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Community Development |
Direct Services
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Housing Programs
Home4Good ~
Emergency Housing Program ~ Shelter + Care ~ Permanent Supportive Housing
NOTE:
Participants are selected from clients our Homeless Outreach Team is
currently serving. No applications are taken from non-clients.
VISION
Homeless families need first and foremost
housing. Once housing is established, it is easier to begin to identify and
address the barriers that led to the homeless experience. It has also been our
experience, having worked directly with homeless families for over ten years,
that the lack of a positive support system can also increase the probability of
becoming or remaining homeless. This program has been created with these factors
in mind.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Families will have been assessed and found to be
ideal candidates for this program. It is less restrictive than other emergency
housing programs. Families are considered guests of this program. The rules are
minimal but there are some expectations that will govern their stay with the
program. The rent and utilities are paid by Aurora. The family will join a Case
Manager from Aurora and 3-4 volunteers (called Connectors) from CFC to
form a team. This team will work together to create an action plan that includes
the establishment of permanent housing, and other individual complementary areas
that might include employment, education, transportation, life skill training,
financial literacy, day care, etc.
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LENGTH OF PROGRAM
The program is designed in two stages:
(1) The initial period can be up to six months
and includes housing assistance, case management services and developing
relationships with Connectors.
(2) The second phase includes continued support
of Connectors for an additional 6 months. At the end of the initial six month
period when case management services terminate, we hope the family will be able
to assume the rental lease and utilities. If the current unit is unacceptable
(by cost, family’s determination, or other factors), locating other housing will
be part of the action plan.
PARTICIPANT EXPECTATIONS
1. Actively
participate in case management services. Visits will be determined by the
family and the Case Manager.
2. Actively
participate with Connectors. Contacts can be by phone or in person. A minimum
of 6 hours per month is required with at least two face-to-face contacts as
shared by the team of Connectors partnered with the participant.
3. Be
a good neighbor.
4. Maintain
a healthy, safe, clean physical environment.
5. Do
not participate in or allow any illegal activity to take place in the unit.
6. Inform
their Case Manager of the need for any overnight visitors. Assessment of the
situation will be individually determined.
7. Report
any maintenance issues to their Case Manager. Emergency maintenance needs after
work hours or on the weekends will need to go directly to the apartment
maintenance department.
8. Physical
aggression or intimidation, violence, abuse or neglect can not be allowed and
will have to be reported to the appropriate authorities.
9. Family
income will be assessed for program contribution. 30% of monthly net income will
be required for deposit into an escrow account. Contributions to the accounts
will be made to correspond with the family’s income schedule. Escrow accounts
will be maintained by Aurora. These funds will be available to the family to
reduce debt that may be hindering housing options. At the time case management
services terminate, these funds will be made available to the family. The only
other reduction to the account would be for any damages to the apartment that
occurred during the family’s stay. An inspection will take place upon move-in
and move-out.
10. Help
keep utility costs low by trying to conserve the excessive or unnecessary usage
of electricity, natural gas and water.
11. Maximize
this opportunity by using the resources provided for the family to the fullest
extent possible.
Violations of any of the first nine expectations
could result in the program termination. If this should occur, the family will
have to vacate the unit within 24 hours.
The
family will be given a copy of the Family Participant Agreement. Their signature
will indicate their understanding of the program guidelines, their agreement to
abide by the expectations and their request of admission to this program, with
the understanding that their agreement is with Aurora, Inc
PARTNERSHIP
The funding and support for this pilot program
is provided by the members of Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) in Evansville in
partnership with Aurora. This trial program, a part of the Compassionate
Connections initiative associated with Destination: Home, will be
continually evaluated for improvement, positive outcomes, and need within the
community.
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