EDEN and its Continuum of Care (CoC) partners believe housing programs are effective only if they are able to help difficult-to-house persons both secure and maintain their housing. For this reason, we developed the Homeless Prevention Fund (the Fund) to keep them from returning to homelessness. The Fund has two purposes: (1) help them SECURE housing; and (2) once they are housed, help them KEEP their housing.
Many individuals and families experiencing homelessness have significant barriers to accessing and maintaining stable housing. These barriers may include mental health issues, physical disabilities, substance use disorders, lack of income, expenses related to health care and/or debt, housekeeping/hoarding issues, and/or a history of violating the terms of rental agreements. One of our most pressing needs is to provide on-going support to residents transitioning from homelessness to housing.
When participants of the CoC have difficulties securing housing, the Fund provides security deposits, double security deposits, application fees, first month's rent, renters insurance, and more. The goal is to get them into safe housing as fast as possible. When they are at risk of losing their housing, the Fund pays rent and utility arrearages, late fees, reimbursements for damages, deep cleaning and housekeeping training, common household items such as beds and cookware, and other assistance.
The Fund has provided the assistance people needing to secure housing or avoid eviction. They were able to remain in safe, secure housing because their utilities and rent were paid when they fell behind. They received help in their housekeeping to make their home habitable. They received beds, stoves, refrigerators, and other household items so that they could live with dignity. And they were able to stay in a hotel while they were going through the voucher process instead of staying homeless.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
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