During the COVID-19 pandemic, funding from federal, state, and county sources have expanded to address homelessness, especially for seniors and others at elevated risk of the virus. New incentives are available to both landlords and participants over the age of 55 to motivate landlords to participate and to allow case managers to negotiate barriers or rent.
BTH continues to help clients find permanent housing despite record-low housing availability. In fact, 179 households totaling 326 people have been permanently housed in the last 18 months.
In one instance, our client Mark and his case manager utilized the senior incentives in the housing process. Mark is 62 years old and has lived in Santa Clarita for five years. Mark has been homeless for three of those years, living in the riverbed, couch surfing from time to time, and temporarily staying in the Bridge to Home shelter. Mark has a few friends but does not have any family support.
Mark first came to Bridge to Home in 2019 and enrolled into the housing program but lost
contact with staff. He came back mid-2020 looking for permanent housing because he felt he just could not continue living outside. Mark was able to secure early retirement income in December 2020 and also now works part-time.
Mark and his case manager actively worked on his housing plan and Mark often used the BTH office for access to computers and phones for housing searches. Mark located a housing lead in Santa Clarita in December and the case manager was able to secure it.
We are thrilled to share that Mark moved into permanent housing in January 2021.
