Our Solutions
A shared living space solution that has individualized bed/sleeping areas paired with general family/work areas. Eating area is communal with meals prepared by staff.
Step One: Transitional Housing Services
In Mecklenburg County, NC, there is the Coordinated Entry Program managed through 211 services. In this program anyone calls and is given an appointment for evaluation of need counseling. This has made a huge impact on decreasing homelessness. However, gaps in this safety net do exist. Currently, the timing between evaluation and placement can be as much as 2-3 weeks. To prevent this, the county is partnered with a number of non-profits that provide temporary housing until a suitable transitional solution is available.
In our step one following the call to 211, an individual or a family can present the next day, (sometimes the same day), to our transitional house service for placement. The individual or family may remain with us until a more permanent location is found through county services or until they move the steps of our program. This is not an either or solution for us. We want to best outcome with a combination of services or single path.
Step Two & Three: Evaluation, Counseling, and Support Services
In this phase, the traditional county placement guidelines will be followed. Typically individuals remain in Step Two until housing is identified consistent with the level of income achieved. Within Step Two, individuals can take advantage of the many services provided. Such as counseling, job placement, budgeting classes, health services, and other support activities. These measures are undertaken with to move the housing insecure to a more stable environment. The next step for many of the persons that find themselves here is a small apartment or home that is sustainable with costs in line with workforce housing. Often a shared housing arrangement is necessary. This allows the individual to ensure their job is secured and skills learned from the various shelter programs can provide ongoing security.
Shared housing of rental home/apartment living is a maybe reasonable options when moving from a community housing space. We see these options as extensions of our transitional spaces and not the end goal. Safe Haven House proposes its Step Three to include housing tailored more to the situational need. For instance, a female veteran with children needs to consider a safe space for herself and family.
This is an example of a two family living space that shares common areas such as great room and powder room. There are two secure family sections that has its own bedrooms,(two or three), family room, kitchen and one and one-half baths.
In Step Three, Baiytul Amil has created partnerships to build various affordable options to assist with movement to permanent housing be it condominium, townhouse or single family structures.
Homes are identified for these families at workforce housing renal rates or for purchase if it is the desire of the family. These homes will be placed in communities around the city where children can walk home from school or exit a bus in full peace of mind. The transitional services offered by Baiytul Amil can include after school, day care, extended care, (for those parents required to work evening shifts), or tutorial services. These transitional services are provided at no additional cost and are designed to allow the parent to work the needed hours to further secure the family’s future success. For the families in a stable rented apartment or home that wishes to move forward, Baiytul Amil offers Step Four.