TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH)
TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH) FOR WOMEN
TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH) FOR HOMELESS




TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH)

HOW TO START A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING & A RENTAL?

HOW TO PROVIDE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES RELATED TOPICS

TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH) LINKS



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SECTION 1



TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH)




Transitional housing provides temporary housing for the certain segments
of the homeless population, including working homeless, and is set up to
transition their residents into permanent, affordable housing. It is not
in an emergency homeless shelter but usually a room or apartment in a
residence with support services.



Description

The transitional time can be short, for example one or two years, and in
that time the person must file for and get permanent housing and usually
some gainful employment or income, even if Social Security or assistance.
Sometimes, the transitional housing residence program charges a room and
board fee, maybe 30% of an individual's income, which is sometimes
partially or fully refunded after the person procures a permanent place
to live in. In the USA, federal funding for transitional housing programs
was originally allocated in the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act
of 1986.



Transitional housing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transitional_housing



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SECTION 2



HOW TO START
A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
PROGRAM




Transitional housing programs play an important part in many communities
as they aid people struggling to get back on their feet. Longer term than
emergency shelters, some serve homeless populations while others help
runaway teens or serve as halfway houses for recently released prisoners
or those recovering from chemical dependency. Participants in transitional
housing programs are given a place to reside while they find a job and
develop the life skills required to live independently. You can help people
in your community make the transition to living on their own by learning how
to start a transitional housing program.



Instructions


1. Determine the target population.

Learn what needs exist in your community. Find populations that are
underserved, and select a specific one in need of transitional housing.
Choose homeless people, at-risk youth, families, victims of domestic
violence, recently released prisoners and other people in need of
short-term housing as they get their lives back on track.



2. Acquire funding.

Search for private foundations and government departments that provide
grants to start and maintain a transitional housing program. For example,
the U.S. Department of Justice offers grant funding to transitional
housing programs that serve battered women. Hold fund-raisers and seek out
private donations from individuals, companies and charitable foundations.



3. Obtain community support.

Talk with residents and business owners in the community where the transitional
housing program is located. Encourage their support by promoting the benefits
the program offers the community such as decreased crime or a smaller homeless
population. Seek out funds and in-kind donations from residents while networking
with companies and businesses to provide jobs for program participants.



4. Find a facility.

Look for a building that provides individual space as well as community gathering
areas. Check with zoning authorities on the ordinances regarding using the facility
for the type of transitional housing you have in mind. Determine how many people
the program will sponsor at one time, and find a house or building large enough to
accommodate the maximum. Ask individuals and businesses who own an unused property
to donate or lease it for a reduced rate.



5. Purchase supplies.

Outfit the building with the furniture and appliances clients need to live there such
as a stove, refrigerator, beds, couches and tables. Buy food, cleaning materials and
other disposable supplies as needed. Require program participants to do part of the
shopping, cooking and cleaning as this teaches life skills and personal responsibility.



6. Establish guidelines.

Set rules and procedures the transitional population must adhere to if they want to
remain part of the program. Explain to them the expectations and rules of the program
at the beginning. Have consequences for disruptive behavior as well as a method for
removing a person from the program.



7. Create a self-sufficiency plan.

Work with each participant to create a personalized plan that allows them to be self-
sufficient. Identify his strengths and weaknesses in regards to independent living.
List each skill he needs to acquire before he is able to live on his own. Develop a
plan to learn each skill, and assign a timeline to ensure the person continues to
make progress.



8. Teach life skills.

Instruct participants in the program on how to take care of themselves and their living
spaces. Educate them on cleaning, cooking, shopping and other tasks they must master to
be independent and live on their own.



9. Provide additional services.

Arrange for program participants to receive counseling services if needed. Assist them
in finding a job, and teach them the skills needed to keep a job. Connect them with
local housing organizations to assist them in finding an independent place to live once
they are ready to leave the program.



How to Start a Transitional Housing Program
http://www.ehow.com/how_5767301_start-transitional-housing-program.html



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SECTION 3



WHAT IS THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
& A RENTAL?




Transitional housing is most often comprised of a bundle of services,
including shelter, designed to bring homeless individuals closer to
self-sufficiency. A rental, unlike transitional housing, is shelter
you pay for and is typically considered more permanent.



History

Transitional housing was developed and began receiving federal support
in the 1980s as the problem of homelessness grew and surfaced on the
national political agenda. According to Martha R. Burt, the author of
a report on transitional housing for the Urban Institute, more than
7,000 transitional housing programs existed in 2004, 16 years after
lawmakers enacted major federal legislation to fund such supportive
services.



Function

Unlike rental housing, transitional housing is free. Support services,
including job training, health care, child care, life skills training
and counseling, are typically provided with transitional housing to
help reach the goals of permanent employment and housing.



Rental Housing

Generally speaking, rental housing is a dwelling owned by somebody else
(a landlord) to whom you pay a monthly fixed fee in exchange for living
in the home. In relation to transitional housing, rental housing is often
considered the next step and can take the form of public housing, Section
8 housing, or a more traditional, market-rate arrangement.



Geography

According to Burt's report, transitional housing is most common in cities,
primarily large- and medium-size cities, where the problem of homelessness
tends to be bigger.



Effects

Burt studied a sample of individuals in transitional housing programs across
the United States. She found that 70 percent of her sample successfully moved
on to permanent housing. Most moved on to rental housing, and half did not
utilize any public subsidy for their shelter.



What Is the Difference Between Transitional Housing & a Rental?
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5916107_difference-between-transitional-housing-rental_.html



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SECTION 4



HOW TO PROVIDE
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
SERVICE




Transitional housing services bridge the gap between emergency housing
needs, chronic homelessness and stable housing. In addition to putting
a roof and four walls around the individual and any family members in
crisis, transitional housing services include medical and psychological
assessment, career counseling and resume writing, family and parenting
skill development, and substance abuse education and referral.



Instructions

1. Decide which category of need to serve. Women and children fleeing
domestic violence situations, transgendered individuals, returning war
veterans, people with substance abuse issues, recent parolees, and
people with mental illness and developmental disabilities comprise the
largest six segments of population in need of transitional housing
services. Each segment requires a slightly different set of services
to successfully lift the individual to permanent economic independence
and ensure permanent stable housing.


2. Check local zoning laws. Although housing discrimination is illegal,
many neighborhoods take a "Not In My Back Yard" view of homelessness
relief. If zoning is single family only, you will need more buildings,
which will add to your project's overhead or reduce the number of
families and individuals you will be able to serve. Multi-unit
neighborhoods and areas outside zoning restrictions will be cheaper
to obtain and often lead to less controversy, but access for those
who need your services most will be limited by available public
transportation, access to medical and psychological services, schools
and employment possibilities.


3. Offer resume writing and job seeking skills training. Economic
independence is the single most important factor to combat chronic
homelessness. The ability to understand the needs of employers are key to a successful transition. Provide access to appropriate interview
attire, hair and nail care, laundry facilities and supplies as needed.


4. Offer screening services for traumatic brain Injury, post traumatic
stress disorder, substance abuse, rape and depression. Among women and
the LGBT population, rape is endemic. It can be assumed that effects of
past or recent rapes may be a factor in refusal to seek medical attention
for other, more visible injuries. Male to female transsexuals and women
with children will be especially reluctant to seek help where privacy and
confidentiality appear to be compromised. Offer rape counseling as a matter
of course rather than waiting for it to be requested.


5. Child care must be made available if women are to succeed in gaining
economic independence, stable housing and full employment. Child care
services must include screening for childhood psychological and developmental
needs, including the need for counseling, play and art therapy.



How to Provide Transitional Housing Services
http://www.ehow.com/how_4739678_provide-transitional-housing-services.html



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SECTION 5



TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING SERVICES
RELATED TOPICS




Goals for Transitional Housing
http://www.ehow.com/info_8347436_goals-transitional-housing.html

Grants for Transitional Housing
http://www.ehow.com/about_5428151_grants-transitional-housing.html

How to Be a HUD Transitional Housing Landlord for Vets
http://www.ehow.com/how_7502198_hud-transitional-housing-landlord-vets.html

What Are the Benefits of Transitional Housing?
http://www.ehow.com/list_6576465_benefits-transitional-housing_.html



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SECTION 6



TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
TRANSITIONAL HOUSES (TH)
LINKS




Find Transitional Housing/Shelter in your area
http://www.211sb.org/transitional-housing

Homeless Veterans
http://www.va.gov/homeless/gpd.asp

Transitional Housing
http://www.sfhsa.org/88.htm

Transitional Housing
http://www.transitionalhousing.org/

Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP)
http://www.childsworld.ca.gov/pg1353.htm

What about Transitional Housing?
http://www.hudexchange.info/news/snaps-weekly-focus-what-about-transitional-housing/



The More You Know
http://www.themoreyouknow.com/




Involving Community
http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Office/Main/Involving_Community/Involving_Community.html




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