Help for the Homeless:
Not All Homeless People Live On the Street
How We Help
Shelter Care Resources works with agency partners to help identify and assist families who are homeless or
at immediate risk of homelessness.
Case management is available to assist with housing navigation.
Definitions of Homelessness
Within the (HUD) homeless definition there are four categories of homelessness:
NOTE:
Within the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness, category 1 includes families who are doubled up, but these families are not necessarily recognized as homeless by HUD and do not necessarily qualify for assistance through HUD funds. Also, assistance for those in category 3 depends on the particular county and program.
Consequently, what assistance we can provide depends on a number of factors which include whether the family has school-aged children. All of our families seeking housing assistance and/or navigation will be required to complete a screening process to verify homelessness and qualifications. Please be patient as we do our best to find funding for assistance!
Getting Into a Shelter
Sometimes you will have to enter a shelter before you find permanent housing.
You have to be willing to follow very specific steps and rules and comply with certain policies, but the end result is having a home for your family.
We are here to help you through every step of the process.
ASSESSMENT
In order to determine a family's options for housing, we must assess the family's current and past situations.
The assessment questions are provided to us by Ventura County's Continuum of Care as a means of determining eligibility for housing.
Income and residency status need to be verified before determining a path to home. Residency status may affect the path but does not preclude assistance.
TB TEST
If you are homeless and looking for a shelter, start with this step: All shelters require a TB test. Go first to your local clinic and get one.
It may take several hours.
It will take 48 hours to verify and you usually can't get into a place before that. You will need a current TB test for you and any family members who will be living with you where you are going.
PHONE INTERVIEW
Either while you wait for your TB test or afterward, call a local shelter and ask for a phone interview. Be prepared to answer any questions they ask, even if they seem nosy. Try to be patient and be honest. People do want to help, and they don't know you so they have to ask certain questions. You may get shut down at this point. Don't be discouraged.
Just try another place. We can help you find people to call.
LIVING IN THE SHELTER
All shelters have rules and procedures that people have to follow. Some of them will require you and/or your children to get up very early and get outside. This is not ideal, but it is temporary. Take advantage of places that are open and free, like libraries and even local churches. Be where you can continue to work or get help. Do your best to have a positive attitude in this place even though it will be very difficult. You can also use this time to see what provisions are available for section 8. Use the library or Shelter Care Resources' tech center (the HATCH) to research every available assistance program.
IN-PERSON INTERVIEW
The initial intake interview is often lengthy. There may be personal questions that you don't know how to answer or don't want to answer, but answer them politely to the best of your ability. Most shelters will ask about your income and may require you to put a portion of it aside to save for a new place. This means that for as long as you live there, they have some control over your income. It is part of the process and it is not forever. The end product will be that you have money for a place of your own. It will be worth it.
Shelters
Contact Info and Websites Listed Below
The City Center
Gabriel's House
Lighthouse Women and Children's Shelter
Rain Transitional Living Center
The Rescue Mission
Salvation Army
Tender Life Maternity Home
Turning Point Foundation:
New Visions Center
I am ready to move!
Depending on whether you have section 8, city or county housing or some other kind of assistance, there are different resources available to help you find a place. By this time, you should have a social worker or case manager assigned to you, who can help you with applications.
At Shelter Care Resources we do case management for our own clients and are happy to help with the paperwork.