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What is the definition of Homelessness?
The definition of homelessness is the state or condition
of having no home, of living in the streets, under viaducts, in
emergency shelter, or being foreclosed upon or evicted from a
dwelling.
What is the national average age of a homeless
individual?
The national average age of a homeless individual
is 9 years old.
Who are the Homeless in our area?
Many individuals and families in our area are homeless
and many more are at risk to become homeless. HUD requires all
of their funding recipients to conduct a biennial, 24-hour period
survey of homeless persons in the areas served. Here are a few
of the outcomes from the January 29, 2007 study:
What is the definition of Chronically Homeless?
A person who is “chronically homeless” is an
unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who
has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has
had at least four (4) episodes of homelessness in the last three
(3) years. In order to be considered chronically homeless, a
person must have been sleeping in a place not meant for human
habitation (e.g., living on the streets) and/or in an emergency
homeless shelter. A disabling condition is defined as “a
diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness,
developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or
disability, including the co-occurrence of two or more of these
conditions.” A disabling condition limits an individual’s
ability to work or perform one or more activities of daily
living. An episode of homelessness is a separate, distinct, and
sustained stay on the streets and/or in an emergency shelter. A
chronically homeless person must be unaccompanied and disabled
during each episode.
What programs are there to help?
Case Management & Supportive Services
All Homeless persons are eligible for these services:
- Intensive case management
- Linkage to job training and employment
- GED classes
- Health services
- Alcohol and other drug abuse treatment
- Mental health services
- Budget counseling
- Parenting classes
Transitional Housing
Homeward Bound houses families and individuals in
18 apartments on West Macon Street in Decatur owned by the Community
Investment Corporation of Decatur, a non-profit community development
corporation. More than 15 units are available through a leasing
agreement with Swartz Properties. Those in housing must take part
in the same services listed above.
Intake Process
Homeward Bound clients are referred by staff from emergency shelters
and area human services agencies. No formal referral is required.
Group orientation classes explain the requirements of the program,
and what is expected of participants. When accepted into the program,
the Client Services Coordinator gathers pertinent information
as required by HUD and then a case manager begins working with
a client. A participant can be in the program, as long as they
are working productively on their individual case plan, for 12
months to 2 years. Six months of follow-up services is available
to those leaving transitional housing.
Permanent Housing Program
Elmwood, owned by First Presbyterian
Church, opened in 2003. First Presbyterian and Dove, Inc. partnered
on the refurbishing of these classic apartments in Decatur’s
Historic District. Homeward Bound provides case Management for
those living in these eight units of permanent supportive housing.
Harbor Place is eight units of permanent
housing for women, with children, who have successfully completed
the first stage of substance abuse treatment and are looking for
a safe place to continue their rehabilitation. Dove, Inc., owns
Harbor Place and Heritage Behavioral Health Center provides the
services.
Lindwood, which opened in 2006,
is a permanent housing project, owned by the Neighborhood Housing
Development Corporation. Lindwood is eight studio units of permanent
housing for chronically homeless individuals. Supportive services
are provided by Heritage Behavioral Health Center.
Safe Haven, which also opened in
2006, is a permanent housing project developed by the Neighborhood
Housing Development Corporation and owned by the Antioch Missionary
Baptist Church. The Safe Haven can house 6 to 8 chronically homeless
individuals. Supportive services are offered by Heritage Behavioral
Health Center, although tenants are not required to engage in
those services to maintain their housing. The goal of the Safe
Haven is to re-integrate chronically homeless individuals into
a ‘trusting’ relationship with helping organizations
in an effort to increase their self-sufficiency and improve their
quality of life.
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