As reported in the Grand Rapids/Kent County Vision to End Homelessness (2007; www.grahcoc.org), about 700-800 persons stay in shelters or transitional housing programs on any given night in Grand Rapids. In 2008, 6022 persons experienced homelessness in our community, with families making up just over half. This does not include the hundreds of adults and children who are doubled up with friends and family, living in a situation of being nearly homeless. Studies indicate that three primary reasons for homelessness are lack of affordable housing, lack of adequate income and lack of adequate support systems. Studies also show that one of the best responses to homelessness is a Housing First model that shifts the focus from short-term shelter stays to providing immediate and affordable housing. The Grand Rapids Area Center for Ecumenism (GRACE) encourages area Congregations to participate in the “housing first” approach of the Coalition to End Homelessness by providing financial support for rent assistance and establishing relationships with persons who are homeless.

Congregation provides both a financial and volunteer contribution to the Partnership.
Purpose: Congregation is able to build a relationship with a household and provide both financial and volunteer support to assure permanent housing, for up to one year.

• The financial contribution provides rental subsidy for the household for up to one year (approx. $3,500 ) through the Congregational Partnership Fund. The funds will ordinarily be expended in decreasing amounts as the household attains greater economic independence.
• The volunteer contribution establishes a relationship between congregational volunteers and the household, including but not limited to: assistance with transportation, tutoring/access to educational opportunities, employment assistance, “friendly visits”, and other appropriate relationship building activities.

Congregation provides household materials and/or volunteer support to assist household with moving into a permanent residence.
Purpose: Congregation is able to provide specific and time-limited service to assist a household with housing stability.

• Congregation furnishes one apartment/unit with basic furniture and household items appropriate for the size of household (family/individual); and/or
• Congregation assists a family/individual with moving their belongings into a permanent housing unit

Congregation provides a financial contribution.
Purpose: Congregation is able to assist at least one household with obtaining and maintaining housing stability annually. Financial contributions from congregations leverage other funding from public and private sources, and enable the Partnership to serve more households in need.

• The congregation annually provides a financial contribution to the Congregational Partnership Fund to support rental subsidy for a/multiple household(s); to leverage other private and public funding; and to enable congregations with volunteers but without financial means to be involved.

Roles & Responsibilities of Partners:

Congregation

• Determine role in partnership and sign Partnership Agreement and Letter of Intent
• Identify a “Lead Volunteer Contact” person from the congregation to act as the primary liaison between the CPP Coordinator, Participant and Housing Resource Specialist (housing advocate)
• Attend the Congregational Partnership orientation and volunteer training with GRACE and the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness
• Establish a supportive relationship with the participant, for up to one year
• Participate in regular communication with the participant and when desired, the Housing Resource Specialist (case manager)
• Agree to issues of confidentiality as necessary and appropriate

Participant

• Meet with Housing Resource Specialist at least once monthly
• Interact with congregational volunteers as necessary and as desire
• Remain current with housing finances, bills and household responsibilities

Housing Resource Specialist

• Agree to “housing first” philosophy while interacting with partnership households
• Utilize “strengths-based” case management techniques, working with each participant based upon their unique needs/strengths
• Support housing plan to obtain and sustain permanent housing and economic independence
• Act as the primary liaison between the participant, volunteer lead contact, and the CPP Coordinator which includes regular communication between the three and information sharing as appropriate
• Oversee all financial matters with the household including coordination with CPP Coordinator for rental payments to landlord, utilities, and any other Partnership appropriate costs
• Provide data and outcome information to GRACE/Coalition at least twice annually; report to the Coalition on outcomes of the Partnership at least twice annually

GRACE

• Encourage congregations to participate in the Partnership
• Promote the Congregational Partnership Program in the community
• Manage the Congregational Partnership Fund; allocate resources to service agencies and vendors consistent with the commitment of the congregation
• Partner with the Coalition to host and facilitate congregational orientations and volunteer trainings
• Provide reports on the Partnership at least twice annually to the Coalition and at least once annually to the congregations (both aggregate and individual congregation report)
• Assist the Coalition with securing additional resources to support the Congregational Partnership Fund

Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness (CEH)

• Provide leadership for the implementation of the Vision to End Homelessness
• Secure additional resources to support the Congregational Partnership Fund
• Promote the Congregational Partnership and Congregational Partnership Fund in the community
• Partner with GRACE to host/facilitate congregational orientations and volunteer trainings
• Assist with organizing and producing reports on the Partnership at least twice annually
• Report to the community on the results and outcomes of the Partnership
  

To contribute to this fund, please see our Donate page.

Questions call Lori Fedewa, CPP Coordinator
at 643-0349
Email Lori

Contact us for more info