First Steps Transitional Housing Program
The First Steps program provides six to twelve months of case management and financial support to homeless adults moving into transitional or permanent housing. The goals of the program are to ensure stability and to remain permanently housed. The focus of the program is to increase income through employment and/or public benefits, as well as to improve stability by addressing issues such as mental illness, substance abuse, lack of identification, medical needs, education, and other barriers to stability.
Participants are selected from the Front Steps case management program or Streets of Hope program based on a demonstrated commitment to work on self-sufficiency goals. The participating clients meet at least twice monthly with their case manager and participate in life skills classes that focus on job readiness, money and household management and other pertinent issues. First Steps provides financial support, including rental assistance, to participants with limited income or a savings match for those with employment or benefit income.
Terry Blackwell,
Client Services Specialist