Annual count of homeless people in
January 2015:
• People in families accounted for 59 percent
of all homeless persons (213 families with
715 people).
• 36 percent (431) of all persons who were
homeless were children under the age of 18.
• 78 percent of the adults in homeless families were female.
• 41 percent of all persons in families were homeless due to domestic violence.
• 2 percent of adults in homeless families are military veterans.
Fairfax County
Coordinated Services Board
Family experiences
housing crisis
Prevention and Diversion
(Community Case Management)
Family exits shelter
on their own
TEMPORARY SHELTER
Family enters Rapid
Rehousing program
Family referred to
Transitional Housing
(Homestretch)
Families with the highest needs
Market-rate
Permanent
Housing
______
Housing
Vouchers
Permanent
Supportive
Housing
• Beginning in 2009, funding shifted almost
exclusively to Rapid Rehousing
• Programs had to decide:
Adapt to remain eligible for
government funding
– OR –
Lose eligibility
Income
Growth
Debt
Reduction
Accountability
Self
Sufficiency
• 90 percent of the adults in Homestretch
families are female.
• Because of the number of children in
Homestretch families, the average age of
someone in the program is 9.
• 65 percent of Homestretch families are
homeless due to domestic violence or
human trafficking.
• 10 percent of Homestretch families are headed by military veterans.
• 41 percent of Homestretch clients have documented disabilities.
Rapid Rehousing has impacted our client
profile:
• Homeless families that face the most
difficult challenges sometimes cannot
be rapidly rehoused successfully
•
Little or no work history
•
Inability to speak English
•
Seemingly irreparable credit
• These families are commonly referred
to Homestretch.
• Categorized as a Transitional Housing program
• More appropriately, we are a Transformational Housing
program
• We provide subsidized housing for two+ years
• This is the foundation upon which all the other work takes
place.
• We believe high expectations produce outstanding
achievements
• Compliance with some of our services is mandatory
• Adults are expected to work 40 hours a
week or do a combination of 40 hours of
work and schooling
• 10 percent of family income is placed
into a managed savings account
• 30 percent of income goes for rent
• ESOL classes if appropriate
• Life skills classes
• Intensive case management
• On-site employment services
• Substance abuse testing and
referral
• Scholarships for academic and
vocational training
• Assistance with medical and
health care needs
• Transportation assistance
• Membership in a local fitness
facility
• On site child care
• On site psychotherapy
• Domestic violence support and
education
• GED tutoring
• Pro bono legal services
• Computers and internet access
for families
• Parenting classes
• Money management classes
• School supplies
• New shoes for school
• Winter coats
• Birthday and holiday gifts
• Bicycles
• School fees
• Medical and vision as needed
• Tutoring
• After school programs
• Summer camp
90% of families who enter Homestretch complete the
program by securing permanent housing they can afford
Monthly income upon
entry:
Monthly income upon
graduation:
$950
$2,354
Debt upon entry:
Savings upon
graduation:
$4,814
$5,989
Graduates include:
• registered nurses
• licensed practical nurses
• pharmacy technicians
• dental hygienists/assistants
• accountants
• real estate agent
• grocery store manager
• retail store manager
• child care specialists
• social worker
• bus driver
• cosmetologists
• pastor
• teacher
• economic analyst
• gynecologist
• restaurant owners
• loan officer
Three independent studies by graduate
students at George Washington University and
George Mason University over the last several
years show that 95% of Homestretch
graduates are working and living in their own
homes 2-5 years after leaving Homestretch.
The Homestretch board of directors
decided to say “no” to any government
funding that restricted our ability to
achieve our outstanding results.
Government
29%
Other
sources
40%
Government
60%
Other
Sources
71%
Other
12%
Kidstretch
5%
Management
13%
Government
29%
Fundraising
5%
Religious &
Civic
23%
Grants
9%
Corporations
12%
Individuals
10%
Program
Services
82%
Corporate support
Faith community
support
Donations
…the need for community support has increased,
especially corporate support
Government
Grants
Government Support
Community Support
As government support has declined…
Financial
Support
Partnerstretch
Handson
Support
Financial
Support
Hands-on
Support
$25,000 for rent and
utilities for one year
Prepare the home for
new client family
Sliding scale for lesser
amounts
($5,000 minimum)
Additional
involvement based on
desires of the company
and the family
Grow
Replicate
Homestretch can grow to
serve 100 families without
exceeding the span of
control
The Homestretch model
can be replicated in most
communities
Care must be exercised to
ensure program quality
and effectiveness are not
sacrificed
The program framework
and approach are flexible
and can be adapted to the
local environment
We are eager to help others achieve the
same kind of success in transforming the
lives of homelessness families that we have
experienced at Homestretch.
•
•
•
•
Comprehensive services
High expectations
Mandatory components
Services individualized to the needs of
the family
• Adequate time for progress
Christopher Fay
Executive Director, Homestretch
303 South Maple Ave, Suite 400
Falls Church, VA 22046
CFay@HomestretchVA.org
703-237-2035