When serving the homeless, there is only one thing more important than getting people into safe emergency shelter that fits their needs—and that is getting them out.

In all the years I have worked in this field, I have never met anyone who wished to live in an emergency shelter, although there are many who are happy to have that option versus the streets or some other situation.

What all people want is a safe place of their own with a little privacy. 

Years ago, I managed a supportive housing program with over 400 apartments. A new tenant who had lived on the streets came to sign his lease and broke down in tears when he was handed a key. He explained that it had been five years since he had been able to take off all his clothes and take a shower or bath because he had been living in congregate settings or on the streets for so long.

Louisville and other communities across the country have focused on creating housing for the homeless for over a decade, but it's been difficult to provide the services needed to help people make this transition on their own timelines.

Two-year-old Amare and his big brother, "Junior," stand with their parents. Courtesy Louisville Magazine.

For example, we create daytime programs because it is easier for agencies to manage staff then, but homeless people are in shelters in the evenings. And we guide each client through every single step that we feel is necessary to help them become independent—even though national studies have shown more success when we quickly move people to independence and support them in their own housing.

When we talk about income, employment, family supports and other resources the first day someone enters shelter, they are less likely to settle into a routine in shelter and more focused on getting to a place of their own. And when those who have successfully made this transition can speak as peers about what worked, it shortens shelters stays and helps free up shelter for others who need the space.

In fact, Focus Strategies has created a tool to help communities assess whether they actually need more shelter, or if the true need is different: an alignment of shelter to fit specific groups of people in need, performance improvement through diversion, or moving people who do enter shelter quickly into housing options.

Louisville has just begun trying these strategies through prevention/diversion staff located at the Coalition for the Homeless. Two staff members were hired last year to focus on getting families housed as quickly as possible. This year, that program will add another staff person and expand to serve individuals ready to move quickly to permanent housing options and hopefully avoid shelter all together.

You can learn more about this program from this great article in Louisville Magazine. You can help those served through the program move more quickly by donating through our website and indicating that you would like these funds to be used to assist families in the prevention/diversion program as they work to move quickly to a place of their own. 

Natalie

About Us

The Coalition for the Homeless's mission is to prevent and end homelessness in Louisville through advocacy, education, and the coordination of our 31 member agencies. We have been the lead advocate for Louisville's homeless since 1986, when we were founded after several people died on Louisville's streets.

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• Make a donation: louhomeless.org/donate
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Thank you so much for your continued support!

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