|
The mission of the Housing Partnership of the Fox Cities is:
- To be the low cost provider of quality affordable housing to low income families living in the Fox Cities.
- To provide families, adults and children, the opportunity to realize their potential and make a lasting contribution to society through effective transitional housing and supportive services.
Our Values:
- The Housing Partnership believes that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves to be treated with respect and live with dignity in permanent housing. We pledge our commitment to providing cost effective, quality housing that is clean, safe, and sanitary.
- The Housing Partnership believes that without meaningful intervention, people born into poverty tend to remain in poverty. This phenomenon can last many generations thus establishing a “cycle of poverty” that is difficult to break. The Housing Partnership’s Programs strives to break this cycle by giving needy families the skills and training support needed to pull themselves out of poverty.
- The Housing Partnership values its relationships with other agencies. As such, we participate in the Fox Cities Housing Coalition and work jointly with other agencies on grant applications and other collaborative opportunities that fit within our mission.
- The Housing Partnership will help other organizations and individuals in the community develop an understanding of housing issues by providing volunteer opportunities in home construction and family selection. We will also actively promote the need for affordable housing to the community-at-large.
The Housing Partnership operates three programs that provide different levels of opportunity and support. In all three programs families pay 30% of their monthly income toward rent.
Affordable Rental Program (43-45 units)
The Affordable Rental Program is available to families that have an income level below 50% of the county median income ($33,800 for a family of four). At least one of the family members must be employed or have a stable source of income. Other adults in the household have up to three months to obtain employment or demonstrate a documented disability. Families in the Affordable Rental Program generally do not have a need for supportive services, they just need time to obtain gainful employment which can support a move to market rate housing.
Families may stay in the Affordable Rental Program as long as they need assistance with their housing expenses. The Housing Partnership in turn expects they maintain good tenancy during this time period.
Permanent Supportive Housing (6 units)
In order to qualify for our Permanent Supportive Housing Program, potential tenants must be homeless and be mentally or physically disabled. Individuals and families receive supportive services include case management and life skills training. There is no maximum length of stay in this program as long as families maintain good tenancy.
Transitional Housing Program (16-18 units)
The Transitional Housing Program is the signature program of the Housing Partnership. This program not only provides affordable housing, but also provides case management and life skills training to help individuals break the cycle of poverty.
In order to qualify for the Transitional Housing Program families must be homeless. This may mean that they live in a shelter, car, be “doubled up” with another family, or be in another place not associated with permanent housing. Families must have incomes below 30% of the county median income ($20,300 for a family of four people). The head of household must be at least 18 in order to qualify for this program. Tenants can stay in the Transitional Housing Program for 18 months.
Families in this program receive supportive services from our case manager and life skills coordinator.
Case Management
Case management provides a “hand up” for families in our Transitional Housing and Permanent Supportive Housing Programs. Our program is “family focused” which means we provide services to everyone in the family. Tenants are connected to community resources that help them find employment, access transportation, receive essential mental health/health care, learn parent skills, and receive tenant training. The Housing Partnership uses the “Rent Smart” curriculum developed by UW Fox Valley. This 11 week course teaches families how to be better neighbors and better tenants.
Life Skills Training
Our life skills coordinator provides assistance with daily living skills in three areas: serving as a representative of the landlord, life “health” practitioner, and returning to the occupation of living. As a representative of a landlord, our life skills coordinator models and teaches expectations of landlords in fair market rent housing. Life skills training includes home health and safety, budgeting, coping skills, education (often helping tenants find resources to complete their GED or HSED, employment skills (like resume writing and interviewing skills), and time management. Returning to the “occupation of living” means promoting independence and self-sufficiency. The goal of our life skills training program is to give families the opportunity to successfully move from transitional to mainstream housing. |
|
