ESC Annual Report 2019

Families are Ready to Engage
HOUSING FIRST,
RAPID REHOUSING
According to the United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness,
Housing First is a proven method of
ending all types of homelessness
and is the most effective evidencedbased
approach to ending chronic
homelessness in America. Housing
First offers individuals and families
experiencing homelessness immediate
access to permanent affordable or
supportive housing.
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Safe and Comfortable Housing for the Best Chance at Success
Jarrod was referred to our program in 2016. His disability often prevented him from holding a regular
and steady employment. Jarrod was referred to us through The Homeless Coalition’s Coordinated
Entry “Housing Connect” because ESC’s Permanent Housing program had an opening. Jarrod and
his Ozark Center case manager, one of ESC’s partnering agencies met and located a one bedroom
apartment. Unfortunately, the neighborhood was not one that made him feel safe. He soon
learned that there appeared to be alleged criminal activities and other types of behaviors that made
his anxiety and depression worse. At the same time, he was having difficulties with Medicaid, which
meant he wasn’t always able to stay on his prescribed medication that helped him keep himself safe.
So his housing team and landlord met to discuss potential options, because
everyone wanted Jarrod to be successful. His landlord agreed to allow him
out of lease early without penalties because of the way this was affecting
Jarrod’s health. Then Jarrod’s Housing team went to work and was able
to find another landlord that had a one bedroom house that was more
private, in a quiet neighborhood where Jarrod felt safer. The importance
of these housing opportunities is that the family must be able to choose
where they would like to live. He is now very happy and works
regularly with his Ozark Center case worker on remaining stable
and other quality of life goals.
Last year, ESC assisted with rapidly
rehousing 20 literally homeless families
into permanent housing. Of the 20
families we were able to rehouse,
20% were in recovery from addiction,
80% reported having
mental health difficulties and 45%
had a chronic illness, physical disability
or developmental disability. The
Homeless Coalition’s 10 year homeless
trend is showing a 13% decrease in
homelessness in Southwest Missouri.
Easing Fears, Offering Hope
Moving to Southwest Missouri was a no
brainer for Tom and Shelly. They wanted to
be closer to their grandchildren. It seemed
to be working out well until there was a job
change and a move that would not allow Tom
and Shelly to follow. They eventually ended
up living in their car with no way for Tom to
charge his portable oxygen tank or to get a
decent night’s sleep. These events all took
place when the daytime temperatures were
reaching 100 degrees which caused Tom’s
health to be deteriorate daily.
Thanks to the ESC’s rental assistance which
allows for short term placement, we as a team
searched for suitable living arrangements that
would be a more permanent solution. ESC was
able to pay deposits and rent while the couple
got on their feet establishing a life in a freshly
remodeled, fully-accessible, maintenance free
apartment with all new appliances, flooring and
paint. ESC was able to bundle these services
utilizing the Missouri Housing Trust fund’s
Housing Assistance, Community Services
Block Grant’s Housing Case Management,
immediately. Then the ESC staff worker
began the process of getting the couple on
the waiting list for ESC’s Housing Choice
Voucher program and helped them make an
application for summer energy assistance
for their utilities. Being able to bundle ESC’s
services into an effective combination for Tom
and Shelly has greatly decreased their stress
levels and they know that Community Action
Agencies will always have their back.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
A Housing Solution
for Homeless
Families with Children
Intensive case management and support for attaining
employment, education and housing goals are just
some of the services offered in ESC’s Transitional
Housing Program for Homeless Families with
Children. All homeless families are referred to the
Transitional Housing program through The Homeless
Coalition’s Coordinated Entry process. Families are
selected for this housing option that meet the criteria
of hard to house based on certain barriers and need
for intensive case management.
Economic Security Corporation currently owns two
2-bedroom duplexes in Joplin and these are the
units dedicated to our Transitional Housing Program.
Participants pay rent based on their income (30%)
and pay utilities.
Local partnerships with area churches who “adopt”
some of our families while they are working on
improving their family’s life is valuable in building
social capital. Many close relationships have
developed as a result of these relationships. Other
partnerships include: early childhood development
specialists such as Head Start, Early Head Start,
Parents as Teachers, First Steps and The Alliance of
Southwest Missouri.
2018
6
Families
in the
Program
2
Moved to
Permanent
Housing
4
Remain
in the
Program
Of those who needed to obtain employment (two had
employment at the beginning of the year) 3 or 50 %
obtained full-time employment and 33% maintained
full-time employment for 90 days. Transitional Housing
offers a great deal of on-going support and guidance
through case management, community connectivity
and building relationships with partnerships in the
community. The end results are permanent housing
and well-being for families.
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