“There by the grace of God go I”

Ending homelessness through the character of a true Christian Friend

How did they become homeless?“Today, most households become homeless as a result of a financial crisis that prevents them from paying the rent, or a domestic conflict that results in one member being ejected or leaving with no resources or plan for housing. Most households who become homeless today have already lived in independent permanent housing, and they can generally return and remain stably housed with limited assistance.”

Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness, Rapid Rehousing: Creating Programs that work, July 2009,

http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/2450_file_Rapid_Re_Housing_Guide_July_2009.pdf

The Facts• Mortality rates for the homeless are

three times higher than those housed• People who are homeless spend

more time in jail and prison• No one that is homeless WANTS to

live on the street!

“In the wake of the area's hottest recorded summer and with the economy still in free fall, Austin's traditional social service buffer zones have been feeling the heat more than ever.”

Source: Marc Savlov – Austin Statesmen Article dated October 9, 2009

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A891226

More Facts• 1 of 8 women in homeless situations

report being raped• 26% of those in homeless situations

report infectious conditions• 46% of those in homeless situations

report chronic health conditions related to their living situation and inability to access adequate healthcare

• 69% of those in homeless situations report being arrested or harassed merely because of being homeless (i.e. they broke no law)

• Nearly 100% of those in homeless situations report going hungry a portion of the time they are homeless.

“For too long and too often, becoming homeless has been akin to entering a black hole. Without the anchor of home, people have lived without knowing where they would find their next bed, their next meal, or if they would have to do without.”

Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness, Rapid Rehousing: Creating Programs that work, July 2009,

http://www.endhomelessness.org/files/2450_file_Rapid_Re_Housing_Guide_July_2009.pdf

Housing Facts Austin/Travis County

“Austin is short 1,800 units of housing for this population, which represents an unmet need of 52% for the homeless in our community.”

Austin/Travis County Continuum of Care

http://www.caction.org/homeless/continuum/finalCoC2008ExhibitICommunityOverview.pdf

• Chronically Homeless- 919 – Sheltered- 242

– Unsheltered- 677 • Severely Mentally Ill- 662

– Sheltered- 323 – Unsheltered- 339

• Chronic Substance Abuse- 875 – Sheltered- 262 – Unsheltered- 613

• Veterans- 206 – Sheltered- 79 – Unsheltered- 127

• Persons with HIV/AIDS- 56 – Sheltered- 14 – Unsheltered- 42

• Victims of Domestic Violence- 390 – Sheltered- 284 – Unsheltered- 106

• Unaccompanied Youth (Under 18)- 91 – Sheltered- 28 – Unsheltered- 63Source: Austin’s Homeless Housing & Population Statistics. September 30, 2009,

http://blogs.utexas.edu/housing/2009/09/30/austin-homeless-housing-population-statistics/#more-28

ML & F Solution: Habitat on Wheels

• Currently, has over 40 residents• Living independently in 32RVs • 6 RV communities around Austin. • Maintained a > 85% success rate.

“It is small in size, but a mansion to me”- current HOW residentabout his MLF trailer home

Habitat on Wheels: Low Cost Accommodations

• RVs (~$10,000)

• sit-built Park Homes ($~12,000)

• Camping Cottages (~$2,500)

ML & F Vision: Jennifer Gale Village• The target market for this community are those individuals who are chronically homeless. No

children will be allowed. • 100 pads each capable of accommodating one RV or site-built Park Home• 50 permanent camping cottages• 20% of the population with individuals who have not experienced homelessness.

Jennifer Gale Village: FAQ’sCan homeless people live independently like this?

For over four years Mobile Loaves & Fishes has been lifting homeless people off of the streets of Austin into affordable and sustainable Recreational Vehicles.

Where will Jennifer Gale Village be located?We are working with the City of Austin and other stakeholders to identify the best location for Jennifer Gale Village.

Who is eligible to live in Jennifer Gale Village?To be eligible one must first be chronically homeless as defined in the City of Austin’s Ten YearPlan to End Chronic Homelessness.

Is this transitional housing?No! This is permanent housing. It is intended that those who qualify can live here permanently providing they pay their rent and abide by civil law and the rules of the community.

How many people can live in a RV or park home?One, but if married then two.

Jennifer Gale Village: Agency Collaboration

• New Life Institute Counseling, mediation, education, training, and spiritual direction, ‐• House the Homeless – Income Viability Disability Benefits‐• Catholic Charities of Central Texas –Case management and food pantry• services.• Front Steps –1.5 full time case manager • Family Eldercare – Half time case manager• Payer/Representative Payee Service. Will provide prospective residents for Jennifer• Gale Village. Office space will be provided onsite.• Caritas Re Entry Program – Will provide prospective residents for Jennifer Gale Village‐• Lifeworks – Will provide prospective residents for Jennifer Gale Village

How you can help?Biggest Needs:

First, is the land to develop this concept. A capital campaign. Those in the construction trades to come forward and participate in the development and construction of Jennifer Gale Village..

How can I/my organization become involved?If you are a carpenter, therapist, gardener, business person, lawyer, engineer, cook, whatever your walk in life, we can use you to befriend our residents.

We need Churches, Synagogues, Mosques, Civic Organizations and individuals to be engaged with thiscommunity.

Contact Alan Graham at alan@mlfnow.org or call (512) 328-7299Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/mlfnowWebsite: http://www.mlfnow.org/HOW Website: http://www.mlfnow.org/howEmail: info@mlfnow.org