Simpson's Family Housing Program
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The annual Family Housing camping trip is a favorite among the children in the program. |
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Simpson's Family Housing Program helps families find and afford a place to live as they work toward permanent housing. The program also helps them develop the skills necessary to break the cycle of homelessness.
In 2006, we provided services to 95 families, through our two main programs, the Transitional Housing Program and the Rental Assistance Program (RAP). Since 1990, Simpson Housing Services Family Housing Programs have served 736 families with 1,935 children.
Transitional Housing
RAP
Family Roots Alliance
Simpson has partnered with Lutheran Social Service to jointly serve 30 long-term homeless families in scattered site housing through the Family Roots Alliance program. The families receive intensive support services and there is no time limit on their participation. This program has targeted large families with an average of four children per household.
ZOOM House
Simpson contracts with Zion Lutheran Church to provide support services to the 10 families living in their site-based transitional housing at The ZOOM House. A full-time family advocate provides support services to both the parents and the school-aged children.
Housing First
Supported by Hennepin County, this program provides support to 10 to 15 families struggling with multiple episodes of homelessness. A collaboration with mental health providers offers additional support to over-burdened families.
Elliot Park Apartments
Simpson provides housing placement and intensive services to eight long-term homeless families in a Section 8 (a federally funded initiative that provides rental assistance to lower income households) development owned by Community Housing Development Corporation. This development is located in the Elliot Park neighborhood near downtown Minneapolis.
Passage Community Housing
In November 2007, Simpson purchased Passage Community Housing, a 17 unit apartment building providing transitional housing to families.
Simpson works with family members on education, parenting, employment and work preparation. Families meet weekly with Simpson case managers to establish goals and chart a path to reaching them. Parents and children also come together monthly for SOAR, a program alternating workshops and social activities.
Soar Program
An important addition to our family program has been
our Education Support Advocates, a staff interface between schools
and families to help resolve social and educational issues. The
result? We've seen school attendance and performance improve dramatically,
and families are better equipped to be advocates for their children.
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