Over the past year, Common Ground has created a new way to combat homelessness through a Rapid Rehousing Pilot Program, which places families in permanent housing and offers a year of hands-on support.
Kristen Hilty, executive director at Common Ground, said the need for transitional or sheltered housing came out of the Jefferson City Homeless Task Force, which has been meeting for three years.
While the task force saw evidence of traditional homelessness, where people live in cars and on the street, Hilty explained they also saw a lot of families who were doubled up with other friends or family.
"When people fall into a cycle of eviction and homelessness, it makes it really hard for them to get back on their feet," Hilty said.
In Jefferson City, there is essentially only one homeless shelter, the Salvation Army. But with limited resources, it can only offer 40 beds and eight cold cots per sex when the temperature is below freezing.
"We felt like one of the solutions would be to offer a Rapid Rehousing program where we would take a family suffering from imminent eviction, pull them in and support them for a whole year," Hilty said. "This program is different from transitional housing because families are immediately placed in their permanent home."
In order to be eligible for the program, families must have at least one child under 18, be currently homeless or face threat of imminent eviction, and have at least one stable form of income.
The program creates a triangular contract between tenant, Common Ground and the landlord, stating Common Ground pays the tenants' rent for the first three months in full and then reduces their portion of the payments by 25 percent each quarter until at the end of year. By then, the tenants are responsible for the full amount for rent.
So far, the program has helped two families.
The first family was a two-parent household with two children. They graduated in April after being in enrolled in the program for a year.
Hilty said the family has been stable for 18 months, doubled its income and enrolled both of the children in preschool.
During that year, families are guided in goal-setting initiatives, provided family counseling sessions, and are educated on budget and financial management.
Upon entry into the program, the Common Ground staff tracks the family's income and credit score, noting their improvement at the end of the program. They also conduct a client self-sufficiency matrix, which measures aspects of housing, education and social support at the beginning and end of the year.
"We're super proud of what they (are) able to accomplish during the whole year," Hilty said. "Ever since we started this program, we have felt when people fall into the eviction cycle, it's really hard to get back on their feet, and they need a prolonged period of support and resources."
Common Ground currently partners with different agencies including the University of Missouri Extension for financial counseling and Central Missouri Community Action for family advocacy partnerships to provide education and advocacy support. It also welcomes referrals and new partnerships with other agencies.
Prior to being enrolled in the program, the second family was homeless for eight months. With assistance from Common Ground, they have been living in an apartment for five months.
Upon entry into the program, the family needed job resources, help overcoming transportation barriers and financial counseling, Hilty said.
In the future, Hilty said Common Ground would like expand to 10 families, but additional staff and increased community support is needed.
"It's been challenging to find landlords who are confident enough in the program to work with us," she said. "Thus far, this program is proven to be successful."
Another barrier to expanding the program, Hilty added, is the financial capacity to hire and train more staff and advocates for clients with whom they interact.
Currently, supporters and advocates can donate to the Families Forward program and help spread the word to landlords who can work with Common Ground as a partner and offer rental opportunities.
Long term, the organization recently filed to attain 501(c)3 status that would label them as a nonprofit and increase their ability to raise funds as an independent entity, Hilty said.
To learn more or to support the Rapid Rehousing Program, contact Hilty at 573-522-4314.