We are so proud to introduce two new Rapid Rehousing programs through generous funding and partnerships through the Mayor’s Office, All Chicago, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
“Safe, affordable housing is a human right” states Executive Director, Renita White at Of Color, Inc.
Of Color Inc’s housing programs do not mandate service delivery but instead encourage resources. We believe that each family unit is unique and that we should be equipped to begin the engagement process where our clients are. Once our clients decide to receive services, we introduce a family systems approach that wraps services around them and the members of their household. We work with individuals and families to investigate support areas to produce a positive outcome.
Our doors are always open, and our staff work flexible hours to meet the needs of our client recipients. Our Housing Case Managers advocate for tenant rights and work with individual landlords to ensure a positive tenant-landlord relationship, such as following building rules, paying rent on time, and reducing apartment damages. Our goal is to help participants transition into sustainable living situations that they can be proud of and maintain independently.
We help our clients to identify individual needs and goals through a detailed assessment process. This process is critical in helping them to identify the barriers, supports, and strengths related to successful independence. Assessment plans are created to identify specific goals and strategies for achievement. Our assessments are conducted in a culturally respectful manner that is mindful of the participant’s age, language, developmental level, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We revisit individual plans frequently to identify accomplishments, the lackthereof, and new goals, if there is a need.
Our Rapid Rehousing program that isfunded through ARPA and the Mayor’s Office, works with families of one or moreindividuals and the program funded through HUD focuses on young adults, ages 18– 24, to break a cycle of homelessness before it is started integrating linkageto health service providers as an added component.
Of Color Inc realizes that before our clientscan secure stable employment and fully live their best lives, they must obtain safeand secure housing. We work with realtors and other community partners acrossthe city to ensure that everyone in our program gets this chance.
