Housing OpportUnities Strengthen Everyone (H.O.U.S.E.)
Made possible by a grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation, Reston Interfaith is piloting a “housing first” approach through Housing OpportUnities Strengthen Everyone (H.O.U.S.E.). Unlike traditional transitional housing programs, this approach, also known as rapid re-housing, addresses the need for permanent housing from the outset, on the premise that families will be more responsive to social services when they are settled into their own long-term home. We are piloting and evaluating this approach in support of the strategies outlined in the Ten-Year Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness in the Fairfax-Falls Church Community.
The goal of the H.O.U.S.E. program is to provide rapid re-housing and support services to at-risk families who are:
-Fleeing domestic violence, aging out of foster care;
-Leaving shelter/transitional housing programs; and/or
-Refugees who want to focus on improving economic, educational, financial, vocational, mental and physical health, parenting and child development goals while strengthening the family.
The support services for the adults will focus on increasing their annual income, debt reduction, financial assets, vocational training, emotional and physical health, and community support. The goal for the children is to achieve and maintain healthy developmental milestone that supports school readiness and achievement.
