Neighborhood Development Annual Report FY18-19

Homelessness Prevention

Welcome HOME Welcome Housing Opportunities Matching Employment (HOME) is a joint effort pilot program between our department, Office of Workforce Development, and Salvation Army of Greensboro. Clients in the Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program are paired with pre- employment assistance, job training, and work experience. The RRH model is a national best practice in helping to end homelessness. Studies show that it is more cost effective to rapidly rehouse individuals experiencing homelessness rather than to allow them to remain in a shelter. Additionally, research demonstrates that those who receive RRH assistance are homeless for shorter periods of time than those assisted with shelter or transitional housing. The goals are to help people obtain housing quickly, increase self-sufficiency, stay housed, and find permanent employment.

Maranda, a single mother of three boys, was stuck in a pattern of homelessness. Through the Salvation Army, Maranda was introduced to our housing and employment program called “Welcome HOME.”Maranda was the first to experience Welcome HOME’s life-changing opportunities. She says the program helped her refocus, start a new job, and learn how to make a house a home – a real home.

Maranda’s Story