The Community Action Center uses the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care model, offering housing assistance that includes outreach, eviction prevention, emergency shelter, transitional housing, and help with first month?s rent for permanent housing.

Outreach

Because of its reputation and credibility in the Northfield area, the CAC is recognized as the “First Call for Help” by people in the community, by local clergy and police, and by regional organizations. As an active member of local and regional networks like the Rice County Homeless Response Team, the CAC works collaboratively to address homelessness and other problems arising from the critical shortage of affordable housing. Staff receive frequent referrals from other local agencies and from friends and families of people caught in a housing crisis.

To assist people searching for housing in the Northfield area, the CAC maintains a list of area apartment complexes (including the number of units and their current rents) and of subsidized housing units and programs available in Rice county. This information is updated annually.

Utility Shut-Off’s

Heat and electricity are an essential aspect of stable housing, especially in a state where the weather can pose a severe hazard to safety and well being. CAC staff help people facing a power shut off with referrals to energy assistance (administered by Three Rivers Community Action), Heat Share (a program of The Salvation Army), or emergency assistance (through Rice County Social Services or Catholic Charities Rural Outreach). Sometimes the outstanding bill requires a cooperative effort by several agencies, including the CAC, to restore power. CAC staff may provide an interest free loan or a small grant from another funding source for utility payments.

Eviction Prevention

When a family or individual faces eviction because of a financial crisis, CAC staff can assist with access to appropriate programs administered by Rice County Social Services, Three Rivers Community Action, or other area agencies. When these resources are not available, staff may assist with CAC funds, usually provided as an interest-free loan up to a maximum of $300. Due to limited funding, such requests must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency Shelter

With support from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning the CAC operates the only homeless shelter in Rice county. CAC staff place one family or individual at a time in a local apartment rented for temporary shelter; they may stay for 14 days, depending on circumstances. The CAC provides food, local phone service, and staff support with housing search and resource information and referral during this stay. Individuals or families who present high risk factors (particularly for substance abuse, violence, or other illegal activity) may be ineligible for placement in the CAC shelter. Because of increasing demand, the CAC gives priority in shelter placement to families with children.

The CAC may also provide emergency shelter through motel stays of 1 to 3 nights. Such stays are typically reserved for households whose health or safety requires it (often in cold weather months or when domestic abuse is a consideration). After regular business hours, the CAC cooperates with local police and area churches in serving transients or people stranded in the Northfield area who need temporary shelter at a local motel. In 2002, 110 people (57 adults and 53 children) used the CAC shelter program. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 2000 Article).

Transitional Housing with Support Services

Through a partnership with Three Rivers Community Action, the City of Northfield, the local Housing Redevelopment Authority and area churches, the CAC operates two units of transitional housing for homeless individuals and families. Households pay 30% of their income toward rent. They rent the units for 6 months or longer (maximum stay is 24 months). They participate in case management with a social worker and work to achieve goals in different life dimensions (education,, employment, health). The main goals of the program are to secure permanent affordable housing and family stabilization. Case management services are an integral part of achieving these goals.

A grant through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development supports the program. Participants must meet the HUD definition of homeless to qualify:

* Living on the street, in vehicles or in other places not meant for human habitation,
* exiting an emergency shelter,
* fleeting domestic violence,
* facing discharge within a week from an institution with no subsequent residence,
* being evicted within a week with no other possible residence.

Participants must also successfully complete a screening process, comply with program rules, and follow staff recommendations concerning their health and safety. Half of the rent paid is held in an escrow account for costs associated with permanent affordable housing when participants successfully complete the program. Volunteers from area churches and community groups assist participants with practical needs and informal support through WIN teams (Well Being in Northfield).

Through its transitional housing program, the CAC provides a concentrated, holistic, community-based approach to working with homeless people. Participants, staff and volunteers work together to overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Volunteers often model the life skills that participants are trying to develop and can offer the informal support participants need to preserve. Staff provide training and support to volunteers as they work with participants in a balanced team approach that complements case management.

Goals of the transitional housing program include:

* assisting participants to obtain and remain in permanent housing,
* assisting participants to increase their skills and/or income,
* assisting participants to achieve greater self-determination,
* expanding local resources and extending community capacity to respond to rural homelessness,
* increasing local opportunities for rural congregations to act on shared principals of social justice while respecting individual beliefs.

WIN – Interfaith Housing and Hospitality

Well-being In Northfield (WIN) connects congregations and the community for mutual aid, understanding and enrichment through interfaith efforts for social justice. WIN links the social justice efforts of Northfield area congregations with the Community Action Center and advises the CAC in program development.

The Interfaith Housing and Hospitality Collaborative builds relationships and promotes partnerships between homeless people, congregational volunteers, and the community.

The goals of the collaborative are:

* to improve the likelihood of long-term self-sufficiency and household stability for neighbors who have been homeless;
* to expand local resources and extend community capacity to respond to homelessness;
* to educate ourselves and others about the real issues that affect people in crisis;
* to increase local opportunities to act on shared principles of social justice while respecting individual beliefs.

For more information about WIN please contact Sue Warring at 664.3560 or e-mail at warring.sue@communityactioncenter.org.

First Month’s Rent

Families or individuals who locate affordable housing but cannot manage the initial expense (damage deposit, 1st month’s & sometimes last month’s rent) may also obtain CAC loans when other resources are unavailable.

What is Home?

What is Home?

Home is where belonging feels secure
Home is where each of us learn to weave
together the threads that for the vision,
strength and hope for our future
Home is where people learn to give and
receive, to share with one another and
to care deeply for, and also beyond,
one’s self.
Home is where the clay of our souls is
molded, formed, shaped,
with gentleness and respect
“home again” is where we all belong.