Housing Families’ Prevention and Stabilization Programs assist families who have lost or are in danger of losing housing, as well as families who transition from shelter to homes of their own, to successfully establish and retain housing. Families work with HFI staff to:
Housing Families Case Managers help hundreds of families make the transition from shelter to permanent rental housing. Case Managers work with families to help them successfully integrate into the community, retain social subsidies, increase their earning power, and connect to community health and wellness providers.
Housing Families’ stabilization team model is proven effective in returning formerly homeless families to self-sufficiency. Staff provide individualized services addressing the needs of all family members.In 2008, Housing Families adapted its stabilization model to create an Eviction Prevention Partnership with the Malden and Everett Housing Authorities. The Eviction Prevention Program works with families to resolve disputes with landlords and prevent evictions.
In the past six years, HFI has prevented more than 215 evictions at an agency cost of approximately $2,500 per family. This work has prevented over 450 children from becoming homeless. The program has been recognized as a best practice by the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), and CEO Jim Goebelbecker presented on the prevention program at the NAEH 2011 National Conference on Ending Family Homelessness.
The Helping Homes Program provides housing and support for families with significant challenges to retaining their housing. Families are often faced with significant challenges beyond those faced by other families that we serve, such as extremely low income, substance abuse issues, criminal records or physical or mental disabilities. The families served through the Helping Homes program are often below income-restriction levels or otherwise ineligible for traditional affordable housing. HFI works with this families to address their challenges and ensure that they build the skills and resources to become model tenants.
If you are worried about losing your housing, view Immediate Help – Eviction Prevention. If you are in danger of homelessness, view Immediate Help – Need Shelter.