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UPDATE:
Affordable Housing Coalition moving forward with 10-year Plan to End Homelessness |
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| Original story from April, 2008 : “Living
the American Nightmare” In April, we told you about a $10,000 grant United Way awarded to the Affordable Housing Coalition of Union County to continue the work on our community’s 10-year Plan to End Homelessness. That $10,000 proved to be the local match which leveraged an additional $118,750 in regional and national grants toward the program – an 11-fold return on your investment! In July, the Coalition hired a Director to oversee the 10-year plan. Victoria Rogers, who splits her time between Union and Delaware Counties, confirms that a lack of affordable housing in our community is the root of our local homeless issue, as well as the reason many families struggle to make ends meet. “The problems that cause homelessness are very real and there’s not a quick fix to it,” Rogers said. “But the people around the table are willing to work hard. And that makes the goal very attainable.” Rogers, and partners from The Salvation Amry, are working to grow the alarmingly low number of affordable housing units in Union County. They are negotiating with current landlords to offer more subsidized housing or to lower the rental rates for low-income clients being served by The Salvation Army’s Direct Housing Programs. Financial assistance and case management programs for homeless families are being expanded through new grants The Salvation Army and other community agencies are obtaining for the area. Opportunities are being created for volunteers to get involved as well. Rogers is coordinating an interactive workshop for the general public this spring to raise awareness about the issue and “debunk” myths and biases about the homeless. She will also be bringing a proven mentoring program to Union County that matches former homeless clients with volunteers who can advise them on budgeting and financial stability. “Someone will always be facing an eviction or experience a personal or natural disaster,” Rogers said. “That’s why we’re using the ‘Housing First’ approach, to limit the time that they would spend in a shelter, get them into stable housing, and provide them with the support and resources needed to maintain it.” See the original story on Homelessness and the Lack of Affordable Housing in our community. It’s archived on our website at: http://www.unitedwayofunioncounty.org/news/2008APR14.shtml |