THOMAS HOUSE (7) - 2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Thomas House: Scope of Service for Santa Ana ESG Grant Thomas House was founded in 1986 with the mission to provide a safe, supportive environment and the resources necessary for homeless families with children to remain together while empowering them to become independent and self- sufficient. Our programs are goal- oriented and life- changing, helping families break the cycle of generational poverty or overcome situational homelessness by enhancing resiliency and providing ongoing support. Our model of providing the tools families need to obtain permanent housing and maintain their self- sufficiency long -term has made us one of the most successful shelters in Orange County. Need in Orange County The local economy has seen some recent improvements, including a welcome drop in the unemployment rate to 5.8% in January 2014 (EDD). However, the hourly wage a resident needs to afford "Fair Market Rent' for a one - bedroom apartment stands at $24.88 (2013 Community Indicators Report), more than three times the income that a minimum -wage earner can produce. The long -term recession and foreclosure crisis exacerbated what was already a difficult housing market for low- income residents, and evictions have remained high in recent years. According to the OC Fair Housing Council, there were over 14,000 evictions countywide in 2011- 12. Due to these and other factors, many families have lost their homes and are living in shelters, cars, parks, and motels while struggling to meet expenses for food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare. The Thomas House Solution Thomas House is committed to the empowerment of extremely low- income homeless and at -risk families with children. We are located in the Buena Clinton Project Area of Garden Grove, a historically "tough" neighborhood bordering Santa Ana. While many of the families we serve come to us from this and surrounding low- income neighborhoods in Garden Grove, Santa Ana, and Anaheim, our programs are available to families throughout Orange County. Our goal is to develop a full continuum of care: preventing homelessness, helping homeless families achieve and maintain permanent housing, rapidly re- housing families in need of minimal support, and eventually providing affordable housing for program graduates and other low income families. We believe that by surrounding families with supportive services, we can ensure that they regain their self- sufficiency and obtain permanent housing. Our year -round services include the following: TRANSITIONAL SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES: Each year, our Transitional Shelter helps 35 -45 homeless families with children (approx. 150 individuals) from Garden Grove and surrounding cities, providing 6 -9 months of rent -free shelter, a fully stocked kitchen, basic housekeeping and hygiene supplies, linens, and clothing. During their residency, families are required to save a minimum of 80% of their income after necessary expenses in order to help them build savings, learn life skills, and become debt -free. They work with