Housing program offers help for homeless

Wed, Nov 25, 2009    to del.icio.us

During a time when many people are struggling to provide basic food and shelter needs, a new option is available for people who don't have a roof over their heads.

The Grand Haven Salvation Army, in conjunction with Good Samaritan Ministries, is allocating funding for Housing and Urban Development's Rapid Re-housing Program.

"We have quite a bit of money that we can work with," said Lori Ruiter of the Grand Haven Salvation Army office.

Ottawa County has been allocated with $470,000 of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding spread out over two years to fund the program, according to Good Samaritan Ministries Executive Director Linda Jacobs.

This funding will then be dispersed to partner agencies throughout Ottawa County as it is needed — the Grand Haven Salvation Army being just one location.

According to those who are involved with the monetary aspect of the program, the Rapid Re-housing Program is designed for people who are literally at the end of the line.

"This is for the rock bottom," Ruiter said of the program.

According to Jacobs, the program is for people who are facing situations such as living in a car, tent or temporary shelter, and it wouldn't apply to someone living with a friend.

"We've had people who've come in who have been living in tents for the summer," she said.

Jacobs also said there are strict guidelines for individuals who apply for the program, as they need to meet certain income criteria and take part in an eligibility evaluation process prior to receiving any money.

For those who are eligible for the program, it provides a security deposit to a new dwelling and the first six months of rental payment.

"It's really intended to provide a safety net for the most vulnerable and hit hardest in this economic crises," Jacobs said.

In addition to providing rehousing for those who are in dire straits, the federally funded program is also providing rental assistance to people who might be close to eviction with the Homelessness Prevention Program.

While all of these great tools and resources are available for residents in need, there is still plenty of room for people to participate in the program.

"We'd like to see more applicants and we'd like to see more landlords willing to do it," Ruiter said.

Ruiter said the program opened in the beginning of October and so far, there hasn't been a tremendous amount of response for its services in the northern Ottawa County area. She said she hopes once the word gets out about the program, more people will choose to participate.

For landlords who do decide to participate in the program, Ruiter urges patience, since there can often be a lot of paperwork for applicants to submit prior to being funded for the program.

She said there has been instances where landlords don't want to wait for the prospective tenant due to the paperwork and instead rent to someone who is more able.

Ruiter said she would love to have willing landlords contact her in order to make the process easier.

"It'd be great to have a list of landlords who would be willing to work with this program," she said.

According to her, the only thing landlords need to do is pass a HUD inspection in order to qualify.

While some believe there could be a greater response in the community, others see there is a need that is waiting to be tapped.

"We were not shocked at the need, because we have seen the need for the last year increasing," Jacobs said.