Shasta County’s CalWORKs program has secured $626,699 in state funding to provide supportive housing for up to 82 homeless families. The funding provides a rent subsidy for an average of six to nine months and also financial support for other barriers to housing, including paying for credit checks, security deposits, utility deposits and mailbox keys.
“The path to a healthy life often begins with stable housing,” said Donnell Ewert, Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency Director. “These funds are an important addition to the continuum of services that support families in our community.”
The funding is from SB 855, the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) Housing Support Program, and uses the successful Rapid Re-housing model that includes housing identification, rent and move-in assistance and case management services. The program will hire two new housing case managers, who will educate clients on being good renters, negotiating with landlords, budgeting and other life skills.
“This program helps clients save money, establish good credit and learn what it takes to get back on your feet,” said Laura McDuffey, Community Development Coordinator for the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. “Families will gain skills through this program that will help them through an immediate crisis and last them a lifetime.”
For information about CalWORKs and other Shasta County programs, go to www.shastahhsa.net
