Atlantic Homeless Alliance programs.
Many programs are run from Atlantic Homeless Alliance, with a focus on housing assistance. Case managers can help struggling families apply for grants for paying rent to prevention an eviction. Or another solution is landlord and tenant mediation. For the currently homeless in Atlantic County, Atlantic Homeless Alliance is involved in referring clients to emergency shelters or transitional housing in the area, while the resident regains stability.
The non-profit does offer other solutions, but a focus is on housing needs in Atlantic County New Jersey. Priority is also on solving the crisis before the family goes homeless, as this is better for all parties involved. Even homeowners can be referred to non-profit HUD counseling agencies.
In a crisis, Atlantic Homeless Alliance collaborates with non-profit agencies. They also have extensive information on various government solutions. The bottom line is that there are several resources that can eliminate homelessness in all the towns and cities in Atlantic County, and the staff from AHA can be a source of information. Some of the leading options are as follows.
- For those that need it, short-term shelter is for families with children, including single moms.
- Solutions, such as Eviction Diversion, will help tenants avoid an eviction by combining mediation with emergency money for certain expenses.
- Partnerships are in place with HUD counseling agencies to assist homeowners being threatened with foreclosure.
- Federal grants or lower interest loans can be used for overdue rent expenses or utility bills.
- Funds for paying security deposits on new, approved housing.
- Individuals leaving a shelter situation can move into transitional housing.
After the crisis has been resolved, then case management from Atlantic Homeless Alliance will help people gain the skills necessary to allow them to afford sustainable housing over the long term. In some cases, this can be combined with rent subsidized homes, such as those from section 8 vouchers.
One tool is Landlord-Tenant Mediation, which can help resolve disputes over longer term issues. Staff from Atlantic Homeless Alliance will stress communication with a landlord early, as soon as a problem occurs and gets worse. Both the landlord and the tenant may can explore mediation to find a solution, and this was created to be an alternative dispute resolution technique. It can help people enter into payment plans for their rent or other needs.
Atlantic Homeless Alliance transitional housing will help meet the needs of homeless families by providing a safe haven for them to live in. This is an option as they prepare to move to independent housing. Residents of these programs will also receive referrals to vital community resources as they gain stability. There is also on-site assistance in exploring future affordable housing options.
After the individual has been rehoused, then Housing Stabilization is another option. This was created to address the root cause of the hardship. Atlantic Homeless Alliance case managers offer referrals, information and other long term eviction prevention services to renters facing short-term crises. Homeowners can also enroll into this to explore different mortgage assistance programs.
For residents that need help in the rehousing process, Atlantic Homeless Alliance can assist clients in applying for funds to pay for their security deposit or a portion of the first month's rent. In some cases the agency will require the money to be repaid. However, often times that move in costs are a major barrier, so the fact a portion of a deposit can be paid is a major benefit.
Atlantic Homeless Alliance (AHA) coordinates support for low income families, and it gives them much needed guidance for many months. Participants will be able to take advantage of a supportive environment to increase the skills to build housing stability. It touches upon Child Care, Financial/Household management, Employment, Budgeting, help in obtaining an identification, and more.
The last step of the process in Atlantic County is the Permanent Supportive Housing. This is for families that are chronically vulnerable to repeat episodes of homelessness. The program from Atlantic Homeless Alliance will combine housing subsidies when possible, such as section 8 HUD vouchers, with enrollment into supportive services. This has been proven to be very effective in leading to stability.
The Alliance is based at Atlantic County Office Building, and the phone number is 609-343-2277.
|
