There’s a relatively new trend in programs aimed at providing shelter and services to the homeless. Known as “Rapid Re-Housing,” the idea was given a boost by federal funding under President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
According to Wikipedia, the on-line encyclopedia, rapid re-housing “is a relatively recent innovation in human service programs and social policy regarding treatment of the homeless and is an alternative to a system of emergency shelter/transitional housing progressions. Rather than moving homeless individuals through different ‘levels’ of housing, known as the Continuum of Care, whereby each level moves them closer to ‘independent housing’ (for example: from the streets to a public shelter, and from a public shelter to a transitional housing program, and from there to their own apartment in the community) Housing First (rapid re-housing) moves the homeless individual or household immediately from the streets or homeless shelters into their own apartments.”
On July 31 the St. Mary’s County Commissioners approved a grant application to the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Two-thirds of the $75,000 being sought in the grant would be for rapid re-housing. Three shelters would benefit from the grant, if received: Three Oaks, Leah’s House and Angel’s Watch, with Three Oaks receiving the largest share.
Three Oaks Center Director Lanny Lancaster appeared before the commissioners along with representatives of the Department of Aging and Human Services, which is applying for the grant. Lancaster told the Bay Net, “It is a good thing because it works.”
Lancaster told the commissioners that rental housing is used in St. Mary’s County for rapid re-housing. He said Three Oaks has good rapport with owners of rental housing. “We have convinced them over time. They understand we are not just dumping them,” Lancaster said of Three Oaks program that not only places the homeless in rental housing but provides on-going assistance that includes assigning a case manager and providing employment assistance.
Lancaster told the Bay Net that homelessness comes in many forms, including living in the woods to “bouncing
