SHELTER housing assistance programs.
SHELTER can provide short term relief for housing needs to its clients, however long term support is also provided, and in fact emphasized. Low income families as well as the homeless in Contra Costa County can enroll into case management or placed into a homeless shelter. Clients can also be referred to resources such as grants for paying rent or other expenses.
The goal is to prevent and ultimately end homelessness by supporting and promoting the efforts of low-income Contra Costa County residents. Staff will partner with the clients as they work toward the goal of becoming self-sufficient. The vision of the non-profit agency is to re-build lives, one family at a time, by giving them a safe and affordable home to live in. The agency will also give them the skills, access to job training and other resources that will enable them to live the life they want and deserve.
Short and long term housing
The agency can help homeless families or individuals obtain stable homes or lodging for up to two years. This is their transitional housing program, and SHELTER will offer this in combination with supportive services such as counseling, job training, educational support, or free health care. Transitional housing and emergency shelter is also available for currently homeless families at Mountain View Emergency Family Shelter in Martinez.
SHELTER is able to provide temporary housing to dozens of homeless individuals and families, including single parents, in apartment units scattered throughout the county. Assisted by SHELTER staff members, participants of this services are able to locate an appropriate rental unit in the neighborhood of their choice or be placed into short term homeless shelters. They will also need to pay a portion of their income towards the monthly rent, and it may be up to 30% of their adjusted monthly income. The Short-Term Housing Program helps homeless families with children escape life on the streets, and there is the goal to help them transition into safe, but temporary lodgings.
The SHELTER Transitional Housing Program offers temporary housing. In addition to client’s getting a safe place to stay, this offers supportive services to help individuals in the process of overcoming the challenges they were faced with and that may have contributed to their homelessness. So they can access credit counseling, job placement, and other services. For more information or details, find homeless shelters near you.
The Housing Services Department, or HSD, provides access to affordable, safe, sanitary, and permanent housing solutions. Other components of it include tenant education; advocacy; and referrals to housing resources, and all this is offered toward the goal of helping low-income clients achieve stability in housing.
The HSD also manages the list of housing owned by SHELTER, Inc., and partners with other non-profits, social services and government agencies throughout the county. This is done in an effort to coordinate the various supportive housing programs. Those people from the community who are interested in obtaining housing are encouraged to review the list of properties owned by SHELTER, Inc., and to call 925-387-8204 for more information, including details on the waiting list.
They also work with partners to provide affordable housing or apartments for low-income households. There is also support for special needs groups, such as people with HIV/AIDS, seniors, transition-age youth and those with mental health disabilities.
The Permanent Supportive Housing Program at SHELTER, Inc. offers a combination of recurring rent subsidies as well as funds for the security deposits. Other resources include case management services, and this is available for homeless Contra Costa County residents who have been diagnosed with both mental illness and chronic substance abuse. Those individuals from the region that are receiving services from a government or nonprofit agency should contact their caseworkers for a referral to these permanent solutions.
Financial aid from SHELTER
Homeless Prevention may be able to keep low-income families and individuals in their homes, and to help those who are currently homeless. Advice, financial aid and support will assist with securing safe, affordable places to live in Contra Costa County.
This goal is accomplished through a combination of financial support, individualized strategies, and case management, and this is done specifically for the purpose of helping clients obtain or keep stable housing. They can achieve greater stability, learn budgeting, and make consistent progress toward self-sufficiency.
The Rental Assistance Program provides one-time-only funds for back rent, and it is combined with up to six months of intensive case management. This is for families with an eviction notice or at risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County.
Emergency rent help is used in an effort to prevent homelessness and evictions. The agency will assist families and help them remain in their homes through the provision of case management, loans, counseling services, and one time rental assistance.
Case managers assist clients in the process of creating self-sufficiency action plans with written goals and objectives; provide budget management advice; and review progress towards these objectives. Funding for Rental Assistance, of which some people may be given a loan, is provided in part by the CDBG funds from the City of Concord and Contra Costa County and also the cities of Pittsburg, Antioch and Walnut Creek.
With funding from a recent federal government HUD issued grant, SHELTER Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program provides emergency financial aid along with case management services for very low-income veterans and their families. SSVF case managers help in identifying and accessing benefits available through the Veterans Administration (VA) and other agencies, both charity and government affiliated. To apply for SSVF services, please call 925-338-1038.
So the focus of SHELTER, Inc. is on solving housing problems. The agency is located at 1815 Arnold Dr., Martinez, California 94553. Call 925-335-0698.
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