied homeless individuals with a disabling condition who have been homeless for at least one year, or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years; or 2) non-chronic--the adverse.

 

Since 2003, HUD, along with four other federal agencies, have implemented initiatives with the very specific objective of creating permanent housing opportunities for chronically homeless persons. At an estimated cost of $52 million, the overarching aim is to get the chronically homeless housed as quickly and permanently as possible by providing rental subsidies and supportive services.

 

While HUD has done well to expand its definition of chronic homelessness to include families that have at least one family member with a disabling condition, it still excludes homeless families who do not meet this criteria. Too, with the release of the recent NOFA (Notice of Funding Availability), HUD’s intent to allocate the majority of its available funds to programs that serve the chronically homeless is becoming increasingly evident.

 

The future plight of non-chronic homeless families is unclear at this point, but communities would be wise to begin strategizing now. Perhaps applying the principles inherent to HUD’s mandate to create coordinated homeless services systems is the answer. Perhaps not. 

 

What is clear, however, is that non-chronic family homelessness is a reality that will not simply go away.

 

Housing Matters: Gratitude

By Housing Coordinator Tammy Mayhue

 

Anthony and Sharron A. became homeless after losing their jobs. Mrs. A said that when she was told about Community LINC, she thought she was entering another shelter with lots of rules and no resources to help them change their living situation.

 

Since Mr. A is a veteran, we began by helping him apply for a housing program through Veterans Administration. After being informed he needed to have been homeless for a longer period of time, he was denied. So, we went about helping them find housing. After receiving several housing referrals, the family was approved for a four bedroom house that was in their budget.

 

The A family worked together as a team. Despite setbacks like the denial by the VA, they remained positive during their stay. Throughout their time on campus, they said ‘Thank you’ over and over again and made sure the staff understood how grateful they were to be here and have this opportunity. Mr. A stated there should be more assistance for housing like Community LINC.

 

Families like the A’s are reminders of why I enjoy helping others and that Hope is within arm’s reach if you have a plan.

Children Matter: A Young Man Reaching His Goals

By Children’s Program Director Ryan Blake

 

A few months ago, I began working with a teen who was a senior in high school. The young man explained to me that his family had moved several times during the year and his school attendance was very poor. He also admitted that sometimes his poor choices caused him to miss school. Although he was a very intelligent student, his grades continued to suffer. It began to look like he wasn’t going to have enough credits to graduate this year.

 

He came to me with what he thought was a great idea “I’m going to drop out and get my GED”.  We spent some time talking about the pros and cons of a high school diploma compared to a GED.  We talked about his future and what he wanted to do with his life. He left the conversation unsure if he should drop out or not.

 

Not long after our conversation, he moved with his family into permanent housing. I hadn’t heard from him in several weeks until one day he came back to Community LINC to tell me that he found out his grades were going to be good enough to graduate in May. It was one of the happiest moments I have had at Community LINC.

 

However, this is not where the story ends. Yesterday, I received a message saying that he had been accepted into a state university where he will be attending college in the Fall. I can’t wait to hear what else the future has in store for this young man.

 

Intake Matters: Intake during the winter

By Intake Case Manager Holly Gardner

 

This is my first winter working in my capacity as an intake specialist. There is always a sense of urgency when you are working with homeless families, but it really intensifies as the temperatures drop, becoming more deadly, and our volume of calls and referrals increase.

 

With this in mind I wanted to highlight our newest family to move in. A mom who is in her 3^rd trimester of pregnancy, a dad and their two 10 year old sons.  For the last few weeks they have been living in a vehicle on and off.

 

How does a family go from having close family ties, community supports, income and some security to living in their vehicle? These are sometimes complex answers.

 

This dad’s complicated history includes being jailed for unpaid child support for a son he actually has custody of.  During this time, he lost the apartment that he had been renting for over 2 years. Although very fit and healthy, he is finding it challenging to find a job with a felony on his record.

 

Mom's history includes fleeing a violent ex, receiving counseling for related issues and choosing to move away from an unhealthy support system even if it means entirely rebuilding her life.

 

Needless to say, after I move a family in, our employment coach, family coach and family therapist have their work cut out for them. It isn't easy to connect with a new family, “meet them where they are”, and encourage them on their journey to remove barriers find a new home and a new start. Housing is our priority and we work as a team to help ensure the most successful transition from our program to what truly will be a permanent home.

 

The gratitude parents share with me is hard to explain.  It is warmth like no other. 

 

This family explained how having a simple meal together in their dining room with their two boys seated together was what they were looking forward to the most.  This is a small gesture that many families may take for granted. A meal together, seated at the same table, and how that moment is what inspires them to keep moving forward.

 

As I drove home Friday to my elderly dad and husband, my mind was on this family and their evening together.  We also had our dinner together that very chilly night and I gave my thanks that we had one less family sleeping outside in these bitter conditions.

 

We know there is one more family with hope again, a plan and supportive staff ready to greet them Monday morning. I know our work with this family has only begun, but making it to this stage from their life on the streets in the heart of winter feels like such an accomplishment. It is truly warming.

 

Aftercare Matters: It doesn't stop there...

By CTI Case Manager Sara Barrett

 

Moving into permanent housing is an exciting and monumental goal for families of Community LINC. There are few things in this line of work, in my opinion, that come with the feeling of watching a family walk into a home to be theirs for the first time.

 

A common question I am asked by clients when they first come to Aftercare is, “So, what now?”

 

Aftercare helps families address this question. A roof over their heads, is just the foundation and starting point for a journey of success. Aftercare, often for the first time, challenges families to believe there is more to them than a goal of not being homeless. Once housing is stabilized, and budgets are in place, Aftercare pushes families to think further and answer questions about their goals for them personally and dreams they have wanted to accomplish. Often times these goals and dreams include establishing a substantial savings, finishing basic education credentials or beginning college or finishing a certification, home or small business ownership, and extra-curricular activities to help shape the talents of their children.

 

Nearly every family starts Aftercare meetings with the CTI Case Manager and the family sitting on the floor of their new space, with only beds to call their own, answering that question of, “So, what now?” It is a beautiful journey to move from floor-sitting to thriving in the community and dreams coming true that never could have been touched or thought of without a permanent place to call  home...

 

Children Matter: "I am more than your image of me"

By Child Therapist Casondra Foster

 

****** is a teen who did not like to meet with her therapist or participate in the teen groups. 

 

During the month of November we did a teen group “myths of the media” where we discussed on some of the incorrect perceptions that are displayed or glorified by the music that we listen to and the videos that we watch.  This particular group generated a lot of conversation about how music portrays women and the importance of knowing your own self-worth. 

 

There was some disclosure among the group about similar life experiences.  *****  took this opportunity to open up to the group about some of her previous experiences before she moved to Community LINC and some of the current challenges that she faces in her home. 

 

She was empowered by encouragement from her teen group facilitators and peers to not settle for what society views her as, but to always be willing to speak up for herself. 

 

She began to meet regularly with her therapist and reach out for help with addressing her feelings of “being left behind” at her school. 

 

She is currently more outspoken and does not hesitate to reach out for the support of her therapist to assist with her issues at her current school and other issues that prevalent in her life.  She has also been able to mend some of the previously damaged relationships with others in her teen group.

 

Program Matters: Rules are made to be broken?

Senior Director of Programs Jeannine Short

 

Community LINC has had a longstanding rule that families who have exited the program could not re-enter.  Given the emphasis on harm-reduction, however, we have taken steps to align our processes by shifting our focus away from static rules to the big picture—helping families become permanently housed.

 

Recently, a single mother of four made the decision to exit the program (without agency assistance) for what she thought was a permanent housing opportunity.  She soon discovered, however, that the decision was erroneous at best and requested re-entry into the program.  Other program performance issues notwithstanding, the family was allowed to return.

 

Approximately two months later, this young mother had obtained fulltime employment, signed a lease, and was given the keys to her own permanent residence.  On the day of her exit, she came to my office to tearfully express her gratitude.  In her words, “Thank you for giving me a second chance… for believing that I could it.”

 

I don’t know who coined the phrase “rules are made to be broken”, but in this case I’m very glad they did.