Clark County Washington homeless prevention.
Coordinated programs in Clark County Washington will offer tenants eviction help as well as rapid rehousing services to the homeless. Non-profits from the community, including the city of Vancouver, try to ensure that all families have access to affordable housing and the social services they need.
Any eviction assistance available is time limited. This means that while a grant from the government may be used to pay the arrears on rent or other costs, such as utility bills, it will not last forever. The programs combine this type of short term, emergency eviction help with a comprehensive menu of stabilization services.
The non-profits that take part in these programs often receive their money from the federal government. Once source of funding in Clark County is the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and this HUD back program contributes the most. Also, fund raisers are held by local faith based charities, the United Way, law firms, and local municipalities, such as the City of Vancouver as well as the local Public Housing Authority. All of these groups combine resources to end homelessness.
Methods of eviction prevention and rehousing in Clark County
Depending on the agency that is administering the program, and what someone qualifies for, the assistance may come in one or more of the following ways. Note that no two organizations may offer the same type of help to stop an eviction, and what someone receives from the Janus Youth may very well be different then the support given from the Legal Services Society or a non-profit such as Partners Impact NW.
Emergency money in Clark County Washington is available as a last resort only. There are many conditions to this, including, but not limited too the following. The applicant can't be qualified for other benefits, such as section 8 or LIHEAP. They can't have friends or family to help them, and they need to have some form of income coming in to their home. If a tenant is not qualified for a grant, then legal aid will be used to prevent the eviction from taking place.
When qualified, grants are used to pay for those costs that are due that will prevent the eviction from occurring. This may be for rent or utility bills, especially winter heating or gas costs. Or if the applicant is now homeless, and meets other criteria, money may help pay for security deposits or moving costs/storage fees for their furniture. The case managers will decide what bills are paid, if any, and this is made at their discretion.
Temporary housing in Vancouver is for the currently homeless. There are also units focused on women or children, such as the YWCA. This charity will focus on survivor of domestic violence as well as single moms in Clark County.
If a family was evicted during the winter months, and their health is at risk, the Winter Hospitality Overflow shelter may be used to keep them warm. When this center is filled, a free motel voucher may be offered by the Department of Human Services in Clark County. This will pay for an inexpensive motel room for a very short period of time only.
Once the crisis that lead to the applicant being homeless have been solved, the next step is case management. Organizations in Clark County will also be involved in offering rehousing and permanent housing placement. Staff from groups such as the Council for the Homeless will work with the client in eliminating barriers they face, including finding a program to help them pay the security deposit.
There are multiple parts to this. Everything is focused on breaking the cycle of evictions. If a barrier is lack of transportation to a job, then vouchers or a bus pass may be given. If homelessness was caused by substance abuse or PTSD of a veteran, the counseling is organized for that. Both physical and behavioral health services will be used when needed. All of rehousing is used to help struggling families (or individuals) quickly regain housing as quickly as possible.
Some of the clients may be placed into more mid term programs, such as transitional housing. With the hesitation of landlords in Vancouver Washington to rent an apartment to a resident with an eviction on their record, it can be difficult to sometimes to find a property management company or landlord willing to lease a home. So transitional housing will allow the family to rebuild their credit, save money for a security deposits, and get their finances back in order.
Outreach is an ongoing process. This is targeted at the homeless as well as tenants with a pay or quit notice from their landlord. Staff from St. Vincent de Paul and social workers from the City of Vancouver. These, and other homeless service providers, connect struggling tenants and the homeless to resources for their housing needs.
Anyone facing homelessness, whether from an eviction or if someone needs placement into a shelter, should call 1-(866)-577-2503. Referrals are given to resources in Clark County Washington.
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