Homeless Family Center housing assistance programs.
Short term housing, as well as referrals to emergency financial aid, may be provided by the Homeless Family Center. The non-profit operates in Okeechobee, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin County. The services range from shelters to transitional housing, job placement, and more. Also, the organization can be a source of information on local non-profits that may be able to assist with a security deposit or other rental costs.
Any type of housing is combined with self-sufficiency and basic needs. So a family staying in a shelter may also be given clothing or a meal. Or if they have a job interview in a nearby county such as St. Lucie, then arrangements may be made. More details on their services are below.
The centers has a short-term emergency homeless shelter that follows the unique approach of also providing food, clothing, meals and other services. There are accommodations from the Homeless Family Center for men, women, single parents, and children. This is an added benefit as the majority of area shelters are limited to exclusively single men accompanied by children or exclusively single women accompanied by kids.
The Homeless Family Center also partners with numerous other agencies (both non-profit and government run) throughout the Florida community to assist clients with overcoming barriers that may have. So if there is a lack of transportation, then vouchers may be given for a bus. Other support is for addressing chronic unemployment, mental health issues, medical concerns, and housing affordability.
The shelter is the starting point for homeless individuals in need of a temporary place to eat, sleep, live and work toward becoming more financially stable. Families with children, including single moms in counties such as Okeechobee or St. Lucie, are offered additional support from the Homeless Family Center. This ranges from basic health care, Head Start applications, child care, and ongoing education.
Homeless Family Center transitional housing can assist families as they move forward toward greater stability. While the goal is to help people access permanent, affordable housing, this can be a first step.
The non-profit offers months of transitional housing, plus support services, for families who have are homeless or are facing eviction and/or homelessness, due to any one of a wide variety of reasons, including, among others, substandard housing and financial crisis.
Support services to guest of the temporary housing includes counseling, paid utilities; financial advice; budget classes, and health care assistance. The Homeless Family Center will also try to coordinate education and employment assistance. Also, the agency partners with agencies and organizations in providing additional capacity.
The Homeless Family Center Success Strategies Workshop is a comprehensive job-readiness program that provides participants with the skills they need to successfully carry out job searches and become valued employees once hired. The non-profit or its partner agencies have experts that provide training in financial literacy, resume development, career goal planning, professional networking, and interview strategies.
Workshops held as part of this process also cover ways to advance a career, including creating and promoting a personal brand, developing professional and leadership skills, and building character and confidence. The Success Strategies Workshop has components that are developed specifically for ex-offenders aged 18 and older as well.
Financial aid referrals from Homeless Family Center
The Homeless Family Center may have information on government or non-profit resources. Examples may be referrals to the United Way's emergency prevention and stabilization program, which helps clients overcome barriers to self-sufficiency. Such challenges may rental assistance to prevention an eviction, utility-service termination or a lack of job training. Or once a family is leaving a transitional housing program, there may be grants for the deposit or first months rent.
After an application has been submitted to a local non-profit, self-sufficiency coaches work with clients to first assess and stabilize emergencies and then develop plans to prevent a future crisis. Those income qualified families that receive financial aid so expenses such as utility bills or housing must provide documentation of their need and also contribute to payments when possible to ensure a sense of responsibility.
While multiple counties are supported, such as Martin, the main office is at 720 4th Street Vero Beach, Florida 32962. There is also a thrift store on site. Dial (772) 567-5537 for details.
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