Our Homework Starts with Home (HSWH) Day 1 program offers families with school-age children rapid rehousing in Washington County. This means we provide move-in assistance and monthly rental assistance, with the goal that families pay full rent within 12-24 months. The program provides educational supports for children, and other person-centered services designed to help families achieve housing and economic stability. Children can stay in their same school thereby increasing stability and creating positive outcomes at home and in school.
HSWH Day 1 funds were crucial to a multi-generational family of 10 who lost everything in a housefire. They were staying in a shelter and trying hard to remain together. Their barrier to finding housing was occupancy limits that wouldn’t allow their whole family to remain together.
Mom had a full-time job at Walmart and Dad was looking for work. The HSWH program manager intervened with the shelter where they were living and approached the board of directors for an extension. The shelter granted an extension so that the family could stay there another 30 days.
The Solid Ground HSWH team got to work calling properties they knew and looking everywhere for housing. With just three days to spare, the HSWH coordinator received a call from a property manager. He said that he would be able to house the family in two separate three-bedroom apartments, but in the same complex. The family moved in four days later. Within a week, Dad found a job. The family was able to stay together and start addressing school and work challenges.
2022 Statistics
- In 2022, the program served 56 adults and children (13 families).
At Solid Ground we create opportunities for housing stability, increased economic stability, educational advancement, and improved health and wellness. Committed to the ‘Housing First’ philosophy, Solid Ground moves people out of homelessness and into housing first, then provides person-centered, holistic support and services essential for long-term stability.