An ounce of prevention is worth…
The housing stability for over 214 families who have been referred to Community of Hope. These families have benefitted from the DC government’s launch of the Prevention of Homelessness program. They have come in our doors seeking any assistance available to stay stably housed, usually sharing a home with a family member or friend.
With the support of our Homelessness Prevention Case Managers – our champions at problem-solving – over 90 percent of the families have remained stably housed or found a more accommodating living situation. The good news for these mothers, fathers and children is that they have not entered the shelter system and have been able to remain connected to their natural systems of family and community that will help them succeed sooner.
The good news for the homelessness system is that at this point the cost of avoiding shelter is just 10 percent of the cost of families staying in shelter for a year.
We are working hard with partner organizations and the DC government to establish a solid system and help our city end – and prevent – homelessness.
That means Hope for moms like this one who was told “you can stay here for two days, but you have to find somewhere to go before the blizzard comes.” Not knowing where she and her two-year-old son will stay to brave the storm, she turned to Community of Hope’s Prevention of Homelessness program. Today, we were able to ensure that she and her son won’t be stuck in the cold this weekend.
