There are lots of situations in which you may find yourself in immediate need of temporary accommodation. Foreclosure, domestic abuse or violence, and financial loss are all prevalent scenarios. People who are relocated are frequently able to find a place to stay with a family member. Some people may choose to live in their cars or in a van sometimes.
Unfortunately, many people may not have any of these options. If that is the case for you, you should consider temporary transitional housing programs. You may not have heard of it before since transitional housing is not as popular as other housing assistance programs such as Public Housing.
When you need immediate housing, you can always apply for transitional housing. First and foremost, you should understand what transitional housing is and the many types of it.
What Is Transitional Housing?
Temporary transitional housing is a supportive program that works as a bridge between homelessness and permanent housing. This aid is available from a variety of sources, including shelters, government programs, religious organizations, and charities.
Unfortunately, transitional temporary housing receives only a small percentage of the government’s homeless budget. This housing program assists people who are in need of a temporary residence. You can always turn to transitional housing for a short time until you can find a long-term housing unit. Furthermore, you are not required to repay any financial help that you receive from transitional housing.
The Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) describes transitional living as a project that aims to provide appropriate housing and supportive services to homeless people in order to facilitate their transition to independent living. This kind of housing assistance usually lasts for less than 24 months. Other programs are available to help participants become self-sufficient, in addition to providing safe shelter for people in need.
As the transitional housing programs understand that the tight situation you are in may be worse for wear, they provide different support services within each transitional housing type. These services might include everything from counseling to case management.
The Benefits of Transitional Housing Programs
Transitional housing programs not only provide emergency accommodation for homeless people, but they also provide a variety of supportive services, such as:
- Medical care support for mental and physical illnesses.
- Recovery assistance for people suffering from addiction-related disorders.
- Training programs to help the participants improve their skills and abilities.
The major goal of transitional housing is to help the homeless return to normal life. Its mission is to assist people in regaining their independence and self-sufficiency. As a result, short-term housing assistance is only accessible for 90 days to two years. Following that, the participant should be able to apply for long-term housing programs.
The Most Common Types of Transitional Housing
Transitional housing is classified into four types. Each type of transitional housing is designed for a certain purpose or demographic. Emergency shelters, transitional shelters, rapid re-housing, and permanent supportive housing are the four forms of transitional housing. While emergency shelters can provide immediate relief, they are not a long-term solution. They are similar to emergency shelters, however, in transitional shelters, you can stay longer.
The fundamental goal of Rapid Re-Housing is to provide houses for low-income families and individuals as soon as possible. Finally, permanent supportive housing provides long-term housing for specific groups of individuals and families.
Nevertheless, you should bear in mind that each form of temporary housing has qualifying criteria that you should be able to meet. In addition, each type of transitional housing has its own set of rules and laws that you must follow.
Transitional Shelters
Transitional shelters offer short-term accommodation to families and individuals who do not have permanent housing. As a tenant, you can stay in a transitional shelter for six to 24 months, which is a long period of time compared to emergency shelters. You can also take advantage of a wide range of assistance programs that will increase your chances of finding work.
Moreover, transitional shelters provide resources that can help you find permanent housing for you and your family. This way, you can get back on your feet without having to worry about finding a place to stay.
Emergency Shelters
Emergency shelters target homeless people who need urgent shelter. Most people seek emergency shelter when they are in financial difficulty, and sometimes afterward as well.
These shelters are temporary housing units that support families and individuals in the hardest times of need. Emergency shelters offer support services as well as temporary housing until you can find a permanent home.
Nonetheless, emergency shelters work on a first-come, first-served basis. In other words, you have to secure a place for yourself in an emergency shelter before it fills up. Most emergency shelters provide people with basic housing necessities, which will give you an advantage in getting yourself together. This will help you to take a break from your problems and plan your future steps.
Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)
Rapid Re-Housing is a type of temporary housing that differs from the previous two. This type of transitional housing offers needy families and individuals housing support, helping them find a proper house as quickly as possible.
You will be able to rent a dwelling unit for you and your family, as well as participate in temporary community support services, through Rapid Re-Housing. The Rapid Re-Housing program’s main goal is to confront homelessness and reduce the chances of people and families becoming homeless.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent supportive housing (PSH) is the last type of transitional housing. This type of transitional housing provides needy families and individuals with permanent and secure dwelling units. This program has the objective of helping people with disabilities or those who are constantly homeless. PSH will provide you with a secure housing unit as well as supportive services to help you with your housing concerns.
Private Providers of Transitional Housing
So many charities and non-profit organizations across the country frequently help certain groups of people. This includes addicts in recovery, veterans, single mothers with their kids, people who are mentally ill, victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault who are homeless, people with AIDS/HIV, and immigrants. Those who are most in need of leaving the streets and moving to a safe place might find hope through:
Charities and Churches
Many churches and nonprofits offer free transitional housing as well as other support services to homeless families and individuals. Volunteers help residents plan for a better future by finding a job and a new permanent home or low-income housing. Residents can also get clothing, food, free transportation to job interviews, case management, and other types of assistance.
Short-term Hotel Vouchers
When all temporary housing units are full, you can receive a free voucher for a hotel stay. Keep in mind, however, that in certain circumstances, this option is only available through specific government institutions, charities, churches, and so forth. The coupon is often used to cover the cost of a couple of nights and is subject to a number of terms and conditions.
How Long Does It Take to Get Transitional Housing Assistance?
Transitional housing is of great help to millions of people. As a result, the waiting lists are usually long. A person may typically wait for about 2 weeks up to 24 months before they get the assistance they applied for. It depends on the available resources in the area you are living in.
Other options are available for those in need of support, such as addiction treatment, donation centers, medical assistance, transportation assistance, providing family needs, and/or financial education. Those in need should make use of every resource available through the program to help them on their housing journey.
How to Apply for Transitional Housing Programs?
Not only does each program have a specific set of services, but also they have different eligibility requirements and rules. This is why it is critical to look for local resources to find what fits your situation. The programs mainly help those who are in an emergency situation and do not have a place to live. Also, those who are dealing with domestic and financial issues might lead to homelessness.
If you need assistance for yourself or a loved one, search online to find out what temporary housing services are available in your region. Most transitional housing programs will be near you, which is perfect. That way, you will not need to travel to get housing assistance. You can check with your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) for more details on the available programs and the eligibility requirements. They will not only provide you with proper support, but they will also guide you and answer your questions.
Conclusion
To summarize, you do not need to panic if you find yourself in a situation where you need immediate housing. Transitional housing programs might be the solution to your issue. Determine which of the four types of shelters best meets your needs: emergency shelters, transitional shelters, quick re-housing, or permanent supportive housing.
You can contact your local PHA for further information about the available programs in your area. Also, you can seek help from non-profits or churches, as they provide effective assistance to several groups of people. In all cases, there is always a way!