County Moves Vulnerable Homeless into Permanent Homes in Silver Spring
Apartments located in Silver Spring have become new homes for five formerly homeless individuals who were identified as the County’s most medically vulnerable according to the Vulnerability Index, a survey instrument used during the Montgomery County 100,000 Homes Campaign Registry Week Nov. 3 through 7.
County leaders will celebrate the expansion of the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless Partner for Permanent Housing program’s expansion to serve the medically vulnerable homeless population during a press conference on April 9 in the County Council Building.
County Executive Ike Leggett, Montgomery County Councilmembers George Leventhal and Craig Rice, and Roberto Piñero, Chair of the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) of Montgomery County will be among those joining Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless (MCCH) Executive Director Susie Sinclair-Smith and others from the organization.
After Registry Week, the Montgomery County Council awarded MCCH funds to immediately house, with deep services, at least 15 of the community’s most medically vulnerable homeless adult residents. With this new resource, MCCH is expanding its program to support these individuals achieve housing stability in their new permanent homes. The program will provide rental assistance combined with intensive case management and medical and behavioral health supportive services.
“I am pleased that HOC is partnering with the Montgomery County Council, County Executive Leggett, and MCCH to ensure that the 100,000 Homes initiative is a success in the County,” said Housing Opportunities Commission Executive Director Stacy Spann. “We have been able to engage our landlord partners and property owners to discuss new strategies to place more Campaign candidates in affordable permanent housing,” Spann said.
“Registry Week was just the beginning of the Campaign,” said MCCH Executive Director Susie Sinclair-Smith. “Our momentum is continuing at a high pace,” she said. “This Campaign has ignited a sense of urgency to end homelessness for our most vulnerable neighbors in Montgomery County, and we’re glad MCCH can play an integral role with our County partners to advance this critical effort.”
Montgomery County 100,000 Homes Campaign volunteers surveyed 369 individuals during Registry Week, and identified 159 as the most vulnerable individuals who are in urgent need of permanent supportive housing.
“This County has done many things over the years to help address the needs of our homeless population,” said Council President Rice. “The 100,000 Homes Campaign targets a special segment of this population, a population that has been difficult to reach. Through this program, and the steps that are being put in place, we now have a better chance of letting them tell us their needs and then directly working to finding housing for these most vulnerable people,” Rice said.
Since starting the local campaign in June 2013, a total of 84 of the County’s most vulnerable homeless individuals have been housed, helping bring the national 100,000 Homes Campaign total to over 91,000. The national Campaign goal is to have 100,000 of the nation’s most vulnerable homeless individuals housed by July 2014.
“Montgomery County is committed to meeting the needs of all those men, women, and families in need of housing,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “No one should suffer for lack of a roof over their heads. I’m proud to support the 100,000 Homes Campaign.”
If community members would like to volunteer with the Campaign or donate items to help furnish future units, they can email the Campaign at herb@mcch.net.
“From the beginning of the Montgomery County 100,000 Homes Campaign our goal was to house homeless individuals who are the most medically vulnerable,” said Council Vice-President George Leventhal.
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