HomeStart Expansion
Last year, Doorways served 25 families in our expanded HomeStart Program consisting of 34 adults and 38 children.
HomeStart Expands with Federal Stimulus Funding
Doorways’ was fortunate to receive federal stimulus funds to expand our HomeStart program to serve a broader segment of those at risk of homelessness. This expanded program serves homeless and near-homeless families with brief, time-limited case management services (in most cases just 3-6 months) coupled with rental subsidies and other financial assistance from Arlington County.
The HomeStart expansion provides services to families who can qualify for a lease and present with housing barriers that can be resolved in a relatively brief time frame, a contrast to traditional HomeStart families who may require longer access to housing subsidies and supportive services.
Doorways’ new Case Manager who provides intensive case management and home-based support to 9-12 households at a time who are enrolled in this expanded program.
A Collaborative Model
In October 2009, Arlington County received funding from the federal stimulus and began the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program to serve individuals and families facing homelessness due to the recession. Doorways shares this funding in partnership with the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless, the Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, and Northern Virginia Family Service.
Each agency participates in a Housing Services Team, along with staff from Arlington’s Department of Human Services. This collaborative model, in which short-term financial assistance is combined with housing-focused case management, has proven to be successful, and has been a critical component of participating households’ long-term stability.
