Ending Homelessness: Fast Facts
Since it's inception in 2007, The Salvation Army Congregational Partnership Program (CPP) has been utilizing the Rapid Rehousing Model. Kent County has also adopted a Housing First approach through the Coalition to End Homelessness. What does all this mean? Below are some facts about Housing First and Rapid Rehousing and why it's seen as a best practice.
- Housing First is an approach that offers permanent, affordable housing as quickly as possible for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and then provides the supportive services and connections to the community-based supports people need to keep their housing and avoid returning to homelessness. (http://usich.gov)
- Rapid re-housing is the practice of focusing resources on helping families and individuals quickly move out of homelessness and into permanent housing, which is usually housing in the private market. (http://usich.gov)
- The Rapid Rehousing Model includes: housing identification, short term rent assistance, and access to services so families and individuals can stay in housing.
- The Grand Rapids Coalition to End Homelessness began utilizing Housing First and Rapid Rehousing in 2005 through the Grand Rapids Area Vision to End Homelessness. (http://www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org)
- The Rapid Rehousing approach has proven to be very successful in rehousing families. Last year, 100% of families exited the CPP in permanent housing at the end of six months. Additionally, 100% had not reentered the statewide homeless management database as homeless again both 6 months and 12 months post-exit.
We're so thankful to partnering congregations throughout Kent County and volunteers who support this approach! We're able to quickly move families back into a place they can call "home". Families utilize their own strengths and talents to then retain their housing resulting in a family that is safe, healthy, and happy.