Effective homeless response systems seek to reduce barriers to housing and provide voluntary support services for persons experiencing a housing crisis. Our programs and services are aligned around the common goal to get people into permanent housing and help them stay there.
Permanent Supportive Housing
Permanent supportive housing is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically homeless people. The services are designed to build independent living and tenancy skills and connect people with community-based health care, treatment and employment services. [1]
Heroes
Permanent supportive housing for veteran households with a permanent disability
Households currently enrolled: 10
Housing Solutions
Permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless households who have been verified as permanently disabled
Households currently enrolled: 28
LOFT (Long Term Opportunities for Tenancy)
Permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless households who have been verified as permanently disabled
Households currently enrolled: 20
Shelter Plus Care
Permanent supportive housing for households where at least one member has a permanent disability
Households currently enrolled: 136
Rapid Re-Housing
Rapid re-housing provides short-term rental assistance and services. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self- sufficiency, and stay housed. It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the needs of the person. [2]
ESG (Emergency Solutions Grant)
Assists individuals and families to move from a situation of homelessness to housing, as well as support to increase income, self-sufficiency, and the well-being of the household.
First Steps Housing
Serves youth ages 18-24 who have the goal of obtaining and maintain permanent housing and increasing their income. Participants can immediately utilize transitional housing while they are working on locating their permanent housing.
HOME
A federally-funded rental housing program that provides low-income families with short-term financial assistance to lease safe, decent, and privately-owned housing by supplementing what they can afford to pay on their own for a period of six months.
Participating households pay 30% of their income towards rent for a period of six months. At the end of the voucher assistance, the family maintains the housing unit and begins paying the entire portion of rent.
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS)
Provides housing assistance and supportive services for eligible individuals and families. HOPWA goals are to increase housing stability, reduce the risks of homelessness and increase access to care and support.
Kent Together
Provides up to 12 months of Tenant Based Rental Assistance to low income families residing in Kent County. Individuals and families who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are eligible for this assistance.
Participating households pay 30% of their income towards rent for a period of six months. At the end of the voucher assistance, the family maintains the housing unit and begins paying the entire portion of rent.
Keys First
Quickly ends a family’s situation of homelessness. Families partner with a Housing Resource Specialist who empowers families to increase income and work towards self-sufficiency by linking them to needed community supports and resources.
PACT (Partners Achieving Change Together)
Serves those who are homeless as a result of having experienced domestic violence or who are fleeing or attempting to flee a dangerous or violent situation.
Participants can immediately utilize transitional housing if needed to provide for their emergency housing needs while they are working on locating their permanent housing.
Project HEAL
Serves those who are homeless as a result of having experienced domestic violence or who are fleeing or attempting to flee a dangerous or violent situation.
Participants can immediately utilize transitional housing if needed to provide for their emergency housing needs while they are working on locating their permanent housing.
Veterans’ Programs
We have a well coordinated and efficient community system that assures homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring and no Veteran is forced to live on the street. This means that every Veteran has access to the supports they need and want to avoid staying on the street and move quickly to permanent housing.
Veteran homeless is now rare brief and non-recurring in Kent County.
Veteran Heights PDO
Bridge housing providing Veterans with an immediate safe place to stay while they locate a permanent housing option. Veterans are linked to benefits within the VA health care system as well as community resources and natural supports.
Veteran Voices
Enhances the life skills and career development of Veterans. Goals are focused on gaining and maintaining employment to support long term stability.
Veterans TIP (Transition In Place)
Veterans are offered safe and affordable housing units within the community that are immediately ready for occupancy. Veterans receive an array of supportive services while in the unit all aimed at empowering the Veteran to assume the lease and full responsibility for the unit at the end of services.
VRS (Veteran Residential Services)
Serves veterans who are experiencing a housing crisis and who are eligible for VA health care services. Veterans can immediately enter safe and secure housing, with the goal of exiting to permanent housing within 90 days.
Special Projects
Affordable Rental Properties
Community Rebuilders offers 36 affordable rental properties within the community. These properties are placed on the private rental market for use by low income households.
Grandview Place
This apartment complex overlooking the Grand River was developed in cooperation with Woda Cooper Companies.
Beautifully Home
Supports the development of interior home space that enhances the health and well-being of formerly homeless persons in their new homes.
Visit communityrebuilders.org/support/ for more details
*Households currently enrolled as of 12/31/2020