'I wish I'd known about HPRP sooner'
Homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing are goals of new program
Kyomi Jones (right) and her four children, including daughter Alexis (left), found a safety net in the
Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program.
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Times had been tough before for Kyomi Jones, but when the usually sunny 34-year-old mother of four was laid off from her telemarketing job in November, she admits that she was distraught about her family’s future.
“We had just moved to a new apartment in September and were on a month-to-month rental agreement. I managed to pay December, but the month was almost up and I didn’t have money for January,” said Jones.
It was the closest to homelessness she’d ever been.
“I thought me and my kids were all going to be separated,” she said, recalling her plan to place children 14-year-old Alexis, 13-year-old Ronald, 6-year-old Kemari and 17-month-old Elijah with family members in the event she lost her home.
Not one to sit idly and watch what money she had left simply run out, she actively looked for assistance.
“I went everywhere – different churches and agencies, and all of them turned me down,” she said. “Then a friend told me about Volunteers of America – I was hesitant to even call because I’d been told ‘no’ so many times before. I thought for sure they’d tell me the same thing.”
But to her sheer joy and relief, she finally heard someone on the other end of the line say, “Yes.”
Before she hung up, she had an appointment to meet with a Volunteers of America counselor who would sign her up for Sacramento County’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. (Volunteers of America is among the Sacramento County social-service agencies providing HPRP services.)
And she wouldn’t have to wait a month, or even a week. Her appointment was only four days away.
“They were on it – they were wonderful,” said Jones, who is still amazed at how quickly her caseworker Robert was able to rescue the family from the brink of homelessness. Soon after her initial meeting, she saw her overdue utility bills paid and a promise that her rent would be paid in full beginning Jan. 1.
“I wish I’d know about HPRP sooner,” she said.
Created in July 2009, when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency’s funding application, Sacramento County’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program was designed to achieve two goals: to create a countywide housing-based intervention system that is focused on keeping households that are at risk of homelessness in housing (prevention); and to move families quickly out of homelessness and shelters (rapid re-housing).
Not a long-term “welfare” program, HPRP is structured to provide only the financial assistance needed – and for only as long as necessary to stabilize participants in housing. It provides services to achieve housing stability focusing on employment and income benefits channeled through mainstream resources.
For Jones, HPRP was a godsend. There’s never a good time to stare eviction in the face, but it was just days before Christmas and she could sense her children’s anxiety.
“It would have been terrible,” Jones said.
Thanks to the HPRP safety net, Jones was able to focus on finding a new job (Jones reports she has been successful and starts work as an in-home care worker Feb. 15).
Jones said she is singing the praises of Volunteers of America, HPRP and her caseworker Robert, and telling those who are currently in the position she found herself in last November that there’s reason for hope.
“Oh, god if it wasn't for them, I don't know what I'd do right now,” said Jones. “Volunteers of America and HPRP would be the first things I would tell people in need about. They’re going to find some way to help you. I know a lot of people who are doing so bad right now – and it’s hard.”
Beyond seeing to her financial needs, Jones’ caseworker is there to ensure that the family will never find themselves in a similar situation.
“He’s been wonderful,” said Jones. “He makes us feel like family.”
Jones’ family has quickly rebounded from their close call, she said. “All the kids are doing great – passing all their classes,” with her oldest, daughter Alexis, worry-free for the first time in months.
“Everything’s good,” said Jones.