Fourteen people who once lived on the streets now have homes because of the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program.
“We have taken people on the streets and have helped them get jobs and find homes,” said Jan Tucker, coordinator for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program.
These once-homeless individuals were able to find permanent housing because of a two-year grant of over $1 million from the Stanislaus County Planning and Community Development. The grant was given to local agencies to help find permanent housing for the homeless over a year ago, and they still are receiving applications for those who need help getting off the streets and into permanent housing.
The program helps the homeless find housing, pay for rent and utility deposits and also monthly utility bills if necessary, Tucker said. Assistance is also given in regards to budgeting and helping the homeless gain more responsibility to be on their own.
Those who have been helped by this program had to meet certain requirements, go through an interview process and go through at least once-a-month case management meetings.
Out of the 14 people who have been helped so far, 65 percent of those are from the Turlock area and actively used the We Care temporary winter shelter for men.
“It has been amazingly successful with eight to nine people coming from the We Care shelter,” said Maris Sturtevant, chief operating manager of the United Samaritans and treasurer of We Care.
It takes about $85,000 to $90,000 to run the temporary winter shelter during the cold weather months, and only half of that cost is covered by grants.
We Care is gearing up for their opening on Dec. 1 with a yard sale today to raise funds to keep the shelter running all winter long. Their yard sale will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 1360 N. Johnson Rd., with all funds going towards the program.
For more information about applying for the rehousing program or about the temporary cold weather shelter, contact We Care at 664-2003.
To contact Maegan Martens, e-mail mmartens@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2015.
