There are programs in Fresno County that can help people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These programs can help pay for a new place to live, or they can provide resources to help someone keep their current home. This program offers a combination of short-term help from Emergency Solution Grants and other HUD-funded programs from the federal government, as well as long-term self-sufficiency services.
Fresno residents can access a total of five different types of assistance. These include food, housing, medical, financial, and employment assistance. Some financial assistance is available from the government or other organizations to help with expenses related to housing or other needs. Other assistance may be in the form of case management, which can help people become self-sufficient. The goal of all the support is to stop the pattern of someone becoming homeless again after being evicted.
Some non-profits in the county are given money each year to help struggling tenants. ESG relies on the Housing and Urban Development department for funding of eviction prevention programs. Some people who apply for help may have recently lost their job, have an unexpected expense like a medical bill, or be experiencing a short-term crisis.
If a family in Fresno has been given an eviction notice by their landlord because of certain issues, then they may be eligible for a grant. The money can be used to pay for things like a part of a utility bill that’s owed, rent, or help a family pay for legal aid. The ESG grant awardee has staff who will work with a landlord to find a solution that allows the family to stay in their current apartment. ESG grants can be used to help pay for a more affordable home and assist with moving costs if the original housing situation is not possible to maintain.
If a motel can be found for the family, the program will also pay for a limited number of nights in the motel. The homeless prevention programs in Fresno County can help an evicted family by providing a place to stay in an emergency shelter. If a motel is available, the program can also help pay for a limited number of nights in the motel. If an emergency shelter is full or if the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, then a motel or hotel voucher may be provided to them.
This type of help is only temporary and not very common. This will allow the client to access case management services that will help them increase their income and rebuild their finances. The residents of the housing unit will then be able to move into a new, lower-income housing unit.
Case management is the process of providing a client with the tools they need for stability. The goal is to stop the pattern of people being kicked out of their homes and becoming homeless. If the cycle is not stopped, then research suggests the problem can be passed down to future generations.
A case worker will meet with the person they are helping. The curriculum covers topics such as home management, budgeting, credit repair, life skills, job preparation, and referral to drug and alcohol services. This process must be completed successfully before the client can be moved into a new home as part of the rapid rehousing program in Fresno County.
Transitional housing is housing that is intended to provide a temporary place to live for people who have recently been evicted from their homes. This housing is often called “bridge housing” because it is intended to provide a temporary solution for people who are in need of a place to live. The rehousing process can help move a family from being homeless into a new home. Many people who leave a shelter will take this step.
The client will not be able to live for free, but will have to pay a percentage of their income towards rent. It will allow the person to live in a shared apartment for a period of time. Support is provided for people living in transitional housing on an ongoing basis.
Any eviction prevention program will require the family to have a source of income, but it can be very minimal. The applicant from Fresno County needs to show that they can keep up with the rent payments on a new home. If they can’t do this, then it will be difficult to break the cycle of homelessness. This means that the applicant may be living in poverty or just above the poverty line as set by the United States Department of Health and Humans Services.
Applying for homeless prevention or rapid rehousing in Fresno County
If you need more information, you can call 866.559.4211. People who are being threatened with eviction in Fresno County can learn about their options from various sources.