Lent 2012 Housing Services (week 2, March 4) (INSIDE the Forum)

Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW):  Housing Services

Having a roof over your head is not the same is having a home.  Understanding this, CSSW provides comprehensive assistance to adults and teens at high risk of homelessness to ensure they maintain safe, stable housing.

The causes of homelessness are complex, but the devastation is clear.  Those without a permanent home are much more likely to abuse substances, be crime victims, and suffer chronic health problems.  Along with a secure residence, a strong support system is imperative to break the cycle.  This is where CSSW comes in.

CSSW Housing Support Services (HSS) collaborates with the local non-profit, Avalon Housing, to help extremely low-income tenants maintain permanent housing and maximize independence.   

For pregnant teens and adolescent moms, Father Patrick Jackson House provides a safe, nurturing home environment and helps them develop the education and living skills needed to become capable parents.

Home.  A place CSSW believes everyone should be able to enjoy.

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This week, we share the story of Julia, who is involved with the CSSW program, Housing Support Services (HSS):

Things couldn’t get much worse.  Julia tried rehab, but kept relapsing; her husband and kids left long ago.  Because of her chronic alcohol addiction she couldn’t hold onto a job.  At 55, suffering from major depression, Julia was homeless.

Individuals like Julia battling life challenges don’t have to end up isolated, living in shelters, or on the streets.  In Ann Arbor, the HSS program helps tenants of Avalon Housing maintain housing and maximize personal independence.  Each client receives the level of assistance necessary to sustain independent housing.  Services include: help accessing rental assistance, transportation, connecting people with community and employment resources, and help with daily living tasks and medication management.  The HSS team is available 24/7.

For Julia, it worked.

When she first came to HSS, she had been homeless for more than two years—staying in hotels, sleeping on people’s couches, living in shelters.  CSSW helped her to get back on her feet, get medical help for her depression and other issues, and connected her with outside resources.

Today, almost three years later, Julie has a place to call home.  She is sober, secure, and hopeful. Her outlook remains positive because she is no longer alone—CSSW is there whenever, however she may need a helping hand.

This article was edited and organized by Kelly Gauthier, St. Francis Parish Peace & Justice Committee member