What to Know About Transitional Housing

It is very important for you to find a place to live during these hard times. This is why transitional housing is vital. You will want to apply for transitional housing until you are back on your feet. This article will tell you eight things you need to know about transitional housing. It’s a good idea that you are concerned about your living situation; this is a serious issue. In any case, you should chin up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel; you simply need to continue walking. (It sucks that you are struggling; however, it is great that there is help all around you. Just, look at the bright side and the rest will follow.)

What is Transitional Housing?

The transitional housing program was made to help those that need a home for a temporary timeframe. This program will help you until you can track down a reasonable and affordable housing unit that you can stay in. There are various entities that provide this program, whether it is a non-profit, or government-approved. This temporary housing program could also offer subsidies that you do not need to reimburse!

Qualification for this program differs from one entity to another. In any case, many individuals can benefit from these programs, since they focus on a specific target group. This could be Transitional Housing for Married Couples, The Transitional Housing Program For Homeless Families, and so much more! You should contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to get the data you need to apply and what requirements you need to meet to qualify for the program. Since these projects are regulated and administered on a local and state level, the nearest Public Housing Authority will point you toward the closest transitional housing program.

The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) characterizes transitional housing as “a project that is designed to provide housing and appropriate supportive services to homeless persons to facilitate movement to independent living. The housing is short-term, typically less than 24 months. In addition to providing safe housing for those in need, other services are available to help participants become self-sufficient.”

Types of Transitional Housing

There are four types of transitional housing and each type aims to assist a certain type of living situation. The four kinds of momentary lodging are: emergency shelters, transitional shelters, rapid re-housing (RRH), and permanent supportive housing (PSH). Some of these transitional housing programs help low-income individuals and families at different at-risk levels. As an example, emergency shelters can help you, if you need a place to stay for a few nights. On the other hand, permanent supportive housing helps low-income individuals and families find permanent lodging.

The most important thing that you ought to do is find out which type of transitional housing could help your current living situation.

Emergency Shelters

More often than not, individuals look for emergency shelters when they are temporarily suffering for a place to stay. Emergency shelters are temporary units that help families and people during a difficult time in their lives. Obviously, you can’t expect a mint on your cushion in emergency shelters, but it is still a place to stay. Emergency shelters offer support and temporary housing until you can find a permanent residence. Emergency shelters follow the ”the early bird gets the worm” premise. This means that you need to get to the emergency shelters as early as possible, so that you can find a place to stay.

Most emergency shelters also provide basic needs that you will need during your time of stay. During that time, you can develop a game plan and find out what your next move could be, without worrying about where to sleep tonight.

Transitional Shelters

Transitional shelters are transitional housing programs that offer temporary housing for low-income families and individuals. You can stay in transitional shelters for quite some time, from six months to two years. While emergency shelters are accessible for a couple of hours up to one day, transitional shelters permit you to stay for a longer period of time. Transitional shelters offer support services that allow you to further develop your employability. These services will assist you with tracking down job openings and developing skills that will assist you in the workforce. Furthermore, these transitional shelters will assist you with efficiently and effectively tracking down a possible home for you and your family.

Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)

Rapid Re-Housing is a transitional housing model that offers assistance to low-income families and individuals that track down a permanent home at the earliest opportunity. This option permits you to rent a housing unit for you and your family. Furthermore, you will be able to receive community support services. The main objective of the Rapid Re-Housing program is to delay homelessness for low-income families and individuals.

The Rapid Re-Housing Program is a handy solution for any individual who cannot track down a housing unit, but desperately needs one. This program will assist you with finding a home and other benefits that you may require to find a home.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a lodging program that gives permanent housing units to families and individuals who need it. The main target group for Permanent Supportive Housing is individuals with a disability and who constantly remain homeless. Permanent Supportive Housing offers a steady housing unit for individuals and support services administrations. These support services are essential, because they will help individuals break the cycle of homelessness. You will be able to learn how to avoid homelessness and how to achieve self-sufficiency. One of the main objectives of Permanent Supportive Housing is to combat homelessness and reduce the number of homeless people that live on the streets.

Permanent Supportive Housing versus Temporary Housing

With housing, you will have two options. You can either find temporary shelter or a permanent housing unit. There is a big difference between both types of housing, obviously. Permanent Supportive Housing is affordable housing units that are strongly linked to support services. These support services can help with addiction treatment, case management, and life skills. Permanent Supportive Housing does not have a time limit for the occupants and the target group is individuals with disabilities. This means that you will need someone to help you at home.

However, temporary housing is a temporary solution to the housing issue. This implies that there is a time limit, especially with emergency shelters and transitional housing. Emergency shelters provide housing for people for ninety hours, while transitional shelters offer housing for people for two years.

Target Groups for Transitional Housing

Transitional housing does not only target low-income families and individuals. There are some transitional housing programs that  aim to assist different groups of people. You might find that there are transitional housing programs that help recovering addicts, veterans, and even domestic violence victims. These target groups can find transitional housing that is tailor-made for their situation.

Recovering Addicts

For recovering addicts, transitional housing (or halfway houses) helps people who are currently recovering from an addiction through a live-in, group setting. Typically, these facilities are group homes and do not restrict people’s freedom, as opposed to rehabilitation centers. With halfway houses, people can come and go as they please; all they have to do is follow the facility’s rules and regulations. There are some halfway homes that have a curfew and require random drug tests. This is to ensure that the group remains sober throughout their stay. Sometimes, recovering addicts could pay a portion of the rent and cover their own expenses.

These halfway homes create a structure that helps people overcome their addiction and provide a network of support. This will help them re-integrate into society and succeed on their own.

Homeless Veterans

One of the main issues of veterans is living with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse. In this case, these factors often lead to homelessness. If you face homelessness and you are a veteran, then you should consider contacting the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans. You can also contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, if you are at-risk of homelessness.

There are organizations such as Volunteers of America, which provide transitional housing for veterans and their families. If a veteran is also suffering from addiction or other challenges, these organizations provide assistance as well.

Domestic Violence Victims

Similar to homeless veterans, domestic violence victims have the option to contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline. If you are experiencing domestic violence and you are facing homelessness, then you should contact them for assistance. There are many different organizations and resources that provide transitional housing. One of the main issues for domestic violence victims is that they do not have a place to stay after exiting a dangerous situation. This forces them to stay with their partner. To combat this issue, many resources help domestic violence victims find transitional housing until they can get back on their feet.

Conclusion

According to the Housing and Urban Development Department, transitional living means “a project that is designed to provide housing and appropriate supportive services to homeless persons to facilitate movement to independent living. The housing is short-term, typically less than 24 months. In addition to providing safe housing for those in need, other services are available to help participants become self-sufficient.” This means that transitional housing will solve your housing issue for a temporary timeframe. But, temporary is better than nothing at all.

There are four types of transitional housing and each type varies. Additionally, there are different target groups for transitional housing.  You will find that there are transitional housing programs that help low-income families and individuals, recovering addicts, domestic violence victims, and homeless veterans. These programs will provide housing units for a temporary period of time and support services. Support services include: case management, assistance in reintegration to society, and life skills.

It might not be the best solution, but it is still a solution. If you face homelessness or are at-risk of homelessness, then you should contact these organizations for assistance. You never know what you might find and these types of housing assistance could go a long way for you.