3 Ways A Homeless Shelter Provides Housing And Support

27 September 2016
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Most people start out with jobs and stable residents, but their living situation can change because of family problems and economic factors. Around 3.5 million people and 1.35 million children are likely to become homeless every year. Lack of affordable housing and poverty are the two main things that cause people to not have a stable home.

If you are put in a situation of needing a place to stay, then it helps to understand that you have options. A homeless shelter can help you get back on your feet. This organization understands that every person deserves the basic necessities of life. Here are three ways to get housing support.

Drop-In Centers

Some people are reluctant to leave the streets and accept housing help. This attitude comes from not trusting the process. When a person is down on his luck, it can be hard to trust and think your situation is going to get better.

A drop-in center provides you with a place to come to for housing, food, and basic necessities. It allows homeless youths and adults to build a relationship with the organization. When homeless people start to trust the staff, they are more willing to receive help.

Emergency Housing

Being homeless is not something that ends overnight. Many organizations provide the community with shelters. These shelters offer you short-term housing until you can find permanent housing.

The Rental Assistance Program

The rental assistance program (RAP) provides homeless families and individuals with financial assistance to transition into affordable housing. The organization wants their clients to understand how they became homeless and to correct this mistake. For this reason, the shelter also provides counseling and budgeting support.

The RAP program works by providing rental subsidies to families and single adults. A family gets $450 towards their rent and a single adult gets $300 for his or her rent.  People in the program are assigned a case manager. Your case manager will work with you to find a decent and affordable home. The goal is to find something that you can afford after graduating from the program. You are in the RAP program for two years. This time allows you to transition to paying bills and maintaining a household.

The services mentioned above are offered by organizations that help people who do not have a permanent place to stay. You can get started by asking for help. For more information, contact local professionals like Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities.