Is this the beginning of the end for Transitional Housing?

On Friday I got sent a policy brief from the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness asking:  Is this the beginning of the end for Transitional Housing?  As the Executive Director of Transitional Housing at Action Ministries this question is troubling to me.  I get the privilege every day of seeing the difference our program, and programs like it, make in the lives of homeless families. I can rattle off countless stories of families in our program that have gone on to become self sufficient and leave homelessness behind forever.  It’s certainly not the lack of homeless families that is prompting this question.  The number of homeless families keeps rising as we continue to weather the effects of the great recession (the numbers are between 5.5 and 9% higher than last year).  Here in Georgia, we are experiencing unemployment rates higher than the national average.  This lack of employment is one of the major factors that lead families to lose their housing.  In addition, north Georgia has just experienced devastating tornadoes.  So even more families who were barely holding on are already homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.   So, why would the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness ask this question?  They certainly are aware of the difference Transitional Housing makes for families.  Why are they worried that Transitional Housing is in danger?  The answer is:  Federal Funding.
   

It is clear that the federal government has shifted its funding priorities to ending chronic homelessness and to a program called “Rapid Re-housing”.   And not surprisingly, when funding shifts, programs begin to shift as well.  The first priority of ending chronic homelessness does not really address the needs of homeless families.  Folks that are chronically homeless are often who we think of as “homeless”.  Many chronically homeless have a serious mental illness, like schizophrenia and/or an alcohol or drug addiction. Most people who experience chronic homelessness have been in treatment programs in the past and have still found themselves repeatedly homeless.  They are often the “face” of homelessness in downtown Atlanta.  I’m not debating that these efforts are not needed; I am noting that addressing chronic homelessness does not really address the needs of homeless families.
 

The second priority – Rapid Re-housing – does a better job of addressing families who find themselves homeless. However, it concentrates on families whose situation will be greatly improved by providing housing assistance for a couple of months.  It is not a program that focuses on addressing the underlying causes of homelessness.  This aspect of our Transitional Housing program is vital for moving families to true self sufficiency.  Addressing the underlying causes of homelessness, in my opinion, is the best way to ensure that families do not become homeless again and has the best chance of preventing generational poverty.  I agree with the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness when they say “this approach overlooks a majority of families that require more time and supportive services to overcome barriers to financial independence, such as low educational attainment and lack of sufficient employment skills. Only time will tell if this policy shift away from transitional housing will ultimately benefit and reduce the number of homeless families.”  As for me, I am proud to be a part of a Transitional Housing program that helps families thrive and with our network of compassionate individuals and churches, I see us continuing this ministry for the long haul. 

~Jannan Thomas

Executive Director, Transitional Housing

Action Ministries