4 Things You Can Do Help People Who are Homeless and Help Them Find Housing

1.) Learn More about Housing First


Utilizing the Housing First model Bartlett Housing Solutions staff arrange for emergency, bridge, or supportive housing for homeless individuals who have insufficient resources to provide for these necessities. We believe there is a solution to homelessness – and it is affordable, sustainable housing!

Bartlett Housing Solutions has been facing the challenge of homelessness for more than three decades. Yes, there will continue to be people who must leave home because of eviction, emergencies, as well as those who simply face individual challenges that make the transition to independent living difficult. But, actually ending homelessness means something different – it means ensuring housing stability so that everyone has access to affordable, safe, accessible, and appropriate housing. Ending homelessness means doing things differently than we have been when it comes to addressing the problem of homelessness in our community.

Housing First does not mean” Housing Only.” While a Housing First approach prioritizes housing as a solution, it is only achieved with the appropriate blend of services and supports that make it possible for each individual to succeed, on a case-by-case basis. In the end, Housing first is the only evidence-based, proven practice endorsed by the Housing and Urban Development Fund for providers who work in the field of homelessness. To succeed, we must all get on the same page and work together.

Want to learn more? Here are some great resources:

Housing First in Permanent Supportive Brief

This brief provides an overview of the principles and core components of the Housing First model. It also provides information to permanent supportive housing providers about how they can implement a Housing First approach if they are not already doing so. Housing First is an approach to quickly and successfully connect individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing without preconditions and barriers to entry, such as sobriety, treatment, or service participation requirements. Supportive services are offered to maximize housing stability and prevent returns to homelessness as opposed to addressing predetermined treatment goals before permanent housing entry.

[ Housing First in Permanent Supportive Housing Brief (PDF) ]

USICH Housing First Checklist

This checklist was designed to help you make a quick assessment of whether and to what degree housing programs — and entire systems — are employing a Housing First approach. Robust tools and instruments are available elsewhere to quantitatively measure program quality and fidelity to Housing First. This tool is not meant to take the place of those more rigorous assessments, but is intended to help Continuums of Care, private housing and services providers, funders, and other stakeholders to communicate about, and quickly assess, alignment with crucial Housing First approaches.

[ Housing First Checklist: Assessing Projects and Systems for a Housing First Orientation (PDF) ]

Org.Code

OrgCode works around the world to help end homelessness. They are located throughout the United States and Canada. They see firsthand and influence firsthand hundreds of communities each year. To learn more about homelessness from some of the best in the field on a vast range of handing topics on homelessness, go to: https://www.orgcode.com/

2.) Learn more about state-wide services in the area of homelessness in West Virginia

The goal of the WV Coalition to End Homelessness is to end homelessness in our state, and their focus is on communities. They can provide the tools to arm communities with strategies to get this accomplished.

Please visit: The West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness

3). Get Involved At A National Level

U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, coordinates and catalyzes the federal response to homelessness, by working in close partnership with senior leaders across 19 federal member agencies. By organizing and supporting leaders such as Governors, Mayors, Continuum of Care leaders, and other local officials, they drive action to achieve the goals of the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness—and ensure that homelessness in America is ended once and for all.

Download Files at: https://www.usich.gov/solutions/

Here’s a great article on Solutions to Homelessness by USICH: https://www.usich.gov/solutions/

4.) Become familiar with other resources and advocacy groups that work on behalf of people experiencing homelessness.

Resources:

National Alliance to End Homelessness Resources and Facts
The Alliance has developed a series of fact sheets, Fact Checkers and Explainers, to answer common and frequent questions about homelessness policy and research. All fact sheets draw on the best expertise, data, and research available.

Institute for Children and Poverty
An independent research and policy think tank that conducts national research on the causes of family homelessness, the demographics of this growing population, and the programs most effective in assisting homeless families to transition to stability and self-sufficiency.

National Center for Homeless Education
Provides numerous resources on homeless children and youth, resources for advocates, etc.

National Center on Family Homelessness
A non-profit organization working towards long-term solutions that help homeless families become self-supporting and active participants in community life.

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Website on Homeless Veterans

Advocacy Groups:

National Coalition for the Homeless
A national advocacy network of homeless persons, activities, service providers and others committed to ending homelessness through public education, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and technical assistance.

National Healthcare for the Homeless Council

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty

National Low-income Housing Coalition

National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
(NCHV) – provides legislative advocacy, public education and technical assistance for service providers of homeless veterans.

National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness
A coalition of students and community members across the country working to end hunger and homelessness through service projects and action.

National Alliance to End Homelessness

Coalition on Human Needs
The Coalition on Human Needs is an alliance of national organizations working together to promote public policies that address the needs of low-income and other vulnerable people.

Follow OrgCodes blog on a wide variety of topics at: https://www.orgcode.com/blog

Always Report Abuse or Neglect

When you suspect abuse or neglect, you should report your concerns to us and to the county office of the Department of Health and Human Resources where you live. Reports can also be made to the Abuse and Neglect Hotline ( 1-800-352-6513 ) 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Learn more – Child Abuse and Neglect reporting

Learn more – Adult Abuse and Neglect reporting

Report other forms of abuse or neglect

For more information: Visit Here

West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources
State Capitol Complex, Building 3 Room 206
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-0684
Fax: (304) 558-1130